World of gadgets: 3-D monitor, Twitter search engine

Acer, best known for its computers and monitors, has branched out with a 27-inch screen made to handle 3-D from television, Blu-ray discs, computers, cameras, game consoles and other video sources.

Acer says its HN274H monitor has DVI Direct Link and HDMI connections, which allow the monitor to be connected to a wide variety of devices.

In a test connected to a G-Slate tablet using a homemade 3-D video, the monitor did a good job. It can work with both the anaglyph 3-D red-and-blue glasses and the active-shutter models. As with other 3-D monitors, though, you have to be at the right distance and angle to see the 3-D effect.

The monitor also has an infrared emitter to sync up with the active-shutter glasses and a pair of 2-watt speakers.

At 27 inches, the monitor may not be the ultimate screen for movie night at home, but it may be just the multitool for a limited space like a child's room or dorm where TV, Internet and gaming can share one screen.

The monitor lists for about $700 and includes one set of Nvidia active-shutter glasses. Additional glasses are available from Nvidia for about $150.

If you've tried to search for posts on Twitter's built-in search box, you know it can be frustrating.

Topsy's advanced search, linked from its home page, allows searches for specific Web domains or Twitter users; for posts made during a specific period of time in the past; and for all posts with, for example, the word "lady" but not "gaga." It can also search only for posts that include photo links, video links or Web links.

Topsy is also a good way to check on what is hot on Twitter right now. The site's home page features a frequently updated list of trending links, again sorted by relevance.

There is a special page devoted to trending videos. Click the video thumbnail, and Topsy brings up a video player rather than sending you to YouTube or another site. Recently the top video was a bunny playing with a ball of string. The people have spoken.