What’s not to love about the latest technology and the hottest trendy products? Our Cutting Edge section keeps you on the vanguard of electronic wizardry with our featured gallery of gadgets that are newly launched or coming soon to a store or website near you.
CLEAR UPGRADE
Apple’s new iPad, sometimes referred to as the iPad 3, ($499-$829) is all about clearer, crisper, more lifelike images, or as Apple describes it, “resolutionary.” The most notable upgrade is the Retina display, which now features a 2048-by-1536 resolution and 3.1 million pixels—four times the number of pixels on the iPad 2. And it fits all of these additional pixels on the same 9.7-inch size screen, using new technology that allows pixels to be put on different planes and makes it harder to discern individual ones. All of this means razor-sharp text, more vibrant colors, and rich detail. The new iSight, 5-megapixel camera is also a step up thanks to the camera’s ability to capture light more efficiently. And yes, the iPad is now finally available at 4G speeds.
PEEK-A-BOO, MY IPHONE CAN SEE YOU
You can see, talk, lullaby, illuminate, and even monitor your baby’s comfort level from anywhere with the Smart Baby Monitor by Withings ($299). Not only can you watch and listen to your baby from your iPhone, but you can also pan the camera across and zoom in and out. Click a button to soothe your baby with your voice or choose from five melodies that can help lull your baby back to sleep. The Smart Baby Monitor also has a built-in nightlight, monitors various ambient conditions, such as room temperature and moisture, that can affect a baby’s sleep, and visualizes (in graph form) and keeps track of when your baby moves and makes noises.
HOME CONTROLLER
This summer, Belkin will start to roll out its line of WeMo products, which will allow users to control household electronics from anywhere using a free mobile app. First up, the WeMo Motion Sensor + Home Control Switch ($100, the Home Control Switch can be purchased separately for $50). Simply plug the switch into any outlet and whatever appliance is plugged into the switch can be turned on and off from your smartphone. Add the Motion Sensor, and whatever device is plugged into the switch will turn on when you walk into the room and off when you walk out.
INTO THE FOLD
Sony is introducing its second tablet into the fold, and this one can literally fold up. The Sony Tablet P ($550) features dual 5.5-inch touchscreens that can be folded together so you can easily fit it in your pocket or purse. While the tablet does have dual-screen optimized applications, it can also be used as a single screen when it is opened up flat. The tablet can also wirelessly connect to your network-enabled HDTV or other entertainment devices, making it easy to share pictures, music, and videos. It is available with 4G through AT&T.
INTELLIGENCE-ADDED CAMERAS
Samsung has released the first two cameras in its new line of Smart Cameras. The WB150F ($230) long-zoom model is a 14.2-megapixel camera with 18x optical zoom, while the DV300F ($200; pictured) dual-view model includes a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the front to assist with self-portraits, help keep children focused while taking their picture, and provide a countdown for photos set to the timer. What makes these cameras smart? WiFi. Both can connect to WiFi hotspots so users can instantly share their captured memories through email or social networking sites such as Facebook. There is also an Auto Backup function that wirelessly transfers all photos taken to the user’s PC.
