What at first appears to be one of those dreaded "radar guns" the police use to catch speeders on the highway is actually Sanyo's newest edition to the HD camera family, the Xacti HD2000. This bulky contraption is a huge step forward for "hybrid cameras", featuring high-quality photos AND video. (via Akihabara)

I'm always on the lookout for gadgets that would still work even if I were stranded on a deserted island. This factoid is especially strange because I've never ventured even ten miles from civilization. If I were stranded on a desert island, I could use this water powered calculator to...well, I guess add up the days that have passed or calculate my odds for survival. You know, fun stuff. 

With the Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope you can gaze in wonder at the universe, complete with computerized help identifying celestial bodies. You can marvel at the peace and tranquility, as long as you never catch a glimpse of the many potential Earth-threatening asteroids. In fact, if you're paranoid like me, it's probably better not to look too closely at the stars...

This might cross the point of no return for cuteness. Once you've passed it, just check your manhood at the station. |via Gearfuse|

My little nephews are going to be salivating over this third generation Nintendo DSi. It's another portable gaming device but it has some innovations that expands the possibility of gaming. Most notable is the dual camera system, one on the outside of the body and the other one facing the user. It can be used for taking snaps but also for more advanced gaming functions such as WarioWare Snapped that incorporates on the spot images and motion. This might be the full-immersion VR your grandparents were talking about. Probably not, but it's a decided step in that direction. Web-browsing, music playing, and a DSi shop are part of the package.

I should just give up thinking that we're finished shrinking every gadget that has ever been created, because we clearly haven't even seen the event horizon yet. I've always considered the computer mouse to be compact enough, but in case you find your mouse to be too bulky, the folks at Evergreen Japan have introduced the Micro USB Mouse, complete with tiny trackball. (Via Akihabara)

I swear I thought of this idea years ago!! We've all done this, guys and girls. We see someone totally hot while we're out and about and we immediately wonder if they're available or not. Ok, maybe that's second on the list after imagining them naked. This new iPhone app from Match.com has a GPS-enabled function that lets you know who the available singles in your vicinity are and might be just the tool you need to kick up your stalking-predation habits to the BAM notch. Of course, from my experience with online dating, the hot girl you think is single and on Match.com is really just a front for her very unattractive sister whom she was hiding behind the telephone pole just until you approached. The old bait and switch is perfectly fair in love and war.

You know, I've always wanted a home security system. I've never gotten one because I am pretty much a permanent apartment dweller and I've always associated home security with a house. This security system provides the same services as the one your grandma has with the added bonus of it not requiring a landline. You don't even need a wireless or internet connection. The system sounds an alarm and also alerts a dispatcher to confirm with you and get your safeword or to call the police. Out of the box it's pretty much ready to go. You also get a keychain remote with a panic button. For $15 a month service fee all my books can be safe from thieves and plunderers.

|Thanks, George L|

We're not really an auto enthusiast blog here but when a car costs just around $2000 new, then it almost qualifies for impulse purchase status. The Tata Nano is the world's cheapest car that's not a Hot Wheels. It goes 56 miles to a gallon, has one windshield wiper, is a manual transmission, and no AC, which would be my biggest complaint for its target market of India where it's hotter than Hades. But it's green, emitting less pollution than even a scooter. It tops out at 65 mph. Any faster than that in this little thing and it might fall apart hitting a fog bank. Hopefully, it will be available in the US in 2011 or 2012. |via US News|

I'm not sure how this works but it claims to boost your cell signal up to three extra bars for weak signals. Just plug it into your laptop and you'll be chatting away like a fancy Nancy. Compatible with all carriers in the US and Canada.

I know Toyota Prius owners already have the convenience of an MPG meter built-in to their dashboard, but now the rest of us can track our miles-per-gallon, average gas consumption, and cost-per-trip. The last feature is perhaps the most painful, but knowledge is power...I guess.

I'm to the point where I can't read the paper anymore. The barrage of bad news has affected my overall disposition. I'm sure it's taking its toll on lots of people. But then I am occasionally uplifted by a story of achievements like this sun-powered self-healing plastic. The plastic is already quite scratch-resistant but when exposed to light that was slightly stronger than sunlight the scratches on its surface were negligible within half an hour. This research was conducted at the venerable University of Southern Mississippi. Wow, I'm actually more impressed by where this research originated. I grew up in Louisiana and we were consistently battling with Mississippi for lowest quality of education in the country. Every year we were ranked dead last at 50 or they were. |via Treehugger|