Awesome Tech

We’re used to car concepts being over the top, but this laser-projected globe for the Mini Crossover takes the cake: it’s basically a 3D navi system with a touchscreen interface.

Although we’re not sold on its ergonomics, Microsoft’s Arc Mouse definitely turns heads with its folding clamshell design. Along with a tiny USB transceiver, it’s ideal for laptop users.

In addition to their Explorer line, Microsoft has added BlueTrack tech to their SideWinder X8 gaming mouse, giving it an impressive 4,000 DPI and 30 hours on a single charge.

Altec Lansing’s iPod-friendly inMotion Speakers both look and sound great: the moondance GLOW is a dual-alarm clock radio, while inMotion MAX delivers crisp, full-spectrum sound.

Ion Audio’s iCue Mixer is a compact, entry level system for those wanting to mix MP3s from their computer. We do recommend a 3.5mm Y-splitter for your headphones, however.

The Sony Vaio AW laptop is ideal for photographers, with an 18.4″ Bravia-based LCD screen. It’ll also get a GeForce 9600M GT, dual 250GB or 64GB SSD drives and a Blu-ray burner.

Available 10/19 at Sprint, the HTC Touch Pro is an S740 and Diamond all-in-one, with quadband 3G, a 2.4″ touchscreen, slide-out keyboard, Wi-Fi and a 3.2MP camera.

Pinnacle’s PCTV HD mini Stick is the smallest HDTV tuner on the market and connects via USB. It comes with a TV antenna, remote and PVR software, with versions for the PC and Mac.

BlackBerry fans rejoice: RIM’s Pearl Flip 8220 (formerly Kickstart) will be available to T-Mobile customers this fall. It’s a quad-band 3G phone with a 320×240 display and Wi-Fi.

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A900’s chief bragging point is a 24.6MP 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor. However, CNET reports that noise seems to be above average at high ISOs.

Microsoft’s Explorer Mouse features BlueTrack, a blue laser that works on previously unmousable surfaces such as carpet and marble. It’s also available in a smaller Mini version.

It’s just a bit cheesy and reminds us of a flashing banner ad, but the E-Ink cover on Esquire’s 25th anniversary issue is a technological milestone. Click here to see it taken apart.

Apple’s iPod Touch gets a mild makeover, with a thinner, more contoured design and an external volume control. It will also get a built-in speaker and come standard with Nike + iPod.

Apple’s new Ipod Nano returns to its candybar roots and is the thinnest iPod ever. Made with curved aluminum, you can shake it to shuffle; it will come in a rainbow of nine colors.

Move over, Kindle: Plastic Logic’s Digital Reader is coming in 2009 with an ultra-slim, minimalist form factor. The display will measure 8.5×11 and use a gesture interface.

Like their other remote, the Universal MX-6000 is only available to installers; too bad, because this bad boy has a 4.3″ touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi and runs on a 533 MHz ARM CPU.

HP’s 14.1″ EliteBook 6930P runs an astounding 24 hours on an optional high capacity battery. Similarly styled to their flagship 8730W, you’ll want an SSD hard drive to maximize time.

Although we’d prefer an LCD, Mitsubishi’s massive 65″ LaserVue TV still has us drooling. The rear projection unit does 1080p but only uses half the power of a plasma or LCD TV.

We featured Owerko’s retro-nostalgic Boombox Project previously; he’s teamed up with Gelaskins to produce a custom Boombox skin, available for most iPods and MacBooks.

A 1.9″ QVGA display and 2 MP camera aren’t anything special for a cellphone, but the Meridiist’s $5k pricetag comes from its crocodile leather back and hand-brushed stainless steel keypad.

Microsoft’s Zune mp3 player now has a glossy, 120GB version out on Amazon — also, check out the new blue 8GB version, which comes with wireless buying and games.

Coming this November: Gamepark’s GP2X Wiz is a Linux-based handheld game console (read: emulator); we’re digging the OLED touchscreen and 533 MHz 3D accelerator.

Above is a fantastic skateboarding video shot with a Red One Camera; it’s cheaper than professional cameras but will still set you back $17.5k for the body alone.

Logitech’s MX 1100 mouse may not have the cachet of its Revolution series, but its features are top notch: fast scrolling, DPI switching and great ergonomics make this a must-buy.

Jake von Slatt is one of the better-known steampunk artists; above, Wired interviews him. Datamancer has actually taken von Slatt’s idea and sells Mac and PC steampunk keyboards.

OSIM’s uSpace is a high-tech massage chair with mood-lighting and music synchronized to your sleep states. It’s for relaxing, but we’d like to see one just for gamers.