Sun
CANON DC50 DVD CAMCORDER
GARMIN ASTRO GPS DOG TRACKING SYSTEM
HP IQ770 TOUCHSMART PC
1 CANON DC50 DVD CAMCORDER, $1,000, AVAILABLE LATE FEBRUARY.
With a 5.39-megapixel CCD image sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens, the D50 will be Canon’s flagship offering this spring. Canon’s zoom control allows the user to select one of three steady zoom speeds so that no matter how you — in your excitement to capture that fleeting moment — press down on the zoom button, the process remains smooth and easy on the eye of the eventual audience. It also has optical image stabilization. The DC50 uses three-inch DVD-R/-RW discs that let you store as much as 60 minutes on each disc, or 108 minutes on dual-layer discs.
2 GARMIN ASTRO GPS DOG TRACKING SYSTEM, $650 US, AVAILABLE IN JUNE.
If you’re worried where Rover has roved off to this time, then you just might want to keep track of him with this new GPS device from Garmin. The unit — likely more valuable to hunters than the average owner — is in two parts, one you strap to your dog and the other you use to track his movements (or lack of them) as he wanders about. Garmin says the set-up is easy and there’s no subscription or other fees once you’ve made your purchase. If you have more than one dog, you need only one receiver, but you’ll have to buy another collar unit.
3 HP IQ770 TOUCHSMART PC, $2,200, AVAILABLE IN SUMMER 2007.
Yes, it’s a while before the new TouchSmart PC will be available, but maybe by the time it hits the shelves you’ll have paid off those Yuletide bills. This item features a 19-inch adjustable touch-screen display that allows you to access information with the simple application of a fingertip to the appropriate spot on the display. HP describes the process as “walk-up computing”, which means you don’t have to sit down at the keyboard or grasp a mouse to get the information — or the photos, or the music — that you want. Also included are a photo printer, remote control, and personal video recorder.
4 MICROSOFT RECLUSA GAMING KEYBOARD, $69.95 US, AVAILABLE SPRING 2007.
In partnership with gaming peripherals trendsetter Razer, Microsoft is about to offer this keyboard designed to attract the flying fingers of dedicated gamers. It features blue backlit keys, low key-latency, two 360-degree jog dials, four bumper buttons, sing programmable hot keys, on-the-fly profile management, a detachable padded wrist rest and gold-plated USB ports. If you know what all that means then you’ll likely want to try one out, and if you don’t then you won’t.
© The Vancouver Sun 2007