INSIDE AIR TRAVEL
Mobile Technology Update
Digital Audio
Each year I start to think about my annual MP3 player column, I fantasize about the possibility of some company&emdash;any company&emdash;coming up with a device that can compete with Apple's ubiquitous iPod line. Well, so far in 2006, it hasn't happened, though that isn't to say that there isn't a host of perfectly good, and often less expensive, alternatives to iPod-dom. And as Microsoft's Windows Media Player continues to improve (the version that will be bundled with Vista; the next version of Microsoft's Windows operating system is excellent), these alternative players will likely become more appealing, since all work with the Windows Media files (which iPods cannot).
Creative Zen V Plus
www.creative.com
Price: $129 (1GB model) - $229 (4GB model)Creative's Zen V Plus, expected to be available in August, manages to pack a variety of nice features into a very reasonably priced package. In addition to functioning quite well as an MP3/WMA player, the Zen V Plus includes an FM tuner, and a 1.5 color display, which is particularly nice since the device can store and display photos and video in addition to music. Be forewarned if you envision watching a lot of videos on the Zen V Plus&emdash;with a maximum storage size of 4GB, you're not going to get a ton of programming onto your player, and, the display doesn't compare with that of the latest iPods. That said, it's a great feature to have for carrying around your favorite photos and the occasional video clip. Note: You'll also see a slightly less-expensive Zen V (without the plus)&emdash;while it too is a good player, it lacks the tuner and video playback functionality, and you're not likely to save much money.
Cowon iAudio 6
www.cowonglobal.com
Price: $250I've been a fan of Cowon's iAudio line for a few years now (I even bought my wife their U2 (which has nothing to do with the band) a couple of years back, and it's still going strong), and the company continues to impress, turning out solid performing, reasonably priced portable audio and video players. The iAudio6 is Cowon's first entry in the hard-disk player field, but don't worry&emdash;this is still one small device (it's roughly 3 inches wide, 1.4 inches high, and .7 inches deep, and weighs just over 2 ounces). Cowon still has a ways to go in delivering a wholly intuitive user interface, but with a little use, it's not difficult to master the iAudio 6. And unlike the iPod Nano, which is probably the device's primary competitor, the iAudio 6 can store and display photos and videos, on its crisp, bright 160 x 180 pixel screen. And like every Cowon player I've tried, the iAudio 6 offers up excellent sound quality.
Portable Gear
As any fashionista will tell you, it's the accessories that make the outfit. While it might not go that far with computer accessories, having the right collection of add-ons can make your travel time a lot more productive.
Mouse
Logitech V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse
Price: $60 (street)
www.logitech.comLet's face it&emdash;no matter how good the touchpad or pointing stick that's built in to your notebook, there's simply no substituting for a good mouse. For my money, Logitech continues to produce the most reliable mice on the market, and their V500 portable mouse does not disappoint. It tracks well on virtually any surface, and its nifty scroll panel, while taking a bit of time to get used to, is a nice scroll wheel alternative. The V500 also has an "expandable chassis" which rotates up to fit more comfortably in your hand when you're using it, but then collapses, to save room, when you're ready to pack it away in your bag.
WebCam
Creative Live! Cam Voice
Price: $85 (street)
www.creative.comWhile I've still yet to find a Web camera that I think is perfect, Creative's Live! Cam Voice does a nice job of mixing audio capabilities with above-average video. Whether you're using audio/video instant messaging, or using it with more traditional videoconferencing, the Live! Cam Voice will more than do the job. The camera also comes with software that allows you to tweak nearly any audio or video setting you can think of, though at times this can almost become overwhelming. And be careful with any snide asides you make during your calls&emdash;the Live! Cam Voice has a remarkably sensitive microphone.
Portable Hard Drive
Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition
Price: $145 (60GB), $199 (100GB)
www.maxtor.comWhile they're sure as heck not sexy, removable storage is probably the most important add-on you can buy. Whether you use it to keep extra files with you while you're on the road, or you use it to back up your office or home PC, a portable drive is a small investment, and one you'll kick yourself for not having made if your hard drive ever peters out. Maxtor's new OneTouch III Mini edition line, available in both 60GB and 100GB versions, is a quick performer, and its software is incredibly easy to understand. It's also easy to pack away, at 5.25 inches long, 3.54 inches high, and a svelte .79 inches deep, and doesn't require an additional power cable&emdash;it can simply get power from your PC via its USB 2.0 connection.
Headphones
Shure E500
Price: $499
www.shure.comFor a true audiophile, and one for whom money is no object, consider Shure's new E500 headphones. Sure, $500 is a little crazy for a set of headphones, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair that sound much better than these. On the downside, I wasn't too impressed with their performance at drowning out background noise (in reality, it's not canceling the noise, it's blocking it out). While they did a pretty good job on the street, airplane hum is simply no match (and if that's your primary goal, Bose QuietComfort 2s are still among the best I've seen).
Portable Router
Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router by DLink
Price: $299
www.kyocera-wireless.comIf you have a high-speed EV-DO connection as part of your wireless plan, Kyocera's KR1 Mobile Router will let you share it with all of your colleagues, any place you can get a signal. Once you plug this router into an EV-DO-equipped device (either a phone, or a standalone EV-DO wireless card), you can share it, either wirelessly or through Ethernet cables. See how long it takes you to become the most popular person in your office.
By Josh Taylor
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