Bytes and pieces
The greatest gadgets for a life on the go
FROM HARD DRIVES TO SOFTWARE – THE LATEST INNOVATIONS EXPLAINED
Words: Katie Lee
| Acer e-series Personal GPS If you’re the type of person who can get lost on your own street, this tiny, hand-held sat nav unit is for you. It comes with maps and a special mode for pedestrians, as well as handy in-car features such as traffic updates and a charger. £179; www.acer.com |  |
| BlackBerry Pearl There are already thousands of BlackBerry devotees, but the company is hoping to cast its net wider with the help of this model. It’s called the Pearl, thanks to its central, pearl-like multi-directional scroll ball, which replaces the usual thumb scroller. With an emailer handset smaller than those of other BlackBerries, it also includes a 1.3-megapixel camera. Price dependant on contract; www.rim.com |  |
| Panasonic Toughbook The unusual thing about Panasonic’s CF Toughbook range is that the rugged computers are also exceptionally good looking. The CFW5 is an upgrade of the W4 model, and comes with a 60GB hard drive, a 15-hour battery life, and the ability to withstand 100kg of pressure. £1,800; www.panasonic.co.uk |  |
| Nokia N95Nokia’s new N95 handset comes with a unique double slide design. Slide it open one way and the MP3 player launches and the control keys are revealed; slide it open the other and the number keys appear and the handset reverts to phone mode. Turn the handset over and slide open the lens cap and you’ve got a 5-megapixel camera. Price dependant on contract; www.nokia.co.uk |  |
