Sharper than a speeding pink Razr
Motorola ups the cool factor with the Q, a smart phone that mimics the sleek styling of its trendy Razr handset. The Q can handle wireless phone calls, transmit e-mail, play music and video clips, snap pictures and display documents in standard formats, such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Measuring just 0.45-inch thick, the device features a 2.4-inch color screen with a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels, a QWERTY keyboard, dual speakers, a 1.3-megapixel camera, picture caller ID, Bluetooth wireless connectivity and a slot for a mini Secure Digital memory card. The Q costs $200, with a two-year service plan from Verizon Wireless. Voice and data plans start at $80 a month.
www.verizonwireless.com/q
JVC camcorder leaves memory worries behind Need a top-notch camcorder for a summer wedding or family vacation? JVC’s Everio GZ-MG505 model is worth a look. The camcorder can record more than 10 hours of quality video directly onto its 30-gigabyte hard drive, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to pack recording tapes or discs. Equipped with a 3-CCD imaging device, the camcorder also is a sharp shooter, capable of capturing video with DVD-movie quality and vivid snapshots with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,920 pixels. Weighing just over a pound, the camcorder boasts a 2.7-inch wide-screen display. It will go on sale in July for about $1,300.
www.jvc.com
One Web camera, hold the static
You can make sure your voice is heard with Creative Technology’s new Web camera. Equipped with dual microphones, the Live! Cam Voice webcam minimizes background noise coming from outside the webcam’s field of view, which allows you to speak in a natural voice when sending video instant messages in public places. The webcam can capture 1.3-megapixel video and 5-megapixel snapshots, and includes software to help you share your video/audio messages online. It costs $100.
www.us.creative.com
Software thwarts procrastinators
Checklist can help you and your family keep track of work deadlines, homework, sports games and other activities. The easy-to-use program lets you create to-do lists with deadlines, reminders and descriptions for different projects and family members.
You can view the items by due date, category or see everything at once. The program also can track your workload, so you can accurately log how much time you’re spending on specific projects.
The Windows-based title costs $40. A free 15-day trial is available.
www.tasksolutions.com
