If you’re going to buy a watch anymore it has to be an unusual one that catches your eye to make it worth it. Let’s face it, it’s not really necessary to wear a watch anymore. We have plenty of other gadgets that have fifteen other functions, one of which being to tell the time. Well this MK V watch is definitely eye catching enough to make it an interesting piece to wear on your wrist. The down side is that you have to press a button to open the shutter that covers the watch face. Yet is that any worse really than tapping the screen of your iPhone to check the time?

I honestly don’t know if Motorola’s Aura is the most expensive cellular phone ever made, but it has got to be up there. (In keeping with tradition, I will tell you the price at the end of the article, but feel free to hit the jump if you can’t wait.)

Motorola’s Aura has some very debonair features, such as the swivel design with the circular screen at the pivot. The display is really the highlight of the Aura, with 16 million colors and 300dpi resolution.

The lens itself on the screen is a 1.62 carat sapphire crystal, but that isn’t all the bling this Aura sports. Apparently, the textured pattern that you see takes about two weeks to sculpt, and the finish is the type used on expensive wristwatches. The keypad is aluminum and the swivel itself uses 130 precision ball bearings.

But enough about the way too technical features, let’s talk about the user functions. This quad-band GSM support phone has 2GB worth of memory, a music player, stereo Bluetooth, messaging, e-mail, speakerphone, as well as Motorola’s CrystalTalk feature. There is also a 2 Megapixel camera.

Anyone who has read the Silver Surfer comic or watched Back to the Future will definitely love to own one of those hoverboards, although the former’s is way more powerful than the latter due to its cosmic properties. Well, you can now relive those action sequences with the Cyber Surfer R/C Spaceboard from ThinkGeek.

The Cyber Surfer R/C Spaceboard uses two ducted fans and a solid state accelerometer to hover off the ground and “surf” across the room. You control the height and right or left turns with the Cyber Surfer always surfing forward through the air. You never need to worry about balancing the the surfer since the accelerometer adjusts the propeller speed accordingly and keeps him rock solid in the air. Just push the stick up and you’re hovering. The Cyber Surfer is designed for indoor flights only and is pretty easy to control with minimal practice. Now all we need is a slightly larger version for office commuting.

Would be nice to see a model built for adult use, but in the meantime you will just have to make do with this $69.99 toy.

I know that Darth Vader isn’t exactly the most generous person in the universe, so to see his character included in the Star Wars Nutcracker Set is definitely a hoot. He does have the ability to crush nuts (the edible ones as well as those from the family jewel variety), so I guess that makes him qualify to be part of the set.

These are the nutcrackers handcrafted from hardwood to depict the iconic characters from the Star Wars movies: Darth Vader, R2-D2, and Yoda. Darth Vader stands 10″ tall and is draped in a vinyl cape, capped by his signature black helmet. He holds his red lightsaber and is decorated with details including vinyl boots, his breathing apparatus, and chest control unit. R2-D2 stands 7″ tall displaying his handpainted circuitry; his anterior louvered vents conceal the “cracker.” Master Jedi Yoda stands 7 1/2″ tall with his walking stick and his humble burlap robe. Non-functional, they are for decorative purposes only.

In a fight between Star Wars characters and the Iron Lady, who do you think would win? The Star Wars Nutcracker Set will retail for $99.95.

Toshiba also does storage devices just in case you didn’t notice, and this time round they have rolled out the first 80GB SATA automotive-grade hard drive to keep company its existing line of ruggedized and temperature-enhanced storage solutions that are specially meant for in-car navigation and infotainment applications. This will be the seventh generation automotive-grade hard drive also known by its more obscure model number MK8057GSC. Toshiba also scores a first with its release, since it is the debut of a SATA interface storage device to complement their current line of PATA products that are available in 40GB, 60GB and 80GB capacities. With SATA interface, it is a snap to migrate to the latest automotive systems with its ability to reduce signal-line complexity, simultaneously supporting faster top-end data transfer rates versus Parallel-ATA (PATA) based HDDs.

ADLINK Technology is first off the blocks to release the first Extreme Rugged system in the world which is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor as well as a GME965 chipset. Better known as the Ampro ADLINK RuffSystem 840, inside you will find integrated components that are kept protected by the harsh external environments so that you will be able to get your work done even in the most uncomfortable of situations, including working near a volcano or in a harsh environment that requires you to sweat it out (or shiver, depending on which occupational role you’re currently playing).

I’m not really sure that this should be called a makeover, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll just call it that. This DIY job is for those that have far too many useless cassette tapes lying around. It’s understandable that some would, they were used for quite a few years, so it’d be easy to build up a large stash of them. So it’s established that there are probably quite a few people out there that could probably pull off a job like this. Especially considering it’s as simple as gluing a bunch of tapes to an already built wooden cabinet. What I question is whether or not it should be done.

As iPods grow increasingly popular, more and more accessories pop up. Many of the sleeker designs are far out of most people’s price ranges, but they are still fun to drool over. This one isn’t the most outrageously priced I’ve seen, but it’s still not the greatest either. Either way, it’s worth checking out. With the sleek tower it could easily get slipped into any style room. Yes, it will take up a little floor space, but tucked into a corner it’d hardly take up much room.

