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Slim And Robust
MALL and light but fast and
powerful, the Lenovo IdeaTab S2109,
built for entertainment, is ideal for web surfing and
e-reading. It will quickly and seamlessly become your
constant companion at home and on the go for multimedia use.
It’s a great machine, with four
surround sound speakers, a bright 9.7-inch display and
running the new Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Weighing in at 1.27 pounds and measuring just 1/3 of an inch
thin, this ultra-slim tablet is so extremely comfortable to
carry and to hold.
Thousands of useful apps are just
a fingerprint away at the Lenovo App Shop and the Android
Market. The S2109 promises 10 hours of battery life so you
can use a micro-SD card for storing movies or swapping
photos and videos from a camera. There is also micro-USB to
connect to other devices and a micro HDMI output to connect
to an HDTV. A 1.3M camera on the front allows for video
chatting.
The S2109 starts at $389 at
www.lenovo.com.
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Connect To Cell Phone
AM often frustrated using my
cell phone reception at home. That’s because of poor clarity
or dropped calls. AT&T has addressed that annoying
circumstance with its new Connect
to Call Dual Answering System with dial-in-base
speakerphone and dual caller ID/Call waiting. This is part
of the new AT&T’s DECT 6.0 cordless phones manufactured by
Advanced American Telephones (AAT).
Now you have the freedom to make
and receive cellular calls without asking others to speak up
or repeat what they said.
With the AT&T TL96271 Connect to
Cell is a virtual two-line phone system. You can make
landline calls on one handset while someone else makes
cellular calls on the other handset.
The digital answering system
offers 14 minutes of record time. It has a backlit keypad, a
200-name and number phone book directory and a 10-number
redial memory. What more could you want?
Okay, the system’s Caller ID
Announce allows you to screen calls without picking up the
handset. That’s quite a neat function which I appreciate
immensely.
Also push-to-talk (PTT) allows you
to communicate with anyone in the office or home. If the
caller wants to speak to someone on another floor, you can
use the handset speakerphone to call that person instead of
yelling like I always do. Now that’s a relief!
The system includes the base and
two handsets, $89.95. You can expand up to 12 additional
handsets, TL90071, priced at $29.95 each. Visit
www.telephones.att.com.
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Speak Like A Pro
OW you can look as
professional as the President or those late night talk show
hosts who speak without notes. You, too, can use your own
teleprompter while recording a YouTube episode, lecturing a
class or delivering a speech for your constituency.
Undoubtedly there are numerous instances when you wished you
had the use of a teleprompter.
Listec PromptWare PW-04
from Tiffen is a teleprompter that you attach to your
iPhone, iPod Touch or Android smart phone. Use the QUERTY
keyboard to write your script or speech on the 4-inch
screen that’s readable up to 10 feet. Of course, you should
have a tripod to attach the phone and teleprompter.
The hardware consists of 10 pieces
that you assemble without tools. The Quickstart Guide will
help you with the setup. Fortunately I could count on the
other half of our Product Evaluation Team, Johnathan the
Junior PET, to help me get started.
For an iPad or most 7-inch to
10-inch tablets or DSLR cameras or camcorders, you’ll want
to get the Listec PromptWare PW-10.
This comes in seven models ranging in price from $599 to
$1,099.
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Headphones Worth Getting
OUSE OF MARLEY, a company
formed by Bob Marley’s family, makes in-ear and on-ear
headphone as well as home and portable audio
systems—innovative audio and lifestyle products with
earth-friendly and renewable materials. Prices range from
$29.99 to $349.99.
Redemption Song In-Ear Headphone
is made from durable maple wood and recyclable
aluminum. The 52-inch fabric-covered cord helps eliminate
static. For use with iPod, iPhone and iPad.
Price of this earphone is $79.99
without the in-line mic. Of course it’s much better to have
the in-line mic, to raise or lower the volume, and that
raises the price to $99.99. It’s worth it knowing that the
company donates five percent of annual profits to 1Love.org,
a movement of the Marley family that funds charities
focusing on "youth, planet and peace."
This year House of Marley plans to
expand its lifestyle line with watches, bags and other
earth-friendly accessories. Order at
www.houseofmarley.com.
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Take Care Of Your Teeth
hilips Sonicare FlexCare+
helps promote oral health care by reaching deep between your
teeth. Furthermore, with Gum Care mode it cleans along the
gum line to prevent inflammation.
