Anyone who is out and about a lot in their car, appreciates having a hands-free telephone facility. Funkwerk is presenting its Ego Flash hands-free kit, which not only offers outstanding voice quality, but which also transmits data via the Bluetooth connection of the mobile phone. This means that the hands-free telephone facility can receive text messages and even read these aloud so that the driver is not distracted (I’ve yet to hear a text message read in a robotic voice that isn’t a distraction).

Besides voice dialling, the contact list can also by displayed via the Ego Flash display. It is also possible to play music (or audio books if you’re so inclined) - not only from the mobile phone, but also from an iPod or PDA. The facility allows the connections of up to ten devices to be stored.

The device is easy to operate via the intuitive menu-based operating system. What is more, the Bluetooth connection also allows software updates to be performed in order to integrate new devices or to clear faults.

While the control unit can be attached inside the vehicle by means of an adhesive pad, the main box has to be installed and wired up with the car radio. The device is available for 159 euro.

www.pushyourego.de IFA: Hall 8.1 Stand 121

Video player from TrekStor: i.Beat Emo, Sonix and Cody

At this year’s IFA in Hall 16, TrekStor, a manufacturer of sophisticated MP3 players, external hard drives and USB sticks, is presenting three new movie players - namely, the i.Beat Emo, i.Beat Sonix and i.Beat Cody. All three players are ideally suited for playing MP3 and video files and are equipped with an integrated FM radio. The i.Beat Emo player features a 3.7 cm (1.44 inch) display. The display of the i.Beat Sonix player measures 6.1 cm (2.4 inch) diagonally. Anyone who would like a size up, can even get 8.9 cm (3.5 inch) by opting for the i.Beat Cody).

These stylish movie players are available with 1 to 4 GB storage capacity. This means that it is possible to store between 300 (1 GB) and 1200 songs (4 GB), or from one (1 GB) to four hours (4 GB) of videos on these portable video and MP3 players.

The internal memory of the i.Beat Cody can be easily upgraded up to 8 GB by means of SD/MMC memory cards. By way of video formats, the players support both AVI and SMV. Corresponding conversion software is supplied with the individual video players.

The retail prices are between 60 euro (1 GB version, Emo) and up to 160 euro (4 GB for the version, Cody.

www.trekstor.de/en/ IFA: Hall 16 Stand 101