Lasonic iPod boombox $180; lansonic.com

Lasonic’s newest sound system is inspired by boomboxes made famous during the ’80s. But instead of the tape deck built into its primitive counterparts, the i931 has an iPod dock. It sports other modern features such as an SD card slot and video output, as well as retro touches such as an AM/FM tuner. But it’s still unclear if its b-boy style will be enough to set it apart from the amount of competition already in the market.

Creative InPerson

$699; creative.com

Corporate video-conferencing solutions regularly cost thousands of dollars, but Creative’s InPerson is an effort to make video interaction a reality for casual users. The $700 device, which is about the size of a portable DVD player and requires a monthly subscription fee, comes with a built-in Web cam, Wi-Fi and a 7-inch LCD screen so users can see each other as they talk. It links to any other InPerson device or any computer running InPerson software. There’s also composite video connectors for taking the meeting to a bigger screen.

Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch $300; garmin.com

Many GPS-enabled watches have the aesthetic appeal of a toaster with a wrist strap, but the latest from Garmin has all the features serious athletes require without the bulk. The 405 tracks a runner’s time, distance, pace and heart rate (optional accessory required). That data is then transferred wirelessly to a PC where users can track their progress and compare it against others via the Garmin Connect online community. Anyone using one in Manhattan should consider the optional Foot Pod accessory, which helps prevent data loss in GPS dead zones often caused by tall buildings.

Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 $1,000; casio.com

The line between still and video cameras is quickly dissolving, and Casio’s latest model is a big step toward camera convergence. Its 6-megapixel resolution isn’t impressive by itself, but its ability to shoot up to 60 full-res frames in one second betters professional models that cost up to three times its $1,000 price. When it comes to video, the EX-F1 is capable of recording full 1080p HD footage at up 60 FPS and output it via HDMI. You can even squeeze out 1,200 FPS, which’ll produce motion slow enough to make the Mythbusters jealous.

Panasonic HDC-SD9 $799; panasonic.com

Now that the hi-def format war has been all but won by Blu-ray, video recorder manufacturers can get back to cranking out quality cams with no need for physical media. The compact HDC-SD9 has three high-quality sensors and a lens that records full, 1920-by-1080 footage to its 60-GB drive. It’s also the world’s first (a statement followed by four asterisks in the Panasonic press release) camcorder to use face-detection software to ensure that your subject, and not the trashcan in the background, stays in focus.