December 09, 2000 04:18
Chicago Consumers Eagerly Await Cyber-Santa
By Gary Dretzka, Chicago Tribune
Dec. 9--Things used to be so simple.
Televisions and the gizmos attached to them once were distinguished solely by
their brands and shapes, not platforms and formats. The most anyone needed to
know about a radio was whether you plugged it in or carried it to the beach.
Computers were too big to carry without a forklift, and a roll of film took a week to
process.
Now, of course, there are high-tech electronic devices for every season, reason and
demographic. One December's cutting-edge technology is old hat by the time the
Consumer Electronics Show rolls around in January.
Planned obsolescence worked pretty well for General Motors and Ford in the '50s
and '60s, when cars disintegrated after--but usually not before--providing five strong
years of service to a customer in the Snow Belt. Now computer hardware lasts
forever, but software is rendered obsolete in the blink of an eye.
In 1995, just as we all were getting used to our CDs, who could have predicted the
arrival of MP3 and Internet radio? What couch potatoes among us thought they'd
see the day when they wouldn't miss a single play from scrimmage or spin from
"Wheel of Fortune" if nature happened to call between commercials?
Last Christmas, consumers devoured DVD players by the truckload and were
intrigued by the sudden availability of machines that could "burn" digitized music
onto blank disks. This year, well-heeled tech-heads can buy machines that transfer
digitized video onto DVDs, and they'll fret over the very real possibility of having to
invest in another new library of music, because DVD-audio is just around the
corner.
Still, even with each new quantum leap in digital technology, consumers need to
ask themselves the same basic questions before pulling out their credit cards at the
local electronics emporium:
Is this trip really necessary? Could I live just as easily with last year's model?
Has the price of a desired wonder toy met the point where it finally equals value?
Am I confident this machine won't end up in the same landfill where all those
eight-track players, Betamaxes and Pong machines now are buried? Do I care if it
does?
Isn't steering a car enough of a responsibility without adding such duties as
answering a phone, tuning in to the Internet and locating one's self on the GPS
unit?
Is there any more room in the rec room for another set-top box, game console or
remote control?
What gift will make Mom or Dad, or Junior or Babs, the happiest ... the longest?
The answer, Regis?
"It depends."
It always does, somehow.
If all Dad has really wanted all his adult life is the ability to watch any football or
basketball game he desires, whenever he wants to see it, and be able to control the
instant replays and commercial time-outs himself, then this probably is the right
time to invest in a DirecTV system. If, however, he hates any sports played with a
ball, and prefers horseflesh to horsepower, he would likely prefer EchoStar's Dish
Network, where he can find wall-to-wall horse races, along with access to the
Internet via WebTV Plus, and the usual dozens of niche channels.
If a family only cares about PBS, "The Sopranos" and the hometown team, local
cable service will do just fine, at least until it comes time to make the
FCC-mandated leap from analog to digital television. The manufacturers may be
giving away receivers and installing the dishes for free, but you still have to pay for
the programming, which looks and sounds better via satellite.
Tivo, Replay or WebTV Plus? Replay has decided to reduce its exposure on the
consumer side, so it ceases to be a real option. The key questions to be asked,
then, involve price (about $600 total), the value of expunging commercials and
pausing the action when the phone rings (immeasurable) and need for simultaneous
Internet and e-mail access on a TV monitor (marginal).
The price tag for these personal programming and time-shifting tools remains a bit
steep, but storage time on the hard drive has improved dramatically, and the ease
of use is addictive. It makes VCR Plus and most other mid-tech recording devices
look like dinosaurs.
Or, if the kids are considering buying Mom one of those cool hand-held
organizers--or personal digital assistants--they should first determine whether she
would find the device most useful for storing addresses and phone numbers, or if
she would also like to write memos while listening to her favorite tunes on MP3,
capture photographs instantly and conveniently, exchange e-mails while commuting
to work or, perhaps, replicate the PC experience on a device no bigger than a deck
of cards.
