Quick Takes

Alternative Browser Shines

If you rarely browse beyond Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape, you're missing Opera 7's stylish new interface and some other worthwhile features. An ad-sponsored version from Opera Software is free; pay $39 to get the browser without ads and backed by e-mail tech support. Power users will love new keyboard shortcuts that can speed browsing by letting you leave your mouse behind. A new password manager stores all of your passwords in case you forget them. And a faster page-rendering engine supports Web standards better. Opera 7's strongest appeal will be to savvy surfers who like ample tools to control their browsing experience.

Harmonic Convergence

The Sony Ericsson P800 unites a mobile phone, a camera, and a PDA (with GPRS Internet access) in a pocketable 5.6-ounce device packed in a cool metallic blue-and-silver case. The Symbian operating system runs apps similar to those you would find on a Palm- or Pocket PC 2002-based PDA, including a viewer for documents in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and PDFs in Adobe Acrobat. My shipping phone came with a proprietary Web browser; if you prefer, you may download Opera 6. The included syncing software, despite being slightly primitive, can take data from Lotus Notes or from Microsoft Outlook across a USB 1.1 or Bluetooth connection (and someday, over GPRS). At press time, no U.S. wireless service yet offered the phone in specific plans, but anyone may buy it from Sony Ericsson for $650 and activate it via a SIM card for a carrier that supports GSM networks (such as AT&T, Cingular, and T-Mobile).

Back to Business

Like your music loud, but can't hear your cell phone ring? Try Skullcandy's $30 Skullcandy Portable Link stereo headphones, which have a hands-free mike and two plugs--one for your phone and one for your music player. The telephone rings in the headphones, and a volume control in the microphone pod enables you to squelch your player quickly. Also available is a version for office phones.