Either Way, It Takes Dictation

James Bond surely would approve of Pencorder 60, a new ballpoint pen that doubles as a personal memo recorder.

Just out from Machina in San Francisco, Pencorder 60 is a sleek little pen (6 inches long, 9/16 inches in diameter, weighing 2 ounces) that uses a microchip instead of a tape to record up to 60 seconds of memos or reminders. It has only four thumb-operated push buttons to perform all functions--record, play next memo, play previous memo and erase--so it can be operated with one hand. A lifetime memory function stores memos until they are erased, even if the batteries are discharged.

Pencorder 60 ($70) comes in silver or black and includes batteries and a spare ink refill. Call Machina at (800) 223-4340.

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A Brighter Future: If the road map is too difficult to read in a dark car, or your favorite darkened restaurant’s menu is printed in tiny type, consider Lumatec’s Lighted Magnifier, a 2X optical magnifying lens with a bright krypton light.

The compact magnifier has a unique switching mechanism that lets you swing the lens out of its leather case to the right to light a magnified surface at night, or swing it to the left to save batteries and use it as a regular magnifier.

Powered by two AAAA batteries (included), Lumatec’s Lighted Magnifier ($29.95) is available by calling (800) LUMATEC.

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Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Infantsea is an unusual hammock-style bathing unit for babies that fits in a regular bathtub or is a perfect baby accessory for traveling.

Designed by Michelle Sawtelle, a Los Angeles mother of two sons, Infantsea is lightweight, made of triple thick neoprene with nylon jersey. It attaches to the tub with six pressure-sensitive suction cups (each is rated to support 10 pounds) so it can be installed at several different angles. The device cleans easily with soap and water and dries quickly.

Available in jade or purple, Infantsea ($19.95 plus $3 shipping and handling), can be ordered from Children of the Sea products, (800) 930-2687.