Best of Computers and Hardware
LENOVO IDEAPAD AND
IDEACENTRE
The “frameless” screen on the new Lenovo IdeaPad might make you to think outside the box. But
if it’s someone else’s box, the face recognition software in the laptop might notice. Every Ideapad
has a Web cam, quick system recovery, Dolby Home Theatre sound and media
browsing software. That’s entertainment.
Best of Gaming
NYKO WIRELESS NUNCHUK
It’s not easy to rescue Hyrule with your hands tied. That’s why Nyko has developed a wireless nunchuk for the Wii. The new nunchuk cuts
the cord that attaches the Wiimote to the Wii Nunchuk, freeing the hero of
games like “Zelda” from cord waggle.
Best of Car Tech
AZENTEK ATLAS CPC-1200 AND CALYPSO CPC-1100
Online is hitting the road with Azentek’s two new in-dash computers. Forget about juggling GPS, CDs and cell phones in a
car when they’re rolled together in the dash and powered by an Intel Core Duo with a 120GB
hard drive.
Best of Home Audio
LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX DUET
When music migrated to the PC, it also moved from living room stereo systems to
tinny computer speakers. The Squeezebox Duet is bringing it back. The base
station pulls audio from a PC or from the Internet via an Ethernet or Wi-Fi
home network while you browse the files on the 2.4-inch color LCD screen of the
MP3 player-like remote control.
– Genevieve Knapp
Best in Show
PHILIPS ECO TV
At the end of the battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the green war has begun and
Philips’ Eco TV is at the front lines of the fossil-fuel-saving army. The TV saves power
(and money) by dimming the backlight and capping the peak light output.
Best of MP3 and Portable Audio
IRIVER W7
Get lost in your music with the iriver W7, a MP3 player with GPS capabilities.
The compact player mounts in a car cradle to get you going with music and maps,
and it has a 3-inch touch screen to feel your way there.
Best of Emerging Tech
BUG LABS PLATFORM
Give the gift of infinite possibilities with the Bug Labs Platform, a build-your-own gadget workshop. Snap digital cameras or
other electronics onto the minicomputer to program your own software and run
your custom gadget, or download software from the Bug Labs site.
Best of Home Video
ECHOSTAR TR-50
If you get TV over the air but don’t want it to stay there, the Echostar TR-50 is DVR solution of your dreams. It
can view and record over-the-air HD and standard digital channels and has most
of the features found on Dish Network’s satellite DVRs.
Best of Gaming
NYKO WIRELESS NUNCHUK
It’s not easy to rescue Hyrule with your hands tied. That’s why Nyko has developed a wireless nunchuk for the Wii. The new nunchuk cuts
the cord that attaches the Wiimote to the Wii Nunchuk, freeing the hero of
games like “Zelda” from cord waggle.
Best of Car Tech
AZENTEK ATLAS CPC-1200 AND CALYPSO CPC-1100
Online is hitting the road with Azentek’s two new in-dash computers. Forget about juggling GPS, CDs and cell phones in a
car when they’re rolled together in the dash and powered by an Intel Core Duo with a 120GB
hard drive.
Best of Home Audio
LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX DUET
When music migrated to the PC, it also moved from living room stereo systems to
tinny computer speakers. The Squeezebox Duet is bringing it back. The base
station pulls audio from a PC or from the Internet via an Ethernet or Wi-Fi
home network while you browse the files on the 2.4-inch color LCD screen of the
MP3 player-like remote control.
– Genevieve Knapp
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2008.
