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Most compact subwoofers give up deep rumble for a shallow footprint. Upscale speaker maker B&W found an unusual workaround in the formidable design of a diving bell. The new PV1's curves help it withstand the severe pressure that builds inside high-output subs. The sides of traditional box-shaped woofers can flex and bend, tainting the low-frequency output, but this 13.2-inch-tall aluminum bass-ball never gives. Go ahead, crank the matching 8-inch drivers with the built-in 500-watt amp - this little bubble ain't gonna burst.
PV1: $1,500, www.bwspeakers.com
Bit by bit, Hitachi has assembled the world champ of cordless drills. The DS18 turns 18 volts of electricity into 550 inch-pounds of torque - enough muscle to refurbish your entire kitchen. Yet at a slim 5.7 pounds, it's light and versatile enough for everyday jobs, like mounting a family portrait. A detachable grip handle steadies your aim, and two high-capacity rechargeable batteries ensure your work never comes to a grinding halt.
DS18DMR Drill: $259, www.hitachi.us
If you think one Game Boy screen is fun, just imagine what you can do with two! Come to think of it, what can you do with two? According to Nintendo, you can keep track of maps, menus, and scores without breaking away from the game - or use the touch-sensitive lower display to control some of the action. The DS also offers stereo sound and wireless connectivity. With the latter, you can link up with players from around the globe or across the room. Log on for a quick chat, or accept challenges till you're seeing double.
Nintendo DS: $TBA, www.nintendo.com
A Bluetooth headset should free your hands. Why are you still fumbling with your phone like a third-string wide receiver? Jabra's BT800 can be set to ring or vibrate and comes with an onboard LED display for caller ID, so even if your handset is tucked in your bag, you can pick up. The featherlight earpiece automatically adjusts volume in response to noisy or windy backgrounds, and should that fail, it also sports an easy-to-access jog wheel, letting you manually tone down your boss's rant or turn up your lover's sweet nothings.
Jabra BT800: $119, www.jabra.com
Not all portable video players are created equal. Samsung's eye-catching YH-999 does everything its competitors do - and slides neatly into your pocket, too. Loaded with Microsoft's Portable Media Center software, the tiny device (roughly 4 x 4 x 1 inches) syncs with your Media Center PC to download up to 20 gigs of music, TV shows, movies, and pictures. The half-pound handheld sports a 3.5-inch screen, so there's no strain carrying or watching it.
YH-999: $550, www.samsung.com
Industrial designer Jasper Morrison's latest gadget may have a chic white exterior, but inside its color of choice is golden brown. Drop two slices of bread into this sleek box and a silent motor lowers them down, where they cook beside 1,000-watt red-hot coils. An optical sensor determines when the bread is uniformly baked, so it slides back up before any areas get burnt. Elegant manual controls, a smooth-sliding crumb tray, and an LED char-preference indicator, guarantee a made-to-order crunch every time.
Jasper Morrison Toaster: $135, www.rowentausa.com
- Seth Feman
credit Craig Maxwell, styled by Micah Bishop/Artist Untied
PV1
credit Craig Maxwell, styled by Micah Bishop/Artist Untied
DS18DMR Drill
credit Craig Maxwell, styled by Micah Bishop/Artist Untied
Nintendo DS
credit Craig Maxwell, styled by Micah Bishop/Artist Untied
Jabra BT800
credit Courtesy FX Networks
YH-999
credit Craig Maxwell, styled by Micah Bishop/Artist Untied
Jasper Morrison Toaster
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So Long, Suburbia: the Sims Go Boho
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