Computer and Web Articles

Logitech’s Wave Keyboard is a lovely combination of form, function and affordability. It’s laid out in a slightly curved manner to conform to the natural inward inclination of your hands, and its keys are progressively elevated in the middle.

The Wave Keyboard’s ergonomics mean that your hands and wrists will experience less fatigue and strain when you type, and with it retailing at only $49.99, it won’t put much strain on your wallet either. (And if you spend a minute or two on a Google search for “Logitech Wave Keyboard,” you’ll actually be able to find it for even cheaper.) Learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/2df4bp.

It’s pretty. It’s functional. It’s tiny. It’s amazing. It’s currently the world’s tiniest two-microphone Bluetooth headset.

Motorola’s H12 headset sports what’s called “CrystalTalk,” a dual microphone noise cancellation technology that cancels out background noise, meaning the person on the other end of the line will here nothing but your voice, even in the noisiest of environments.

The H12 weighs in at a whopping 12 grams and offers approximately 5.5 hours of talking time (with approximately 200 hours of standby time). Design-lovers will drool over the glossy black top, spun metal accents, diamond-cut metal, and matching desktop charger.

The cost, you ask? $120 -$130, depending on where you’re buying it from. Available at a countless number of online stores as well as directly from Motorola right here: http://tinyurl.com/2ortkn.

First I’d like to make it clear that I never once thought I’d be writing about a fire extinguisher in this column, but my goodness, this really is some gorgeous technology.

The HomeHero Fire Extinguisher offers an intuitive design that “enables anyone in your family to use the product with ease, even under the most challenging circumstances.” And did I mention it has a gorgeous design? It does. It’s simple, sleek, white and minimal.

I do have to be upfront with you, though: the HomeHero fire extinguisher isn’t available yet; I believe it’ll be available for purchase this coming summer. See for yourself and learn more here: http://www.homehero.net/productInformation.html.

One of the blogs I subscribe to, Cool Tools by Kevin Kelly, featured a great range-extender for the wireless card in your laptop. Weak wireless signals, no more!

Unlike a Wi-Fi antenna (which requires special cabling and connectors), the Wi-Fire simply uses a standard USB cable.

The manufacturer, hField, claims that the Wi-Fire actually allows you to access a wireless connection from up to 1,000 feet away, which is approximately three times the range of standard internal wireless adapters.

You can learn more about the Wi-Fire here: www.hfield.com.

In honor of the first Christmas tree I glimpsed in a neighbor’s front window a few days ago, here are a few tips that are sure to assist you in experiencing one of your best Christmases ever.

First, you need to know whether or not today is Christmas. If you’re confused or not sure as to what I mean, I suggest visiting www.isitchristmas.com.

Second, delight your young ones by having a personalized letter from Mr. Claus sent from the North Pole right to your house. This lovely bright-pink site will handle all the details for you, quickly and easily (and for $9.95): www.becomesanta.com.

And lastly, if you’ll be doing a bit of gift shopping for a special technophile this holiday season, do make sure you visit the Oregon Scientific website in the near future at www2.oregonscientific.com. From fancy weather stations to handheld altimeters to compass watches to waterproof action cams, you’ll surely find a treat or two for the gadget lover in your life in their online store.

Earlier this week, upon clicking a link on the Lifehacker blog, I found myself looking at the CNN Money website, watching a short 2:47 video clip on a technology that I’d never heard of: inkless printing.

Printing photos taken from your phone is about to get a LOT easier, folks! Imagine clicking a button to send a photo from your cameraphone to your iPod-size inkless printer, which will print your full-color photo in 30 seconds.

Now imagine having that inkless printer actually embedded in your cameraphone or laptop (integrated printers coming soon!). Now, consider that the inkless photos printed with this new technology are essentially water resistant, smudge resistant, and quite hard to tear. Even cooler.

These inkless printers should be out on the market by the end of 2007, with increased distribution and production beginning early 2008. Take a look: http://tinyurl.com/2fw6yu.

1. www.recalls.gov — Your one-stop shop for U.S. Government recalls, reporting dangerous products, and learning safety tips.
2. www.pdfill.com — Looking for an alternative to Acrobat Professional (the program that allows you to make your own PDFs)? Look here.
3. http://www.oooms.nl/usb — Four words: Coolest memory sticks, ever.
4. http://handbrake.m0k.org — An open-source DVD to MPEG-4 converter, available for Mac, Linux, and Windows.
5. http://keepass.sourceforge.net — Securely store and manage all your online passwords. Keep them all in one place, and keep them safe.
6. www.hipcal.com — A neat little site that rolls an online calendar, to-do list, e-mail reminder alerts, and address book all into one. For free.
7. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4079364 — An older–yet still interesting and very relevant — article on the awful phenomenon of phishing.
8. http://fireftp.mozdev.org — A secure, cross-platform FTP program for Firefox. A little bit slow, but very much free.
9. http://www.websudoku.com — Billons (yes, billions) of free online Sudoku puzzles for you to play.
10. http://www.crayola.com/parents/travel/bingo1.cfm — Going on a road trip with the kids? Print out these four travel bingos and you’ll buy yourself another half hour of peace.

www.Engadget.com is a blog for technophiles offering “obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics.” Browse through their posts and learn about the iPod-controlling Nike watch, internet-enabled Samsung phone, paper-based battery, Logitech’s Bluetooth mouse, DXG’s super-duper cheap camcorder ($149.99 - what?!), or Panasonic’s iris scanner.

Engadget.com is not a portal, not an online store, not a recommendation service. It exists solely to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest goings on in the always-evolving world of technology.

Take a look: www.engadget.com.

The National Cristina Foundation is a wonderful organization that directs the donations of used computer equipment to nonprofit organizations, schools and public agencies throughout the United States.

If you’re considering a computer or computer-related equipment upgrade in your home or office, please visit www.cristina.org before tossing your old computer/equipment into the trash or putting it up for sale on eBay or Craigslist.