Photos: The gadget days of summer

by ZDNet Author | June 15, 2007 6:15am PDT | Image 1 of 14

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Summer is here, and for technocrats, that means more than just mojitos and barbecues. Here are some useful and fanciful gadgets to help you make the most of your time enjoying the sun, surf and lazy weekends of the season.

The Auto Mower from Husqvarna is like a Roomba for the lawn. Able to manage inclines of up to 35 degrees, the Auto Mower uses a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery to quietly trim and mulch unwanted grass. It can be set to run at night and will automatically return to its base to recharge as needed.

A wire buried just underground sets the parameters for the $2,000 Auto Mower, though it can go around the occasional tree on its own. Safety sensors are in place to stop the blades, which only run while the mower is in motion, from harming children and small critters who might reach underneath the device. While winter storage is recommended, the Auto Mower can withstand rains and winds typical of other seasons.

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