Intel isn't limiting its recent foray into the consumer electronics device space to wireless home networking products (which still seem a little pricey for folks who just want to get two or three computers hooked up to their DSL line). It's interesting to note that consumer devices seem to rely more and more on their users owning a computer, so it's not much of a surprise that Intel would want a piece of the pie. Last week, the company put forth three new gadgets that may intice folks to get more involved in digital photography, audio, and video. Intel is, of course, touting the fact that all three new devices will work quite well with its processors and Windows XP. The Intel Pocket Digital PC Camera works as a mega-pixel digital-still camera and a PC camera. Intel says that the camera's built-in 16 MB of memory will let you capture up to 256 digital photos (at what resolution?). It also has a Smart Media expansion slot that lets you add additional memory, a flash for indoor or nighttime use, and an integrated microphone to record audio. The Intel Pocket Digital PC Camera will be available in October, has a $149.99 price tag, and comes with the Intel Create & Share software CD, a tilt-swivel camera base, carrying case, wrist strap, batteries and reference manual. Minimum system requirements include a desktop or notebook PC with an Intel Pentium processor with MMX technology at 266 MHz (does that mean it won't work with an AMD-based machine? I think not but this is Intel's list of requirements); a USB connection; Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000, or XP; and 32 MB of RAM.

The Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 comes with a clear faceplate that lets you personalize the device with inserts, kind of like those three ring binders will a piece of clear plastic on the front. Intel offers pre-made inserts or you can create them and stuff them in. The Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 has 64 MB of built-in Intel StrataFlash memory, which the company says provides up to two hours of digital music or more than 10 hours of spoken-word audio. It also has a MultiMedia Card expansion slot to let you add memory. Digital audio can be stored in MP3 and Windows Media Audio formats. The Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 supports Windows Media Digital Rights Management security for protected content and the player's firmware is programmable to theoretically make it compatible with new audio formats that come to pass in the future. Available nationwide in October, the Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 has a $149.99 MSRP and includes Intel Audio Manager 2.0, Intel Faceplate Designer, MusicMatch Jukebox Plus Version 6.1, earbuds, one AA alkaline battery and a variety of pre-made faceplate inserts. Minimum system requirements (per Intel) include a desktop or notebook PC with an Intel Pentium processor at 200 MHz; 800 x 600 SVGA resolution monitor; a USB connection; Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000, or XP; and 32 MB RAM.

The Intel Play Digital Movie Creator is a digital video camera that the company says is designed specifically for children and can capture up to four minutes of video and audio or a bunch of of snapshots. Available nationwide in October, the Intel Play Digital Movie Creator has a $99 MSRP. It includes a camera with a built-in microphone, camera base with connected USB cable, movie-making software CD containing stock footage from NASA and National Geographic, and a movie-making activity guide. Minimum system requirements include a desktop or notebook PC with an Intel Pentium processor at 300 MHz; SVGA 800 x 600 resolution video support; 16-bit Windows compatible sound device; a USB connection; Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP; 64 MB of RAM; and 300 MB free disk space. You know, the scary thing is that while you and I know that having an "Intel Pentium" processor is not likely to be an issue as long as the machine runs Windows, folks who are thinking about buying these gadgets may not have our insight. It's weird that Intel would try to push their processors at the possible expense of the gadgets themselves.