A Taste for Traveling

The best technology for road warriors has transcended small size and basic functionality, and now combines style, power, and fun.

By Shonan Noronha | 
 

The new LG Chocolate phone delivers phone, messaging, GPS, 1.3 megapixel photo, video, MP3 with stereo Bluetooth, micro-SD storage, and more--in a sexy, pocket or purse size package. Taking full advantage of Verizon's advanced VCast services, this stylish phone strikes an almost perfect balance between miniaturization and usability. Bypass the slightly klugey right-angle headphone adapter and turn-on the optional LG HBS-110 Bluetooth stereo headset ($130) for a taste of how a music-phone is supposed to work.

Ready for Your Closeup

You don't need to compromise on picture quality when choosing a pocket-sized digital camera.

Rugged and lightweight, the new SD900 takes Canon's PowerShot series of digital cameras to a new level. The stylish, $499 unit features ultra-sharp 10-megapixel resolution, 3X optical zoom, a bright, 2.5-inch TFT LCD display screen, and a rugged titanium body.

Casio's latest Exilim Card EX-S770 compact digital camera shoots 7.2 megapixel still images and records video in MPEG-4 format. This ultra-smart camera's data storage function automatically converts business documents, e-mails and web pages to JPEG format for transfer to the camera. Featuring a 3X optical zoom lens and Casio's Super Bright 2.8-inch wide-screen LCD, the stylish EX-S770 is available for $380 in silver, blazing red, and graphite blue.

Projector Power

The latest ultra compact projectors combine sleek design with auditorium filling picture power.

We put the DLP-based, Casio XJ-S30 Super Slim Projector through its paces and were impressed by the unit's portability, ease-of-use, and extremely bright and sharp projected image. This sub-4 lb., 2000-ANSI-lumen, native XGA projector is just 1.7 inches thick, and fits easily into the file-folder section of a laptop case. The XJ-S30's simple and clear controls, wireless remote, and 2X optical zoom also made this sub-$1,700 projector a pleasure to set up and run.

Honey, I Shrunk the PSP

The most versatile miniature multimedia player we've seen, the 2.2 oz. K-PEX100 from Kingston lets you listen to MP3 music or FM radio, play games, watch videos, and view or store digital photos. It also features an integrated voice recorder and speakers. While the unit's 2-inch LCD will never be mistaken for a high-def screen, the amazing versatility and expandable memory of this 3.7x1.8x.57-inch device make it a useful addition to any traveler's gadget bag. The K-PPEX is available with 1GB of internal memory for $130 and with 2GB for $180, and storage can be expanded via a mini-SD slot.

"You can never have too much battery power" is a truism of portable technology that goes back to the days when a "portable" phone could be used for free-weight training. The $70 APC Mobile Power Pack is a powerful, lightweight (3.5 oz.) rechargeable battery pack that can be used for powering and charging MP3 players, mobile phones, and other portable devices via USB, for up to 55 hours of additional use.

Sidebar: Slim and Stylish Projector

If you need to find the slimmest, lightest weight, and reliable projector on the market, the Casio Super Slim Projector is it! Available in two models, the Super Slim XJ-S30 and XJ-S35 www.superslimprojector.com are only 1.69 inches thick and weigh just 3.97 lbs. The wide-angle 2X zoom lens offers the best range of any data projector, with image projection distances as close as 2.76 feet or as far away as 5.58 feet.

Casio's Super Slim Projectors also incorporate keystone correction technology, so that projector-to-screen angle is detected and top to bottom distortion is corrected automatically. Casio makes presentations easier with its Multi-Functional Presentation kit, a pocket-sized support accessory with USB port, which gives you the ability to present without a PC!

To get the SKINNY on these projectors, visit www.superslimprojector.com