When I was a kid in the early 1950s, I heard my dad say many times that there would be a time in the future that man would land on the moon, and he hoped to see it. He also said that there would be cars that would navigate from point A to point B by computer. His first statement came true in 1969. His second statement…almost. We have small computers imbedded within a palm-sized device that not only tell you where you are when you’re traveling, but how to get to where you want to go as well. These small computers, called GPS devices, use the US military Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), a constellation of satellites in orbit around the earth. The GPSs transmit a signal to earth and the GPS device in your car, or handheld, receives the signals from several satellites and based on their input signal, give you a location on earth within yards of being 100% perfect. Then, the computer wizardry multiplies in the GPS devices when you are able to input where you are and where you want to go, typically using a touch screen. Internally loaded with maps of the area you’re traveling, the GPS computer does the rest. You are on your way – but watch your speed!
Now, if you’re using your GPS device and have a heavy foot on your accelerator, you’ll probably want a radar detector. Radar detectors have been around for several decades and most seem to rely on detecting the radio frequency of the radar transmitter, usually being wielded by a police officer in a position that you can’t easily detect while you’re whizzing by on your way to Point B. There are even radar detectors that use lasers to determine if you’re speeding. While I don’t advocate speeding, it’s nice to have one simply to know that radar enforcement zones are nearby so that you can be extra cautious.
When you get to Point B, you’ll probably want to relax and unwind with a digital book. The newest digital books, like the Amazon kindle2, give you the opportunity to download books right into the device for a very reasonable price. What I like about digital books is that I can read as much as I want (out of what is available – and the selection is growing every day, I believe), and not have stacks and stacks of books.
If you want to take notes after you arrive at Point B, or if you need to take notes in a meeting at Point B, you should try a digital tablet. Solidtek makes a “DigiMemo 692 Digital Notepad that is stand-alone and storage-capable. It doesn’t need a computer or special paper and you can digitally capture and store all that you can write or draw with ink. What makes this product so unique is its stand-alone quality.
After you return home to Point A, do you really want to get into an argument over the remote control for the television or the stereo? Heck no. Why not buy a second remote that can control up to eight audio and visual components using a learning function for programming remote signals as well as a one-touch system control? The Sony RM-VL600 Remote is the product you want to buy and use. In fact, let the other person have the other remotes for the different components in your audio and video systems, and YOU keep the Sony RM-VL600 for yourself. No more fumbling for the correct remote. Use this one and you’ll be pleased you bought it.
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