Live from Wherever
These days, most cell phones can take pictures and play music. Some even play short video clips. But LG’s new VX9400 phone ups the ante: it’s the first mobile phone that plays live TV broadcasts. That’s right — forget your DVR’s ability to record your favorite programs for later viewing. Now there’s no reason to go home to watch Grey’s Anatomy; you can watch it wherever you are, on the bright 2.2-inch LCD screen. And with the VX9400’s unusual swing-bar design, the screen switches from portrait to landscape mode, for optimal viewing (all things considered, of course).
This unique feature comes at a price — namely, limited battery life (just under four hours of active use) and a built-in retractable RF antenna for the TV signal (though LG says it’ll usually stay hidden). But otherwise, the VX9400 gets points for its camera with flash, its ability to organize and play music, and cool photo features like the Image Editor. We’d go on, but we have to run — The Office is about to start. (lgusa.com)
Twice the Sound
If you want a high-quality wireless Bluetooth headset that also functions as a stereo headset, then seek out Jabra’s BT8010. It works in both mono and Bluetooth stereo, which is perfect for everyday phone use and for listening to your favorite tunes. It also has a multipoint connection, which allows you to connect it to two separate devices — your PC and your phone, for example — at the same time. It truly provides the best of both worlds. ($149; jabra.com)
Mini Multimedia
Nokia’s new N75 phone boasts a 2-megapixel camera and an optional 2GB memory card — enough to hold all your vacation photos or nearly 500 MP3s. And the design lets you control all your tunes without even opening the phone, which is great if you don’t care to use it for actually making calls. But that’s not all. The N75 doesn’t make you choose between its various features; you can surf the web while simultaneously listening to your tunes. Now that’s putting the multi in multimedia. (nokia.com)
A Real Find
Panasonic wants to make sure you never have to stop for directions again. Its new Strada mobile navigation system comes with a 30GB hard drive, detailed maps of 39 U.S. cities, directions to 12 million points of interest in the U.S., a 7-inch-wide high-definition screen, and a customizable interface that makes it easy to get where you’re going. The in-dash unit also doubles as an audio system and is compatible with both Sirius and XM radios and your iPod (audio and video). Finding your way has never been this enjoyable. ($1,799; panasonic.com)
Round and Round
Let’s face it: the old box-shaped computer is boring. For something a bit more stylish, buy yourself a VAIO TP1 PC from Sony. The round white unit is designed to be an attractive addition to your living room, not something to sit on the desk in your office. You can use the TP1 for all your normal computer operations, or it can serve as an all-in-one media center: it plays MP3s, CDs, and DVDs and can even function as a DVR. But all that functionality is a side dish to the form factor, which makes the TP1 the real star of your living room. ($1,600; sony.com)
Sound Blaster
If you want the music on your iPod to fill your room, George can help. The digital audio sound system from Chestnut Hill Sound boasts an easy-to-use interface that mimics the iPod’s, with one notable difference: unlike with the iPod, when you’ve come to the end of your song list on the George, it automatically loops to the top. The unit has a bandless AM/FM tuner and alarm clock built in, the removable front panel serves as a wireless controller that works from up to 25 feet, and did we mention that it makes your music sound great? ($549; chillsound.com)
(Overindulgence of the Month)
Jewel of a Pen
Most people need nothing more than a simple felt-tip pen to do their work. But if your pen serves a purpose other than work, perhaps the limited-edition Mystery Masterpiece from Mont Blanc and Van Cleef & Arpels will do the trick. The ultimate status symbol, this bejeweled pen is available in three variations — set with 20 carats of rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, each version accented by nearly 840 diamonds. It’s doubtful you’ll use the Mystery Masterpiece for any actual writing, but if that’s your intention, it’s worth noting that it’s a size 149 fountain pen. More likely, with its meticulously crafted skeleton body and delicate white gold ornaments, this pen will earn a place of honor in a display case and tell onlookers that you are someone for whom money is no object. ($730,000; montblanc.com, vancleef-arpels.com)
(The Way It Works)
Why Don’t All Cell Phones Work Internationally?
As the world gets smaller, you’d think one of our most popular gadgets — the cell phone — would work anywhere. After all, you can take your phone across the country and make calls just as you would if you were at home. When you travel outside the U.S., calling becomes more complicated.
There are different formats, or standards, for cell phone transmissions. The two most common are GSM and CDMA. Essentially, different carriers both in the U.S. and abroad have chosen to adopt one of these two standards.
GSM is a circuit-switched system that divides each frequency channel into time slots. It is the most common cell phone standard outside the U.S.
CDMA, on the other hand, is a “spread spectrum” technology that allows users to occupy the same frequency at any given time by assigning each communication a specific code to differentiate it from others in the same spectrum. CDMA is a more modern technology than GSM. In fact, GSM phones will eventually switch to an updated CDMA 2000 platform.
So what happens if you plan to go abroad and want to use your cell phone? The answer may be as simple as calling your carrier. Some U.S. carriers have service agreements with European and Asian carriers — for example, Verizon has a relationship with Vodafone. Others will rent you an international phone; calls to your normal phone number will be automatically forwarded to the new phone.
And, of course, there are GSM phones in the U.S., and phones that work on both GSM and CDMA frequencies, so call your carrier. — Martin Lieberman
FLY & BUY
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