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Tech gadgets: Microsoft Sidewinder X8 gaming mouse | October 1, 2009
By Peter Wolchack
TekGadgets Archive
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Improve your zombie aim Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Microsoft reintroduced its much-loved Sidewinder line with a gaming mouse in late 2007, and the family now includes a keyboard and a few mice. At the top of the game, though, is the X8. This mouse uses Microsoft Bluetrack technology (for improved movement tracking), a wired or wireless connection, various DPI and sensitivity settings, seven programmable buttons and various user-changeable feet, each giving a different feel to the mouse. The X8 retails for $120. |
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Toss your Apple ear buds Klipsch Image S4i If you want headphones that deliver better sound than the Apple freebies, there are a lot of options, but not if you also want headphones that offer the call-answer and play/pause functionality of the iPhone headsets. But check out an S4i. The fitted in-ear design delivers good sound and good noise cancellation, and the three-button microphone and remote system on the wire delivers the voice and music controls you want. The headphones sell for approximately $130 and work with the iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod shuffle, second-generation iPod touch, fourth-generation iPod nano and the iPod classic 120GB. With an iPhone 3G, the play/pause and call answer work, but not the volume control. |
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Game in three dimensions Samsung 2233RZ 3D monitor Programmers have worked hard to up the reality level of games: wave effects in water and hair, facial expressions that look (at least almost) real, shadows that travel and twist with the characters, and of course enough blood and gore to satisfy a horror movie fan. A new monitor from Samsung takes this hard work to a new frontier: 3D images. Buyers will need an NVidia GeForce 3D Vision graphics card and have to wear active-shutter 3D glasses, but once equipped they can enjoy more than 350 games and movies in stereoscopic 3D. The 22-inch monitor retails for approximately $400. |
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Good sound, stylish remote Logitech Z-5 computer speakers Notebook computers are great. Notebook computer speakers are lame. So pick up a pair of Z-5s. Why these? Three reasons. First, they are USB powered, so you don’t need an outlet. Second, they come with a slick little remote that works with iTunes and other software, so you can adjust volume and play, pause and skip tracks. Last, the sound quality is darn good. Logitech Z-5s retail for approximately $130. |
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Do one thing really well Clickfree Transformer for iPhone This is simply a good idea: plug the Transformer into an iPhone and into your PC or Mac; the unit then launches on-board backup software and copies important computer files to the unused space on the iPhone. You can even transfer music from an iPhone back to a computer, and users can select specific files for backup or simply let the Clickfree do its thing. It is also compatible with iPods. It’s simple, it works and it’s peace of mind for $50. |
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