New products of the week (May 12)

USB DRIVE

Verbatim Dog Tag USB Drive, $17.80 (16GB)

Reminisce about your army days with this USB drive (8GB or 16GB), which is shaped like a dog tag.

Like a dog tag, it is water resistant and comes with a metallic bead chain to give it an authentic look. A protective rubber border helps to shield it from damage.

For extra protection, you can download Verbatim's password protection software.

IP CAMERA

Samsung SNH-P6410BN SmartCam HD Pro, $249

Designed for home and office surveillance, the SmartCam HD Pro has a 128-degree viewing angle that gives you a wide view, all in full high-definition (1,080p). It has an infrared LED, which lets you monitor at night.

If you need to keep an eye on the kids at home, the camera sends real-time alerts to your phone or Web viewer and automatically records when it detects motion or sound.

A built-in microphone and speaker let you communicate with someone at the other end. It supports microSD cards of up to 64GB for recording.

A free app (iOS and Android) allows for remote viewing on the go.

HEADPHONES

Plantronics Backbeat Fit Headphones, $219

When you are working out, the lighter the headphones, the better.

Plantronics Backbeat Fit is designed to be as light as possible, using Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to devices.

A nano coating renders the device sweatproof and weatherproof, making it rugged enough for the most strenuous workouts.

A built-in microphone and controls let users make phone calls and adjust their music without touching their smartphone.

The battery is good for eight hours of music playback and should last up to six months on standby mode.

WIRELESS ACCESS POINT

D-Link DAP-1665 Wireless Access Point, $109

Big homes and weak routers often make for poor Wi-Fi. The D-Link DAP-1665 offers extended coverage and supports wired and wireless connections.

In bridge mode, it connects two separate wired networks, making it unnecessary to add more cables. The repeater mode extends wireless coverage for hard-to-reach spots. Access-point mode gives users access to the home's existing wired network.

The dual-band (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) device supports the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. This means faster speeds than the usual 802.11n standard, with D-Link claiming that it supports speeds of up to 1,200Mbps.

MOUSE

Logitech Wireless Mouse M235, $29

Using Logitech's Advanced Optical Tracking technology, this mouse provides more cursor control and precision than standard optical tracking.

Weighing just 84g, its contoured shape is comfortable to hold, with soft rubber grips.

No untidy cables here. It uses a 2.4Ghz wireless connection. The battery should last for a year. A power switch helps to conserve energy.

HOME APPLIANCE

Philips PerfectCare Azur Steam Iron, $289

With this steam iron, Philips aims to do away with adjusting temperatures for different fabrics and fibres, from all-cotton shirts and linen jackets to polyester knit dresses and silk chiffon scarves.

Philips claims that you can even leave the iron on a garment for up to five minutes without fearing that it will singe or shine.

The iron has a new soleplate, designed for smooth and effortless gliding, as well as a precision tip for hard-to-reach spots.

By Colin Tan

This article was published on May 7 in Digital Life, The Straits Times.

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