Hi-Def, Low Profile
How do you make a hi-def camcorder that fits in a shirt pocket? By ditching tape or disc storage for flash memory. A tiny SD card lets this Sanyo keep a low profile (4.7 x 3.1 x 1.4 inches) but still record gorgeous 720p HD footage. A 1-Gbyte card holds around 20 minutes of video at maximum resolution. The cam packs a 10X optical zoom lens and snaps 5-megapixel stills, even while you're filming. Now there's no excuse for grainy home movies.
Xacti VPC-HD1: $800, www.sanyodigital.com
Storm Tracker
Don't get caught in a downpour without cover! The Ambient Forecasting Umbrella reminds you to carry it by flashing the blue LEDs in its handle whenever a storm rolls in. A built-in data receiver picks up local forecasts; the higher the chance of rain, the faster it blinks - up to 100 times a minute. It's only as reliable as your weatherman, but at least you get the info without his glib delivery.
Umbrella: $99, www.ambientdevices.com
Easy Reader
Unlike a dim LCD, Sony's ebook reader won't give you a migraine by the end of the first chapter. The secret: its 800 x 600-pixel "E Ink" screen. The pixels shift from light to dark when voltage is applied and then stay put, so there's no flicker. It also syncs with RSS feeds, so you can catch up on your blogs if you finish The Da Vinci Code on your cross-country flight.
Reader: $399, www.sonystyle.com
Streamcatcher
Forget podcasts. Try broadcasts. Pioneer's XM satellite radio receiver is about the size of a credit card and less than an inch thick. The built-in antenna grabs live, CD-quality audio, while its 1 gig of memory can be used to store recorded XM streams or your own MP3s. It's the best reason yet to dump your iPod.
Inno: $400, www.pioneerelectronics.com
Pocket Full of DLP
If your laptop screen seems too small - and electricity is scarce - attach it to this ultraportable DLP projector. It generates up to a 60-inch picture using LED lamps, making it tiny, fanless, and efficient (the lithium-ion battery lasts 2.5 hours). And it handles HD, standard, and PC video sources, converting them to 800 x 600-pixel resolution. It's the perfect projector when there's not an outlet in sight.
PJ106D: $799, www.viewsonic.com
Conquers All Terrain
This Land Rover is more than just a rugged 4WD. It adjusts to any road - or off-road - condition with the turn of a dial. The vehicle's engineers studied dozens of driving situations and developed five settings to handle them all, adjusting engine, suspension, and brakes to keep the car moving. If only there were a Car Crusher mode to overcome gridlock ...
LR3: $39,000 and up, www.landrover.com
- Brian Lam
credit Robyn TwomeyInset: Donald Weber/Polaris
Xacti VPC-HD1
credit Robyn Twomey
Ambient Forecasting Umbrella
credit Robyn Twomey
Reader
credit Robyn Twomey
Inno
credit Robyn Twomey
ViewSonic PJ106D DLP projector
LR3
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The Fast and the Furious of Dubai
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