GadgetMadness: We find the coolest gadgets first

Pachinko with water? That's what the Nano-Tech Japanese Aqua Dance Game accomplishes with hyper-beading "Adesso WR" technology using a nano-tech agent invented and patented by Nikka Kagaku Co., Ltd. of Japan. On a game-scale we're happy, on a water park scale where you zoom down slides with giant balls of water chasing you we're even happier. Maybe one day, until then...

ThinkGeek.com

You're looking for the best GPS money can buy, so long as that money isn't going to break the bank. We've always been pleased with the Garmin nüvi line, especially the widescreen models with built-in Bluetooth and FM. The Garmin nuvi 760 has a 4.3" touch screen color backlit display, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and traffic broadcasts via "silent" FM data channel for intelligent routing based on traffic conditions.

So aside from the super easy to use intuitive interface and excellent performance in the Garmin nuvi line, what do we like best about this particular GPS? Once priced for $399 the nuvi 760 is currently on sale on Amazon for $199 - which is what we paid for a measley nuvi 250W only a year ago!

(Thanks Tim!)

Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator | Amazon

(Courtesy of Apple)

Unless you were asleep all day you're probably aware of the big announcements from Apple at the WWDC 2009. While Steve Jobs was noticeably not present the new iPhone 3GS was announced, as well as a $99 iPhone 3G and a new 13" MacBook.

So what's the big deal about the iPhone 3G S? "Improved performance," better battery life, a better 3MP camera with video capability, voice control, and a compass. Wait...a compass?

Apple iPhone 3G vs 3G S Smackdown Chart

R2-KT was originally created by the R2 Builders Club in honor of Katie Johnson, who passed away in 2005 at the age of seven from brain cancer. Katie's sister Allie was inspired by watching "Attack of the Clones" and wished that R2-D2 could watch over her sister while undergoing treatment, the same way that R2 watched over Padmé. As fate would have it Katie's father is the founder of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars cosplay group that performs charity work.

Star Wars: 30th Anniversary Collection Exclusives R2-KT Action Figure

Remember way back when when consoles came in black or gray? Then amazingly consoles with color appeared, and all was good. We love the Nintendo DSi with its nifty dual cameras and coming DSi Facebook integration. We are curious though why Nintendo has only released two colors here in the US, black and blue when so many other colors and even special edition versions are available in Japan? Normally we wouldn't complain about the cool toys the Japanese get that we never do (like these PSP accessories the US will never see) but in this case we feel like complaining a little. Play-Asia has all the special edition DSi handhelds you could ever want to import but beware, they are region locked which means you're stuck playing Japanese games only. Boo.

Red Nintendo DSi | Play-Asia

Many more special edition Nintendo DSi systems | Play-Asia

Extremely Limited DSi Colors in the US | Amazon

UFO's are seen everyday by all kinds of people and the majority of the sightings can be easily explained away. (We are pretty sure we sparked panic of a mass invasion when we reviewed our own UFO in 2005.) There are, however, a small percentage of UFO sightings that are never explained. HowStuffWorks has put together a very nice write up on how UFO's work that briefly covers all aspects of UFO encounters from MIB's to alien abductions. For those looking for more information Richard M. Dolan has written a history of UFO's from 1941 to 1973 and is currently working on the second volume of his work. Read with an open mind, and decide for yourselves if UFO's exist or if educated professionals and pilots have been just seeing "swamp gas" for the past 50 years.

How UFO's Work | HowStuffWorks

UFOs and the National Security State: Chronology of a Coverup, 1941-1973

Ever wonder what Imperial Stormtroopers do in their spare time? Inflicting pain and terror, killing Jawas, and keeping the Death Star running in tip-top shape is only what they do while on duty. Just like anyone else Stormtroopers like to have fun once they get off work too! One photographer has been exploring the secret life of the Star Wars Stormtrooper and has discovered that dancing, picking flowers, and even playing Pacman are a few of the activities they like to partake in.

YMCA Stormtroopers | Flickr

This mini spy video camera disguised as a watch has a rechargeable Li-ion battery, microphone and 8GB of built-in storage that can be used as a flash drive. It also shoots AVI video at 352x288 (15 FPS) resolution - the lens is hidden right between the "1" and "2" on the watch face. (Can also be used to tell time *yawn*)

ThinkGeek.com

Cost of PG4 for the Xbox 360 at the Microsoft Company Store: probably less than retail. Cost of same copy of PG4 purchased at the Microsoft store, now on the shelf of your local video game store that sells used games: $17.99.

Not removing the sticker with your Microsoft employee number still on it? Priceless.

Thanks anonymous tipster!

Copy of Project Gotham Racing 4 That Won't Get Someone Fired | Amazon

Have you seen commercials for the new Will Ferrell remake of "Land of the Lost" due to hit theaters any day now? We have, and we're left scratching our heads like a Pakuni with fleas. The original "Land of the Lost" TV series was hardcore mind-bending science fiction disguised as a Saturday morning dinosaur show for kids. In addition to dinosaurs LOTL had a primitive Pakuni language developed by a linguist and stories featuring time travel, paradoxes caused by time travel, wormholes, parallel universes, alien species, and technology so advanced it worked like magic. Science fiction master Larry Niven regularly wrote episodes for the show and sparked imaginations worldwide - a show with stories and ideas truly ahead of its time.

So why is a science fiction classic like "Land of the Lost" being remade as a Will Ferrell comedy? We honestly have no idea - the character of Rick Marshall was an uberdad with common sense and a plan, and not the bumbling goofball he's being portrayed in the commercials for the new film. We will reserve final judgment until the film is released. In the meantime we recommend checking out the regular "Land of the Lost" marathons shown on the SciFi channel or by way of DVD or digital download (where "Grumpy" the T-Rex suffers from inferior special effects but doesn't understand English or respond to insults thrown his way.)

Update: Currently at 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and described as "haphazard", "lame", "uninspired", "dull", "unfunny", and "inconsistent." Whoops. Thanks, but we'll stick with the TV version.

Land of the Lost: Complete Series (Limited Edition Gift Set) | Amazon