SO MANY GADGETS!

There are so many esoteric, eclectic electronic gadgets that it is difficult to separate the practical and purposeful from the frivolous and senseless. And when tastes and personal preferences are factored into the mix, it is not as simple as separating gold and tin into two discernible piles.
There are entire personal-communication systems that fit into mobile phones. Sunglasses and wristwatches now are multidimensional communications and entertainment products. Mobile phones not only serve as entertainment centers and GPS navigational systems, the units also are viewed as jewelry and complementing accessories to one's fashion persona.

Apparently, Baskin & Robbins was really onto something when it decided to offer as many flavors as possible and to treat each tasty twist with the same reverence usually reserved for vanilla and chocolate. B&R was among the first firms to grasp that true luxury embodies a wide berth of available options. If something is made well, it will appeal to consumers of discerning tastes. The marketplace for electronic gadgets and games is truly a phenomenon of the 21st century.

We eat blueberries and talk into BlackBerrys. It is difficult to say whether any gadgets or accessories will amaze and enthrall us like the abacus did the Babylonians back in 300 BCE. While, abaci, which are still in use today, have endured for centuries, the eras of eight-track tape players, rotary-dial telephones, and VCRs are already ancient history. Does anyone still remember when mobile phones were as large as one of Shaquille O'Neal's sneakers, or when television sets did not come with remote controls?

The ever-changing landscape of new electronic gadgets and games is a byproduct of modern technology that is evolving faster than ever. The Luxé Electronic Gadgets Review plugs into today's latest wizardry. However, do stay tuned for upgrades, enhancements, and new product introductions throughout the year.

When it comes to mobile phones with intelligence, the BlackBerry line is summa cum laude with its front-row bleeding-edge technology. After all, it is a handheld mobile phone that works like a multi-port personal computer. And if that isn't enough to prompt a wow from the galley, the new BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is smaller and sleeker than its magnificent predecessors. Aside from being a phone that allows international roaming between North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, it comes with multimedia capabilities and 64 MB of memory, which is easily expandable.

Wearable electronics sounds like something movie characters like Batman or James Bond might wear. Although the terminology possesses a futuristic, science-fiction tone, it accurately describes intelligently designed multiuse products, such as the O ROKR. The O ROKR is Oakley's fourth release of a pair of eyewear with a built-in mobile phone and an MP3 player. It is Bluetooth-driven eyewear. The O ROKR is a collaborative effort by Oakley and Motorola. The O ROKRs come in three distinct colors, and there are stylish versions of it for both men and women.

V-Moda presents "hearwear" that dazzles the eyes, perks the ears, and piques the interests of both fashion and music aficionados. The Modaphone Hearwear collection is a series of fashionable earphones with the sparkle of jewelry and the clarity of high-end earphones. There are four models. Each model is made from super-soft silicon with fittings that are offered in three sizes. The fabulous four are individually known as the Bass Fréq, the Vibe, the Remix M Class, and the Modawrap. The earphones are compatible complements to Apple's iPods, Microsoft's Zune, and various other MP3 players.

It is all in the numbers. Escort Radar manufactures the best radar/laser detectors, as the company owns over 85 percent of all radar and laser patents in use. Radar/laser detectors are legal to use in 49 states. Virginia and Washington, DC, are the only exceptions. With all the coupes, roadsters, sedans, and even SUVs capable of accelerating beyond 150 mph smoothly and effortlessly, it is easy to see how even the most responsible driver could err at a most inopportune time. Escort Radar's Passport 8500 X50 circumvents such mishaps from occurring.

Sony's S2 Sports Walkman MP3 Player is a fit gift for any athlete on the list. The two-gigabyte model stores up to 1,350 songs, and it plays up to 18 hours on an embedded battery that provides three hours on three-minute charge. It also contains an FM tuner for alternate listening choices to get through the workout time. The S2 is lightweight and has a bright, easy to read organic electroluminescence display.

It came as no surprise that when Motorola wanted to glitz out its RAZR V3i that a call was placed to the glamorous team of Domenico and Stefano to add the D and G magic. These guys could make cat litter glitter. So, ascending a streamline, renowned luxury cell phone to jewelry-level status would be a golden opportunity for them to leave another mark of distinction.

As long as the road is in North America, getting lost while driving will not happen if there is a StreetPilot in the vehicle. This GPS-satellite-navigational system, which is no larger than a baseball, is guaranteed to always pitch straight info to drivers. Plus it can easily be removed from one vehicle and placed in another, as it securely attaches to windshields with a suction cup. It is a perfect gift for the soon-to-be rich student, or an ideal addition to the classic car of a bygone era.

Having knowledge at your fingertips makes for a great metaphor. Having knowledgeable info conveyed instantly from an easy-to-use handheld device makes for a very innovative and entertaining product. The SkyScout by Celestron, with its advanced GPS technology, can be used during the day or night. Turn it on and its built-in menu provides operating info simple enough that even adults can operate it without muss of fuss.

When hip-hop, country or rock artists put out a song that has universal appeal beyond its anticipated audience, the hit song is a crossover. So, if a cell phone contains 140 grams of solid gold and is studded with diamonds, would it be a crossover into the jewelry marketplace as well as being a cell phone? There are so many people observed daily constantly holding cell phones against their ears. Many of these sleek machines could easily be mistaken for over-sized earrings. The Illusion, which is GoldVish's sparkling collection of personal luxury communication devices, is for real.

The Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Watch MBW-100 is a very practical, intelligent device that hits the underbelly of anyone who has ever imagined being a super sleuth or a suave secret agent like James Bond. The MBW-100 is a wristwatch with Bluetooth technology. When used with its wireless Bluetooth headset, the sophisticated wristwatch manages calls and music as simply as checking the time. This is a must-have for all lovers of bleeding-edge communications technology.

The thought of installing a telephone in one of the most intimate rooms in the house once left us bewildered, but this takes the cake. The iCarta dock from Atech Flash mounts easily onto the wall, charges your iPod while playing music, and features four integrated moisture-free speakers, which deliver exceptional clarity and high quality sound. The cost of replacing the NY Times for some Top 40 runs 100 dollars.

Since so many cell phones come equipped with MP3 capabilities, it only makes sense to make a dock designed with Bluetooth® Technology. The Altec Lansing T515 wireless speaker system features a speakerphone, a headset with a microphone, and a Bluetooth frequency up to 30 feet. Just a touch of a button allows you to easily switch from your favorite song to any incoming calls you receive.

The Altec Lansing T515 is priced at 150 dollars.
From business professionals to aspiring musical artists, the MicroMemo turns your second generation iPod Nano into a portable, pocket-sized recording studio. You can capture audio using the flexible, detachable microphone and import it onto your computer where you can edit it later. With this little device you can record interviews, meetings, lectures, lyrics, or even your grocery list. The MicroMemo is priced at 60 dollars.