Intelligent Mechatronic Systems has introduced a gadget called iLane, which alerts users when a new email has been received and reads out the message in a synthesized female voice. At present, iLane is only available in the US and Canada. The compact device costs $600 (£415), plus an $8 (£6) per month subscription.

 

It connects wirelessly to BlackBerry smartphones.  The users of this device usually wear a Bluetooth headset to issue voice commands and read, delete or reply to e-mails. Users can choose to send from two stock email responses – "I am in transit and will respond shortly" or "Call me if it's important". They also can record a 15 minute voice memo, which the iLane will send as an email attachment to the correspondent.

 

The iLane also allows people to make phone calls simply by calling out the name of someone in their address book. It can also read out the latest news and sport headlines, weather forecasts and traffic reports. It can remind users of appointments, birthdays and events stored in their phone's calendar. The device is only compatible with BlackBerry phones at the moment.