The answers to these questions could mean a difference of hundreds of dollars.
Don't, for example, spend more than $60 on a hand-held device that will be used
only to keep track of phone numbers and calculate tips.
Given the options available on the Web--and only those people conversant with the
Internet should even consider buying most high-tech toys--comparison shopping
should be both practical and fun. All the major ISPs and manufacturer sites link to
e-tailers, and discounts can be found everywhere one looks.
Perhaps the best thing to do first is find a price on the Web with which you feel
comfortable, from an e-tailer that can actually deliver the product on time. Then take
that price to your neighborhood mall and, allowing for the cost of shipping and
handling, see which local outlet is willing to meet or beat that deal and complement
it with a fair return policy.
Of course, affordability always is a big question.
A $400 pocket organizer or $1,500 robotic pet won't help anyone pay the rent, but,
if poverty isn't an issue, just the sight of a new gadget will raise a smile on a techie.
And, usually, that's payback enough.
GIFT ITEMS:
PLAYSTATION 2
Sony, $299 (www.sony.com)
Yes, we realize PlayStation 2 is this year's hot-ticket item, and it's virtually
impossible to find at any price. But Sony assures us it's determined to ship a total
of 3 million units by Easter. Potential giftees would do well to take an IOU as a
Christmas gift, if only because the platform is able to play DVD movies and CDs, as
well as previous-generation PlayStation games. Meanwhile, at $150, Sega's
Dreamcast system is a feasible alternative, and it sports a modem that promotes
long-distance gaming.
PALM IIIc, V, VIIx and m100
Palm, $150-$600 (www.palm.com)
Here's where it really pays to do your homework. Each of these hand-held
organizers has a distinct personality, look and purpose. The m100 is simplicity
itself, while the IIIc is designed to enhance the visual experience with a color
screen. The sleek V is a portable modem that allows the user to access a desktop
PC in less than a minute, while the VIIx provides instant access to the Internet,
e-mail and messaging. Taking a cue from Detroit automakers, Palm offers its
customers a full range of accessories and subscription services. In addition to
functionality, these add-ons raise the bar on a unit's price, so put your basic Palm
through its paces before committing to accessories you might never use.
PENCAM TRIO
Aiptek, $89 (www.aiptek.com)
British Intelligence might have given this easy-to-hide three-in-one camera to Agent
007 to copy enemy documents or, perhaps, e-mail snapshots to the boys back
home. Little bigger than a felt-tip pen, and just as portable, the PenCam is at once
a PC camera, digital still camera and digital camcorder. Besides video e-mail, the
gadget facilitates video conferencing and photo retouching. If you don't expect
gallery-quality images, this is a very cool device.
SUPER MINI OPTICAL MOUSE
Atek Electronics, $49.95 (www.atekelec.com)
About the size of a single morsel of Almond Joy, this teeny-weeny mouse cures
two of the chief complaints about laptop computers: inconvenient pointers and
cursor drift. Using optical technology--not a ball--this gizmo doesn't require a mouse
pad or any surface larger than the palm pad of a notebook computer. It simply plugs
into the USB port of certain laptop models and goes to town.
IPAQ H3650 POCKET PC
Compaq, $499; PC Card expansion pack, $149 (www.compaq.com/handhelds)
If a mere organizer won't satisfy the techno-nerd on your list, and only "the works"
fill the bill, take a long look at this stylish maxi-mini-computer. The PDA is a bit
bulkier than rival Palm devices, but iPaq does everything most Windows-based
desk units can do, while also providing hours of inconspicuous wireless fun via the
Internet, and MP3 files, too. The relatively large screen reportedly displays 4,096
colors--who knew there were that many?--and it can be easily viewed in direct
sunlight.
