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POWERMATE IS A WORK OF ART

Every once in a while, a new computer gadget comes along that makes you sit up and take notice simply because it's beautiful. And in the case of Griffin Technology's brand new PowerMate, I wanted to own one even before I knew what it did! I'm going on record as saying the PowerMate is one of the coolest looking gizmos to hook up to a computer that I've ever seen. It's simple yet elegant, clean, Zen-like shape should easily put it in a museum of modern design or at the very least win it some sort of design award.

Made from a block of metal with a polished aluminum finish, the PowerMate rests on a translucent base that glows via blue light emitting diodes. This makes the PowerMate to appear as if it's floating on a blue circle of light. As you rotate the top of the PowerMate and depending on the direction of rotation, the light increases or decreases in intensity. The top turns with little effort and has a solid feel. You can also press the top of the PowerMate as you would a button. Press it once and the light goes out, press again and the light returns to the same intensity. Requiring no batteries, all operating power comes from its USB connection to the computer.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to say what the PowerMate does. Basically, it will do whatever you want it to do. It's a universal control to which you can assign functionality via the included software control panel. It defaults as a volume control and mute switch. As the blue glow brightens or dims, the volume of sound increases or decreases correspondingly. Pressing the top down mutes and pressing again restores all computer sounds. And when the computer is off, pressing it will power on the computer. This is especially nice if your computer is sequestered and you can't reach the power switch. The PowerMate can also be used as a game controller, jog wheel for photo editing or just about anything a keyboard or mouse can do. But my favorite feature is when the computer is placed into Sleep mode and the PowerMate's blue glow pulsates up and down making you feel as though it's breathing slowly. The PowerMate is a work of art that just happens to be useful.

Initially, the PowerMate will work on a Macintosh running OS 9 or OS X. A Windows version is in the works. $45.

www.griffintechnology.com

Surf and don't miss calls with one line

QUESTION: I have only one phone line and I miss calls when using it to go online. I don't want to spend monthly rates adding a second line or subscribing to a DSL service (which isn't available in my area anyway). There must be something I can add to my phone line that will let me go online and still be able to see who is calling me. Is there?

ANSWER: So far, having the ability to make and receive regular phone calls while online requires you to have either another phone line or subscribing to either a cable modem or DSL service. DSL works by piggybacking a high speed Internet connection on your one line. But there are a few services and products available that will let you surf and not block your single line to incoming calls.

Check out the HotCall 4000 from Command Communications. The HotCall looks much like an ordinary Caller-ID box that displays incoming names and phone numbers before you answer the phone. And although the HotCall can be used as a Caller-ID box since it offers most of the features found on such a device, it can also monitor your phone line for incoming calls while you are online.

You can't completely avoid a monthly charge since the HotCall requires you to subscribe to Call Waiting Caller-ID. But that service costs a lot less than DSL or a second phone line. When you are online and a call comes in, the caller hears an ordinary ring rather than a busy signal. The HotCall alerts you to an incoming call via its audible alert tone and you see the caller's name and number displayed on the screen. From there you have three options. You can ignore the call, you can redirect the call to a voicemail service (another monthly charge from your phone company will be required for voicemail) or you can take the call and break your Internet connection. With the first two options, you can use the HotCall to call back by pressing one button.

The HotCall 4000 sells for $89.95 and comes with a vertical desk stand that lets you tilt the HotCall to an optimal viewing angle.

www.command-comm.com