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Latest Issue
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| 2008 Schools Web Challenge begins |  |
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| Hot Products |
Every week we feature the hottest tech products. |
Site: www.samsung.com.au
Why has nobody made printers this sexy before? Looking more like gaming consoles than functional home office items, Samsung’s two new mono laser printers definitely stand out from the beige-and-grey crowd. They both connect via USB and can output a maximum of 16 pages per minute. The SCX-4500 (RRP $499) can copy, print and scan, while the ML-1630 (RRP $329) can only print. But, my oh my, wouldn’t their sleek black curves look good on your desk?
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 Learning Made Fun
www.penguin.co.nz
RRP: $35 each
This series of 10 educational books produced by DK and Google covers everything from dinosaurs to space travel. Each fun and colourful page has a keyword that can be used on a companion Web site to unlock a huge vault of further information, including virtual tours, animations, video, sound and interactive quizzes.
The Web resources have been carefully selected by experts at DK Online and Google, so you know your children will be only exposed to safe, age-appropriate content. |
 Quicken Personal Plus 2008
RRP: $179
Site: www.quicken.co.nz
Quicken’s Personal Plus 2008 offers a complete home finances solution, from managing your credit card accounts to monthly billing, share trading and home loan calculations. The 2008 upgrade includes a new Windows Vista bill-paying gadget for the terminally disorganised. The cheaper Personal package omits the Investment module for tracking shares.
Pros: You don’t have to have an accountant’s brain to run Personal Plus 2008 (although it might help). Most of the initial setup is performed via some well explained wizards and once you’re up and running, it’s a good way to keep your finances in check.
Cons: Like the rest of Quicken’s range, Personal Plus requires Internet activation, and they charge for replacement activation keys if you lose them.
Verdict: A great personal finance package – but we wish they’d loosen up on product activation.
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 Bento
RRP: $79
Site: www.filemaker.com.au
Filemaker already ships an easy-to-use database solution – not surprisingly named Filemaker – but Bento is the company’s pitch for those with very simple database needs, especially home users. It integrates with Apple’s OS X 10.5 iCal and Address Books, but also offers database utilities for managing home collections, photos and to-do-lists.
Pros: Database utilities are normally dull things, but Bento looks good and is very easy to use, with comprehensive help and a very functional drag-and-drop interface. In our tests it automatically and cleanly created a database of our contacts and calendar details.
Cons: Unlike Filemaker, Bento is OS X 10.5 only, and it can’t import existing Filemaker databases. It also raises the price somewhat; if you haven’t upgraded to 10.5 yet, you’ll need to do so. As with many simplified products, those who understand databases will find Bento very basic.
Verdict: A great and very simple database tool – but where’s the Windows version?
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 You really have no excuse for missing those special shots, with Sony’s 16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo.
This large-capacity flash storage device can store up to 110 minutes of high-definition (HD) video recorded in 1920 mode, about six hours of HD video in 1440 LP mode, and up to 3800 still images in 10 megapixel resolution.
It can quickly and easily transfer large amounts of video and image content between devices, and can also be inserted into compatible computers for sharing and editing of content.
RRP: $500
Visit: www.sony.co.nz |
 It might look like just another clock radio, but the AJL308 from Philips is more of a bedside multimedia centre. Using the USB connection or SD card slot you can upload your favourite mp3, photo and video files. The seven-inch LCD screen keeps you entertained, while pre-loaded nature sounds help you relax. Oh, and traditionalists will be pleased to know it also has an alarm clock and a radio.
RRP: $250
Visit: www.philips.co.nz |
 This slim device from TomTom could be the solution to your car navigation problems. The GO 720 has a 4.3-inch touchscreen that displays GPS information and plans tricky journeys with ease. It includes membership to TomTom HOME – an online service where you download the latest maps for free. HOME also allows the sharing of user-created content such as warning sounds and wacky alternative voices. Another handy feature is the ability to control your mobile phone and iPod from the GO 720’s touchscreen.
RRP: $799
Visit: www.tomtom.com
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 RRP: $179
Site: www.logitech.co.nz
As broadband becomes more pervasive, and more services offer workable video messaging, a Web camera makes more sense for a lot of consumers. Logitech’s QuickCam Pro 9000 features optics by Carl Zeiss, Autofocus options and even some basic HD video recording capabilities.
Pros: The camera itself is sturdy and will sit easily on most notebooks or LCD display screens. Video quality was excellent in our tests. The embedded video effects may be silly, but they’re also rather good fun.
Cons: It’s not the cheapest Web camera we’ve ever tested.
Verdict: A superb Web camera, for those with the funds.
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 This surprisingly complete all-in-one guide to the sprawling, multi-faceted world that is the Internet is now into its 13th edition. From security to social networking – almost everything is covered, albeit very briefly.
Highlights include a comprehensive "Fun Things To Do Online" section and an encouraging simple guide to creating and managing your own Web site.
A great gift for friends or relatives who still feel left behind by the Internet age. $28.
Visit www.roughguides.com for more information. |
 NZ approx. price: $92
Site: www.mindscape.net.au
The 17th edition of Family Tree Maker has a changed interface, more support for Web clipping and Web searches in general and, naturally enough, loads of genealogical data across its six CDs.
Pros: It's a very flexible application, with the ability to merge all sorts of data into your private genealogical store. A three-month subscription to ancestry.com.au is also included with the package.
Cons: Why does it have to come on six CDs, and not one easier-to-search DVD? As with previous releases, many searches will lead you to paid genealogical portals, which can prove annoying if you're not willing to pay.
Verdict: Still a good resource for organising your genealogy research.
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