Great New Gadgets for Work and Play

After a big storm, who wants to depend on batteries that run down? Enter FreePlay, a company that makes use of one of the oldest methods of generating power: turning a crank. FreePlay products are used in Third World nations, and now this flashlight and AM/FM/WeatherBand radio are being sold in the United States. Turn a fold-out handle for 30 seconds, and you can listen to the radio for 35 minutes before cranking again. That same quick crank will produce about 20 minutes of continuous flashlight use. The flashlight is $34.99; the radio, $69.99. Coming soon: a crank charger for cell phones.

COVER UP

For shelter from the storm, Wogg-Pavilion has got you covered-literally. Swiss designers created this cover that reminds some of a hang glider or a Chinese lantern. It can be unfolded and placed anywhere cover is needed. It offers protection from sun or rain, privacy from neighbors, or even a showstopper gazebo for that next trade convention. It folds for easy storage, comes in two sizes and four colors, and is said to be much easier to set up than a tent. The small Wogg-Pavilion is $1,190; the larger model is $1,450.

MY ORB IS RED. SELL!

That's right. The colorful Ambient Orb will graphically show whether your stock portfolio is doing well, or if bad weather is approaching. The orb

changes from green to yellow to red using signals it receives from a nationwide wireless network. Your locale and desired information is kept inside it. If your stocks are tanking, the orb turns yellow, then red. If you're making a fortune because you bet manufactured housing was the future, the orb will glow green. Once set up, the orb doesn't need batteries, a computer or an Internet connection. Just plug it in to a wall outlet. $149.99.

OH, SOLIO MIO

As gas prices and global temperatures continue to rise, the age of clean-energy gadgets has arrived. Being green has never been as svelte or stylish as the Solio solar-powered portable charger from Better Energy Systems. Let Florida's abundant sunshine recharge your iPod, cell phone, PDA or Gameboy with Solio's patented waterproof solar panels, which fan out for maximum exposure or fold up to about the size of a cell phone. It comes with four different adaptors and charges at about the same rate as a wall outlet, while at the same time producing free portable electricity, no harm to the environment and longer jams for bud-bearing 'Pod blasters. $99. www.solio.com