Objects of Desire

Still in limbo over what to get the couch potato in your life? Or looking for a wireless solution to your your gift-giving struggles? Cutting Edge has suggestions.

Personal Video Recorders

n What: Personal video recorders are a couch potato’s dream. These devices, available from TiVo and ReplayTV, are about the size of a VCR and record programs on a hard drive rather than a VHS tape. Users can search an electronic guide and record a designated program once or every time it airs. The recorder can be programmed to search the guide for a viewer’s preferences. Remote controls let viewers skip over commercials in 30-second increments when they’re watching recorded shows. And fans of live TV won’t miss a thing if they have to leave the room: TiVo and ReplayTV let you pause, instantly replay and rewind live TV programs. Both devices must be hooked into a telephone line to receive regular programming updates. Some specific features:

TiVo

Viewers can “teach” the recorder their viewing preferences by pushing the “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” button on TiVo’s remote control. For example, if a “Friends” fan presses the thumbs-up button during the show, the machine looks for other comedies or programs featuring the sitcom’s stars. The additional programs are saved on the viewer’s play list.

* Price: 14-hour receiver, $499; 30-hour receiver, $999. Monthly service fee of $9.95, or a lifetime subscription for $199.

* Availability: Best Buy, Circuit City, Good Guys or at https://www.tivo.com or https://www.amazon.com

* Information: (877) 367-8486 or https://www.tivo.com.

ReplayTV

Users can take control of TV programming by setting up custom directories based on favorite shows or favorite actors, or around themes such as cooking. The box will save all shows in its programming guide that are related to those themes.

* Price: 20-hour receiver, $699. No monthly service fee.

* Availability: Online only at https://www.replaytv.com, https://www.amazon.com, https://www.roxy.com, https://www.valueamerica.com or https://www.800.com.

* Information: (800) 266-1301 or https://www.replaytv.com

Qualcomm Thin Phone

* What: At less than an inch thick, Qualcomm’s new wireless phone could easily land a part on “Ally McBeal.” Its skinny design keeps the unit light without scrimping on the essentials. It has a large screen (enough for five lines of type) and a battery that doesn’t run out after a few calls. But it also includes all of today’s “smart phone” extras, such as built-in paging, voicemail and Internet access through a mini-browser. It even allows users to change batteries in mid-conversation.

* Price: $99 for digital model; $130 to $149 for digital-analog models. Add-on batteries cost extra.

* Specifications: 5.5 inches long, 4.2 to 4.4 ounces (depending on the model). Built-in battery provides 2.5 hours of talk time or 3-4 days on standby. Two types of external batteries extend talk time to six or 10 hours and standby times to 10 or 17 days.

* Availability: With wireless service from AirTouch Cellular or Sprint PCS; also sold in carrier outlets and through retailers who sell either service.

* Information: https://www.qualcomm.com

Motorola StarTac Clip-On Organizer

* What: The StarTac never dies, it just gets accessorized. With Motorola’s new clip-on organizer, millions of StarTac addicts can look every bit as cool as the Palm Pilot set. The organizer, designed to snap onto the back of the clamshell phone, includes a calendar, address book, to-do list and memo capabilities. Touch a button and it dials a number from the address book; unclip it and view your calendar as you chat; sync it up with your PC.

* Price: $249.

* Specifications: 2.3 ounces. Includes 512K of memory and its own battery.

* Availability: Motorola, some electronics stores, and wireless carriers that sell StarTac phones.

* Information: https://www.motorola.com