What’s a comprehensive blog without a tech category!

In the first of many segments to come, technology journalist Akash Sablok of AndNowYouKnow.net will showcase the latest and the greatest in the ever changing world of gadgetry. Today’s feature covers a few of the fun new products in the entertainment department, as well as a couple of cool toys for kids. There’s something for everyone.

Akash is a regular guest on Citytv’s Breakfast Television and on G4TechTV’s Lab with Leo. Check in often for his tech reports!

For details on the featured items, read on…

Motorola Bluetooth Active Headphones S9

A whole lot less geeky-looking than other models, this new lightweight (less than an ounce) headset is a perfect pair to your KRZR K1 (and other Bluetooth enabled phones). If someone calls you, the music will pause and you can use the S9 as a Bluetooth phone earpiece (mic is hidden in the earpiece). Answer and hang-up the phone with the buttons on the left side and control volume with the same set of buttons. There will be an iPod adapter available soon, sold in a set for about $40 more.

Suggested Retail Price: $149
www.motorola.ca

SanDisk Sansa Shaker MP3 Player

These are the cutest looking MP3 players around. They’re designed for tiny hands, but are full of features. Powered by a single AAA battery, the unit can play up to 10 hours. What you play is up to you with an inserted SD card. You can pump sound out with the built-in speaker or use one of the two headphone jacks. To change tracks, shake it (yup, shake it) or twist the dials.

Suggested Retail Price: $45
www.sandisk.com

Griffin Technology Journi

Two 50 mm high/mid-range drivers and two 64 mm passive radiators use SRS WOW digital technology to expand the audio image, improving digital audio and creating a deep, rich bass response. Offers 8 – 10 hours of play on a single charge via AC adapter or powered USB port. Sync iPod with your computer’s iTunes library as it charges. Adjustable Dock Connector welcomes all iPod models. Auxiliary Audio Input for other digital music players. Lightweight at about 2.2 pounds.

Suggested Retail Price: $150
www.griffintechnology.com

Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter

Charge your iPod and mini-USB device at the same time, anytime. USB-to-dock connector for iPod and mini-USB cables included. Works with many popular cell phones and other mini-USB charging devices. With it, you won’t have to carry 2 or 3 adapters with you.

Suggested Retail Price: $35
www.belkin.com

LG Super Blu – Blu-Ray & HD DVD Player

The world’s only Blu-Ray Disc AND HD DVD Player. Has full HD 1080p output with 1080i Upconversion with HDMI for older DVDs. BD-J Interactive Menu System for extra features on the new HD movies. Wide Disc Format Playback and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound. Not cheap, but extremely versatile.

Suggested Retail Price: $1,400
www.lge.com

Nikon COOLPIX P5000 Digital Camera

The latest version of Nikon’s COOLPIX 5000 is the P5000. With 10.0 effective megapixels, 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens and lens shift VR (vibration reduction), the camera provides amazing picture results. Light sensitivity can be manually set as high as ISO 3200 (in English, this means you can shoot in very low light levels). The large 2.5 inch LCD screen lets you see what you’re shooting, or what you’ve just shot. There is an optical viewfinder as well, helpful in saving batteries. It’s also future-proof. It’s compatible with optional lens accessories, including the 0.67x Wide-angle Converter (WC-E67) and 3.0x Telephoto Converter (TC-E3ED) lenses. A new menu interface, face-priority AutoFocus and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix round up some of the neat features of the camera. Akash’s favourite option: The built-in accessory shoe (or hot-shoe). It supports the use of Nikon’s advanced i-TTL flash control for external flashes, including the Speedlight SB-400, SB-600 and SB-800.

Suggested Retail Price: $460
www.nikon.ca

Nikon SB-400 Speedlight Flash

The SB-400 flash is a nice compliment to the camera. Its head can be tilted in four ways: horizontal, 60, 75 and 90 degrees and has a flash shooting distance range of 0.6 m – 20 m (depending on the ISO setting). It’s powered by two AA batteries and has auto shut-off features for conserving battery power.

Suggested Retail Price: $170
www.nikon.ca

Canon PowerShot TX1 Digital Camcorder

The latest trend in camcorders, Canon’s new 7.1 megapixel PowerShot TX1 does double duty as a digital camera and video recorder. And does it look good! With an optically image-stabilized 10x optical zoom lens and an 115,000-pixel Vari-Angle LCD screen, you take great photos and video and clearly see what you’re doing. For video, the camera captures at 30 fps High Definition (HD) 720p widescreen (16:9). What’s more, the PowerShot TX1 digital camera has easy connectivity to play its movies or high quality stills back on high-def TVs, thanks to Canon’s thoughtful inclusion of a convenient component video output terminal.

Suggested Retail Price: $650
www.canon.ca

Black & Decker 8” Automatic Adjustable Wrench

When you’re working on tightening some bolts, it’s hard to open and close the wrench in tight spots. You can turn the adjustment screw, but again in tight spots, it’s hard to. This new B&D tool automatically adjusts to any size nut or bolt up to 1-1/4″ with the push of a button. Professional heat treated hardened steel and 220 ft-lbs of torque are tough enough for any job.

Suggested Retail Price: $55
www.blackanddecker.com

Transformers Head of the Class Activity Station

This toy makes learning fun. There are 8 zones with over 48 activities, including cool games. You can add names, make custom spelling lists and math problems to keep content fresh. The authentic Transformer speech and sound effects will be a treat to any boy or girl. SMART chip technology auto-adjusts difficulty based on player’s performance. QWERTY keyboard with special function Transformer “Hot Keys.”

Suggested Retail Price: $70
www.kiddirect.com

R/C Stunt ATV

If you can’t get to the mountain to ride an ATV, then I guess you can substitute playing with this thing. This cool-looking 4-wheel off-road bike with rider can be controlled in almost any way with the long-range remote control. With wheelie spins, digital proportional speed control and lean-in action, it’s almost as fun as doing it yourself. Well, no, not really, but it is a lot easier to clean up after. You can remove the rider to make it go faster. Uses 6 AA batteries and one 9v battery.

Suggested Retail Price: $40
www.thesourcecc.com