The Sonicare action includes two
minutes of cleaning, which is the recommended brushing time,
followed by one minute of extra focus along the gum line.
The unique angle of the brush head neck is designed to
easily reach the back teeth.
When you begin using this unique
electric toothbrush, the power increases gently over the
first 14 uses to ease you into the Sonicare experience.
The Sonicare experience includes
five different modes: A cleaning mode for two minutes, a
sensitive mode for a gentle cleaning of the gums, a refresh
mode for a one-minute touch-up, a massage mode to stimulate
the gum, and a gum care mode to improve gum health. Includes
charger, storage, UV brush head sanitizer and travel case.
See more at
www.sonicare.com.
MSRP $189.99.
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Protect Your iPad
TTERBOX, makers of
incomparable covers that protect many of your essential
electronic devices such as smart phones, now offers the best
case for the latest iPad.
New iPad and iPad 2 Defender
Series Case is a sleek and chic protector that
will go with you everywhere you carry your latest iteration
of the iPad2. (That’s obvious, isn’t it?)
The high quality polycarbonate
shell is a great shock absorber. The durable silicone skin
shields the screen from scratches, smudges and fingerprints.
The shield has a built-in stand
that lets you view the screen in both landscape and portrait
mode. When finished using the iPad, close it by snapping the
shield to the front. There’s a magnet on the shield that
will activate the device’s sleep mode. Cool!
Note that this new case is not
made for the original iPad; it works only with the iPad 2
and the new upgrade. Available for $89.95 at
http://www.otterbox.com/New-iPad-and-iPad-2-Defender-Series-Case/APL2-IPADD,default,pd.html.
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Magellan’s Has What You Need
AGELLAN"S catalogue is full
of useful gear and garb essential for the road, and even if
you stay at home and look cool. Get your copy at
www.magellans.com, and you’ll
find the following great products.
CAFÉ COAT A Magellan’s
exclusive, this stylish coat can stay on your shoulders
wherever you go to keep you warm. Eight pockets will keep
your essentials handy. Has an adjustable waist cord for a
fine fit. Made of lightweight poly with a zip-off hood. In
Blue, Black or Purple. $89.
CANNES 22-INCH CARRY-ON BAG
This hard-sided French-designed easy rolling luggage is
truly a delight to carry along effortlessly. Four wheels
that rotate any way you go will help you through crowds and
terminals as your journey from place to place. Available in
Red, Chocolate, Gray, Purple, Orange or Black. $199.
MINI LED FLASHLIGHT/LANTERN
Give this powerful flashlight, with its six energy efficient
LED bulbs, a gentle twist and it converts into a stand-alone
lantern. Use it as a nightlight or during power outages.
Comes with a wrist strap and non-slip grip. Takes three AAA
batteries (not included). You get two (Blue and Black) for
the price of $22.50.
EXPEDITION PANTS A Magellan’s
design, this Adventure and Travel Expedition Pants boast
zippered front and back pockets, a wet/dry zippered pocket,
belt loop carabiner, and mesh vents at the knees. Really
comfortable. Comes in Black, Olive, Khaki. $69.
EXCURSION TOURING SOCKS They
help keep your feet dry no matter the terrain. A spandex
compression arch allows for extra support. Has a cushioned
sole, heel and toe. Available in Khaki and Navy for men and
women. $17.50.
WORLD-TRAVELER DRIRELEASE LONG
SLEEVE POLO SHIRT Magellan’s reinvented the classic polo
shirt with DriRelease fiber technology that dries four times
faster than cotton plus FreshGuard for odor control. Made of
85 percent polyester and 15 percent cotton, with four-button
placket, zippered security pocket and pleated patch pocket,
$45.
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Must Haves
BRAIN QUEST Since 1992
this educational brand has been a favorite of teachers and
students. It’s been an effective learning tool. After 20
years, Workman has published a revised fourth edition of 11
core titles for grades pre-K to 7. They include 20 percent
new material pertaining to new curricula written in
kid-friendly language. With refreshed artwork and design,
the decks look cool and more modern. Brain Quest needs
neither a battery nor an adult, and it’s lots of fun.
$11.95.
AWKWARD PUZZLES The
Siblings Puzzle, Christmas Puzzle, Vacation Puzzle and Pets
Puzzle are four different types of the jigsaw puzzle. But
all have precisely 999 pieces. Count ‘em if you don’t
believe it. The puzzles feature funny images gleaned from
the popular website,
www.AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.
Each box is priced at $14.99 at
Amazon.com.
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