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On-Call Digicam
Cell phones have evolved; their cameras – not so much. Most take pics on par with a late '90s webcam. But Sony Ericsson's K790a uses advanced features like image stabilization, red-eye reduction, and an ultrabright xenon flash to produce gorgeous 3.2-megapixel photos. In BestPic mode, the phone snaps a handful of shots in quick succession – great for capturing action. It has a big 320 x 240-pixel screen and plays MP3 and AAC files, which you can Bluetooth from your computer to use as ringtones. Your digicam is about to collect dust.
K790a: $500, www.sonyericsson.com
Interaction Slacks
Is that an iPod in your pocket, or … eh, you know the rest. With a dock pocket for your player and a built-in remote (on the coin pocket), these Levi's let you skip tracks and crank 'em up without having to fish through loose change and lint. Just be sure to remove the electronics before you toss them in the wash.
Redwire DLX: $250, www.levis.com
Lighten Up
Watching the tube in a dark room can be a headache. Originally, Philips' Ambilight TVs alleviated eyestrain by bathing surrounding walls in hues to match what's onscreen. Now there's no wall required. This 42-incher's white wraparound frame reflects the colored glow, forming a halo that makes viewing easy on the peepers and gives the illusion of an endless screen.
42PF9831D/10: $3,999, www.philips.com
Unblur My Shots
Samsung's NV7 is sure to inspire envy in your subject – and anyone else in the vicinity. Inside the black stainless steel body is a 7-megapixel CCD to capture images from the 7X Schneider zoom (38-270 mm equivalent). The sensor floats to compensate for shaky hands, keeping your photos sharp even at slow shutter speeds. And menus are controlled by buttons arranged in elegant, easy-to-navigate rows. Not bad for such a clean, retro-styled machine.
NV7 OPS: $450, www.samsung.com
The Droids You're Looking For
We'll never know who would win a fight between Optimus Prime and Darth Vader. But we do know that by mashing up Transformers and Star Wars, this toy will make fanboys giddy with delight. Hasbro's Millennium Falcon replica splits into Han Solo and Chewbacca robot action figures. But if Han and Chewie are part of the ship, who's going to crawl into the engine bay when the hyperdrive fails?
Star Wars Transformers – Millennium Falcon: $35, www.hasbro.com
Mini Media Master
This 4-gig media player isn't thinner than a nano, but it's unquestionably richer in every way. Creative's Zen V Plus manages MP3s, photos, line-in recordings, an FM radio, and videos in a package half the size of a typical candy bar cell phone (2.7 x 1.7 x 0.6 inch). Its bright 1.5-inch OLED screen sips power, letting the little fella last 15 hours between charges. In this case, bigger is better.
Zen V Plus: $230, www.creative.com
K790a
Redwire DLX
credit Sony Pictures Entertainment
42PF9831D/10
NV7 OPS
Star Wars Transformers
Mini Media Master
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