From On the Go
For the kitchen, the car, the backyard and beyond -- great new stuff to make everything easier. Plus, a peek at what's on the horizon.
Oregon Scientific Wireless BBQ Thermometer $39.95What it is: Handheld device with wireless probe that you insert into meat or fish when cooking begins. An audio alert tells you when the dish is nearly done, done or (too late!) overcooked.
How it changes life: Detachable belt clip works within 100 feet, so you can entertain in another room or play Wiffle ball out back and be confident your steak is perfect.
Where to get it:
www2.oregonscientific.com
Loc8tor Tracking System $169.99
What it is: A system that transmits radiofrequency signals from tags to a handheld receiver. The unit offers video and audio prompts to lead you to a missing object or tell you a tagged item (or person) is on the move.
How it changes life: Never lose anything again! Pocketbooks, car keys, pets, your kids' winter coats -- or your kids. All can be tagged with either an adhesive or a key ring.
Where to get it:
www.loc8tor.com
Oregon Scientific EB313HGA Handheld Weather Forecaster $39.95
What it is: A pocket-size device that gives a 12- to 24-hour forecast plus local temperature and humidity readings. Also acts as a travel clock with crescendo alarm and snooze function. A belt clip makes it easy to take wherever you go.
How it changes life: In the wild or on a trail, this gadget keeps you updated on conditions along your trek. During business trips, it will rouse you without a wake-up call -- and give you an idea about what to wear to the day's round of meetings.
Where to get it:
www2.oregonscientific.com
SanDisk Sansa Connect MP3 Player $250
What it is: A Wi-Fi-enabled music player that lets you access an online buddy list to hear what your friends are listening to and share music with them. Works with Yahoo! Music the way the iPod works with iTunes.
How it changes life: Adds a social feature to music appreciation that the iPod so far lacks.
Where to get it:
www.sandisk.com
SteriPEN Water Purifier $99.95
What it is: A device that uses ultraviolet light to kill viruses, bacteria and protozoa within seconds.
How it changes life: Guarantees that your water is safe to drink, whether it comes from a mountain stream or hotel tap.
Where to get it:
www.steripen.com
Firefly Mobile Phone for Mobile Kids $79.99
What it is: A cell phone with just five keys, including "Mom" and "Dad" speed-dial buttons, a phone book key that stores your approved calling list, plus a button for 911.
How it changes life: Keeps you in touch with the kids without costly extras.
Where to get it:
www.fireflymobile.com
Anycom HCC-210 Bluetooth Car Kit $64.61
What it is: A hands-free speakerphone kit you can install in your car in under ten seconds. Uses two rechargeable AA batteries. Better sound quality than many speakerphones.
How it changes life: Driving with a cell phone to your ear is dangerous. This gives you high-quality no-hands service while keeping you safe on the road.
Where to get it:
www.anycom.com
Around the House
Tech-Ezz Wackerchaps $24.95What it is: A washable garment designed to protect shoes and clothes from wet grass and clippings kicked up during weed whacking.
How it changes life: No more stained shoes, grass-covered clothes or (even worse) cut ankles.
Where to get it:
wackerchaps.com
CreteSheet: The Universal Mixing Tool $19.95
What it is: A durable, rectangular polyethylene sheet for mixing and pouring concrete. It's also great for blending other dry materials (like topsoil or mulch), with or without water. An ultraviolet inhibitor helps prevent breakdown over time.
How it changes life: Homeowners and other do-it-yourselfers will appreciate the CreteSheet as a handy replacement for the old wheelbarrow they're still lugging around. Also makes cleanup a breeze.
Where to get it:
www.cretesheet.com
Heart-Gard Protective Body Shirt $34
What it is: A high-performance shirt that absorbs impact energy and repels it from the heart. The protection comes from a sewn-in Heart-Gard high-density polyethylene dome, which is virtually invisible and doesn't limit motion.
How it changes life: When you consider that more deaths occur in youth baseball and softball than in any other youth sport (football and hockey included) -- and that more than half of all injuries and deaths are inflicted by a batted or thrown ball -- this is a wise investment in protecting your little ballplayer.
Where to get it:
www.markwort.com
Z-Wave Wireless Remote Control System $20 per control module
What it is: A wireless "ecosystem" that lets your home electronics talk to you and one another via remote control. The Z-Wave ties it all into an easily programmable integrated wireless network. It's a modular system, so you can build your network one device at a time, room by room, or do the whole house at once.
How it changes life: Gives you total remote control over all your home electronics -- not just entertainment gear but also lighting, appliances, HVAC, security, even health care monitoring. You may never leave the couch again.
Where to get it:
www.z-wave.com
Asics Gel-Cardio Walking Shoes $110 per pair
What it is: A shoe specially designed for people with type 2 diabetes and other circulatory problems, but anyone might find it comfy. The Gel-Cardio has a wide instep for easy access, and its extra-deep toe box adds protection and provides room for increased circulation. The shoe's interior fights bacteria and has no seams, to prevent friction and reduce the risk of infections, abrasions and blisters, which can lead to ulcers.
