GraphiCard

Just about everyone has a loyalty card somewhere. Problem is this tends to get forgotten amidst the numerous cards collected. So we were pretty surprised when one of our reviewers, who's just this side of a shopaholic, flicked out an ultra-thin loyalty card he had gotten during the Great Singapore Sale. With one difference. It has a thermal rewritable face that allows personalized messages to be displayed on the silver area each time there's a transaction. Rather nifty if you stop to think about a card that can now provide updates on points earned, particulars of instant winner games, and details of special offers each time. On the other hand, you'll also have to swallow the advertising that inevitably comes with it. Win some, lose some.

See full image | graphical version

Price: N.A.
Availability: More info at Visible Results
Device: Rewritable smart card
Basic specs: N.A.

Ipevo free.1 USB phone for Skype

We're sold on Ipevo's Skype handset. Having had a good whack at the handset over at the Kogen booth during the recent CommunicAsia2006 tradeshow, we're impressed by its solidity. It doesn't hurt that this will project designer chic while sitting on your table. That largish hole in the base isn't just for looks, either. We're told it's meant to eliminate echo effects, while onboard software ensures the Ipevo picks up only voice and not background music on your PC. Though the tagline may say "keeping in touch the free.1 way", the Ipevo is anything but free. Prepare to cough up S$88 in order to yak on a tethered, if handsome-looking, Skype handset.

See phone in hand | both colors

Price: S$88 (US$55.30)
Availability: Distributor Kogen Singapore
Device: Skype phone
Basic specs: Skype button, SkypeOut button with predial country codes, IM button, toggle scroll for fast contact list searches, three user-programmable shortcut buttons for changing online status or setting ringtone

Jawbone Air

Two years back, we wrote about the vogue-looking Aliph Jawbone headset, which featured bone conduction technology. Recently, we spotted what appeared to be its progeny at Hong Kong-based i.Tech's booth at CommunicAsia2006. While we weren't able to determine if this was, indeed, an Aliph issue, i.Tech's Jawbone Air works along the same lines. Its voice activity sensor picks up vibrations from your jawbone as you yak away, while onboard noise cancelation technology filters out ambient sounds for greater clarity. At least you don't have to stick a finger in your ear like the Finger Talk (Yubi-Wa) device.

Get the full picture | the specs

Price: N.A.
Availability: September, Asia
Device: Bluetooth bone conduction mobile headset
Basic specs: Talktime 11 hours, standby up to 200 hours, headset and handsfree profiles, Bluetooth v1.2, noise cancelation technology

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