Gadgets: What you need is a digital shopping list

With today's busy lifestyles and the high price of gas, a grocery list can sure cut down on trips to the store.

SmartShopper simplifies this task, whether or not you're the shopper.

Users activate voice-recognition technology by pressing the record button on the front/center of the device and then speaking the grocery item wanted or errand needed to be run.

Items are categorized in a list along with the quantities needed. Just before heading out to the store, hit the print button for a register receipt-type printout. The device can be mounted on a wall, and it's small enough to take along for the ride.

Users can pre-record their own voice to recognize specific brands or favorites. The database in the gadget has more then 2,500 items.

Items with coupons can also be noted.
Information: www.smartshopperusa.com, $149.99


Getting a good pocket digital camera isn't difficult, but companies are adding more and more features, including touch-screen technology. Kodak has put this technology in their new V1273 pocket digital camera.

The 12-megapixel camera has a 3x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent to 37 - 111 mm) built with an all-glass Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens to ensure sharpness and high-quality images.

I found myself adding images to the camera just to mess around with the review function on the 3-inch LCD touch screen. The images slide across the screen in succession without delay in forward and reverse.

All the camera menu functions are controlled by the touch of a finger and worked perfectly. Editing and organizing images are also done with the touch function.

One problem with many digital cameras is seeing the images on the screen during daylight. While the functions on this screen work great, it is hard to see in bright light.

The LCD seemed to have a layer on top of it, which gave it a hazy look. Users will almost think it has one of those plastic covers that protect the unit before it reaches the consumers' hands.

Users have the options to take the ISO as low as 64 or to a high of 3200. Kodak's Smart Capture technology allows the camera to make adjustments in areas such as focus, exposure and shadows.

The camera takes SC and SDHC media storage cards and there is 32MB of internal memory, which is only good for a handful of images.

Video is not forgotten in this camera. Users can record 720p video at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound.
Information: www.kodak.com, $279.95

Western Digital has introduced its My DVR Expander USB Edition to expand the recording capacity of a DISH Network digital video recorder (DVR).

It's a 500GB external hard drive that is compatible with the satellite companies ViP Series HD DVRs (digital video recorders). Users will be able to increase their recordings by storing up to 300 hours of digital standard-definition (SD) or up to 60 hours of high-definition (HD) television programming in addition to the storage on the DVR itself.

Installation takes just seconds without the need of professional installation. Users simply attach the My DVR Expander USB Edition drive to their DISH Network ViP Series HD DVRs.

The drives are cool and quiet with a unique no-fan passive cooling system. They also have an eco-friendly Western Digital AV-GP hard drive with GreenPower technology, making it quiet and ideal for use in living rooms or bedrooms. With this drive, they will consume up to one-third less power than standard external hard drives.
Information: www.shopwd.com., $149.99.

Gregg Ellman is the Star-Telegram's photo director/technology. His Gadgets column appears weekly.