Office calculators

	The BK-823 model from mainland China's Shenzhen Benka has a design that resembles an inkblot. It comes with a silicone gel outer covering.

The latest releases come in folding, sliding and novelty housings and different finishes. Some also boast a world clock.

Suppliers in mainland China and Taiwan are releasing promotional calculators with an expanded range of designs and features.

In the mainland, more models are available in unconventional shapes. These include versions that resemble MP3 and portable media players. Some have irregular designs, such as those reminiscent of inkblots.

Promotional calculators now come in finishes that supplement the visual effect. Certain products, for example, have a top layer of silicone gel. A variety of bright colors are likewise employed to enhance appeal.

For increased functionality, models from the mainland are also being equipped with value-added items. These include pens, rulers and clamps.

In Taiwan, makers are focusing primarily on promotional calculators with enhanced capability. Some versions perform audio output through integrated ASICs, while others have a world-time feature.

Expanding use, a number of products from the island have a built-in USB port, allowing connection to a computer for use as a numeric keypad. For greater convenience, one company has also released versions with water-powered batteries that incorporate proprietary technology.

	Ningbo Jiangdong Jodee of mainland China offers the 85026 model, which incorporates a holder for writing instruments.

Suppliers of promotional calculators in the mainland are focusing efforts on visual, tactile and functional improvements. The E4219B model from Te Electronic Mfg Ltd, for example, features a round keypad and is designed to resemble an MP3 player. It comes with an integrated key ring.

At Shenzhen Benka Electronic Co. Ltd, products are available in a variety of shapes and colors. To add visual interest, many of these have a top layer of silicone gel.

The company's BK-823 model features an inkblot-like design. It has an LCD screen and is priced at $1.05.

In an effort to improve appearance and tactile sensation, mainland-based suppliers such as Elen International Co. Ltd and Fujian Putian New Developing Gift Co. Ltd employ PU leather, aluminum and silicone gel in their promotional calculators.

Ningbo Jiangdong Jodee Import & Export Co. Ltd (N.F.T.Z. Jodee Int'l Ltd) is currently developing multifunction designs. The company's 85026 model is a solar-powered calculator that comes with a built-in holder for pencils and pens.

For increased usability, the latest releases from Mei Bao Enterprises Ltd are equipped with perpetual calendars, rulers and clamps. Some incorporate components for storing writing instruments, while others have a space-efficient folding design.

Makers are now taking steps to improve their management systems, and product development and QC processes. This comes as a response to the implementation of the EU's RoHS directive.

In a further effort to ensure quality, many companies procure materials and components only from specialized suppliers with whom they have long-term relationships. Glass, keys and ICs are sourced.

Most mainland suppliers also make office stationery, and small electronic products such as clocks and computer accessories. Many of these are for promotional use as well.

Fujian Putian New Developing, Ningbo Jiangdong Jodee and Te, however, remain specialists in the line.

	Taiwan's Polylight offers the NB-836 model, which has a built-in USB port and can be used as a computer numeric keypad.

Uniwell Electronics Co. Ltd has developed models that can perform a variety of other functions. These include products with built-in world and alarm clocks, calendars or thermometers.

One of the most popular attachments is a battery-operated letter opener.

Further, some versions have folding or sliding keypads, trays for storing paper clips and pins, adjustable-angle displays and large LCDs. These come with streamlined ABS housings and are mainly in silver.

Current releases do not make use of solar cells, which have been seen as insufficient for powering screens in dim lighting conditions.

The company's upcoming products will feature USB ports that allow connection to a computer. Further, ABS will be used in place of soft rubber as keypad material. The former is said to deliver superior tactile feedback.

Basic promotional calculators from Uniwell are priced at about $0.90. High-end versions, which can perform several functions, start at $4.50. The tooling charge for a single-color printing mold is $50 and printing is $0.03.

Models for export to the US and the EU are RoHS-compliant. These are 10 percent more expensive than other types.

Prices rose by 5 to 10 percent in 2007. This was due mainly to higher material costs. Further increases, however, are not anticipated in the first half of 2008.

A specialist in talking novelty products, Ultmost Technology Corp. offers several promotional calculators equipped with this feature. Using advanced ASICs, data entries and calculation results can be announced in a recorded human voice. Most models have 15 selectable languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.

The basic 8-digit talking calculators also come with volume control and automatic shut-off capability.

The 10-digit models are equipped with time, alarm clock and date display. The alarm can be set in a standard tone or 15 other melodies, each with three different tempo and pitch settings.

Most of the company's promotional calculators comply with the requirements of the RoHS directive. In 2008, prices of new models will be increased slightly to compensate for rising material costs related to compliance with this standard.

The latest releases from Polylight Electronics Co. Ltd have calendar, world and alarm clock, and tax-calculation functions. These have 8-digit screens and may incorporate 20 or 30cm rulers, detachable pages with binding holes, keychains, clips or photo frames.

Multifunction products in ABS and aluminum are available, and come in rectangular designs. Some are even made to resemble sliding or folding mobile phones. Prices range from $2 to $6.

The company is also developingversions that have built-in USB ports. For more interest, one new model has an aquatic theme that incorporates blue-tinted water and floating PS accents.

Basic calculators, which have an 8 or 12-digit display, are also available. Priced under $1, these have white or silver ABS housings, and may be battery- and solar-powered. Models are RoHS-compliant.

In 2007, Polylight raised its prices by 5 percent due to higher material costs. Further increases may be seen in the first half of 2008 if costs escalate.

Among the new promotional calculators from Wankay International Ltd are versions that use a water battery. Incorporating patented technology, these have positive and negative alloys that are immersed in liquid, causing a power-producing electrochemical reaction. The process evaporates the water and necessitates refilling of the cartridge each month.

The water battery is said to have a service life of one year.

Wankay is currently developing calculators and clocks that can use both water-powered and AA or AAA batteries.

Taiwan-based makers generally focus on midrange and upscale models to avoid fierce competition in the low end from the mainland. Most products are priced between $0.90 and $6.