Fetish
Wetware
Even we wired ones occasionally have to use the mundane asphalt superhighway. Think of Goodyear's new Eagle Aquatred tire as a way to eliminate line noise that could terminate your session. This design has two center grooves that vent water away from the tire to prevent hydroplaning, helping to protect the car and driver from an unexpected system crash and permanent damage to hardware and software. Eagle Aquatred: US$99-$139 (depending on tire size). Goodyear: (800) 321 2136, +1 (216) 796 2121.
Triple Vision
For the serious video fetishist, the Sony CCD-VX3 camcorder is good for more than just memories. It's the first consumer camcorder to include three imaging chips - the same system used in high-performance professional camcorders. In three-chip imaging, each chip records one primary color (red, green, or blue). The result is incredible color purity and image resolution. The VX3 is also loaded with advanced features such as a 12:1 zoom lens, good for everything from snowflakes to the Grand Canyon. I especially like the interval recording functions that let you create time-lapse videography. CCD-VX3: US$3,800. Sony: (800) 222 7669, +1 (201) 368 9272.
Full-charge
Rechargeable batteries can be a great money saver, but they can also be a royal pain in the butt. If you don't completely discharge and completely recharge your battery every time you use it, it develops a "memory," making it run dry after abbreviated use. Sunpak is the first company in the world to ship a memory-free rechargeable battery (at this point, for camcorders only). For convenience, it includes an LED display to show battery strength. This universal replacement battery is compatible with Sony, Panasonic, and JVC camcorders. RB-8OUL: US$120. Sunpak: (800) 844 3468.
Preamp With a Plug-In Brain
Mark Levinson is known by audiophiles worldwide for his state-of-the-art audio equipment. "No. 38" is his first remote-controlled preamplifier. It features six line-level inputs (two balanced), as well as balanced and unbalanced main outputs. And best of all, the unit's software is on a plug-in chip that can be easily replaced and updated. If money is no object, this is really sweet. No. 38: US$3,995. Madrigal Audio Labs: +1 (203) 346 0896.
Mobile Moments
Here's a Photo CD player for the road warrior. The Kodak PCD 970 portable player runs on four AA batteries, weighs 26 ounces and is about the size of a VHS tape. A Photo CD disc can store up to 100 slides/snapshots or images in a digital format and plugs into any television set. The player includes a remote control, so you can work the room on the next road show. I'm going to put my honeymoon photos on a Photo CD and take this puppy to the in-laws'. PCD 970: US$449. Kodak: (800) 242 2424, +1 (716) 724 4000.
Tunes for Travelers
When I fly, I like to bring along my favorite tunes. Inevitably, I have to pump up the volume past the comfort level to compete with the jet engine noise. These ANVT NQ-100 headphones will give your ears a break with a noise-cancellation technology that eliminates up to 95 percent of the cabin noise on planes and 80 percent of car noise. Unfortunately, they're not effective for drowning out that yammering passenger next to you who can't take a hint that headphones mean "I vant to be left alone." ANVT NQ-100: US$189.95. Active Noise and Vibration Technologies: (800) 858 2688, +1 (602) 470 0020.
Thin Is In
While flat-screen television has come a long way in the past few years, LCD and plasma displays still have problems matching the brightness, vivid colors, and image definition normally associated with conventional TV sets. Panasonic's Flat Vision has changed all that with its new "active beam matrix " (ABM) technology. ABM is similar in concept to the standard television CRTs, but in the Flat Vision set, the picture is created through illumination of nearly 10,000 screen phosphors by electrons fired from a beam source. Flat Vision: US$2,500. Panasonic: (800) 843 0080, +1 (201) 348 7000.
Get Illuminated
The right lighting can really set the mood. Up until now, your only choices were to buy three-way lamps or to install dimmer switches. The base of the new Philips Dimmer Bulb contains a computer chip that lets you adjust the brightness of any lamp. Flipping the light switch on and off automatically cycles the Philips bulb through four intensities: from a dimly romantic 20 watts to an interrogation-strength 100 watts. Dimmer Bulb: US$5. Philips: +1 (615) 475 0317.
Focused on Tradition
If you like the look of classic metal-case cameras but aren't willing to give up the cool features that modern photographers are used to - automatic focus, flash, film handling - check out the Contax TVS, a perfect combination of old and new. It has the old-style metal-cast body, but the inside is full of the latest electronics. Best of all, it has a Carl Zeiss 28-58 mm zoom lens. Zeiss lenses are famous for flawless resolution, even at the edges of the image. Contax TVS: US$1,695. Yashica; (800) 526 3633, +1 (818) 812 8888.
Groovy Football
When playtime comes, try this scientifically engineered football from the creator of the Aerobie Flying Rings. The Aerobie Football is so aerodynamically sound that even children can throw long bombs. The secret? Curved fins work like a propeller, driving the spinning motion (up to 1,000 rpm) as the ball is thrust forward. At the same time, the fins keep the nose up, which adds lift to the throw. Aerobie Football: US$9.95. Superflight: (800) 999 3565, +1 (415) 321 5050.
Wired & Unplugged
Three-hour commutes on the earthquake-damaged highways of Southern California have made plenty of people true believers in the benefits of telecommuting. And home offices need flexible communication systems that don't hog precious desk space. Panasonic has delivered the goods with the KX-F390, the world's first fax machine that includes an answering machine and 900-MHz cordless phone, letting you take a meeting from the backyard. KX-F390: US$1,300. Panasonic: (800) 843 0080, +1 (201) 348 7000.
Window In Your Pocket
For those who take their show on the road, this pocket-sized gadget will put you in the director's seat. The PocketPro is a portable LCD adapter that plugs into the good ol' slide projector. It uses an active matrix liquid crystal display that slips into the standard slide slot and projects a gray-scale image onto your screen. It will hook up to any Mac or PC-compatible computer capable of 640-by-480 video output. PocketPro: US$1,495. (800) 983 6060, +1 (508) 824 6696.
Edited By David Jacobs
