All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Craig Maxwell, Styled by John Mortimer/Artist United
Retro Pixels Leica's latest shooter packs all the perks of a premium digicam into its classic Leica 35-mm shell and optics. The Digilux 1 features a 4-megapixel sensor, a 2.5-inch LCD, and a 64-Mbyte memory card good for up to six minutes of video recording (with sound).
Controls The exposure mode setting dial lets you select and prioritize aperture or shutter speed, or switch the digicam into manual, automatic, or video modes. The shutter release button snaps still pics, or starts a video recording.
Lens The high-end Vario-Summicron, one of Leica's most popular lenses, brings in objects from 33 to 100 millimeters away — the equivalent of a 3X zoom.
Digilux 1: $950, www.leica.com.
Craig Maxwell, Styled by John Mortimer/Artist United
PORTABLE CD-R
Dictate to Disc Marantz's CDR300 hangs onto your every word. Designed specifically for live recording, this portable CD burner has an internal preamp that keeps the audio loud and clear — perfect for taking dictation or snagging a bootleg. The bass and treble controls adjust sound levels on the fly.
Jog Wheel This dial, when used with the programming buttons, activates various functions. Spin and press the wheel to edit and enter text, change preferences, and set recording levels.
Jacks Audio jacks on the back take inputs from a turntable, DAT, minidisc, CD, or tape player, so you can burn tunes onto CD-R and CD-RW discs.
CDR300: $849, www.superscope-marantzpro.com.
Whirlpool KITCHEN RANGE
Split Personality This oven is so hot it's cool — and vice versa. Whirlpool's Polara Refrigerated Range keeps raw foods at safe temperatures, then cooks, holds, and even chills your meals. The full-function electric oven can sub as a temporary fridge during entertaining extravaganzas.
Touchpad Plan meals up to a day in advance. The oven can be programmed to refrigerate a preassembled dish, then work as either a traditional or convection oven to bake it. The range also can hold your food at a given temperature after it's cooked and refrigerate it later. Just don't forget that, after 24 hours, the oven shuts off automatically — and your food's on its own.
Sensors No more frozen centers and burned bottoms. A dial activates dual sensors that track temperatures at the top and base of the kiln, ensuring uniform heating.
Finish Whirlpool is offering four exteriors: trendy stainless steel for $1,899, or porcelain enamel in black, white, or biscuit for a hundred bucks less.
Compressor and Fan A compressor — like the one found in a standard fridge — sits at the base of the oven, generating cold air as needed. A fan circulates the air, dropping the temp to 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Polara Refrigerated Range: $1,799 to $1,899 (depending on finish), www.whirlpool.com.
Craig Maxwell, Styled by John Mortimer/Artist United
PORTABLE TV
Splash Screen Unlike other waterproof TVs, the Casio SY-30 is designed to withstand plunges and prolonged submersions. Watch the walkman-sized set in the bathtub or at the beach.
Jack The A/V input accepts a VCR or DVD player. It'd be a good idea to stay away from the water when using these components.
Casing and Cushions Modeled after Casio's G-Shock watches, the airtight plastic casing protects the set from plunges into shallow water for up to 30 minutes. The electronic controls are cushion mounted, allowing them to survive drops from as high as 5 feet.
SY-30: $180, www.casio.com.
Mark Lund, Styled by John Mortimer/Artist United
BACKPACK
Air Support Messenger bags look tight, but they can wreak havoc on your back. Nike's knapsack gives your spine a rest — without cramping your style.
Frame The plastic panel curves with your spine to help control load-shifting — the bag won't slide too much to one side when you move.
Design The straps and lumbar pad contain air pockets that ease shoulder and lower-back strain by dispersing the weight of whatever you're lugging around.
BioKNX Tech: $65, www.niketown.com.
PLAY
Blonde Ambition
Maxed Out
Geek vs. Geek
Boy Toy
Ben Kenney, The Roots
Life Imitates Star Trek
Read Me
The Republic of AI
Talking Fashion
Containment Strategy
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Gusgus
Elvis Presley
Sonic Youth
SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals
UFC Throwdown
Toxic Grind
All About Lily Chou-Chou
One Hour Photo
fetish
Free-Range Sound
Digital Filmmakers
Debug It Yourself
Plug-and-Play Camp
Hi-Fi, Lo-Effort
One Suite Fits All
