Gadgets of Interest

Showerhead
An aerated showerhead invented by researchers at Melbourne's CSIRO Manufacturing Materials Technology uses 30% less water than traditional fixtures. The CSIRO team's device employs a so-called Venturi tube to mix air into each water droplet -- essentially creating hollow drops -- but differs from previous implementations in that test subjects "detected no difference in water pressure, sensation, or overall perception of showering." CSIRO is currently looking for a manufacturing partner to mass produce the ~$15.
MS Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000
Includes six buttons (on the bottom of the mouse) for Presentation uses, and a battery indicator light.
Memory Card Reader
The WorkShop 55-in-1 reader from Brando supports not only the new SDHC (SD 2.0) card format, but also the unannounced and likely fictitious (for now anyway) "SDHC 2.0" format.
SD Card Bi-Stable Display
The world's first SD card that comes loaded with bi-stable display technology. Bi-stable is a fancy way of saying the SD card has a very small display integrated into the card that does not require additional power sources to function. The display will show the available space on the card and name of the card.
Projection Keyboard
I'm not certain they are the first (see link) but it would be great to have a projected keyboard coming from my Pocket PC (and keep the other current writing features as options).
Peit Hein Drink Cooler
The Peit Hein Drink Cooler is a stainless steel ball with a "super-secret liquid core," and you put this shiny orb in the freezer for an hour and then use to chill a drink. It's supposed to be able to keep that drink frosty for a lot longer than ordinary ice without watering down your drink. It's $29.99.
Ultrawideband or UWB
The WiMedia Alliance is planning to make the technology known as 'ultrawideband,' or UWB, work among a wide variety of consumer electronics devices. Various organizations, including the Bluetooth SIG, have chosen the WiMedia Alliance's version of UWB technology as the foundation for a next-generation short-range networking technology." From the article: "UWB technology can deliver data rates at up to 480 megabits per second at around 3 meters, with speeds dropping off as the range grows to a limit of about 10 meters. Real-world speeds will probably be a little slower, but this is as fast as the wired version of USB 2.0 and much faster than current Wi-Fi networks are capable of transmitting data.
Wireless Power
US researchers claim to be close to developing a system that could deliver power to devices such as notebook computers or MP3 players without cables. The system has not been tested to date, however computer models and mathematics suggest it would work.
FreeCharge Weza
By stomping your foot, FreeCharge Weza, converts your physical energy into electricity (to charge your car battery). If you thought ahead, you could charge up the Weza using your home's AC power, solar energy, or wind energy.
PlantSense USB Stake Sensor
A USB stake sensor resides a few inches beneath the soil, and provides "information about light, moisture, soil composition and other factors that can affect plant growth and health." Start-up PlantSense has designed the intelligent stake to relay the data via USB to a subscription-based website, where it informs users what they're doing wrong (too much sunlight or not enough fertilizer, for example) as well as "providing recommendations on which plants might grow best in a particular microclimate." The self-proclaimed "lifecycle development platform" will likely sell for $49.95 (includes a stake and one year of data analysis) if it can scrounge up the necessary funds from eager VCs, while additional years of the service will run $20.
Adjustable Measuring Cups & Spoons
Slide the knob and the cup part will adjust to your desired measurement. The bigger of the two can measure up to half of a cup and the smaller one can do everything below two tablespoons. They are also magnetic—so stick them anywhere: the fridge, stove, metal plate in your head, etc. They are available over at the MoMA Store for $33.
Popsicle Candles
Mathmos Thaw Light lets you create a wall of ice around a candle. It's essentially a mold that you can fill with water, freeze, and then pop a candle into. As the candle burns, the melted ice flows right back into the mold.
Antec Adapter
Antec's NP-100 is a universal power adapter complete with interchangeable connectors that hooks up with the Dell, HP, and Sony laptops of the world (sorry, no MacBoook love here). Available now for $75.
Silent Non-Electric Humidifier by Gaiam
Maybe this is cool only because I want a humidifier period.
Skystream Energy
The Skystream 3.7 is a next-generation residential power appliance that hooks up to the home to help reduce or eliminate monthly electricity costs. Skystream is the first compact, user-friendly, all-inclusive wind generator (with controls and inverter built in) designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds. During periods of strong winds, Skystream can actually produce excess electricity. Depending on the utility, the home’s meter spins backwards—giving the homeowner credit for a later date, if net metering is allowed. Skystream is projected to sustain 30-90 percent of the monthly electric bill, with a total installation pricetag of $10,000.