Sun
Lumix, LX3, Panasonic
Photosmart A630 compact photo printer
Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, Microsoft
1. Lumix, LX3, Panasonic, $550
The top of the point-and-shoot cameras from Panasonic’s new lineup are arriving in stores in August. And this is also at the high-end price-wise, but it has features you won’t find in a lower-cost camera. Its appeal is likely the SLR (single lens reflex) for the user who wants a compact camera to slip in a pocket. It has a 10-megapixel sensor and an f/2.0-f/2.8, 24 to 60 mm Leica wide-angle lens — which to put in perspective for those vacation shots, delivers more than twice as much of the viewing area as a 35 mm, plus it works well in low light. An optional add-on can bring the wide angle to 18 mm, giving you a sweeping shot that should take in that entire cathedral or other vacation sight that just doesn’t squeeze in the smaller-angle shots. www.panasonic.com
2. Photosmart A630 compact photo printer, HP, $150
Print photos on the go with a compact printer that has a 12-cm touchscreen billed as the largest available on a portable photo printer. This gives you more than 300 ways to edit, customize photos up to 12-by-18 cm, and you can do it with your computer or without. It has an optional Bluetooth adapter so you can print straight from your cellphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device. www.hp.com
3. Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, Microsoft, $40
Pomegranate, strawberry sorbet, milk chocolate, blue snow cone — sounds more like a menu than something you’d use with your computer. But those are the colour choices, along with green aloe, for Microsoft’s new wireless optical mouse. There’s one for every outfit. Go to www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard and click on wireless.
4. Wave for iPhone 3G, Griffin Technology, $25
I’ve been trying out the new iPhone 3G now available with Rogers, and it’s driving me crazy keeping that slick little screen polished to a high gleam. So the first accessory has to be a protective case. The Wave, so named for the wave-shaped closures on the side, includes a rigid screen protector for the touchscreen while giving full access to all the iPhone controls, connectors and jacks. In black, blue, pink or white. www.griffintechnology.com