New products: Handheld scanner tackles books
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This weekly roundup takes a look at the practical and sometimes quirky aspects of tech products.
Scanner tackles books
Anyone who has ever tried to flatten a book to make copies will appreciate the maneuverability of the IRIScan Book 2 portable scanner. Designed to move across a page, the handheld scanner can capture the words on the curved part of a book's spine. Set-up is straightforward. Pop two AA batteries into the device, insert the microSD card and turn it on. For best results, take a few seconds to calibrate the scanner with the included calibration sheet before using it the first time.
Arrows that are about 8 3/4 inches apart can help you line up the page so your scan is fairly straight. The arrows also can help you gauge how much of the page can be scanned in one shot. The scanner can easily handle standard 8.5-inch width pages but isn't as useful when trying to scan oversized documents.
Basic controls let you choose between color or black and white, and between 300dpi or 600dpi. Once you've made your selections, you can start moving the scanner across the page. Take it slow or a red light will signal an error and you'll have to start over.
Once you've finished scanning, you can download the scanned images to a computer or tablet via the included USB drive or the microSD card. The scanner also comes with software that can turn your scans into editable and searchable documents that can be imported into PDF, Word and Excel files. The device can be purchased for under $100.
www.irislink.comPlug and record
You can push the quality of audio recordings on your iPhone to the next level with Mikey Digital, a plug-and-play stereo microphone. Designed to plug into an iPhone or iPad, the microphone can help you catch polished recordings while listening to a live concert or making a video. Equipped with two condenser capsules and a multi-source input jack, it also has an adapter that can be plugged directly into a guitar or bass for recording an instrumental. As you record the audio, an LED indicator warns when the volume level is distorting the sound, allowing corrections to be made on the fly. It costs about $100 from Blue Microphones.
www.bluemic.com/mikeydigital
Straps keep camera secure
Serious photographers can tote their camera -- and their backpack -- at the same time with Sun Sniper's Back-Pack Strap. When attached to your backpack, the Back-Pack Strap turns your backpack into a camera strap that provides quick access to your camera for impromptu shots. It costs $67. A similar messenger bag strap, the Strap Surfer, costs $96. Both straps contain a stainless ball-bearing camera connector that secures the camera, a shock-absorbing system that cushions the camera's bounces and an inner steel wire that deters thieves with scissors.
www.bronimaging.com
E-mail new product suggestions to techporterfield@gmail.com.
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