Five Picks for High-Tech Love

And at least for now, you will be dealing with the plucky InternetMovies.com. Don't expect the luxurious iTunes experience here -- the site is rugged.

But the service works, in my testing, and you are blissfully not beholden to Apple's (AAPL Quote - Cramer on AAPL - Stock Picks) proprietary technology. You can run this flick on any PC or player you own.

Let the virtual romance begin.

The Look of Love

If you are feeling especially flush this Valentine's Day, why not take the next step and get the love of your life a portable media player?

Clearly, the runaway leader here is the superior Apple iPod with video. Apple has finally gotten the kinks out of this player. The unit is durable and pricing is in line with the rest of the pack.

But there is a problem: every Tara, Deidre and Holly has an iPod by now. If you're looking for a bit of cachet, why not try one of the other excellent media players on the market?

This year, I like what Toshiba is doing with its Gigabeat Portable Player ($299). The unit offers 30 gigabytes of storage, comes in a decent package and has easy-to-use controls. Also, it works with all the better online media outlets such as Rhapsody, Napster (NAPS Quote - Cramer on NAPS - Stock Picks) and CinemaNow -- you are not stuck with just iTunes.

What better home could there be for her new virtual Jane Austen collection?

Full-Time Lover

Another fascinating trend for 2007 is the stuff your computer uses to work better -- such as hard drives and keyboards -- are no longer drab little boxes.

Now, good design in computer peripherals is the norm.

My pick for coolest-looking computer gadget is the portable Skwarim hard drive ($199) from LaCie.

This fun little drive comes in a decent -- if a bit loud -- blue. And it jacks into any universal serial bus connector on a PC. With 60 gigabytes, the drive offers enough storage for just about anybody's personal files.

What I especially like about the LaCie is that it is attractive enough, and small enough, to travel anywhere -- including to and from work.

What better way to say I love you is there than giving your sweetie complete control over her files, anytime and anyplace?

A Bicycle Built for Her

Finally, Valentine's Day tech is expanding beyond gadgets.

Now high-end sporting goods are being aimed at women. Everybody from ski makers like Atomic and Solomon to bike makers such as Cannondale and Gary Fischer are tweaking their products for the ladies. And the results can be excellent.

I am particularly impressed by what retro-bike maker Electra Bicycles is doing. In particular, I like its Townie 8 ($700), part of a line of easy-to-pedal, super-stable rides for women.

Don't let the dip bar and old-school feel fool you: This is a high-tech wonder with exclusive features like seven-speed internal gears, coaster breaks that really work and an optimized frame geometry that puts the pedals, bars and seat in the most comfortable position for a woman's body.

A stylish, romantic ride around town, anyone?

---

Enjoy the Good Life? Email us with what you'd like to see in future articles.

« Previous Page

1 2

Next Page »