Objects of Desire

Need a jump on holiday gift ideas? Cutting Edge looks at some new, useful or just plain weird gadgets for the technophile in your home. Next week: Ideas for the younger set.

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Aibo

* What: Tired of taking Fido for a walk? Say goodbye to plastic bags with Sony’s 11-inch robotic dog. Like other pedigree pets, this electronic pooch will fetch a ball, sit and beg. Sony is making 10,000 metallic mutts available this fall in the U.S., Japan and Europe. This is the second litter for Aibo, which debuted this summer; it sold out in 20 minutes in Japan and in four days in the U.S. Changes in technology allow the robots to learn from their environments--although they still won’t be able to fetch the newspaper.

* Ordering: First come, first served Nov. 1-8. Order online or by phone.

* Colors: Black or silver

* Price: $2,500 for Aibo and $450 for the Aibo Performer Kit

* Information: https://www.world.sony.com/aibo, or (888) 917-7669.

NeoPhone

* What: It’s not the Veg-o-Matic, but this phone can do a lot--and looks good doing it. Packed into the sleek, silver NeoPhone is a larger-than-normal screen, a scheduler, a “to do” list and a contact database. A built-in voice-recognition feature allows you to avoid button-pushing by saying, “Call Mom” or “Internet.” Users can send and receive e-mail and access stripped-down Internet sites. Oh, and it’s a phone too.

* Availability: With digital wireless service from Sprint PCS. An analog-digital model will be available soon from AirTouch Cellular.

* Specifications: 5.5 inches long, 6.4 ounces. Modem: 14.4 kilobits per second.

* Price: $399.99, including SoftSync cable and SoftSync Plus software for computer hookups.

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

VIsor

* What: Ready to take the plunge and join the ranks of hand-held-computer users? The new Handspring Visor is made by the same team that developed the PalmPilot and is completely compatible with Palm applications. It uses the same operating system as the Palm but can work with more peripheral devices, such as pagers and modems, through a unique slot on its back.

* Ordering: Only by phone for now, (888) 565-9393.

* Colors: Basic model in blue. Deluxe model in blue, green, ice, graphite and orange.

* Price: $149 for the Visor, $249 for the Visor Deluxe.

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

MailStation

* What: For those who want to experience e-mail but don’t have a computer, CIDCO’s MailStation system might be the answer. The service uses a phone line and a laptop-like device with a truncated lift-up screen. Its intuitive design using e-mail icons and a flashing light a la answering machines makes it easy for even the most technophobic in the population. For those who still can’t part with paper, there’s a printer plug-in. The MailStation can’t handle e-mail attachments.

* Availability: Nationwide through CIDCO. Pacific Bell sells the device under the name EMessage.

* Colors: Black or beige (from PacBell only).

* Specifications: 2.2 pounds, built-in 33.6-kilobits-per-second modem. Works with caller ID.

* Price: $99.95 for the unit, plus $99.95 per year for service; or $149.95 for the unit, plus $9.95 a month for service through CIDCO. PacBell sells EMessage for $179.95 plus $7.95 a month for service through PacBell Internet.

* Information: https://www.cidco.com or (800) 382-2523, or at PacBell, https://www.pacbell.com/products/residential/emessage.