Communication and Interface Gear

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Basic Set

Batteries (TL6). $1, neg.

Cell Phone (TL8). Only works in some areas; $20/month fee. $250, 0.25 lb., 10 hrs.

Computer, Laptop (TL8). Modem plugs into phone. $1,500, 3 lbs., 2 hrs.

Computer, Wearable (TL8). Display glasses and wireless modem. $1,000, 2 lbs., 8 hrs.

Drum (TL0). Audible for several miles. $40, 2 lbs.

Mini-Recorder (TL7). Palm-sized, with 3-hour tape (extra tapes are $5). $200, 0.5 lb.

Mini-Recorder, Digital (TL8). As above, but without the tape! $30, 0.5 lb.

Radio, Backpack (TL7). VHF radio. 20-mile range. $6,000, 15 lbs., 12 hrs.

Radio, Hand (TL7). Classic "walkie-talkie." 2-mile range. $100, 1 lb., 12 hrs.

Radio, Headset (TL8). With throat mike. 1-mile range. Multiply cost by 10 for secure, encrypted version. $500, 0.5 lb., 12 hrs.

Satellite Phone (TL8). Global range, satellite relay. $3,000, 3 lbs., 1 hr.

Scribe's Kit (TL3). Quills, inkbottles, penknife, paper. $50, 2 lbs.

Transistor Radio (TL7). Receive-only; picks up radio stations. $15, 0.5 lb., 8 hrs.

TV Set, Mini (TL7). 5" × 5" flatscreen. $150, 3 lbs., 4 hrs.

Typewriter, Manual (TL6). $200, 10 lbs.

Wax Tablet (TL1). For writing; erasable. $10, 2 lbs.

High-Tech

TODO

Bio-Tech

TODO

Ultra-Tech

People want to be connected and entertained, and they won't often buy specialized devices. They prefer multi-function and cheap. Personal goods could merge to just a single do-everything gadget.

Communications

Comphone (TL9)

The next evolution of the personal communicator, this device consists of a tiny computer with the compact and slow options (Complexity 2), a data player, a GPS receiver, and a network-only radio microcomm and tiny radio receiver. They're so small, they usually come as a medallion, wristband, or badge with "stick pad" backing (see Gecko Adhesive Technology). Comphones have a tiny screen and some buttons, but their main interface is voice or an external input. $15, 0.08 lbs., 2A/16 hrs. LC4.

A more expensive version with a real datapad, full tiny radio, and a regular computer (Complexity 3): $100, 0.2 lbs., 2B/48 hrs. LC4.

At TL10, comphones include a laser microcomm to access a building's internal network at maximum bandwidth. The expensive version also includes an inertial compass. Cheap TL10 comphone (Complexity 4): $35, 0.08 lbs., 2A/16 hrs. LC4. Expensive TL10 comphone (Complexity 5): $150, 0.2 lbs., B/24 hrs. LC4.

Earbud (TL9)

This earplug contains a radio microcomm with a deliberately shorter range (10 yards), a speaker, and a filtered external pickup that gives +1 to resist loud noises. Used as a headset for a comphone or data player. Double cost for two connected by a short length of optical cable. $2, neg., non-rechargeable AA/2000 hrs. LC4.

Vid Glasses (TL9)

Tough sunglasses incorporate a HUD, earbuds (above), and the same camera as a flatcam. A cheaper alternative to "night shades." Provides DR 2 to eyes. $60, 0.1 lbs., A/10 hrs. LC4.

Translators

These translators are small enough to fit in a pocket or on a lapel. They run two language programs and a non-volitional AI, translating in real time and matching the user's speech patterns. Use the AI's IQ to determine how well it handles idiom, jargon, and colloquialisms.

Field Translator (TL9)

A high-capacity, fast, small computer with a datapad terminal and the culture's full range of microcomms. The complexity 5 computer runs an IQ 6 non-volitional AI (IQ 10 at TL10, IQ 12 at TL11, IQ 14 at TL12) and two Native-level spoken or visual language translation programs. It can store 100 Native-level spoken language databases (multiply by 1,000 each further TL), which must be purchased separately. $3,000 plus the cost of software, 0.6 lbs., 2B/20 hrs. LC4.

Translator Disk (TL10)

A much smaller version of the field translator (above), this is a high-capacity tiny computer, a small sonic projector, a mini-camera, and the culture's full range of microcomms. It can store 10,000 Native-level spoken language databases (multiply by 1,000 each further TL). The sonic projector can be set to allow only the target to hear the translation (for crowded spaceport bars and embassy cocktail parties); otherwise, the computer's infra- and ultrasonic-capable speaker is used. It has IQ 6 at TL10 and increases by 2 every further TL. It comes as a stick-on medallion or earpiece. It's similar to the field translator in all other respects. $150 plus the cost of software, 0.125 lbs., B/36 hrs. LC4.