Technical Toys for the Busy IT Exec.

1. What is it: Technology that converts spoken word to written word.

Who makes it: Multiple vendors

Price: About $200

Mike Fecek, vice president of tech services for Virtual Services Inc., of Troy, Mich., says the software is "a great tool for first-pass typing of medium to long documents, including e-mails, proposals, contracts and manuals, due to its speed and convenience." Setup takes about an hour. The equipment needed: a PC and a headset with microphone. To operate the software, place the cursor into any application, turn on the microphone and speak normally. The more the system is used, Fecek says, the more accurate it becomes.

2. What is it: Portable computer storage device

Who makes it: Multiple vendors

Price: About $10 to $320, depending on capacity

Forget lugging around a briefcase full of files or even a heavy laptop. For on-the-go professionals, this handy device quickly stores information or transfers data between computers. It is as small as a finger, weighs less than an ounce and is available in storage sizes of up to 4 gigabytes. “They’re incredibly convenient,” says Fecek of Virtual Services. “Plug them into a standard USB port, and they automatically appear and work like another hard drive.” When you’re finished, just unplug it and store it for later use, or plug it into another computer to transfer additional files.”

3. What is it: MP3 player

Who makes it: Apple Computers Inc., Cupertino, Calif.

Price: The new small iPod Nano ranges from about $199 to $249; the iPod shuffle is $100 to $130

First came 500-song downloads, then iPods with capability to handle 25,000 photos as well as podcasts. Now you can get an iPod that plays 150 hours of video. It comes with a 1.5-inch color LCD screen and weighs only 1.5 ounces.

Martin Jerresand, a chief information officer with the Volvo Group in Gothenburg, Sweden, doesn’t use his iPod strictly for entertainment. “I mainly listen to podcasts such as The Wall Street Journal online but also like to listen to good music,” he says.

4. What is it: Device that lets your computer receive an Internet signal without cables

Who makes it: Various vendors

Price: About $40 and up

Imagine being able to conduct all your Internet business without having to plug in to a cable port or telephone jack. All you need is to make sure your laptop or PC has the ability to plug in such a card and that the place where you’re working offers wireless access. The cards are lightweight and small – about the size of a thick credit card. Joyce Vonada, vice president of information technology services for AutoNation Inc., says being able to connect to the Internet “anytime, anywhere … can be a lifesaver.” While Vonada did not specify a particular card, Drouin of TRW is a fan of the Sierra Wireless AirCard 580. He says: “Finally, a broadband wireless card that delivers on its performance promises. I can work almost as efficiently as being in my office, even when stuck for hours on the highway.”

5. What are they: Headphones that reduce unwanted noise

Who makes them: Bose Corp., Framingham, Mass.

Price: $299

If you do a lot of flying or just need to tune out for a minute, try these. “There is such a thing as being too connected, and these help me find at least a few much-needed minutes of peace and quiet in a busy airport or on a plane,” says Joe Drouin, chief information office for TRW Automotive in Livonia, Mich.

(From Automotive News, 1/16/2006)

Notes: 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 ounce = 28.3 g

Task 3. Answer these questions about the text.

1) What is the voice recognition software used for?

2) Can you handle photos using iPod? What else can you handle?

3) What does a podcast mean?

4) Which of these gadgets do you possess? Which one would you like to have? Explain why.

Task 4. Decide if the statement is true, false or there is no information

in the text.

1) It takes a few minutes to set up voice recognition software.

2) iPod is produced by multiple vendors.

3) QuietComfort-2 headphones reduce unwanted noise.

4) The weight of a wireless connection card is about 50 g.

Task 5. Using the paragraph number references given, look back in the text and find words that have a similar meaning to.

1) instrument (1)

2) precise (1)

3) convenient (2)

4) amusement (3)

5) brings (4)

Task 6. Using the paragraph number references given, look back in the text and find the reference for the words in italics.

1) … due to its speed and convenience (1)

2) Plug them into a standard USB port (2)

3) It comes with a 1.5-inch color LCD screen (3)

4) … your laptop or PC has the ability to plug in such a card (4)

5) … that delivers on its performance promises (4)

6) … these help me find at least a few much-needed minutes of peace and quiet (5)

Task 7. Read this passage, fill in the gaps using the words below, and translate into Russian.

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