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Gadgets: Laser mouse, Walkmans, Bluetooth for iPhone 4, new flash drives

Gadgets: Laser mouse, Walkmans, Bluetooth for iPhone 4, new flash drives

The Smartfish ErgoMotion Laser Mouse has a feel to it like no other I’ve tried, offering comfort while computing even for an extended period of time.

With Carpel Tunnel Syndrome becoming a standard work concern, this mouse is no guarantee to prevent injury but after using it I can see how it helps.

The main feature is ErgoMotion, which is described in a recent press release as “the most advanced computer peripheral technology designed to relieve discomfort and prevent repetitive stress injuries related to extended computer usage.”

This technology was developed by medical professionals working to prevent these types of injuries.

What this means to you is that the mouse adjusts, with its patented swivel mechanism, to your hand position as it moves while scrolling or clicking (left or right) with either hand.

I must say, there was a short learning curve but after a few minutes, it was obvious how this can make a difference long-term.

While holding the mouse, your hand pivots back and forth on the mouse itself, which sits on a pedestal base housing the laser.

No software is needed, just put in the two included AA batteries and plug in the 2.4 GHZ USB receiver in a Mac or Windows system.

Smartfish tests had the batteries lasting up to 10 months, although this can vary depending on usage but the on/off button will sure help.

www.getsmartfish.com, $49.95

Long before the word iPod came into the world, portable music players were pretty much known as Walkmans for the pocket-sized players made by Sony.

Digital music didn’t exist, so we were stuck with AM and FM radio for the most part.

The iPod caused the explosion of digital music but the Walkman still thrives, especially after testing the newly released E Series of pocket sized MP3 players.

The reasonably priced player has all the features you would want from a pocket sized device without a lot of expensive bells and whistles.

Once the player is charged, it’s simple to operate without the need of a touch screen.

A display wheel (scroll-free) contains all the buttons you need from pause, play, home and back.

Music (MP3, WMA (DRM), AAC, Linear PCM), photos (JPEG) and video (WMV) can all be played and the options are displayed on the 2-inch color display (320 x 240 pixels).

The volume is controlled on the side and a USB connection is on the bottom end.

The battery life should give you up to 50 hours of audio playback or about 10 hours of video playback.

Included on the player is Sony’s Content Transfer Software, for easily transferring digital files to the player from a PC or iTunes.

Like its recent models, a FM radio is included and 30 stations can be chosen as presets.

www.sonystyle.com, available in red, blue or black in 4GB models for $64, 8GB are the better deal at $70.

If you ever shopped for a Bluetooth headset for your cell phone, you know the choices are endless.

Bluetrek Metal Evolution has made a specially designed Bluetooth headset specifically for the iPhone 4 and 3GS.

What makes the perfect match is the Bluetooth chipset headset, which is produced by the same company that supplied the one in the iPhone itself.

Just like the attractive and stylish media player, the Bluetooth headset is built with style; it has a brushed metallic finish with a reinforced aluminum casing.

Outside noise is minimized with Bluetrek’s NoiseLock noise cancellation technology.

Testing the device on a non-iPhone still showed the crystal clarity as advertized. Calls were heard like I was using the phone itself and everyone I spoke to confirmed the clarity on their end.

Another nice feature is the ability to simultaneously connect a pair of cellphones to the Bluetooth headset.

Everything is easily controlled with three buttons on the backside of the headset. These are for answering calls, voice dialing and controlling the volume.

After a full charge (done via USB), expect about 5 days of standby time or 4.5 hours of talk time.

www.bluetrek.com, $59.99

If you want a flash drive that stands out from just about every other Mimoco, makers of designer USB flash drives, has some new ones on the market.

The recently launched Badtz-Maru, Hangyodon, and the classic Hello Kitty drives are part of the company’s second wave of Sanrio character flash drives.

Preloaded are desktop wallpapers, screensavers, avatars and icons.

Windows or Mac systems will support each drive, available in sizes of 2GB ($24.95), 4GB ($34.95), 8GB ($54.95) and 16GB ($79.95).

www.mimoco.com

[Thanks: http://www.miamiherald.com]

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