Taking Control of 3D

Being creative in a 3D environment used to be a chore. Now there’s SpaceExplorer (www.3dconnexion.com), a powerful navigation tool. Push, pull, tilt or twist the SpaceExplorer’s controller cap to simultaneously pan, zoom and rotate 3D objects and environments. Using SpaceExplorer together with a mouse engages both the user’s hands in a natural, intuitive work style. One hand drives the SpaceExplorer, positioning the model, then rotating, panning and zooming in one single, fluid motion. The user’s mouse hand can then edit the model or select menu items.

The SpaceExplorer button array includes two numbered buttons for programmability of the user’s favorite application commands, plus keys for Speed, Views, 2D only, Fit, Control Panel and keyboard modifiers. SpaceExplorer’s software automatically recognizes design programs loaded on a computer and installs default configurations that predefine the functions assigned to programmable buttons on the device. Plus SpaceExplorer automatically maps functions on keys as the user changes applications.

Get Into the Groove

It can be tough to find a live music performance in the Kingdom, so if you’ve got a fast broadband connection why not fight off the blues with an online show? On March 6 click to http://music.msn.com/sherylcrow to watch the Sheryl Crow concert captured at New York’s Irving Plaza where the nine-time Grammy-winner performed new songs, along with classics, “Leaving Las Vegas,” “If It Makes You Happy” and “My Favorite Mistake.” The site archives performances after their first showing. View recent performances by Lenny Kravitz, Amy Winehouse, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira.

And before you travel out of the Kingdom for some R&R, don’t forget to check and see what’s playing at your vacation destination through www.jambase.com. A website for fans of live music, JamBase provides accurate show listings and ticket information for 40,000 artists across 50 genres, performing in 50,000 venues worldwide. JamBase online community members share show information and experiences plus help others discover new music by making recommendations. JamBase also draws on a network of more than 200 contributing writers and photographers to deliver to its community thousands of music articles and images.

Designed With Road Warriors in Mind

Lenovo has introduced the ThinkPad X300 notebook PC, designed for mobile power users. The ultra-thin, ultraportable ThinkPad X300 notebook measures less than three-fourths of an inch at its thinnest point, or approximately the height of a US quarter coin, and has a starting weight as low as 2.9 pounds. Lenovo’s new notebook combines a number of leading technologies including a 1.8-inch 64 GB solid-state drive (SSD) storage, a 13.3-inch LED backlit display and ultralong battery life of 10 hours. Rated Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) for its superior environmental attributes, it also features a number of environmentally-conscious technologies, such as low-voltage processors.

The ThinkPad X300 notebook offers an optional built-in 7-millimeter slim DVD burner. It also includes stereo speakers, a digital microphone and an integrated camera. The PC is constructed with advanced carbon and glass fiber. For enhanced wireless connectivity there are models designed for WiMax, when the technology becomes available, as well as ultra-wideband/wireless USB, WWAN, WLAN and GB Ethernet. Built-in GPS functionality allows mobile users to navigate by helping them to connect to popular mapping programs.

Being mobile means security must be a priority. The ThinkPad X300 is equipped with an integrated fingerprint reader, I/O port disablement and 32-byte password protection. Lovely to look at but pricey to hold — the ThinkPad X300, stripped down, retails for SR10,500.