If you thought ingenuity was dead, these products tell a different story. Here's a roundup of a variety of new products that I have tried in recent weeks.
High-speed connection without a PC card slot
The new CDU-550 USB modem from San Diego's Franklin-Wireless (www.fklt.com) solves the problem of going online using notebooks without PC ca
rd slots. The 2.5-by-1.5-inch card plugs into the USB port of a PC or Mac and connects to Sprint's Mobile Broadband service. I tried the modem on an Apple MacBook, which has no card slot, and had good results, obtaining similar speeds to Sprint's PC card modem on a PC. From Sprint, about $100 after rebates.
Improve your cell phone reception
Spotwave's new z1900, available in October, is designed to improve cell phone coverage in your home or office. The system consists of two modules, one placed where the signal is strongest and the other where th
e signal needs a boost. The two units need to be connected by a cord up to 70 feet in length, somewhat limiting the flexibility. I tried this product in my office where I often experience dropped calls on my Sprint cell phone. I placed one unit near a window and the second on my desk 10 feet away. The phone's signal strength went from two bars to four and eliminated dropped my calls. Works for frequencies used by Sprint, T-Mobile and Cingular. $399. (www.spotwave.com)
A new way to carry your phone
Rivet International of San Diego has introd
uced a line of cell phone cases called Rivet Wraps. The open-ended stretchable case holds a phone securely, yet allows for quick access. A strong aluminum snap-clip let's you carry your phone on a belt, a handbag strap or backpack. $24.99. (www.rivetnow.com)
New mouse
Apple just introduced a high-resolution laser Bluetooth mouse called the cordless Mighty Mouse. The product is beautifully designed in polished white plastic with dual button functionality and a tiny scroll ball on the top. Whether you're an Apple fan or not, you can't help but admire the mouse's beautiful ID and attention to detail. Mighty Mouse works with one or two batteries, has an on/off switch that covers the lens for traveling and is equally suitable for left or right-handers. Only for Macs, $69.
Tooth Ferry
The na
me alone makes this a winner. Nite Ize Inc. has a line of new inexpensive phone holsters with its "Tooth Ferry" feature that carry both your phone and Bluetooth headset. The nylon case stores any brand and size of cell phone and includes extra pockets and accessory loops for a pen, mini flashlight, credit cards and more. $14.99. (www.niteize.com)
Mini-drive
While everyone seems to be making thumb d
rives and portable disk drives, the 4 GB Monstor drive from US Modular does it with style. It looks like a Zippo lighter, a rectangular mirror-chrome-finished box. Flip off the cover and there's a USB connector. About $80.
XM sportscaster satellite radio receiver
A drea
m for sports fans, this device is a tiny XM receiver that's programmed to receive XM's 30 sports channels, along with the rest of XM's channels. The receiver plugs into a docking station in the home and goes with you in the car, playing through your car radio using a built-in FM transmitter. The device receives major league baseball, NASCAR, PGA, NHL games and more, requiring an XM subscription. About $25.
Diagnose your car
The CarMD plugs into a connector under a car's dashboard to read the car's computer. After unplugging the device from the car, the Car
MD connects to a USB port on a PC to tell you why your check-engine light is on and what the condition of a used car is, identifying potential problems before taking a long trip. About the size of a TV remote, CarMD works on all 1996 and newer cars. $90.
Anywhere remote
The Wireless RF Remote Control Extender converts your standard remote control that uses infrared (IR) to a radio-controlled unit. This lets the remote work at greater distances, through closed doors, furniture or anythin
g that prevents a line-of-sight view that IR requires. The system consists of a tiny transmitter that replaces one of the batteries in your remote and a remote receiver about the size of a hockey puck. When you press a button on your remote, a signal is sent by radio wave to the receiver near your equipment that generates an IR signal. $50. (www.nextgenerationhomeproducts.com)
Baker has developed and marketed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. He is the holder of 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Consumer Products Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. Send comments to phil.baker@sddt.com. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor.
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