The microprocessor revolution progresses faster than a Pentium chip, with innovations barely staying ahead of obsolescence. Check out this year's gaggle of gonzo gadgets — they're smaller, smarter, lighter, and cheaper than their tech-toy forebears.
KODAK DVC 300
Hipness: This digital video ''quick-cam'' is tops at capturing
sharp, full-motion video and high-quality stills; specializes in
live videoconferencing from desktop or laptop computers.
Lameness: The funky, oblong shape looks neat but balances
awkwardly in the hand. (Kodak, $200, 888-375-6325, www.kodak.com)
[Lust Scale] 5
[Must Scale] 7
FREETALK TWO-WAY RADIOS
Hipness: Walkie-talkies for grown-ups, these two-way radios
utilize specially designated radio frequencies, with 14 channels
and 38 talk groups, a two-mile range, and a scramble mode for
private gabbing. Best of all, air time is free.
Lameness:Breaker one nine, that's a big ten four on the goober with too
many tech toys. (Kenwood, $159 each, 800-950-5005,
www.kenwood.net)
[Lust Scale] 8
[Must Scale] 3
RDC-300 DIGITAL CAMERA
Hipness: Compact and sleek, this digital point-and-shoot 38 mm
camera lets you download pictures onto your computer or view
them on TV. The color LCD monitor and 4 MB onboard memory lets
you store up to 100 images in standard JPEG file formats.
Lameness: The itsy-bitsy monitor makes everything look smushed.
(Ricoh, $495, 702-352-1600, www.ricohcpg.com)
[Lust Scale] 6
[Must Scale] 5
THE GLOVE
Hipness: With finger-button controls and wrist-motion-sensing
technology, this gaming controller will work with Sony
PlayStation when it ships in late October. By next year, new
models will work with other console and PC games.
Lameness: Lefties are out of luck. (Reality Quest, $89.95, 888-96-GLOVE,
www.theglove.com)
[Lust Scale] 6
[Must Scale] 6
LEARN 'N SKETCH
Hipness: This made-for-kids drawing tablet features a brightly
colored body, corncob stylus, and strawberry-shaped icons. Use
it as a training mouse for young digi-artists.
Lameness: The
5-by-7-inch drawing area will seem skimpy to kids with bigger
ideas. (CalComp, $69 with $20 rebate, 800-992-9549)
[Lust Scale] 3
[Must Scale] 7
DISKITS
Hipness: These foam disc holders also serve as wacky desk
sculptures, in shapes like an alligator, a mailbox, and a hunk
of cheese.
Lameness: Do you really need more komputer kitsch?
(Curtis, $13.95-15.95, 800-272-2366)
[Lust Scale] 3
[Must Scale] 7
IBM APTIVA S
Hipness: IBM's award-winning split-system design puts the floppy
and DVD-II-ROM drives discreetly beneath the monitor, while the
CPU (not shown) can be hidden elsewhere. A superfast Pentium II
MMX chip makes this top-o'-the-line desktop computer rock.
Lameness: The integrated Bose surround-sound system and external
DVD port let you hook up the DVD-II-ROM drive to your
home-entertainment center, making all that dough you spent on
your DVD player a waste of, uh, dough. (IBM, $3,800,
800-426-7235 ext. 4340, www. pc.ibm.com/aptiva)
[Lust Scale] 8
[Must Scale] 8
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