New products of the week (May 19)

APPLE IPHONE ACCESSORY

Typo Keyboard, $169

Made famous by co-founder Ryan Seacrest, this keyboard and case for the Apple iPhone 5 and 5s is slim and lightweight, keeping your iPhone svelte.

Users who are converts from BlackBerry will enjoy the physical keyboard, which has tactile buttons and is fully backlit for night typing.

The keyboard uses Bluetooth to connect. It should last for about a week of active use and has a battery indicator to display battery life.

WI-FI ROUTER

Linksys WRT1900AC Wi-Fi Router, $399, available next month

Linksys says this is the first consumer router to feature four adjustable external antennae, providing more range and coverage than conventional three-antenna devices.

The dual-band device uses the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, offering speeds of up to 1,300Mbps. Powering it is a dual-core, 1.2GHz processor and 128MB flash memory. It can also extend the range of an existing wireless network, or function as a wireless bridge between two wired networks.

It comes pre-configured with the Virtual LAN IDs of all major fibre Internet service providers here, making set-up quick and simple.

SPEAKER

Nakamichi NBS2N NFC Bluetooth Speaker, $79

It looks like a small jar but it is actually a portable speaker which uses Bluetooth 3.0 for better transmission and Near Field Communication for hassle-free pairing with an audio device.

Playlists and audiobooks can also be played through a MicroSD slot (up to 64GB).

If you receive an incoming call, you can use the speaker's built-in microphone. A built-in FM tuner gives access to FM radio channels.

The speaker has a battery life of four hours and is available in six colours.

DIGITAL CAMERA

Sony A77 II Digital Camera, pricing to be confirmed, available next month

Photobuffs with a need for speed will appreciate this camera's 79-point autofocus system, perfect for quick focusing in wildlife photography or sporting events.

The 24.3-megapixel sensor works in low light, with ISO 100-25,600.

It allows burst shooting of up to 60 full-resolution JPEG images at 12 frames per second.

The camera has an Oled viewfinder with a resolution of 2,356K dots. A triple-hinge, 7.5cm LCD screen with a resolution of 1,228K dots provide flexibility in shooting angles.

The camera uses A-mount lenses and has Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication capabilities.

HEADPHONES

Bose FreeStyle Earbuds, $219

These in-ear headphones feature Bose's Triport technology, delivering crisp sound and powerful low notes without artificial bass boosting.

With the colourful headphones come three sizes of proprietary StayHear tips, which are designed to conform naturally to any ear and create a stable and comfortable fit.

The cables are reinforced to withstand wear and tear, while an inline microphone and remote let you answer calls and switch music.

HOME APPLIANCE

Tefal Freemove Iron, $229

Tefal's new cordless iron generates steam at 170g/min and has an auto-steam control that adjusts the temperature for different fabrics.

For stubborn creases, a Turbo Shot function gives an extra boost of steam at the push of a button.

Going cordless does away with the problem of a limited ironing range and accidental creases caused by the cord getting in the way.

The iron uses a docking base to recharge and switches off after eight minutes if it is left inactive, saving energy while preventing accidents.

By Colin Tan

This article was published on May 14 in Digital Life, The Straits Times.

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