What’s new in electronics (1979)

Reblogged from Modern Mechanix.

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What’s New IN ELECTRONICS

Digital voice
When this phone-answering machine talks to you, the voice you hear—up to 24 seconds of it—has been stored in a digital memory, not on a prerecorded tape. The technique makes the unit simpler, more compact. Maker: DFG, 3550 Marburg, Frauenbergstr. 35, Germany.
Day/night light
The Sensor Lite never needs to be switched on or off. A built-in light sensor does that by detecting the amount of ambient light in the room. The night light is designed for hallways, stairwells, or nurseries. It’s in local Sears stores for $5.49.

8-track VHF
Plug this cartridge into your 8-track and you’ve converted it from a tape player to a public-service receiver that scans up to four VHF high I low bands for police, fire, and other PS transmissions. Bearcat, made by Electra Co., 300 E. County Line Rd., Cumberland, Ind., is $99.95.

PET add-in
Install the circuit board (inset) into your PET computer and it becomes a spectrum analyzer. Check the frequency response of your stereo, for example, from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz in 31 third-octave bands. $595. Eventide Clockworks, 265 W. 54th St., New York, N.Y. 10019.

Pocket computer
It’s not a scientific calculator with attachments—it’s a portable computer, complete with alphanumeric readout. HP- 41C from Hewlett Packard accepts 400 lines of programming (2000, with plug-in memory), works with thermal printer and magnetic-card reader. Basic price: $295.

Super security
Add Comp-U-Lock to your door and you’d better remember the right combination to get in—there are 10,000 possibilities. The electronic system accepts four levels of security, to let in only those you wish, when you wish. ESP Systems, 28189 Kehrig Dr., Mt. Clemens, Mich. 48045; $129.95.

Iran before the revolution, 1979

No, I don’t think anyone wants the Shah and his Savak back, but there has to be a happy medium. People have the right to vote for the kind of government they want, but I have a fundamental issue with Islamic republics – they fact that they remove the concept of free will. How about a republic where people are free to practice Islam if they want to, and something else (or nothing) if they don’t?