Must-have gadgets and gizmos! Sack-loads of shiny new gadgets have just arrived in the shops (or soon will do).
Take a look at some of the must-have gadgets coming soon.
Nokia's X6 audiophile mobile
Music maestro

Nokia's upgrade to the popular 5800 is its new flagship music phone. It packs 32GB of on-board memory, a 3.2-inch touchscreen and 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens.
It's compatible with the Comes With Music service, which offers subscribers unlimited access to more than six million tracks from the Nokia Music Store.
Gear4 SoundOrb Aurora
Beauty and the bass

This iPod/iPhone dock gives your MP3 collection a little added grunt thanks to the addition of a wireless subwoofer.
Unlike most subs, you might actually fancy putting this one on display, since it glows gently, cycling through 12 different colours. The system can also be hooked up to your TV, offering a simple home cinema sound solution.
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Mobile Hi- Fi Headphone
Classy cans

Bowers & Wilkins has long been associated with the more exclusive end of hi-fi kit, which is why it's a bit of surprise that this is the company's first ever set of headphones.
The closed-back phones promise a natural sound and come with iPod-friendly inline controls, as well as earpads "crafted from the finest quality New Zealand sheep's leather."
Leica M7 Edition "Hermes" Camera
Chic

There can't be many people out there willing to drop more than £8,500 on a film camera, but then this new Leica isn't intended for the masses.
What it is is a limited edition take on the classic M7 Edition snapper, with highly exclusive pizzaz added by Parisian design company Hermes. The meticulously styled silver chrome body comes with a choice of two calfskin leather finishes, in either orange or etoupe, and only 100 of each will be produced.
USB movies
Pocket cinema

Forget Blu-ray or high-def video streaming; we've seen the future of movies and it's novelty-USB-key-shaped.
These 4GB pen drives come pre-loaded with either Star Trek or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and will play on any DivX certified device. Undeniably gimmicky, yet strangely essential at the same time.
Asus Eee PC 1201N
Small and mighty

This Windows 7 netbook from Asus promises to be a slick performer, thanks to the inclusion of an Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor and nVidia Ion graphics chip. Asus says this will ensure "the fastest netbook performance currently available."
We're inclined to agree, but with the unit sporting a 12.1-inch screen and weighing in at 1.46kg, it does beg the question: when does a netbook become a laptop?
iRiver Story
Story teller

Korean company iRiver may not be a household name, but it's been churning out quality competitors to the iPod for years. Now its branching out from MP3 players into another growing market: ebook readers.
The iRiver Story comes with 2GB of built-in memory, a six-inch screen and a full Qwerty keyboard. It can also be used to play music through either its integral speaker or by plugging in a pair of headphones. There's a voice recorder included, too.
Philips 9704 TV range
Power saver

Philips new 9704 range of LED-backlit TVs are way too cool.
Coming in either 40- or 46-inch panels, the sets offer massive levels of contrast, use around 50% less power than standard LCD screens and include Philips Ambilight technology (which we do rather like, despite its innate pointlessness).
There's a lightning-fast 1ms response time, which should eliminate the streaking effect often visible around fast moving images on LCD screens.
LightSleeper
Silent night

Even those who don't have regular trouble sleeping can be prone to the odd restless night.
This gadgets aims to make it easier to drop off, by projecting a moving light display onto your ceiling. Following the pattern with your eyes lulls your brain into a sleepy state of relaxation that should have you soon fast asleep.
MSI GT740/MSI GT640
Joy machine

UK gamers can now get their hands on the latest high-spec laptops from MSI: the GT740 and GT640.
Both are powered by Intel Core i7 720QM processors and pack 4GB of RAM, an nVidia Geforce GTS 250M 3D graphics card and Windows 7. The GT740 has a 17-inch screen compared to the GT640's 15-inch display, as well as five integrated speakers rather than the GT640's two.
Gear4 PowerPad
Cut the cables
Wireless charging is the next big thing, with gadgets such as WildCharge and Powermat able to boost your batteries without the need for plugs.
The PowerPad is a new addition that's designed specifically for the iPhone. A protective case contains all the tech you need. Pop that onto your phone and you can recharge it by simply laying it on the mat.
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