Zune 80GB
When first we met this portable media player-an obvious rival to Apple's iPod-it was functionally sound, but a clunky aesthetic, limited WiFi access and various file format incompatibilities proved off-putting to technorati. Enter a brilliantly sweeping redesign that shaves unnecessary bulk, adds a gorgeous 3.2-inch color screen, introduces responsive touch-sensitive controls and offers wireless synchronization with PCs/home networks. Pile on FM tuner capabilities and support for podcasts and it's a guaranteed party-starter.
$249.99, www.zune.net
Juice Pack
Managed to cop an iPhone? Congrats, and good luck living with one kidney. At least accessories like this nonslip, soft grip case which hides a rechargeable battery inside its eye-pleasing frame capable of being powered via iPhone adaptor/iPod connector-make the trade seem slightly more reasonable. The nifty gizmo doubles standby, talk, Internet surfing and audio/video playback time, offering roughly 6 to 8 hours of extra reliability when in intensive use or an additional day's worth of tunes.
$99.95, www.mophie.com
DxG-110
Normally, you get what you pay for, except in the case of this 10 megapixel digital camera, the first providing such crystal clear image quality for under $200. Take snapshots using a 3x optical/4x digital zoom, then save to 32MB of internal memory or an SD card before dumping onto your desktop or browsing on a 2.5-inch color TFT screen. If anyone asks what your girlfriend's doing with that donkey, hey... just say it's an art-school project.
$169.99, www.dxgusa.com
Blackbird 002
APC gamer's wet dream-a gorgeous, aluminum-decked and liquid coolingfueled foray into high-performance computing that reinvents the fundaments of system design. From quad-core processing to dual GeForce 8800 video cards, to more than 4TB of storage, Blu-ray rewritable drives and more, each machine is customizable and built to order. But the best part, besides funky interior and back panel LED lightning? No tools necessary when upgrading, ensuring everything, including your eyeballs, will pop right in and out.
$2,500 and up, www.hp.com/blackbird
EYE-FI
You've got enough concerns while traveling -where's my ticket; did I pack deodorant; but officer, I don't speak Hayeren-without having to worry about uploading hundreds of random snapshots. Let this 2GB SD memory card, which automatically connects via WiFi hotspots and transfers photos from digital camera to PC or online repository (Shutterfly, Flickr, etc.), do the grunt work. update your Facebook profile instantly, or let it post pictures from inside that Armenian prison straight to your blog.
$99.99, www.eye.fi034 importtuner.com
Iwear AV920
Sweet... Now you too can look like Star Trek: The Next Generation's Geordi La Forge while enjoying mobile 62-inch big screen-style views without springing for that Hummer-or sci-fi surgical graft. Just plug a PMP, video iPod or DVD player into this 3-ounce head-mounted display, and 2D/3D video is yours to enjoy for up to five hours. Assuming, that is, you don't get laughed off the plane or bus by trash-talking wiseasses first.
$349.95, www.vuzix.com
Black Jack II
One of 2007's leading smartphones gets a welcome update in the form of the current contender. Bonuses include better battery life, greater memory/processing power, Windows Mobile 6, an integrated GPS, and a 2 megapixel camera which, when coupled with the more budget-friendly price, make for a convincing buy. Working professionals will especially appreciate options to field multiple email addresses, a QWERTY keypad and the 2.4-inch color screen, suitable for juggling essays and sales presentations alike.
$149.99 (with 2-year contract)www.samsung.com/us
Kindle
The problem with most eBooks: They prompt templesplitting headaches and yawn-inducing apathy. More accurately simulating the ink-and-paper experience, this snazzy portable digital reader (boasting week-long battery life) mercifully offers 90,000 plus novels, dozens of newspapers and hundreds of blogs for ergonomic on-the-go perusal. Books cost $9.99; newspaper subscriptions $5.99/month and up; and magazines just $1.25/month. The only downside: No supportfor Cherry, or Import Tuner... yet.
$399.00, www.amazon.com
Solar Bags
Help save the environment and look eco-sexy doing it, with these stylish bags that double as solar-powered chargers, capable of transforming time spent sunning yourself into juice for your favorite electronics. Available in several models from lightweight converter to robust backpack, handy daypack and laptopready messenger bag, units all boast a built-in battery pack-meaning you can tan now, refresh gadgets later. Eleven integrated adaptors ensure compatibility with iPods, cell phones, PDAs and more.
$199 - $249, www.voltaicsystems.com
XTreme N Gaming Router
If you're already amazed by Crysis' bloodthirsty multiplayer mayhem or unreal Tournament III's torso-splattering online action, prepare to be floored. This 802.11n wireless router-which lets you prioritize game traffic and monitors Internet activity on a built-in display-gooses your home network, making lag a distant memory. Share software updates at over 10 times the speed of 802.11g-enabled competitors or grab a plasma rifle, chug a Red Bull and plaster friends' intestines across a high-resolution wall.
$239, www.dlink.com