When it comes to earbuds, one size does not fit all. A British-based audio company, Atomic Floyd, has incorporated Twist2Fit technology in its TwistJAX Acoustic Steel in-ear buds so you can rotate the buds for a custom fit.
Once in place, the TwistJAX’s silicone buds will help ensure a tight grip, while the outer surface of the earbuds, which are made of a softer grade of silicone, will help protect the more delicate part of your ears.
The TwistJAX is made from injection-molded steel that has been heat-treated for 10 hours at 1,300 degrees Centigrade, a process the company says was intended to maximize volume and enhance sound quality. The TwistJAX also comes with a 24-karat gold low-distortion 3.5 mm audio jack and a cable splitter to resist tangles. Compatible with iPods and iPhones, the TwistJAX is available now from for 95 pounds (about $140).
—Azadeh Ensha
KEYBOARD WITH MUSICAL BENT HELPS KEEP THE DESK TIDY
Forget the scattered icons on the computer’s desktop. Keeping the physical desktop space clutter-free can be something of a challenge, even for neat people.
The Speaker Keyboard from Verbatim might save a bit of room. The glossy black keyboard integrates a pair of stereo speakers into its top edge, and everything is powered by a single USB cable connecting the keyboard to the computer. The keyboard, which can be found for $75 or less at Amazon and other online shops, is available in separate Windows or Macintosh versions (for technical information go to ).
In addition to a bass-boost button and volume controls, special keys manage music playback from the keyboard. They’re made to work with Windows Media Player on the PC and iTunes on the Mac.
On the downside, the keyboard lacks its own USB ports to plug in a mouse. It does offer backlighted keys for typing in dim rooms and a built-in microphone for taking Skype calls when it’s time to talk instead of listen.
— J.D. Biersdorfer
PHONE MAY SOUND FAMILIAR, BUT IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. But if it has a touch screen, an intuitive user interface and an extensive application library, it might not be an iPhone. It could be the Nokia N97.
The N97 has a 3.5-inch screen and a qwerty keyboard. It runs Symbian S60, a popular mobile operating system, and it allows you to browse the Internet, send e-mail and view maps using Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
Most important, the device will hold up to 32 gigabytes of media and applications, meaning it could replace a media player and a laptop.
It also has a five-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Although you can make and receive calls on it, the N97’s storage capacity and programs make it considerably more powerful than a standard cell phone. The GPS, for example, lets you hold the camera up to a scene in front of you and identify buildings in real time.
Sadly, the $600 phone will not be available until early 2009 and may be sold only online and in Nokia stores. Power, it seems, comes at a price.
— John Biggs
A TRIM LITTLE LAPTOP THAT’S GARDEN PARTY CHIC
Does this laptop make me look fat? In the case of the Hewlett-Packard Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition, the answer is no.
The 2.45-pound, inch-thick netbook features a peony-decorated outer case, courtesy of Tam, the fashion designer, and a nearly full-size red keyboard with matching silk sleeve. The “digital clutch” is best suited for e-mail and instant messaging, and comes with a built-in webcam and microphone. Added features include a gigabyte of memory, an Intel Atom processor and a choice of 16-gigabyte or 60-gigabyte hard drive.
The Tam Mini 1000, which is Energy Star certified, also features a 10.2-inch diagonal, edge-to-edge BrightView Infinity display with 1024-by-600 resolution and comes with a three-cell lithium polymer battery.
The Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition series is available now starting at the haute couture price of $700. Peony is the new black.
— Azadeh Ensha