Great new Gadgets for Work and Play

FUTURE-CAST

Here's the future of "print" news: the Philips Polymer Vision PV-QML5. A year ago, Philips had another model of this under development; since then, it's decided to incorporate the scrolling-screen feature with a cell phone that can accept calls from news organizations that will supply you with up-to-the-minute stories about topics of your choosing. Just pull out the flexible five-inch screen and read/watch/listen to the news displayed in "electronic ink." Philips' earlier scrolling reader was more for paperback book enthusiasts; this one leaps the technology into the live news world. And it can even do live videoconferencing, as demonstrated here. The PV-QML5 is not yet being marketed.

ESCAPE TO FUN

The new electric Escape Fun Boat is seven feet long, can carry up to 200 pounds and runs eight hours on 12-volt car batteries. A built-in water cannon draws its water from the lake or river the boat is used on. There's no start-up delay; just flip a switch and motor off. This is one of several electric boats offered under the Escape brand. The Fun Boat is $1,999.

SEGWAY TO THIS

Segway is introducing a new GT golf cart with a golf bag carrier rack and tires suited for traveling over golf course greens. Since the platform is eight inches off the ground, riders get a great vantage point of the fairway, Segway says in singing the GT's praises. It retails for $5,495. And Segway's new "off road" XT model is a kind of environmentalist's ATV. It has all-terrain tires, a robust new fender design, extended-range lithium-ion batteries and specially tuned software. Who'll be the first to travel the Appalachian Trail on a Segway XT? It's $4,995.

ESCAPE AND PRETEND

The Japanese love golf and they love cell phones, a perfect combination for the new movement-sensing cell phone recently developed by Vodafone Japan. The company has a mobile video game that allows a golfer to swing the cell phone and "hit" the ball. Yes, you hold the phone just as you would your driver and make your swing and follow-through. The phone registers your stroke and you can watch the ball fly toward the hole in a screen display. Keep stroking and swinging and eventually the ball reaches all 18 holes. Right now, grown men are "putting" across busy Tokyo streets. GB