Hardware: x-mini

I admit, I am a sucker for airport-store gadgetry. Most of them disappear in a drawer never to be taken out again soon after they were bought, but some have actual value and stay in use. Like the x-mini speaker, winner of a Red Dot design award.

A tiny capsule speaker which expands like an accordion when opened to create a little vacuum chamber for extra bass. And surprisingly, it works really well. Gone is the tinny sound associated with this size and instead you get a very respectable sound. Add a 4-8 hour battery (depending on volume used) charged by USB and you have a worthy travel companion which doesn't take up much size. I've been using it on my recent travels to liven up hotel rooms by plugging in my iPod, enhancing on-the-road movie watching by plugging it into my notebook, and add to the fun of gaming by plugging it into the Nintendo DS. Everyone who sees and hears it is surprised by the volume and depth of sound it produces versus the size of the thing. I could even see this technology making its way into notebooks with two "pop-out" speakers integrated in the sides.

The official website is an atrocious flash affair, but it will tell you about the specs and various models available. Highly recommended for today's road warrior and pretty much everyone who enjoys listening to tunes on the road.