No more gamer’s hand cramps
PC gamers can gain a comfortable edge with the Wolfking Warrior, a portable ergonomic game pad. The keys on the round pad are laid out in an arc, allowing you to keep your fingers in a normal gaming position without having to stretch to reach the keys. The device has 55 command controls, conveniently located escape and audio keys, and two control keys positioned to accommodate different sized hands. The stand-alone unit connects to a PC via a USB port and can work alongside a regular keyboard. Cost: $35.
www.wolfkingusa.com
Phone with clones lets you pick up in any room
Always running to catch the phone? You can slow down and catch your breath with VTech’s ia5874 cordless phone system. The 5.8GHz system includes three cordless handsets plus a base station that doubles as a digital answering system. Priced at $80, the system can store 45 caller ID numbers and 20 phone book entries. Need just one phone? VTech’s V Mix gz2335 2.4GHz cordless phone ships with three removable faceplates in red, blue and silver. Its phone book can store 10 names and numbers, which can be assigned one of 17 musical ringtones. It costs $25.
www.vtechphones.com
A muscled-up cell signal
If your cellphone coverage is spotty, the Wi-Ex Cell Phone Signal Booster can extend its reach up to 2,500 square feet. The booster system captures the wireless signal outside and brings it inside, enhancing the phone’s signals so you can easily share e-mail messages, pictures and other data through your phone. The YX500-CEL
works with 800MHz phones, while the YX500-PCS works with 1,900MHz phones. Priced at $300, each model comes with an amplifier base, a power supply, a base unit antenna, coaxial cable, a signal antenna and mounting hardware. A Wi-Ex Car Extender that boosts the cellphone signal in your car is also available for $300.
www.wi-ex.com
22-inch screen gets it all
The new 22-inch wide-screen LCD monitor from Westinghouse Digital Electronics isn’t just for computers. In addition to functioning as a computer monitor, it displays TV shows picked up from cable, satellite and HDTV receivers, as well as video from camcorders, DVD players and game consoles. Designed with a black chassis, built-in speakers and a detachable stand, the LCM-22w2 monitor can be placed on a desk or mounted on a wall. It delivers a resolution of 1,680 by 1,050 pixels, a contrast ratio of 700:1 and an aspect ratio of 16:10. It costs $500.
www.westinghousedigital.com
