Vision - September/October 2007 - (Page 8) c4 trends viewpoints on Ce evolution ] • [ by susan sChreiner Casio’s new super-slim Projector, model XJ-S35, since it accepts data from a thumbdrive and doesn’t require a PC. This projector is thin enough to fit into an attaché case, measuring less than the size of an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, it is only 1.7-inches high, and weighs about 3.9 pounds. Its 2000 ANSI lumens enable projecting, without dimming the lights. We tested Casio’s brightness claim in our living room at home during very bright daylight and we were pleasantly surprised. Adding to this multimedia projector’s attractiveness is its wide-angle 2X zoom lens that gives it terrific distance flexibility, making it suitable for use in a small boardroom or larger conference room. For added convenience it supports wireless connectivity, with a USB wireless adapter. After working for a while, I needed a break, so I took out Nintendo’s DS Lite. It’s now less than two-thirds its original size and more than 20 percent lighter than the original Nintendo DS. One of the new trends in gaming is the rising popularity of casual gaming, perfect entertainment for short attention spans or while waiting for a flight. It’s also Wi-Fi compatible for shared gaming. After playing Nintendo’s Brain Age and Puzzle Games, it is clear why Nintendo sold more than 40 million of the DS in 2007. In the end it’s the game play that brings the gamers, and the DS has that in spades. To ensure that my PC was fully-charged for the flight, the last item that I pulled out was Monster Cable’s Outlet to Go. Have you noticed how people hover around outlets at an airport and there never seem to be enough? I’m always traveling with several devices that need to be recharged, and unfortunately I have found myself crawling under desks in search of an outlet more times than I care to recall. Monster’s Cable to Go is simple—and very useful. Two hours later… the plane had not yet landed. It was going to be a long day. There are many more products I could mention but space is limited… So stay tuned and email your favorites to susan@c4trends. com. • www.ce.org Staying Connected in the Air S ince flight delays now are common, I decided to consider wireless within the context of several useful gadgets and items that make our lives more productive and traveling more comfortable. Recently, I was flying from Boston to the West Coast, when a two-hour flight delay was announced. Surprise! I found a comfortable corner, took out my laptop from my 20-inch Upright Briggs and Riley carry-on and began to work. The Briggs and Riley suitcase is perfect for the frequent business traveler because it’s two cases in one, accommodating and protecting clothes and a laptop. Its frontloading laptop compartment provides easy access for pulling-out a laptop for security checks, easily fits into the overhead compartment and its U-shaped opening enables easy access to a computer or files, when stored in the plane’s overhead. The next item that I pulled out was a Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U from Sprint. When I first got this device with a limited subscription I thought, why bother? But I quickly learned what it means to be connected anywhere, at anytime. This small, lightweight device makes ‘broadband on command’ effortless, lets you easily surf the Web and send and receive even large email with attachments. It’s Mac/PC compatible, and easily plugs into a computer’s USB port. Now, when at an airport or hotel you don’t need to pay the extra fees to get online. Audio-technica’s ATHANC7 QuietPoint™ Active Noise-Canceling Headphones make long flights more pleasant. The headphones provide rich, clear audio for in-flight entertainment or listening to music. They also significantly reduce background noise and are outstanding at blocking out crying baby sounds. While working at the airport, a colleague called to discuss a section of a PowerPoint presentation that he gave me just before I left my office, so I took out a 4-GB Yego thumb-drive from Ridata. It provides a 2.0 USB connection, and can be expanded to create a nine GB hub. Its size and capacity makes it one of those ‘musthaves.’ In this situation, the drive held the presentation, which I was going to use with september/October 2007 http://www.ce.org
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