Who can really wait until September for Digital Life? Not us. Fortunately, the folks behind the annual NYC consumer electronics convention gave the tech press a preview of their tech preview show. Gearlog scoured the show to find some holiday wish list fodder. Check out our roundup, after the jump.

Atlantic iceBar: Atlantic showcased its iceBar: a portable, waterproof speaker case for the iPod nano. A follow-up to the widely successful Waterproof Sound Case for the iPod, the iceBar is also shatterproof, made from polycarbonate, and floats in the water with the included mini buoy. The case has a flip-out leg for standing it on a desk or table for use at work or at home. The speakers are powered by dual, 32mm neodymium drivers and can play your nano's music for up to 18 hours. There's even a headphone jack for boogiing to yourself.The iceBar retails for $69, but won't be available until the 2007 holiday season. JD

Com-One Phoenix: Being the former radio station manager that I am, Com-One's Wi-fi radio made me a bit misty-eyed. The idea of being able to set my alarm clock to my favorite radio station, some 2,500 miles away, warms my insides up to a nice soothing, gelatinous consistency. Using Com One's servers as a conduit, the Phoenix can pick up radio stations (and Podcasts), from anywhere in the world. You can either use the company's presets or program in your own, via your PC. BH

LeapFrog Fly Fusion: LeapFrog is one of the most innovative tech-toy pioneers around. Look for the updated version of the Fly Pentop Computer, called the Fly Fusion ($80), which will ship in August. It'll have some very cool new features, including the ability to convert your written notes to digital text. We'll be reviewing it for you on Gearlog very soon! CM

Mattel U.B. Funkeys: The venerable toy company showed up to the DigitalLife preview with some neat tech toys. There was a whole Barbie extravaganza going on in one part of the booth, but I was drawn to the cute little U.B. Funkeys [image at top of post]: "the first interactive toy to combine collecting with connecting through a computer-based software system." Kids will need a USB hub; when they get a new FunKey character and place it in the hub, they can unlock games and earn "coins" to purchase virtual items online. The starter kit is $19.99, and single Funkeys are $4.99. CM

Simulscribe: I'm don't own a smartphone myself, but I still found myself drawn to Simulscribe's impressive demo, and fortunately, I have a four star review by our very own Sascha Segan to back up my suspicions. For a monthly fee of $9.99, the service transcribes your voicemail, giving you textual versions of messages left on your phone. The service also pushes your messages to your e-mail inbox, allowing you to check them on your PC. For luddites like me, messages can be received via SMS.BH

Vtech: This toy company has been doing the tech-toy thing quite a while longer than most. This year it's offering a digital camera, the KidiZoom, for ages 3 and up ($59.99); an updated V.Smile TV Learning system ($49.95), with a karaoke microphone and a writing stylus, for playing writing games; and a new portable Whiz Kid Learning System ($49), for interactive reading and learning activities.CM

Zazzle: This custom-design service has been around since 2005. Still, they were new to me. I was drawn to the cool t-shirts, mugs, bags, and even original postage at Zazzle's booth at DigitalLife. Kind of like CafePress, said Dan Costa, but cooler. I agree. Zazzle lets you do pretty much the same kind of thing: Use your own designs to create unique products and then, if you like, sell them through the site. We're definitely going to try this out; in fact keep your radar up for Gearlog Gear! (Well, someday, we hope.)

Story by Jennifer De Leo, Brian Heater, and Carol Mangis