Your Technology

By Anita Hamilton

QUICK SCANS ON THE GO

Many gadgets make it easy to send e-mail on the road, but scanning and faxing a document are trickier. Hewlett-Packard has a new handheld device that can scan and store up to 50 pages of text. Unlike most scanners, the CapShare 910 ($700, available in December) uses a wireless infrared port to transmit the scanned pages to some notebook computers, which can then be used to fax or e-mail the text. While the lightweight CapShare is easy to use, its reliance on infrared connections could limit its appeal.

PRINT A PERFECT MANICURE

Low-cost color printers have helped arts and crafts go digital, letting kids print everything from pendants to doll clothes. But has the craze gone too far? Mattel Media's Barbie Nail Designer software lets girls design and print nail stickers in an array of colorful patterns. But parents might want to check the price before buying: the software costs just $20, but ink can go fast, and cartridges cost $15 a pop.

FINE ART ON CD-ROMS

Flipping through a glossy art book may be more fun than clicking through a CD-ROM, but search features and audio clips often make art discs more informative. Two new choices: the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Masterworks from the Collection ($40) gives a comprehensive, if staid, overview of the museum's massive collection, while Cinegram's Norman Rockwell--the Man and His Art disc ($70) offers an insightful and lively look at the illustrator.

--By Anita Hamilton