10 CUTEST Gadgets of 2007

Most gadgets you come across have a sleek, modern, often black and soulless feel. You may want to hug your new iPhone for all its apps and icons, but few would call it "cuddly". With so many gadgets focusing purely on functionality and form, it's my joy to present to you (in no particular order) 10 of the cutest gadgets of 2007.

1. Chipmunk Webcam

They call it a bear, but I think it looks more like a chipmunk. This fella is a plush stuffed animal with a 1.3 megapixel webcam for its little nose. And you all said I was crazy for thinking my stuffed animals were placed there by the government to watch over me!

2. BooRu-BooRu Speakers

These stuffed aliens from Korea aren't just for cuddling. They come packed with a built-in FM radio, and have hookups to attach your iPod (or Zune if you got screwed this Christmas.) Its eyes, ears, and tummy act as the controls for the FM radio or your attached peripheral. You can order one of these Snork look-a-likes online for about $37, if you and your translator can make your way through the Korean site that sells them.

3. Rabbit Police Sirens

Only in Japan would they have police lights shaped like bunnies. The Osaka Prefectural Police Department reportedly purchased 800 of these rabbit-shaped strobe lights to mount on the roofs of their cars that patrol near schools. I guess the Osaka Police felt criminals had a little too much respect for them.

4. Humanculahub

This little fella is the original inspiration for this article. Quite simply, it's a USB hub shaped like a smiley little stick-figure. Not only is this functionally very practical, but you can make him dance around when you're bored! I'm not sure where to buy one though... Has anyone out there found one of these fellas for sale?

5. Vestalife Ladybug

If stuffed aliens aren't your thing, but you still want a cute speaker dock, the Vestalife Ladybug is for you. Closed, it is an orb that encompasses your iPod. Opened, it looks like a lady bug with it's wings deployed. It will charge your iPod when connected, runs on AC or battery power, and has the unique feature of being able to sync your iPod with your computer via the integrated USB port. You can't get one for Christmas though: Look for it's launch in January at CES.

6. Takara Tomy Air Filter

I guess a large portion of the Asian population of the world is all about some cuteness. This air filter from Takara Tomy (which you can pick up during your next trip to Japan for about $150) is designed to reduce the dust and pollution in your child's room while they sleep, but the child in all of us can appreciate its lovable likeness.

7. Pleo

Being a robotics enthusiast, I've wanted this baby robotic Camarasaurus since I first saw the video of the prototype. This thing is no mere toy. It's packed with all kinds of technology including a color camera, stereoscopic sound sensors, two infrared sensors, 14 servos, 106 gears, eight touch sensors, an electronic gyroscope, 4 foot switch sensors, and 2 speakers. With all that tech and the $349 price tag, this is one toy you'll want to keep away from your 2-year-old nephew.

8. Toasty

You'll probably have to feign excitement when you open that Christmas gift from your in-laws and find a toaster. That is, of course, unless that toaster is the Toasty Single Serving Toaster by designer Arthur Wu. It probably won't be though, since oasty has yet to go into production.

9. Tree Camera MP3 Player

This subdued little camera is carved from wood and is a fully functional mp3 player. It's only 5cm x 4.7cm x 3cm, and hangs around your neck with the supplied cord. On your trip to Japan to buy your Takara Tomy Air Filter, you can stop by Korea and pick one of these up for just $43.

10. Kitty in a Computer

Ok, so this isn't exactly a gadget, and this photo has been floating around the Interweb for decades so it's not really "of 2007", but it's just so gosh-darned cute!