Sun
1. Sansa Shaker MP3 Player, $45 Cdn
Cute and low-cost — what more do you need for the junior audiophile? Comes in pink or blue with a 512 MB SanDisk SD memory card and you can add more. It also has two headphone jacks so friends can share music. The best part is the shaker — a snap of the wrist flips the player to the next song. Or change tunes and the volume with the colourful controller bands. Runs on one AAA battery that powers up to 15 hours of music time with the headphones, although you can also listen to music through the speaker.
2. Sanyo 7050 mobile phone and walkie-talkie, from $130 Cdn
When you head out into the wilderness, the last thing you need is a wimpy phone that will give up the ghost the first time you drop it. Not that we’re suggesting you put this to the test, but Sanyo’s 7050 combination phone and walkie-talkie is dubbed as “ultra rugged,” built to military standards with excellent shock absorption and the ability to withstand dust, shock and vibration. It has GPS — another useful feature when you’re gadding about the middle of nowhere — Bluetooth technology, a speakerphone and a long-life battery. Available through Bell Mobility at bell.ca/wireless at $130 with a three-year contract; up to $330 with no contract.
3. Sony PlayStation Portable Entertainment Packs, $230 Cdn
Sony has streamlined its PSP system, making it lighter and slimmer than the original. The new PSPs, which will be available starting in September, weigh a third less than the current model. The portable game machine will be sold only in two special editions bundled with games and accessories. The “Ice Silver” version will be included in September’s Daxter PSP entertainment pack, followed by the October launch of the Star Wars collector’s edition “Ceramic White” in the Star Wars Battlefront PSP entertainment pack.
4. Laptop Desk Futura, $30 US
For the mobile warrior, the laptop desk turns your lap into an ergonomic platform. The Futura also folds into a wedge-shaped stand to put under a laptop on a desk. The new Futura — building on earlier versions — has open ventilation slots to help cool your laptop and an air space to let cool air circulate underneath it. It comes in a range of bright colours to liven your mobile workspace. Available through laptopdesk.net.