Fetish

Fetish

Phoenix
"The world's fastest notebook," scream ads for Apple's new PowerBook 3400c. And with a 240-MHz 603e PowerPC processor, maybe it's time to believe the hype. Throw in built-in Ethernet and modem capabilities, hot-swappable expansion-bay modules, four-speaker sound system, and a 12.1-inch active-matrix SVGA display, and this clicking computer might be the lost lottery ticket the company has been searching for - until, of course, Apple releases the lighter model that's rumored to fit in an IBM-made 4-pound ThinkPad shell. PowerBook 3400c: US$6,500. Apple: +1 (408) 996 1010, on the Web at www.apple.com/.

Warning
Notebookjackers beware. Defcon 1, a battery-powered antitheft alarm system, senses the prying hands of digital-age rustlers and responds with a blaring 110-decibel alarm. Most locks loop through a slot on the notebook and are secured to some immovable object, but they're useless when your computer is left out in open spaces. Defcon 1, on the other hand, attaches to your carrying case and howls like a coyote when someone trips its motion detector. Defcon 1: US$49.95. Port: (800) 242 3133, on the Web at www.portinc.com/.

Discobot
If you hanker to do karaoke right, you might want to employ a little Japanese mechanical wizardry. With a 3,000-song repertoire and a data line for digital updates, the Party DAM is your personal sing-along robot. It employs the MIDI music standard and has more than 500 instrument sounds, letting you rearrange the tunes with techno or Jamaican flavors. It even does games like bingo. Party DAM: &YEN1,400,000 (US$11,415). Daiichikosho Co. Ltd.: +81 (3) 3280 2165, on the Web at www.dkkaraoke.co.jp/.

Twister
If a disaster strikes and no one's there to report it, does it make a sound? With the GPS Reporter, you'll have an answer. Built for the Japanese market by Toshiba and designed for use in the field, the Reporter consists of a digital still camera with a microphone and monitor, a GPS receiver, a computer for storing position data, and a cellular phone. The Reporter, in other words, lets you let the world know what's going on. And if it happens you end up needing some assistance yourself, that GPS data will have the rescue party looking in the right place. GPS Reporter: ¥1,500,000 (US$12,230). Toshiba Corp.: +81 (3) 3457 4451.

Horsepower
The Triumph T595 Daytona may look like a flying banana, but you won't be slip-slidin' along while riding this high-powered bad boy. Packing a 955 cc engine that harnesses 128 horses of pure riding excitement, this three cylinder motorcycle flat-out hauls. Backed by Triumph's impressive technology and incorporating its classic design, the T595 comes in strontium yellow and jet black. More important, it actually looks like a bat out of hell. Who would have guessed? Triumph T595: US$10,695. Triumph Motorcycles Limited: +1 (770) 631 9500, on the Web at www.triumph.co.uk/.

Mini-Bar
One thing technology has dispensed with is the need for larger-than-life stereos and monster-truck-sized speakers. JBL's esc 550 satisfies your home theater needs simply and elegantly. Five satellite speakers and a 250-watt subwoofer swath the room in audio as you sit back, issuing commands to The Source, the 550's command center. Underneath its sleek façade lie a CD player, an AM/FM tuner, and a Dolby Pro Logic surround sound processor. Worried about your decor? It comes in black or white. esc 550: US$1,699.95. JBL: (800) 336 4525, on the Web at www.jbl.com/.

Chalk
Whiteboards are great, except what do you do with all those great diagrams and notes once you're finished brainstorming? Now you can have your whiteboard and eat it too. Ibid is a simple whiteboard system that connects to your PC. With it, you can do all the wild-and-crazy, out-of the-box thinking you want, and then take your notes and print, email, or export them (as image files) into other programs. 'Course, for it to do any good, you've got to think of something really worthwhile to scribble. Ibid: US$499. MicroTouch: (800) 642 7686, on the Web at www.microtouch.com/.

Analog
A common joke making the rounds calls the mailing list push media's killer app: No hassles. Low bandwidth. Now Minolta is doing for audio what the mailing list does for text. The PCFM Receiver plugs into your Wintel PC's 25-pin serial port and delivers broadcast-quality radio direct to your sound card. While the rest of the world struggles to glimpse postage stamp-sized QuickTime movies, you'll be enjoying Fresh Air with Terry Gross and drinking your morning coffee. PCFM Receiver: US$59.95. Minolta: +1 (201) 825 4000, on the Web at www.minoltausa.com/.

Bash
Keith Moon might turn in his grave, but when it comes to digital rhythms, the Yamaha DTX electronic percussion system will take some beating. The updated module can synthesize 880 drum sounds, and the onboard five track sequencer will record MIDI data and let you layer five notes on one drum. And while the DTX will definitely loosen up your drumming style, playing it in the swimming pool is not recommended. OK, Keith? Nine piece DTX Electronic Percussion System: US$2,335. Yamaha Corporation of America: +1 (616) 940 4900, on the Web at www.yamaha.com/.

Stun
The Star Trek Phaser Remote turns couch-potato time into space exploration. Eager for a little telematic justice? When the cantankerous McCoy starts messing with that pointy-eared cutie called Spock, just zap the ornery sawbones with the mute. Press a button and out shoot surprising phaser sounds, zapping Oprah where it hurts. And adding to your pleasure as you key in commands, the universal remote emits a deep, satisfying ruby glow. Kirk never had it so good. Star Trek Phaser Remote: US$39.95. The Edge Company: (800) 732 9976, on the Web at www.edgeco.com/.

Print
Digital cameras are great, but how do you get the pictures out of your PC and into your scrapbook? TruPhoto is the final step in eliminating the Fotomat from your life forever. The printer''s heat' and ultraviolet'light sensitive Thermo-Autochrome paper produces 144 pixels per inch, delivering 3.5'by-5-inch images that are near photographic quality. The manual stinks, but with some practice you'll get results you'll be proud of. TruPhoto: US$449. Panasonic Interactive Media: +1 (408) 653 1888, on the Web at www.truphoto.com/.

Mode
Surfer Pro is the new dépêche mode. In the form of a tiny surfboard, this stylish modem supports data speeds up to 33.6 Kbps and fax speeds to 14.4. Sporting a brightly colored "surfsuit," it comes armed with software applications to send and receive data and faxes and store voice messages. Once you get over the corny surf analogy, you'll be pleased to learn the Pro comes equipped with browser software. Surfer Pro: &POUND149 (US$238). Psion Dacom PLC: +44 (1908) 261686, email dacom@psion.com.