All work and no play makes Jane bored out of her mind. And more multitasking
women are making technology decisions with both the home and the office in mind.
Tech crossovers have been an overwhelming sensation since the first
calculator watches hit stores in the mid-'70s. Conferences, like the Consumer
Electronics Show, are packed with an increasing number of attendees year after
year. And it's no wonder; today's technology gadgetry is both utilitarian and
fun.
Lea Woodward, an on-the-go technology and business consultant who prefers to
be called a "location-independent professional," uses a host of tech tools for
work and play. One of her favorites:
37 Signals' online Backpack,
which helps her keep track of important project to-dos as well as her grocery
list.
Here are a few other gadgets, gizmos and tech tools that blur the line
between fun and business--and can still help you get work done.
The
Delphi
Premium Sound System is a portable audio system that integrates with
most XM satellite radio receivers. Its crystal clear sound and deep bass
maintain top-notch sound quality, while its convenient carrying handle makes it
easy to tote. In the office you can tune in for up-to-the-minute business
coverage on your favorite business stations and then pack it up and take your
beats to the beach.
The
Nav300, also from Delphi, is truly stealth. By day it poses as a GPS
device complete with turn-by-turn directions and audible speed-limit warnings.
By night, it's an entertainment suite that plays MP3s, movies and games. The
Nav300 is perfect for that long plane ride when you're not flying Jet Blue.
The
Stress Eraser is as new age as a gizmo can get. It's a handheld
biofeedback unit with an infrared fingertip sensor that lets you see your
current stress level. Then it helps you make adjustments to your breathing so
you can actually see your stress level decrease on a digital read-out.
Meditation goes corporate.
Why go BlackBerry when you can
iPhone? The
iPhone from Apple is the latest craze. It boasts an iPod, telephone, wireless
internet access and smartphone features all in one. The "cutting-edge cool
gadget" factor is worth the $499 price tag alone.
Then again, who needs an iPhone when you've got a
Fossil Wrist Net Smart Watch?
These watches are surprising powerhouses of productivity and information. They
give you access to news, stock market tickers, sports scores, weather and even
Microsoft Outlook calendar reminders, which makes sense, considering Microsoft
developed the Smart Personal Object Technology these watches use.
The
Swing Groover II Electronic Golf Coach and Analyzer from Sharper Image
is a portable electronic driving range that helps you improve your game with
instant visual feedback about accuracy, distance and speed. Whether you're in
the kind of business where you close deals on the links or you just enjoy a lazy
Sunday game, this gizmo will help you be prepared.
Move over Mavis Beacon, enter the
22 Pop. Modeled after the Olivetti Lettera 22 classic typewriter, the 22
Pop puts a new-school twist on old-school office equipment. This typewriter can
send e-mail and is a great choice for writers who want to go retro without
losing connectivity.
To keep all your tech toys charged up and ready, there's the
Chargepod by Callpod
Inc. This six-way charging device allows multiple cell phones, PDAs, headsets,
gaming devices, MP3 players and a host of other mobile electronic devices to
recharge with a single power cord in the office, the car or at home.
You may not be able to get away from the office, but no one's stopping you
from squeezing in a bit of fun while you're there.