Headplay Personal Cinema System
It's possible that there are geekier looking gadgets than the Headplay... No, actually, it's not possible. The device connects to TVs, video game consoles, DVD players, laptops, iPods, and virtually anything with video and audio out jacks, and lets the user view the proceedings via special goggles. If the black, Terminator-style goggles themselves weren't geeky enough, they are attached to a visor, for comfort, better fit and further ridicule. Did we mention the visor is black with tiny, raised polka dots?
No matter — you might look like king of the AV Squad, but the point of the device is to allow you to experience whatever visual media you want as if you were watching your own, private 52-inch screen. This is a pretty decent trick when you're on an airplane, or in a car (though obviously not driving the car, Einstein.) The visor/goggle and "media center" — a small plastic brick with ports for VGA, composite and S-video as well as USB and mini USB — are small enough to fit into an included kit bag somewhat larger than a football. An optional battery gives you up to 6 hours of playback time, and you'll have to supply your own connecting cables if you want to use it on a laptop. Now you can watch all the filthy, violent movies you want in public — not to mention cool, new format 3D stuff — without freaking out the 5 year old behind you in 27A.
List price: $549
— Josh Quittner