Koss headset plays MP3 tunes
MP3 players have mostly left the heavy lifting of actually producing sound to speakers or headphones. Koss decided to mash the two together with its MP3 Tugo (as in “to go”), a pair of audiophile-style headphones with a built-in player. The headphones, available at for $299, look like a traditional hi-fi headset with soft earcups and a thick padded headband. Inside, along with Koss speakers, are 512 megabytes of storage — enough for about 128 songs — and MP3-playback circuitry, allowing unobtrusive listening to music without connecting an external player. The Tugo is compatible with PCs and Macs and allows dragging and dropping MP3 files to the headphones over a mini-USB cable, which also charges the set. It can last about 10 hours on one charge, and the headphones fold up for portability.
Preschoolers can dabble in art via PC
A Windows computer can be transformed into an easel for preschoolers with the Digital Arts and Crafts Studio, a $50 device from Fisher-Price. About the size of a standard keyboard, the device plugs into a computer’s USB port, which also supplies it with power. After installing the software from the included CD, children can draw with an attached marker-size stylus. Other activities using the pen include coloring-book pages, dot-to-dot puzzles and craft ideas. But the heart of this device is in the drawing, which children can do using the 256 smudge-free colors, resizable shapes or stamps by touching one of the light-up menu buttons. A text-entry tool makes it possible to type on a picture, and you can import your own digital photos for editing. A password-protected menu lets parents limit such things as the number of printouts, a nice feature.
Mighty mouse is wireless and more
Packing a laptop bag at the last minute is hectic enough, but a new travel mouse ensures there will be one less thing to forget. While it looks like a typical cordless model, the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 from Microsoft has a USB transceiver that doubles as a 1 GB flash drive for storing and transferring files. It also comes with a thin cable that magnetically connects the underside of the mouse to the USB transceiver to recharge the battery from the computer’s power, even while the mouse is in use. Buttons on the mouse can be used to magnify the screen or to jump into the Windows Flip 3D feature of Windows Vista. The mouse works with Windows or Macintosh systems and can be found for about $70 online. It operates on the 2.4-gigahertz frequency, but it can change over to Bluetooth.
This Mini maxes out Bluetooth advantage
In-car Bluetooth devices — wireless systems for making and taking calls on the road without a headset — are a dime a dozen. There are all kinds on the market, from bulky visor-mounted gadgets to invisible factory-installed models. The Venturi Mini, however, is refreshingly different. The Mini does everything a Bluetooth device is supposed to do. It pairs with your cellphone and lets you make and take calls. It also transmits audio of calls over your car radio and includes a bright display for showing caller numbers. Unlike other Bluetooth devices, however, the Mini includes ports for connecting MP3 players to the device or connecting the Mini to a compatible car stereo. It even supports Bluetooth music streaming from compatible devices and phones. What’s more, the Mini has a full-size USB charging port so your devices won’t wear down while they’re playing through the system. The Mini will be available in December, online and in stores, for about $130. Now, if only iPods came equipped with Bluetooth.
