Gadget Blog
If you thought Motorola's hugely popular RAZR was as slim as mobile phones could get, meet the even skinnier Moto KRZR K1. Even thinner than the already anorexic RAZR, the handset packs in a two-megapixel camera, integrated music player with Bluetooth stereo audio and new messaging applications, and sports a metallic gloss finish with a solid glass outer screen. Available later this year, visit www.motorola.com/uk for more information.
The latest digital camera from Pentax has plenty to offer keen amateur photographers. In addition to an impressive seven-megapixel resolution, the Optio S7 features Blur Reduction Technology, making it ideal for snapping objects, and Face Recognition that automatically focuses and tracks your subject's lovely mug. The S7 is due out at the end of this month for around £250.
When you're happily chatting away over the net via the miracle of VoIP, somebody ringing you on the landline can prove a nuisance rather than a nice surprise. Invest in a Philips VoIP321 (£55 for a Single phone; £90 for a Duo phone with two handsets) and there are no such problems, as you can make and take both web and terrestrial calls using a single handset. The lightweight (78g) cordless phone gains its dual functionality through a base station that connects to a USB port on your PC and a standard telephone wall socket. This enables you to find out which of your contacts are online simply by checking the handset's screen, without needing to go to the computer. The VoIP321 also allows you to conduct Skype conference calls and enjoy free internet conversations with anyone in the world, as well as low rates for landline numbers.
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The iconic status bestowed on the iPod Nano means that other MP3 players offering superior functionality and performance are often unfairly overlooked. Hopefully this won't be the case with the Packard Bell Vibe 360 (£89 for 1GB; £109 for 2GB), a fantastic audio device with a slim, sexy design and several attractive features. Available in 1GB and 2GB capacities, you can store up to 250 or 500 tracks in MP3 or WMA format, navigating your songs via the simple directional touchpad and menu system. You can also view video files on the player's 1.8in colour screen, with software included for converting your movies into the correct format. A decent battery life of 15 hours for music and three for video playback, plus a Nano-beating price, make the Vibe 360 a serious contender for the iPod's crown.
The wide variety of digital radios now available produces something of a shopping dilemma. Do you opt for a retro model that wouldn't look out of place in a 1950s kitchen or a futuristic device to impress the neighbours? Choose an Intempo PP-01 (£99) and you can decide exactly how your radio looks by way of an interchangeable speaker plate. This can be replaced with one of the supplied alternative designs or a customised cover of your own. Upload a photo to www.mybiggerpicture.com and the site will use it to create a high quality screen for £15, effectively turning the PP-01 into a picture frame. This ultra-slim radio offers both DAB and FM reception, a line-in jack for connecting your MP3 player, and an impressive 20 hours of battery life from its rechargeable battery.
