Not too long ago my memory card reader died on me. Several people I know asked me why exactly I bothered with a memory card reader when I can just connect my DSLR/phone/MP3 player directly to my computer. The answer is that with a memory card reader I don’t have to remember to turn the camera or device back off.

Every time I hook my Nikon D80 up to my computer I tend to forget it’s on and the next time I need it my battery is dead. IOGEAR announced a couple of new card readers today that are exactly what I need to replace my dead one. The GFR209 is a 12-in-1 Pocket Card reader/Writer that retails for $11.95. The GFR 209 can read and write to SD, miniSD, MMC, Memory Stick, and MS Duo cards. It’s also tiny and very portable at only 2.5-inches long and under 1-inch deep.

Back when I had a real job I often wanted to take notes that I could store on my computer without actually having to take my computer with me to a meeting. I also had to endure the irritated looks my lab partner gave me when I was typing away on my notebook during class in college. IOGEAR has announced just the ticket for the times when you don’t want to use your computer to take notes, but want to be able to get the notes into your computer to store.

IOGEAR announced today its new Mobile Digital Scribe that allows handwritten notes to be written on standard paper using standard ink from an included pen. In fact IOGEAR says that the GPEN200N can capture handwritten information from any surface. The handwritten notes are stored in the ultrasonic transmitter and a special infrared pen that uses normal ink is required for the system to operate. The pen is included with the system.

IoGear has introduced a new audio system at CES which makes use of Powerline technology to move sound from one room to another. It’s called the IoGear Powerline Stereo System and price is set at around $330.

The IoGear Powerline Stereo System lets one connect an audio source such as an iPod or CD player to several different input types found on a docking station. Connecting a pair of powered speakers to the supplied adapter, one can transmit audio between the station and adapter over the home’s power lines.

Computer gear maker IOGEAR is debuting today some new Bluetooth devices for making the most out of using your mobile phone. The one grabbing our eye the most is the IOGEAR Wireless Stereo Headphones, priced at around $50.

The IOGEAR Wireless Stereo Headphones sport a behind the neck design and are designed to sync with your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. You can use these headphones to listen to music wirelessly upwards of 30 feet away from the phone, letting you pause music when alerted that an incoming phone call is coming. Built-in controls also let you manage track changing and volume.

IOGEAR and SRS Labs have teamed on a new device which brings high quality audio enjoyment to Bluetooth music playing products. The IOGEAR Bluetooth Audio Transport is priced around $80.

The IOGEAR Bluetooth Audio Transport links wirelessly with a Bluetooth music playing device like a mobile phone or MP3 player, acting as a portable audio receiver you can plug headphones or small speakers into. It uses SRS WOW HD technology over a wireless range of 30 feet to improve audio listening performance and create “immersive audio realism” for those around. That’s what the marketing buzz says anyhow.

IOGEAR apparently has a new mouse out today which does Bluetooth, uses lasers and also kills germs as well. The IOGEAR Bluetooth Laser Mouse with Nano Technology is priced at around $80 and available in a variety of locations.

The IOGEAR Bluetooth Laser Mouse offers up a 1600 dpi laser sensor to offer greater mouse movement accuracy as you point and click on screen. Wireless Bluetooth functionality lets you operate the mouse up to 30 feet away, though your computer must be Bluetooth enabled. The germ fighting characteristic comes via “antimicrobial properties built in to protect the product from bacteria surviving on its surface.”

How many functions can you cram into a mouse? IoGear is finding out with an unveiling of the 3-in-1 Wireless Phaser Presentation Mouse (GME422RW6), priced at around $60.

The Phaser Presentation Mouse offers up the ability to serve as a laser pointer for presentations, a track ball for wireless connectivity to a PC and optical ability when on a desktop surface. The track ball allows for wireless control up to 30 feet from a computer via a USB receiver while the optical tracking of the mouse allows for operation between 800-1600 dpi.

Iogear unveiled today a new device for transferring longhand notes and drawings from paper to a computer. This product is called the Digital Scribe (GPEN100C) and it should be available now for around $100.

The Iogear Digital Scribe is an electronic pen which uses standard ink and also transmits what you write on paper to a PC so it can be converted to digital text for editing and storage. The pen has an infrared sensor to capture hand movements and an ultrasonic transmitter in it which sends signals to an electronic receiver. This receiver, connected to a Windows machine through a USB cable, sends what you’ve written to OCR software for digital conversion.