PORTABLE KEYBOARD
Palm, $150 (www.palm.com)
One of the major drawbacks to hand-held devices for men and women of a certain
age is the teeny-tiny virtual keyboards and skinny little pencils used to input
information. They're OK for phone numbers and addresses, but you wouldn't want to
input a term paper in the system without first checking out this wonderful gadget.
Here is a full-size keyboard for Palm devices that literally folds up to fit in a pocket.
When attached to a modem-equipped unit, it can easilyfunction as a laptop, without
all the weight and bulk.
PALM PIX CAMERA
Kodak, $149 (www.kodak.com/go/palmpix1)
The perfect accessory for any Palm-equipped device with a color LCD screen. The
camera is attached to the hand-held device--iPaq offers similar accessories--as if it
were a heel or sleeve. Pictures can be instantly synced to a desktop PC or laptop,
then saved, printed or e-mailed. The pictures aren't quite as vivid as those provided
by other digital cameras, but who cares?
FLIGHTABLE COMPUTER PAC
Azpac, $169 (www.flightable.com)
This intriguing piece of luggage/furniture falls into the what-will-they-think-of-next
category. By all appearances, the Flightable Computer Pac C-1000 is little more
than a generic piece of carry-on luggage with wheels, but laptop schleppers will
appreciate its ability to easily hold clothes and their computer in padded
compartments, and unfold into a makeshift desk, complete with cup holders. With
airline travel as unpredictable as it has become, this bag almost qualifies as a
necessity.
IM REMOTE TUNER
Sonicbox, $75 (www.sonicbox.com)
You may not be aware of the fact that many of the world's best radio stations can
be heard on the Web. Anyone, anywhere, who wants to listen to sports events not
broadcast locally or the hot tunes in Dublin and Sydney need only locate a station's
Web site and tune in (after first downloading some free software) for an unexpected
treat. In the last year, devices from Sonicbox and Kerbango have taken this gift of
sound one step further by introducing stand-alone Internet radio players that can
connect to your stereo system or that come complete with built-in speakers.
Someday, this easily portable technology will stand alongside the transistor in the
radio hall of fame.
AIBO ROBOTIC DOG
Sony, $1,500 (www.sony.com)
Recently, a trend spotter predicted that, in 30 years, more than 20 percent of all
household pets will be robotic. If they're all as cute, cuddly and clean as Aibo, this
is welcome news. The robotic dogs, whose software allows them to mature, were
the hit of the recent Comdex convention, stealing the show from more practical
inventions. Much cheaper knock-offs can be found in any neighborhood
Walgreen's--alongside the talking trophy bass--but Aibo exudes a palpable charm
that would be spooky if it wasn't so darn cute. Despite the steep price tag, these
puppies are as scarce as hens' teeth.
COMPUTER SOUND MORPHER
Intel Play, $49.99 (www.intelplay.com)
Computer-savvy kids will love this PC-enhanced toy, which allows them to record
their voices and other sounds, then morph and mix them in unusual ways. The
children can trade their sound creations via e-mail, or create soundtracks for their
homemade animated projects. The morpher also has wacky preset sounds and
filters similar to those used on grown-up radio stations and Hollywood sound
stages.
PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDERS
TiVo, WebTV, UltimateTV, AOLTV, $199 and up, not including monthly service fees
(www.tivo.com, www.webtv.com, www.ultimatetv.com, www.aoltv.com)
This may be the season that PVRs come into their own as common entertainment
appliances. Introduced two years ago, when Replay was still a major player, the
technology now can be found in set-top boxes from Sony, Philips, Panasonic and
other major brands. All of the early wrinkles have been ironed out, and alliances
have been formed with such delivery systems as DirecTV, EchoStar and AOL. So,
in addition to time-shifting and one-button recording, the PVRs provide an interactive
programming guide, access to the Internet, picture-in-picture, interactivity and
e-mail. These are terrific devices, and big users of premium cable services can
probably get a free receiver and installation if they make a commitment to monthly
entertainment packages.
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