I thought I would kill two birds with one stone today and discuss two gadgets that are of a similar nature. In this case, a product that we all love and use all the time, and you’re probably using it right now: the computer mouse.

Let’s start with the Road Mice. The Road Mice are computer mice that are designed to look like the automobile that you want to drive. They are available in many models including the Ford Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Charger. Each of them come in different colors with decals. They are also completely wireless and have headlights.

If you really want a more personalized mouse, you should definitely go for the USB Air Flow Mouse with Scrolling LED Message. The Air Flow Mouse has a fan to reduce the heat as you are using the mouse. Not only that, it has an LED scrolling board, which is programmable by an included remote control. It is available in both red and green.

As you can see by the title, this Husqvarna Solar-Powered Robot Lawnmover deserves its own acronym. Of course, HSPRL is really lame, and I suppose the Swedish-based company will have to change a few of the descriptors into synonyms that start with vowels so they could get an actual word.

This HSPRL (just humor me for this article’s sake) was announced at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo 2008. I’m certain that this isn’t the first autonomous robot lawn mower, but I’m guessing this one won’t be the last.

Of course, the real selling point of the HSPRL is the fact that it is solar powered, which doesn’t sound like an industry first. This limits it to daylight usage, but it uses a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery.

We’ve read it before ad-nauseum. Cupertino is working on a tablet. Apple’s going to release a tablet. Multi touch screen patent applications prove a tablet is coming. All very tempting tidbits of information based on something seen in the wild of the world wide web. Now we can add another to the list. But this time, it’s coming from the Gray Old Lady herself – the NY Times. And it pretty much looks like an iPhone on steroids.

I don’t know about you, but there is just something about gaming notebooks that turn me off. Number one, you have the extra bulk to tote around which certainly won’t bode well for your back in the long run, while the battery life is nothing short of shameful. Not only that, while it might be able to play the latest and greatest games on-the-road, it will never be able to match up to a real gaming experience on a desktop PC. Despite those personal reasons, gaming notebooks aren’t dead and they don’t seem to be dying off anyways, with Asus being the latest company to unveil a couple more gaming notebooks in the form of the G71 and G50.

Sony might have suffered big losses in the stock market lately, but good thing that has not dampened their enthusiasm of rolling out new devices and products to keep us consumers feeling happy. This time round we have a couple more additions to Sony’s family of S-Frame digital photo frames, and one of them holds the distinction of being the first 10″ model which is being paraded at the PhotoPlus Expo trade show. The two models in question are the DPF-D100 and DPG-D80, and these will come in 10″ and 8″ sizes, respectively. They will boast high quality SVGA resolution LCD displays and will be the first digital photo frames from Sony that come with an aspect ratio of 4:3.

NEC is back yet again with another LCD monitor - the P221W. This 22″ display is based on the hugely successful 90 Series displays, and will feature the following that aims to help ease the work of the professional graphics user.

• 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution
• Wide color gamut achieves 96 percent coverage of AdobeRGB
• Internal 10-bit programmable lookup tables (LUTs)
• S-PVA LCD technology, which provides for the widest viewing angles available with minimal off-angle color shift
• AmbiBright automatic brightness adjustment
• 1,000:1 typical contrast ratio
• 16ms response time
• 300 cd/m2 typical brightness
• XtraView+ 178° (88°/88°/88°/88°) viewing angle
• ECO Mode and carbon footprint reduction
• Analog and digital input signal
• Four-way ergonomic stand (tilt/swivel/pivot/height-adjust)
• Optional Soundbar 90

The NEC P221W will come with a 3-year limited warranty when it arrives this December, so set aside $636.90 if you want to get yourself an early Christmas present.

The Vent Register Booster Fan aims to increase energy efficiency in your home or office by dramatically increasing air flow while saving energy simultaneously.

Vent Register Booster Fan automatically boosts vent airflow by up to 80%; keeping room temperature warm, and heating costs low. Register Booster is designed with an adjustable thermostat sensor, which switches on automatically when vent airflow is sensed. Vent fan also has a manual switch for continuous operation. Home Trends register booster quietly warms or cools your home, using much less energy than adjusting your thermostat for the same effect. Simply place the vent fan over any 4” by 6” floor register, or install over wall register with 4 screws (not included).

You can pick up the Vent Register Booster Fan for $59.95. Hey, anything that helps reduce the daily rising costs of living is always welcome in my home.

Many have had to deal with the dilemma of not being allowed to wear their headphones at certain places. The job of finding ways to hide them can sometimes be obnoxious and close to impossible. Well thankfully Think Geek has released the solution. With this discreet little beanie, no one would have to know you’re rocking out to your favorite songs. It wouldn’t be difficult to tuck the cord down your shirt and then connect it to an iPod hidden in your pocket.

I’m sure there are a lot of Coolest Gadgets readers that use Skype’s service in order to save money on phone calls by using the Internet, and some of you may even have exclusive Skype phones.

