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An expanded Web version of segments seen on CNN Latest high-tech gadgets help keep you in touch
January 9, 1998
This story as seen on CNN
1 min., 30 sec. VXtreme streaming video
Web posted at: 4:41 p.m. EST (2141 GMT)LAS VEGAS (CNN) -- The Consumer Electronics Show kicked off its four-day run in Las Vegas this week, featuring more high-tech products aimed at keeping you in the communications loop.
Here are some of the options:
Now a watch, now a pager
"Beepware" is a pager and watch -- all in one Motorola and Timex teamed up to show off "Beepware," a combined pager and watch. It's been done before, but unlike others, their product works anywhere in the nation. At the push of a button, users can see the telephone numbers of people trying to reach them, or a full text message.
In addition, said Timex Corp.'s Victoria Durkin, "We've designed it so that at a touch of the button, you can take it off the wrist and you really end up with the world's smallest alphanumeric pager." Suggested retail price: $129.
Talk a little louder
Harris with one of Uniden's voice-dial phones Joining a host of other voice-dial products, like Omnipoint's subscription voice-dialing service and the Philips Genie phone with voice-activated dialing, Uniden is now unveiling a voice-dial phone that stores up to 30 names and their corresponding numbers. How it works: Press a button on the phone set, speak the name of the person you want to call, and the phone dials the correct number.
As with the other products, this phone will likely be of most benefit to people driving, those with bad memories, or those with bad eyesight, said Uniden's John Harris.
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The cost for the Uniden device: about $280.
Quickie translator
The newest quick-translation device, "Quicktionary" from Seiko Instruments USA, aims to clear up translation problems on a word-by-word basis. The unit, a pen-like object whose tip you drag over the word you don't know, recognizes the words, then translates it into your preferred language, Ronny Gorlicki of Wizcom Technologies explained.
Quicktionary can translate words from Spanish to English and French to English, and vice-versa. Versions in other languages are planned for later this year.
Quicktionary retails for about $250.
For the occasional e-mailer
Another manufacturer, Casio PhoneMate Inc., showed off a device for people who are happy with only occasional forays into cyberspace.
The IT-380 E-Mail Link is a combination telephone-answering machine that also checks electronic mail. The device calls users' Internet service providers, checks their e-mail and provides a directory of messages on a liquid-crystal display.
The machine, however, doesn't let users read the e-mail or send messages -- something that could send the truly wired into fits. But the company believes the device makes a lot of sense for many.
"We really see it positioned more toward a casual e-mail user," said Dennis Cox, vice president of marketing for Casio PhoneMate.
The device, which can be programmed to check e-mail accounts on a regular basis, is expected on the market this spring at $129.
Correspondent Ann Kellan contributed to this report.
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