MORE HOLIDAY TECHNOLOGY GIFTS

It seems like there's no end to the growing number of cool technology gadgets and this holiday season is proving to be no exception. Of course you'd think that would just makes my job easier but I'm finding it tougher to choose since they're all so wonderful and I have limited space. So I won't waste any more of it with that lament and begin by telling you about an improved version of one I wrote about last holiday season.


Retro handset goes High-tech.

If you remember, the story was about the Retro Handset for a cell phone. The idea was an alternative to using one of those sleek little headsets. The Retro Handset plugs into most any headset jack on a cell phone. The Retro Handset itself is a replica of the massive, black Western Electric 500-series model handset which was the classic phone handset for several decades complete with the curly black cord. So there you'd be walking around with your tiny little cell phone in your pocket with the curly Retro cord dangling up to the handset. It's bizarre to the max. I tried it out last year and it cause a commotion wherever I went. It was great. And now this year, it's been improved by cutting the cord. Can you believe it? It's Bluetooth! So if you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone, instead of wearing one of those tiny little techno-earpieces with the glowing blue LED that makes you look like something out of some science fiction movie, now you can walk around like a REAL geek. Holding up the Bluetooth Retro Handset to your ear as you walk around will really have them sit up and notice you. And don't worry about the blue LED. You still get one but with this baby has its built into the part of the handset into which you speak. It has the same approximate 30 foot range as any Bluetooth device and its battery recharges via a USB connection. Unlike its corded predecessor, this model will let you both make and receive calls. So even more so than using the former corded model, people will really think you're nuts when they see you speaking into this old-fashioned handset that's connected to nothing. Let the fun begin. $39.99.

www.thinkgeek.com

Batteries plug into USB

So there you are with your cordless mouse or some other device that uses AA batteries and they die. What to do? Just reach for your USB Batteries. Looking just like an ordinary battery, the USB Battery has a hidden secret. Just pull off the Positive (+) end because it's also a cap. Underneath it is a USB plug. Plus that into any available USB port on your laptop and it get a full charge in about 5 hours. A green light indicator lets you know that it's ready to go and you're on the way once more. They should be available just in tome for the holidays. A set of two should go for somewhere around $20. Initially they will only be available in AA but they are working on other battery standards such as AAA and nine volt versions. It's ideal for things like cordless mice and keyboards, digital cameras, mp3 speakers and anything else that uses a AA battery. You've got the power!

www.usbcell.com

A picture is worth a hundred jpegs.

We've all seen digital photo frames and they're a great gift, especially to anyone that has a digital camera. But they've pretty much been the same size but now the picture is getting bigger. Pandigital has just introduced a digital frame that's 9.2 inches diagonally. Their model DPF 92-2 frame includes two interchangeable frames (Black and Cherry) to match your decor. Another nice accommodation is that you can get it in either a 64 or 128 megabyte internal memory configuration. That means you don't have to leave your digital camera's removable memory in the frame. Inserting any one of six different types of supported media cards into the frame's built-in media card reader lets you select the individual photos you want to move into the frame. Once transferred, you remove the media card and put it back into your camera. Or you can transfer the images via a standard or mini USB cable for transfer directly from a camera or a computer. Suggest list price is $249.99 for the 64 megabyte version and should be available in time for the holidays. Just smile and say you were framed.

www.pandigital.net