How it changes life: The Gel-Cardio helps those suffering from diabetes stay comfortable while walking and working out. And it combats foot woes caused by reduced sensation and poor circulation.
Where to get it:
www.asicsamerica.com
MysticMaid Grease Blotter $6.50 for ten
What it is: FDA-approved grease relief. Each sheet's microfiber design lets you skim up to two tablespoons of grease and oil off food as it cooks. Try it on stews, soups, even pizza.
How it changes life: Makes favorite foods a little healthier.
Where to get it:
www.mysticmaid.com
Dyson Root 6 Hand Vacuum $150
What it is: Lightweight, battery-operated 21.6-volt vac that looks like a cross between a coffee grinder and a ray gun, but offers tremendous suction and an easy grip.
How it changes life: Compact size makes it easy to lift and store, plus it gets you in and out of dusty corners in a flash.
Where to get it:
www.dyson.com
InnoDesk Thermo-Cut Tape Gun $17.50
What it is: Handy helper that uses heat-shear technology to cut packing tape safely and accurately.
How it changes life: No more worries about slicing your fingers on a typical serrated blade.
Where to get it:
www.innodesk.com
OpenX Blister Pack Opener $7.95
What it is: A dual-blade gizmo designed specifically to open those impenetrable hard-plastic casings used to package products.
How it changes life: No more struggling to get at that electric toothbrush you just bought.
Where to get it:
www.myopenx.com
Gorilla Tape $6 for a roll
What it is: Tape with a double-thick layer of adhesive on the sticky side and two layers of fabric on the other side to prevent premature tearing.
How it changes life: At 145 percent stronger than average duct tape, it's your best bet for sticky situations like wrapping and gripping uneven surfaces.
Where to get it:
www.gorillatape.com
Bostitch HurriQuake Nail $45 for 4,000
What it is: Super fastener with an oversize head and grooves, designed to weather 170-mph gusts and resist earthquakes.
How it changes life: Keeps walls standing when disaster strikes.
Where to get it:
bostitch.com
High-Tech High Life
Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition $80 for 60GB, $126 for 160GB What it is: A compact hard drive that lets you automatically synchronize data between two or more computers. Also offers automated backup scheduling and encryption equal to two added levels of security. The 160GB model is among the largest portable drives on the market.How it changes life: Quickly and safely back up and store all your important data -- music files, photos, home movies and that unfinished novel -- and bring it with you wherever you go.
Where to get it:
www.mfueldirect.com
Verified Identity Pass Clear Card $99.95
What it is: A biometric ID card for prescreened fliers. Insert it into a kiosk, which scans irises and fingerprints to check identity. Currently used in six U.S. airports.
How it changes life: Lets you skip the long lines at standard airport security. Ideal for business travelers or any frequent flier.
Where to get it:
www.flyclear.com
Artec T14A USB Dongle and Antenna $60
What it is: An ATSC rig that, when plugged into a PC, lets you receive high-definition broadcast TV signals for free.
How it changes life: Get high-def network programming without a TV, anytime, anywhere a signal is available.
Where to get it:
www.artec.com.tw
Scratch-Less Disc $18.99 for 20
What it is: A writable disc coated with a scratch-resistant polymer that has 20 small bumps along the edge of the bottom to keep the disc itself from touching hard surfaces.
How it changes life: With so much of our entertainment and information now burned onto discs, it pays to use those that last longest.
Where to get it:
www.scratchlessdisc.com
Sony Reader $349.99
What it is: Tablet with electronic ink -- positively and negatively charged particles suspended in clear fluid -- that displays text in black or white to re-create a print-on-paper feel. Viewable even in sunlight.
How it changes life: Easy to view and carry, it lets you tote a small library in your briefcase or backpack.
Where to get it:
www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/reader/
OQO Model 02 Portable PC From $1,500
What it is: A handheld computer that includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and can run Microsoft's newest operating system.
How it changes life: Take your office with you wherever you go and stay connected to home too.
Where to get it:
www.oqo.com
And 6 More in the Works
The Volt
www.chevrolet.com is a General Motors plug-in hybrid that runs solely on electricity. Production models could arrive by 2010. Fully charged, it can go 40 miles without using any gas and recharges via an ordinary outlet (a small gas engine helps charge the battery when needed). It's expected to average 150 mpg on a 60-mile trip, yet it boasts 161 horses under the hood.
Also look for Toyota's FT-HS
www.toyota.com, a hybrid sports car with a V-6 engine.
Hewlett-Packard's Memory Spot www.hp.com, a tiny data chip with wireless capability, lets you attach digital data -- family photos, audio clips -- to any object or document.
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) mix phosphorescent molecules and fluorescent material in a film to make almost any surface a light source, while consuming less electricity than an LCD.
Solar skin uses a thin film of copper indium gallium selenide that can be placed directly onto glass and metal -- and instantly turn sunlight into electricity.
"Self-cleaning" www.usinfo.state.gov clothes are made with a high-tech fabric that repels water, resists stains and is antibacterial. Imagine never having to do laundry again.
Photographed By Nicholas Eveleigh