Sun
INSPIRON MINI 9, DELL
BLUETOOTH HEADSET FOR PLAYSTATION 3, SONY
RS TRI-BOT, WOWWEE
IPIG, SPEAKAL
INSPIRON MINI 9, DELL, FROM $359
Move over Eee, Dell has stepped into the sub-notebook, sub-$500 market with its newly announced Inspiron Mini 9. Weighing in at about one kilogram, it is only slightly heftier than Asus’ Eee, which is just under a kilo. The Mini 9 has a 22.6-cm (8.9-inch) LED screen. Built-in WiFi, built-in webcam and built-in Bluetooth, it incorporates everything that the “digital nomad” Dell is targeting will need. Dell has Box.net offering web-based filing storage, accessing and sharing for Mini users, starting with a free plan with two gigabytes of remote storage space and expanding to 25 gigabytes for paying customers. A version with Windows XP Home starts at $439; another with a Dell-developed custom interface is expected in a few weeks starting at $359. www.dell.ca.
BLUETOOTH HEADSET FOR PLAYSTATION 3, SONY, $50
Look for it starting Oct. 14, this new Bluetooth headset will be available as part of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS Confrontation bundle for $60, or as a stand-alone product for $50. Compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled cellphones and audio devices, the headset will have several features that will be unlocked by the PS3 system software update scheduled for a fall release. Those include high-quality (HQ) mode delivering online voice chat and high-bandwidth voice recording and playback. Among other features it also gives users the ability to direct AI characters using voice, and your in-game character can mimic you during voice chat. www.playstation.ca.
RS TRI-BOT, WOWWEE, $100
The next generation in the Robosapien robot line from WowWee, the RS Tri-bot is about 30 centimetres tall, sits on three wheels and has an animated face that can keep up a running commentary or indulge in interactive games and other entertainment. Moves with a remote control with seven play modes, including a free roam mode where he can move around independently. In a useful back-to-school function, the alarm mode lets users program a countdown alarm in one-minute intervals, up to 12 minutes. When the alarm goes off, the little robot guy will fly about frantically waving his arms and sounding the alarm until someone catches him and hits him on the head. Every parents’ dream alarm clock. Uses eight AA batteries for the robot, plus three AAA batteries for the remote. www.wowwee.com. (Check out one user’s Rocky the robot spoof at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYAOCuntntg)
IPIG, SPEAKAL, $140
The iPig packs a powerful punch when it comes to iPod sound. Five speakers pump out 25 watts of sound from the docking station, despite its cutesy barnyard look. Volume is controlled by touching the ears, and the piggy mouth lights up with a smile when the iPig is powered on. www.speakal.com.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008