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Tech Toys
Who says engineers can't have fun
Stacie Grasso, Associate Editor -- EDN, 9/1/2000
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Touch and go
With a thousand other things on your mind, who has the time or energy to remember yet another password? By simply touching the polymer-based sensor, the Ethenticator MS 3000 lets you instantly access any Web site or other text-based information secured by a password or user name. The TactileSense fingerprint-verification technology lets your finger's electrical field become a secure gateway to your data. The SecureSuite operating system protects your notebook from prying eyes and allows you to determine access for different users. The company Web site offers the Ethentica for $199.99.
Weatherproof computing
In wind, sleet, snow, or rain, the Sidearm handheld PC withstands the elements. The Microsoft Windows CE-based rugged computer uses an Intel StrongARM 206-MHz processor for 16 hours of operation from one charge. If you're camping, working outdoors, or caught in a storm, the Sidearm is built to withstand 40-mph driving wind and rain and is a dream for the accident prone. The high-impact PC/ABS-blend housing combines with integrated Santoprene bumpers to protect you against cuts and bruises. In addition, the wireless modem allows for data transfer even when you're far from home. The SideArm retails at $2100.
Digital in the palm of your hand
Turn your Handspring Visor handheld computer into a digital camera. Snap the Eyemodule digital camera into the springboard expansion slot to take pictures without holding the camera up to your eye. The Eyemodule uses a CMOS imaging array to create digital images with low power requirements. The device automatically labels images with a date and time, and the software included lets you view, print, and e-mail images as JPEG files. The Visor Deluxe stores more than 500 small black-and-white, 125 large black-and-white, and 25 color images. System requirements for the eyemodule include a Handspring or Visor Deluxe handheld with 48 kbytes of free memory. The camera is available for $149.95.
Packing up
Zip up and you're ready to go! The Darwin backpack can hold a laptop with a 15-in. screen, a portable printer, and tons of other gear. Fully packed, the Darwin still manages to fit in an airplane's overhead compartment. The large volume pack offers comfort features, such as thick foam padding, padded shoulder straps, and a removable sternum strap for increased stability. Pockets and dividers allow for storage of adapters, cables, and other handy gadgets. The pack costs $140.
Big Brother technology
The US Department of Defense GPS satellite technology allows you to keep track of business expenses on the road or locate the whereabouts of missing loved ones via a vehicle-tracking feature. The unit automatically gathers driving miles on a daily basis, maintains hourly billing records, and produces reports on all travel activities. The TravelEyes unit uses GPS satellite signals to provide accurate positioning of 10 to 50 ft of actual vehicle location. The miniature computer remains concealed aboard the vehicle and is easily removable. You can download the hardware to any Windows 95/98 or NT computer.