Designer Eno Setiawan has created a unique design for a Skype phone that is simply known as the hanger phone. The hanger phone works like the phones that hang on the wall. All you need to do is pick it up to make a call, and then hang it up when finished. Nothing original so far, but the materials are. The hanger phone uses materials like aluminum plate, polycarbonate, and polyurethane.

The hanger phone dock uses a Bluetooth connection to transmit audio from the phone to the computer, and it looks like the dock itself connects to the PC using USB.

If you’ve ever had to discreetly read your book at night, then likely you’re no stranger to the variety of reading lights available. The type that clip to your book are helpful, but you still have to shift them a great deal to keep the area you’re reading illuminated. Well although this little light wouldn’t clip to your book, it’d make a convenient light. With it being solar powered you’d never have to worry about searching for batteries at two in the morning.

Sure, everyone loves their iPod or MP3 player, but just in case you want to take your tunes swimming, water-skiing, or any other aqua sport, you will need something that is submersible.

Fortunately, the Soundwave from Freestyle Audio has you covered. The Soundwave is an MP3 Player that can go underwater for about 10 feet. It is also shock-resistant, yet is lightweight enough to float in water.

The Soundwave supports MP3, WMA, and protected WMA (DRM) files. It has 2GB of flash memory, which is sufficient enough to hold about 600 songs. It even has an FM tuner with both channel and equalizer presets. The Soundwave also has a built-in rechargeable battery that makes it capable of up to 18 hours of playtime per charge.

Well all that is well and good, but in order to have a water proof MP3 player, you need waterproof headphones, right? Fortunately, the Soundwave is also covered for that with waterproof earphones good for 10 feet of submersion. It also has an armband so you won’t lose it in the water.

We have covered a lot of interesting mirrors on Coolest Gadgets, most recently the Magic Mirror Security System. This new Interactive Mirror from BlogLitStudios could easily take the cake for technological mirrors.

The Interactive Mirror is something that you really need to see to believe, which is why I included this YouTube video so you can view it in action after the jump. In all honesty, I hope that everyone has a chance to try this out this Interactive Mirror for themselves.

This isn’t the first time that someone has put an interactive display onto an ordinary bathroom mirror, but what BlogLitStudios has accomplished has made it more fun than just viewing morning stock and weather reports. This model of the Interactive Mirror may have some less practical applications, but they sure look like fun.

AVerMedia Technologies has announced the release of their latest generation device where digital High Definition entertainment is concerned - the AVerTV Hybrid TVBox 11. This Sleek and light-weight device could fool you into thinking it can’t do much, but actually packs in a whole ton of features that allow you to bring together a variety of multimedia entertainment devices, turning your large LCD monitor or multimedia projector into the focal point of home theater entertainment in your pad. The TVBox tuner aims to introduce a paradigm shift where viewing and enjoying multimedia entertainment is concerned, courtesy of its digital and hybrid capabilities.

I know that video games are great tools when it comes to training up you eye-brain-hand co-ordination, but for those who are on a tight budget and cannot afford to purchase game after game every month, there is always a cheaper alternative, although the addictive level is not there. The Nano-Tech Water Drop Puzzle relies on a special nano technology panel design that does away with the need for a small ball bearing within, but uses some water instead. The water will zip by really quickly, and the whole goal of the game is to move these droplets into the right position. There are four different levels of difficulty to choose from, and you can pick it up for $22 a pop. Choose from yellow, orange, grey and blue colors.

You might take Parrot rather casually when it comes to the various portable gizmos that they roll out, but this time round it looks as though they have a clear cut winner on their hands. The Parrot Specchio was designed by Martin Szekely, and this stylish digital photo frame is not short on innovation and technology, featuring a whole bunch of ways to transfer and share pictures and albums. Just in case the name Martin Szekely fails to ring a bell, he is a contemporary well-known French artist who is widely acknowledged worldwide as a “master of minimalism”, and already has pieces in the permanent collections of the world’s major museums. This latest digital photo frame brings a timeless mirror into the picture (pun intended) that can more or less fit into just about any home and complement the overall ambiance. What makes the Parrot Specchio so special, you ask? Well, read on after the jump to find out.

The Life Learning Device is a wee bit too late to be released in this day and age, where (nearly) everything you need to know is available on the Internet. What this device does is speak a bit of its area of expertise whenever you press the top of the Life Learning Device.

When you press the top of a Life Learning Device, it verbally passes tid-bits of knowledge on anything from motivational quotes, daily devotions and foreign languages to sports trivia, golf facts or studying for SAT exams. An LLD is an innovative and easier way to receive daily inspiration or expand your wisdom about a favorite hobby or vocation. Everyday it relays a new jolt of wisdom! Consistently feed your brain, soul, and desires with the touch of a button. These Life Learning Devices are an excellent way to motivate your dreams, learn a foreign language, or expand your worldly wisdom about your favorite hobby.

There is a wide range to choose from, including Daily Devotions, Secrets of Life & Words of Wisdom and Spanish/English. I personally would save myself $29.95 instead of getting these and subscribe to an online site that sends me free emails of quotes and new words each day instead.