ARCHOS G9 Tablets
The ARCHOS G9 series delivers a powerful blend of speed, storage and flexibility. Running Android 3.1 “Honeycomb,” these tablets include Google’s suite of mobile apps and access to the Android Market with more than 200,000 apps, from games to news and books. A standout feature is the 3G-ready design: the G9’s concealed USB port works with the ARCHOS 3G USB Stick (sold separately) so you don’t have to choose between WiFi-only or 3G models at purchase. Inside, a 1.5 GHz dual-core OMAP4 processor provides significantly faster performance and quicker page loads compared with many competitors. The G9 tablets are also capable of decoding 1080p H.264 High Profile video for smooth, high-definition playback. Available in 8-inch and 10.1-inch sizes. $279–349. www.archos.com
HeyWire
HeyWire is a versatile messaging hub that combines free texting from a U.S. phone number with integration for Twitter and Facebook in a single app. It supports messaging across 45 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and many Caribbean and Latin American regions. Because HeyWire operates over WiFi, you can avoid costly international roaming fees and continue to text and chat while traveling, working in a café or relaxing at your hotel. The app also simplifies group messaging by sending one message simultaneously to friends on Facebook Chat, Twitter and SMS, eliminating the need to switch between apps. Additional conveniences include SmartSMS auto-reply, which silences notifications and sends customized responses when you’re sleeping, flying or driving. Available from the iTunes Store and Android Market. Free. www.heywire.com
OfficeDrop iPhone app
OfficeDrop turns your iPhone into a quick, effective document scanner. Take a photo of a paper document and convert it into a searchable PDF in minutes. Scanned documents can be labeled, searched using optical character recognition (OCR), organized and accessed from anywhere through OfficeDrop’s cloud-based filing system. The free app requires an OfficeDrop account and includes 1 GB of cloud storage and up to 50 pages of text-searchable scans per month. OfficeDrop is also available for iPad and Android, with optional paid upgrades starting at $9.99 per month for users who need additional storage and scanning capacity. Free download. www.officedrop.com
Verbatim Store ‘n’ Stay USB Drive
The Verbatim Store ’n’ Stay USB drive packs substantial storage into a tiny form factor—roughly the size of a dime—designed to remain plugged into a computer for always-available storage. Despite its minimal protrusion of about 5 mm, it offers the same reliable performance as larger drives and is easy to remove when you need to transfer files. Available in 4 GB, 8 GB and 16 GB capacities, it is compatible with most Windows (7, Vista, XP, 2000) and Mac (OS 9 and higher) systems. Prices range from $19.99 to $59.99. www.verbatimstore.com