The K-NFB Text Reader is a gadget made by inventor Raymond Kurzweil, who designed his first washing machine-sized reading machine in 1981. Developed for the visually impaired, it has a very unique function: it analyzes text and reads it aloud. It works by using a digital camera to capture the text after giving a "situation report" about what it can "see" to the user, who can use that information to decide whether "reading" is necessary. It can be used for anything from receipts to menus and directory signs. The audio can be routed through included headphones, a Bluetooth headset or speakers. It is not entirely without flaws (it has difficulty with white text on a black background, for example), but the performance is remarkable. Slated to go on sale in the UK next month, the device costs £2,625.

It looks like the new luxury vacation might be one where they take away your little luxuries. At least, they'll take away things like your BlackBerry, which you might have considered to be a luxury item before you were answering e-mails 22 hours each day. Some hotels have instituted programs that allow guests to put their BlackBerries - sometimes dubbed "CrackBerries" for their addictive nature - into storage for the duration of their stay, thus ensuring that you have a chance to relax on your relaxing vacation.

Hotels like the Sheraton Chicago offer no charge for the service, though peace and quiet might actually be worth paying for.

The Pet Master is a PDA, not for pets but to organize them. Instead of cluttering up your calendar or PDA with the appointments and play dates for your pet, you can store them separately, along with important phone numbers, like the vet. It has plenty of information about both cats and dogs, so it's great for all pet owners. The Pet Master has an alarm that will remind you of any scheduled events, a built-in pet shopping list and health facts, a list of pet-friendly hotels for traveling and emergency numbers - all pet-related, of course. There is even a frame built into the case which will allow you to tuck in a photo of man's best friend. It's only $29.95 and, in addition to doing something good for you and your own pet, a portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to an animal charity.