All I Want for Christmas

I wrote this gadget guide for today's Business section. You might want to talk to Santa about these...

Apple iPod Touch
I have an iPod. In fact, I have two iPods. But alas, Apple is my opiate, so I crave the new iPod Touch, which touts the same multitouch screen technology as the iPhone. On that 3.5-inch widescreen display (much bigger than normal iPods), I'll finally be able to appreciate the subtle complexities of a Rihanna video. Although the memory space for songs, movies and photos is smaller than regular iPods, the iPod Touch ups the ooh factor with Wi-Fi capabilities. Memory ranges from eight to 16 gigabytes. Prices start at $299.

Hammacher Schlemmer LP-to-MP3 Converter
$189.95 This belt-driven turntable doesn't just spin your vinyl albums -- it plugs into your computer and converts that gloriously warm sound of all your old faves to MP3s. I'm a total vinyl junkie, and the thought of connecting the testosterone-jacked classic rock of my past to the player of the my present (preferably an iPod Touch) is pure heaven. And heaven, my friends, will only cost you $189.95.

Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
$349 Why do I have the best job? Because when I sit in my cubicle and rock out with my headphones on, I'm actually working. Suckers! When it comes to headphones, Bose is tough to beat. I tried an earlier version of the QuietComfort 'phones on a roaring jet, and the only thing I could hear was the sweet sound of David Lee Roth howling Hot for Teacher. Engines, flight attendants, that guy in the middle seat -- all were blocked out. If you're looking to shut out the world (or at least your coworkers), they're worth every penny.

Comments

[Bassnote]

Sean, I asked for a similar turntable. I've got a bunch of LPs that have (as far as I know) not been released on CD, or are out of print and impossible to get.

[sparky]

SD, I gots to get me one of those turntables. And the price is fairly reasonable.

As far as the Bose goes, they are a definite buy. The first thing I bought myself after Mrs. Sparky showed me the way of the Ipod was a pair of the in ear Bose's. Use them all the time and they are especially nice to cut the grass with, you barely hear the whirl or the mower.