Get Coordinated

Trekkies take heart: the tricorder is here. Vital Technologies' Tricorder Mark 1 is the first environmental sensing device marketed to the general public. The Mark 1 can detect EMF emissions, monitor light intensity, record temperature, measure barometric pressure and work as a colourimeter to help the stylistically-challenged pick out matching fabric patterns and wallpaper. Oh, and it also tells the time.

TR-107 Tricorder Mark 1: US$398 (approximately £260; available ony in the US). Vital Technologies Corp.: +1 (905) 951 1219.

  Mickey and Minnie

Meet Ricordo and Lubie, two microbots from Seiko Epson in Japan. The mouseketeers have light sensors in their eyes and 32KHz processors for brains. Ricordo can rerun a course by recalling stored data, while Lubie (French for whim) will skitter toward any light source and act, well, whimsical. Each bot comes with a flashlight, manual and charging unit. Unfortunately they're only available in Japan, so get on that fax.

Ricordo and Lubie: ¥60,000 (approximately £365) a-piece. Seiko Epson Corp: fax +81 (263) 52 9922.

  Music of Tomorrow

The Theremin, granddaddy of the modern synthesiser, has added ethereal sound and atmosphere to countless drive-in flicks, not to mention the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations". Big Briar has updated Leo Theremin's vintage design with contemporary analog and digital integrated circuitry. Controlled by moving your hands around two brass antennae, this beauty resonates over more than six octaves, from a low growl to an unearthly squeal.

Series 91 Theremin: US$2,500 (approximately £1,600) for traditional walnut model. Available only from Big Briar Inc.: +1 (704) 251 0090.

  Digital Pocketcam

Sate your technology jones while on the road with JVC's latest video camera - the GR-DV1. About the size of a walkman, the DV1 is the smallest and lightest camcorder in the world. It records both digital video, audio and still frames, and since it fits easily inside your pocket, it's ready for anything you are. Back at home, you can use the docking station for playback on TV or output to videotape.

GR-DV1: available in UK mid-May; approximately £1,600 (price to be confirmed). JVC: 0181-450 3282.

  Cone of Sound

Need some isolation? The Virtual Audio Imager - which looks like a castoff from the set of The Avengers - will immerse you in an ocean of panoramic, lifelike sound. The domed unit will streamline sound to a chosen focal point by isolating stereo sound and using the reflective properties of the dome.

Virtual Audio Imager: US $699 to $799 (approximately £455 to £520; UK distribution set to begin by the end of 1996). Available direct from Brown Innovations: +1 (312) 296 6400, fax +1 (312) 296 4350.

  Ease of Use

Although the Japanese dominate the television market, it's the sets they keep for themselves that will really get you going. The Sharp LCD Display TV sports a 10.4-inch active-matrix screen with TV and radio tuners. The monitor can be swung left and right or tilted for optimum viewing pleasure. And while many TVs come with off-timers, this little beauty has an on-timer - you'll never miss the start of your favourite show again. All in all, the Display TV is a perfect example of Japanese design and know-how. But why add the radio tuner?

LC-104TV1: ¥150,000 (around £900). Available only from Japanese Sharp Corp.: +81 (6) 625 3007, fax +81 (6) 628 1667.

  Mouse That Roared

Coffee with sugar and doughnuts with rings; these are a few of my favourite things. Unfortunately, my mouse isn't as fond of that which misses my mouth. But never fear - DuraPoint is here! Made from silicone rubber buttons, DuraPoint is an industrial-strength pointing device that can take a java spill with the grace of a silver service waiter - and shrug off a fall from a five-story building.

DuraPoint: £245 +VAT. Steadlands International: (01670) 528200.

  Good Evening, Dave

If you hanker after raw, gut-wrenching power, take a gander at the new SPARC-based HALstations. Based on HAL Computer Systems' 64-bit microprocessor and running a version of Solaris 2.4 with 64-bit extensions, the HAL-station blows the doors off single-processor Sun workstation while maintaining compatibility with current 32-bit Solaris applications.

The flagship HALstation 350 cradles a 118MHz processor, along with a 2Gb hard disk, 64Mb of RAM, and a 20-inch monitor. HALstation 350: £19,550 +VAT. Available from ICL: 0181-565 7997.

Thanks to Tim Barkow, David Jacobs, Jeff Baskin, Larry Smith and David Boyer.