Cool Products For System Builders
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CGPS TO GO
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Known for its stylish
computers, Santa Ana, Calif.-based Averatec is giving something new a try: a GPS-equipped handheld device. The company recently introduced its Voya 350 navigation unit, featuring a bright 3.5"
screen, a high-performance antenna and maps of the United States. The product brings full navigation capabilities to any traveler. What's more, the unit has a built-in lithium ion battery and includes both automotive and
chargers. The product retails for less than $300 and is perfect for most any business traveler and could be an excellent add-on sale for purveyors of notebooks. The unit performed flawlessly when tested and offered great directions, accurate
and almost perfect
locating, down to within a few feet.
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EASY BACKUP
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One of the biggest challenges faced by today's PC users is recovering lost data. With worms, viruses, hardware failure and just plain stupidity all threatening important data, users need to turn to backup solutions for protection. FarStone is looking to reduce much of the pain associated with backup, namely by simplifying and automating the process. RestoreIT Pro 7 offers a range of
schemes, allowing users to back up to hidden
partitions, or to CDs/DVDs or to create safe restore points. The key to the product is simplicity, with a dose of automation. Backups can be fully automated, while the restoration process is wizard driven. One thing is certain—RestoreIT Pro 7 offers insurance against
loss at an attractive price point. List price: $59.99.
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WiFi PHONE
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Netgear is looking to bring a little
of Skype into your life with its SPH101 Skype WiFi Phone, a
phone-size device that uses
wireless to connect to the Skype
network. When it comes to VoIP, Skype is the latest craze, offering free calls to anyone in the United States and add-on features such as voice-mail and inbound calls. The biggest drawback to Skype was the need for a computer to access the service. That is where Netgear changes the formula by integrating everything needed into a small, battery powered handset that will work at most any
or with most any wireless network. More than a nifty toy, the SPH101 can help to drastically reduce phone bills without being tethered to a wired network. List price: $279.99.
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SWITCHING TO VoIP
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Small businesses are finding free calls via Skype a real cost saver, but softphones have their hassles and switching between land lines and VoIP for calls can be inefficient. Multi-Link helps to merge VoIP and
with its TeleVoIP Stick TVS-301, a nifty device that connects to Skype via the Internet and then merges that service with a traditional land line. Simply put, a user plugs in an
and a phone line and has access to both Skype and a traditional line from a standard phone. The big advantage here is that small businesses can add a second "virtual" phone line to their phone systems, all for a monthly cost of naught. What's more, intelligent call routing selects the cheapest method of calling and detects 911 calls and makes sure those emergency calls go through the traditional phone line network. List price: $139.
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APPS WILL TRAVEL
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Looking to bring portability to applications? Before you invest in an expensive
or a
solution, you may want to take a look at Ceedo Personal 2.0, a flash-drive-based application that creates a portable, personal working environment. With Ceedo installed on a flash drive, users can add their favorite programs to Ceedo and then run those applications on any system with a
port. Ceedo is compact and takes only about 2
of space, leaving plenty of room on a
drive for applications and data. Once set up, users can carry data along with their applications on most any
and leave the notebook at home. List price: $29.95.
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