Gadgets looks at chargers and software to remove photo backgrounds

Remove photo backgrounds

Vertus software Bling! It and Fluid Mask 3 are designed to take backgrounds out of subjects with ease.

Bling! It is ideal for digital scrapbookers or even those selling products on eBay who will love the ease of the software, which works on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Users can delete a background and change the composition of the images by adding or deleting objects and effects.

Removing a background can be a complicated step for most anyone, but after an edge is drawn around the main object in the image, a masking tool will take out the unwanted background. Several adjustments can be made to ensure deleting only what's not wanted.

Photoshop can do most everything Bling! It can do, but for $49.95, it will cost a whole lot less if your needs are just working with these functions.

Professionals can use Fluid Mask 3 ($239) for more complex background removal from images, which can even include fine tuning the removal of a background behind and around hair.

Other highlights include localized edge detection and blending, fast image processing and an in-application Tool Tips box, which has links to application, based xml help files and tutorials.

Fluid Mask 3 will work as a stand alone program or as a plug-in with Photoshop CS2 and CS3.

Information: www.blingit.us, www.vertustech.com

Charge multiple "i" devices

If you're a family with more then one iPod or iPhone, then the Griffin PowerDock2 is a must-have.

It's a desktop charging base station made of brushed metal and has a rubber base to keep it stationary while charging any combination of the devices at the same time with a standard AC plug.

A pair of universal docks along with 8 universal dock inserts ensure that just about every iPod (iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano with video, iPod with video, iPod nano 2G, iPod 4G and iPod mini) out there can be charged.

The device is available now at Apple.com and Apple retail stores with an MSRP of $49.99

The PowerDock 4, (you got it -- charges four at a time) has two rows of two docks, with an MSRP $69.99 and will be available in July.

Information: www.griffintechnology.com

Charge electronics on the go

TekCharge MP1550 portable charger uses four AA batteries to power and charge cell phones, mp3 players, PDAs, digital cameras and many other portable devices on the go.

The pocket-sized device uses standard or rechargeable batteries for charging a device for up to 12 hours of usage.

Users can choose to use their own USB cable, which comes with most of the portable gadgets made today, or use one of the included adapters for connection.

These adapters include charging for Blackberry (mini USB), LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Users of iPods and iPhones just have to use their own USB cable to attach.

If your device is not one of these, available for purchase are additional adapters for Bluetooth headsets, digital cameras, other mobile phones and portable media players.

Information: www.tekkeon.com, $24.95