New Devices

From netbooks to network storage, smart phones to smart GPS devices, and all sorts of audio and video players: Thousands of new electronic gizmos debut every year, but few of them are truly innovative. Not so with this group of gadgets. Some are available now; others won't appear until later in the year. All are potential game changers in one way or another. In this year of the netbook, few will be as stylish as the Vivienne Tam–designed HP Mini 1000, with designer handbag looks—and a price tag to match ($700). Basic black versions running XP Home or HP’s own Mobile Internet (Mi) interface built on top of Ubuntu Linux start at $360. All three 2.5-pound base models feature surprisingly spacious keyboards, 9-inch screens, and up to 16GB of solid-state storage or 60GB hard drives. One option lets you access high-speed 3G wireless networks.