PowerMate

Company	:	Griffin Technology
Price	:	US$ 45
Rating	:

Do not be fooled by its simple looks and small size. Griffin Technology’s PowerMate may be able to perform tasks that you never imagined a device like this could perform. I just could not stop telling people who had seen this device sitting on my table for the past week that it is not just a good-looking volume knob.

At just half the size of a conventional door knob, the PowerMate is a USB multimedia controller and input device that is available in two different colours: a shiny silver version and a limited edition black version, both with a rubber bottom which illuminates a soft, cool blue light when plugged-in.

After a simple software installation and a reboot of my iBook G4, the PowerMate was immediately activated as soon as the USB cable was connected. Although the initial software set-up took a little while to coordinate as I tested different types of combinations and functions under the Preferences window, the end results were more than satisfying. Having the ability not just to control volumes and mute sounds at the twist of a finger or a tap of the knob, the PowerMate is also able to work with various software and programs and perform different functions according to your needs and set-up. It is compatible with GarageBand, Adobe applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc), Macromedia applications (Flash, Director, etc), Safari and many other programs. Scrolling webpages, editing movies, bookmarking pages, skipping the current song in iTunes..... these are just some of the many things the PowerMate can do with your existing software and programs.

In addition to simply looking cool, the blue light that illuminates whenever the PowerMate is activated actually functions as a visual representation on some of its basic features: the light glows brighter when the volume is higher and becomes dimmer when the volume is lower. It also pulsates like the sleep light that is visible on most Macintosh computers whenever the computer it is connected to is put to sleep, adding another ‘wow’ factor when showcasing it to your mates.

On the downside however, a small device like this does not come cheap. It costs US$45 when purchased through the Internet from both Griffin Technology and Apple’s online store. While its features may be vast and useful, the price factor may be a big turn off for many.

All in all, if price is not an issue the PowerMate is a great addition to those who seek a nifty little add-on to their current peripherals. It will however be passed on by those who are not ready to splurge unnecessary cash. It is indeed something we can all live without, as long as we can resist the ‘love at first sight’ temptation.