Fetish
Visualize This!
IBM thought its Power Visualization System (PVS), a multi-user, multimedia super computer with a price tag of $320,000 would find its biggest reception among scientists and defense contractors. Instead, it played its warmest reviews to movie directors. It turns out that the PVS is a monster special effects machine, which already has a starring role in several big-screen productions. (IBM: 800-388-9820 or 914-784-5010)
Neo-nerd chic!
The Flying Toaster tie ($17.95) is available from Berkeley Systems - the producers of After Dark, the wonderfully wacky screen blanker for Mac and Windows systems that features flying toasters, cavorting kittens, and scenes from "Star Trek." Available in red, blue or maroon, this neo- nerd neckwear will immediately identify you as truly wired. (Berkeley Systems: 800-344-5541 or 510-540-5535)
Where Am I?
No matter where in the world you are, the $1,195 hand-held Sony Pyxis GPS (Global Positioning System) can identify your precise position within about 100 feet. The Pyxis communicates with four satellites to identify your longitude, latitude, and altitude. With Pyxis you may still get lost, but at least you'll know exactly where you are. (Sony: 201-930-7669)
The Music Cube
The $12,000 Proceed CD Library creates a database so you can play tracks from any of your CDs in any order you want. Biggest drawback for the obscenely wired: The Proceed can only hold 100 CDs. (Madrigal Audio Labs: 203-346-0896)
Road Warrior
Every major electronics company is developing some type of personal communicator. These hand-held wonders merge the telephone, fax, and a personal computer into a single go-anywhere, talk-to-anything package. First to market (April '93) is the EO 880 Personal Communicator, with fax, modem, and cellular phone capabilities, all with a pen-based interface, for about $3,000. (EO: 415-988-8491)
Round Sound
The Brinkman Endymion loudspeaker is not only visually striking, but also provides amazing sound and accurate sound imaging regardless of where you are sitting in the room. (Brinkman, UK: 011-44-443-841-706)
Compute, and Shoot
The Nikon N90 ($1,230) actually includes its own multitasking computer operating system that coordinates information among the various processors in the N90, D-series lens, and SB25 flash for determining the proper exposure and shutter speed. It even has a data port for a computer/camera interface to a Sharp Wizard. (Nikon: 800-645-6687 or 310-516-7124)
Palm Top Video
The Fujix P-40U Video Projector lets you take your video show on the road. The world's smallest video projector, the Fujix can display a big image - up to 40 inches diagonally. It runs on a standard camcorder battery, can accept any NTSC composite video source, and lists for $799. (Fuji: 914-789-8145)
Calling Dick Tracy
About the closest thing so far to a Dick Tracy-style wristwatch/cell phone is the Swatch Piepser. The Piepser is a $250 Swatch watch with a special built-in beeper. Unlike a standard pager, which displays the number of the person who is calling, the Piepser uses four different tones, each correlating to one of four pre-determined phone numbers. (Swatch: 800-879-2824 or 717-394-5288)
