Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
If you still have a gamer inside you, the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY might be the ideal phone. As the first PlayStation-certified smartphone, it blends a console-quality gaming experience with modern Android smartphone features. You can handle calls, manage email and enjoy immersive games—all on one device. Released exclusively for Verizon Wireless, the Xperia PLAY brings together the capabilities expected from a full-featured smartphone with dedicated gaming controls for a superior mobile play experience.
Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the phone ships with seven preloaded titles, including Madden NFL 11, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, The Sims 3, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot and Tetris. More than 50 additional games can be downloaded through VCAST Apps. A slide-out gamepad reveals a directional pad, dual analog-style touch controls, two shoulder buttons and the four iconic PlayStation symbol keys, allowing you to switch instantly from work to play. The handset is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with an Adreno 205 GPU and supports Adobe Flash Player. It features a 4-inch multi-touch display, Google Mobile Services—such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Search and Google Maps—and access to more than 200,000 apps on the Android Market. Priced at $199.99 plus a monthly plan.
OnStar FMV
OnStar FMV (For My Vehicle) brings OnStar’s well-known safety, security and communication services to nearly any vehicle, not just specific brands. It includes many of the essential features that have served more than six million OnStar subscribers. For example, Automatic Crash Response uses an accelerometer in the FMV mirror to detect collisions and connect you to a trained OnStar emergency advisor. The advisor can share the exact crash location with first responders by using the mirror’s GPS even if you cannot respond.
Turn-by-Turn navigation is available at the press of OnStar’s blue button: request directions and they are downloaded to the FMV unit, which then provides spoken guidance to your destination. Security options include Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance that also relies on the unit’s GPS. For hands-free calling, OnStar FMV offers two choices: calling through the OnStar service or connecting a mobile phone via Bluetooth. Installation replaces your existing rearview mirror with the OnStar FMV unit, typically takes under an hour, and generally costs under $100. The system is sold for $299 plus a monthly service plan.
Altec Lansing Orbit USB Stereo
Altec Lansing’s Orbit USB Stereo is a compact, plug-and-play audio solution designed to boost sound from laptops, netbooks and desktops without sacrificing portability. The system consists of two cylindrical satellite speakers that interlock into a compact form, similar to a camera lens, and neatly store the cord for easy transport. It delivers fuller, clearer audio when you’re giving a presentation, watching media, or working on the go, offering an affordable way to improve laptop sound output. The Orbit USB Stereo is priced at $49.95.
Beacon Universal Remote Control System
The Beacon Universal Remote Control System from Griffin Technology turns your smartphone into a universal remote. Powered by the free Dijit app, Beacon lets iPhones and other iOS devices control TVs, stereos and other infrared devices by converting Bluetooth signals into infrared commands. The compact Beacon puck resembles a small game-show buzzer and plugs into your entertainment setup to enable intuitive, app-driven control of multiple devices. It’s a simple way to centralize remote functions on a smartphone, and it’s priced at $79.99.