Multi-Tasking Gadgets

Not only have prices on hi-tech gadgets like flat screen computer monitors and MP3 players dropped, but manufacturers today pack a lot more features in them. Here are some devices that do many things really well.

One of the ways hi-tech manufacturers have distinguished themselves is by creating products that can do more than one function. You can think of them as the "swiss army knives" of the hi-tech world.

BenQ LCD Monitor
BenQ, which you formally know as Acer, has a new LCD flatscreen monitor for PC's which also doubles as a digital photo frame. The BenQ monitor is a great computer monitor --with very fast response time-- which is great for watching DVD video movies but what make it stand out from the bunch is it also has memory slot on the top where you plug in the digital memory cards from your digital camera. The BenQ will automatically display one photo or do a slide show. $449. www.benq.com

Apple iPod
Apple's famous iPod portable mp3 player has also undergone a transformation since its introduction a couple of years ago. Formally it was just a music player, now it's not only an mp3 player, but it has all your contact information, your address book, your calendar information, and you can use it as a portable hard drive. They start at $299 for a 5gigabyte, and they go up to 20 gigabyte model. The iPod is the best mp3 player on the market in our opinion and with its added functionality, it becomes even a better bargain. www.apple.com

iGo “The Juice”
iGo is a company you may not be aware of. They make great portable hand tools that are powered by standard batteries. Now they have a product called "The Juice". It's a multi-function AC adapter recharger. If you're a business traveler you know you need to bring all the AC adapters for all your various gadgets with you, the Juice can handle all of them. It can power your laptop, your PDA, your mp3 player, all the gadgets you bring with you on a business trip can be recharged and played with the Juice. http://igo.ententeweb.com/mapfiles/juice.asp

Canon i70 Portable Printer
Finally, Canon's new printer the i70, is a portable document printer for the busy professional. Great image quality, almost laser on text, but the key here is that it's a great photo printer as well. The battery incredibility lasts for over 450 pages on a single charge. $250. www.usa.canon.com