Top Ten Wireless Gadgets

Wireless technology is fast becoming a necessity rather than a desired application on some of today’s hottest gadgets. We are developing into a society that expects to receive information or become connected wherever we happen to be at the time. With this desire is an influx of wireless gadgets to keep us in-touch, entertained and connected whenever we desire to do so. The following list represents the top ten most popular wireless gadgets for today’s techno savvy consumer.

1. The Apple iPhone - The Apple iPhone was the must have gadget of the summer of 2007 and still holds the allure of today’s gadget crazy consumer. The iPhone can be best categorized as a cell phone on steroids. The unit provides multimedia capabilities, including the functions of Apple’s iPod, a PDA and web browser. The iPhone also offers a camera function, email interface and instant messaging. The iPhone originally retailed for a whopping $600, however it can be purchased now for around $400 (for the 8GGB model).

2. Apple iPod Nano - The Apple iPod Nano (third generation - 4 GB), continues to refine the ever-popular iPod technology. Retailing for under $200, the Nano not only allows the user to download music selections, it also has impressive video capabilities. Supporting H.264 or MPEG4 video, the unit has remarkable resolution. In addition, it allows users to download video games from the Apple iTunes store. Like its predecessors, the iPod supports a variety of audio files include AAC files (iTunes), MP3, Apple lossless, AIFF, WAV and Audible files.

3. Creative Zen (4GB) - A video player in the palm of your hand, the Creative Zen has the ability to display both video and photographic content. Retailing for around $130, the Zen also comes in formats with larger memory capabilities (8GB - $200, 16GB - $250). With a 3-inch screen, the Zen is both compact and easy to view. Besides its video functions, the Zen has a wide variety of other features including, an SD card expansion slot, FM radio, audio playback (MP3, WAV, Audible and protected and unprotected WMA tracks), voice recorder and basic PIM functionality.

4. Sony PSP - A must-have for the video gamer in your life. The PSP offers the best of both worlds for gaming consumers. Not only is the PSP a portable gaming device, but it also comes with cables, allowing the unit to be hooked to a larger screen for the ultimate gaming experience. The unit retails for around $170 and boasts a slimmer design from earlier models of the PSP. It also has video playback capabilities as well as photo display, audio playback and a web browser.

5. Apple iPod Touch - Apple does it again with the iPod Touch. Similar to the iPhone the iPod Touch offers comparable technology (sans the mobile phone capabilities). The unit comes in both 8GB ($300) and 16GB ($400) memory capacities and provides users a host of Wi-Fi capabilities. The unit boasts a 3.5 inch display and offers video, photo and audio playback / display capabilities

6. TomTom Go 720 - The world is at your fingertips with the TomTom Go 720. This slick little GPS unit offers a receiver with preloaded maps of the United States and Canada. It has 2 GB of memory and provides maps in both 2 and 3D formats. In addition the TomTom Go 720 provides hands free calling via Bluetooth technology. The unit has built-in speakers and FM tuner, plus a built in microphone. It also offers both text and voice turn-by-turn directions and even provides the ability to download celebrity voices. The TomTom Go 720 retails for $400 to $600.

7. Archos 704 WiFi - The power of the internet in the palm of your hand, the Archos 704 provides a link between portable media players and hand held computer devices. It has a seven-inch touch screen with 80GB of hard drive. The unit, which retails for around $550 has a voice recorder, audio player and recorder, photo viewer, video player and recorder, external HDD functionality, file transfer ability and external video capture capabilities.

8. The Playtronic Discovery 655 - The Playtronic is a Bluetooth headset that offers, comfort as well as excellent audio capabilities. With three different charging options and multiple earbud sizes, it’s easily adaptable to fit a variety of needs. It also offers one easy to use multifunction button for hassle free operation. Features include call answering and ending, mute, last number redial, making calls, voice operated dialing and the ability to switch from a handheld phone to the headset. The unit retails for around $150.

9. SanDisk Sansa View (16GB) - Like the other video and photo-viewing technology available, the SanDisk is another hot commodity in the wireless world. While the unit has a 2.4 LCD screen, which is slightly smaller than other brands on the market, it offers a sleeker size and smaller price tag ($200). It provides a SD card expansion slot and can view JPEG and MPEG formats. It can also play MP3 audio files. The Sansa View comes with a rechargeable battery and provides voice recording, a built-in FM radio and USB 2.0 compatibility.

10. RIM Blackberry Curve 8320 - Working with T-Mobile’s Hotspot@home, the RIM Blackberry 8320 allows the user to make calls via WiFi technology. With a better than average call quality, the PDA component of the device offers a QWERTY keyboard that is surprisingly large for the unit’s streamlined size. In addition, there is a 2-megapixel digital camera and a handy popular IM listing.

Wireless technology is everywhere and it’s quickly becoming a requirement rather than an extravagance. While this list provides only a small sample of the options available for today’s consumer, it represents some of the most sought after devices currently on the market.

 

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