If we can slap colored and designer faceplates on a cell phone, why not on our landline phones, too? VTech Communications on Wednesday announced several new trendy cordless phones, including one model with customizable graphics.

Inspired by skateboard and snowboard designs, the DECT 6.0 LS6117 ($44.95) lets you change the look of the phone with one of five design inserts provided. Or, if you're artistically inclined, you can go to vtechphones.com to create and print your own design. In addition, the LS6117 has a large LCD display with white backlighting, selectable ring tones, and is Wi-Fi friendly.

VTech's DS6121 ($49.95) digital expandable cordless phone features a chic silver metallic finish and blue backlit keypad and display. It offers digital security (to protect you from identity theft), a 50-name/number phonebook, and remote message retrieval.

The day my boyfriend asks me to marry him will be a happy one. Of course, I'm not looking for him to propose with a huge rock or anything, but this conceptual ring offers more than just looking fancy. The USB Swarovski Engagement Ring is designed to store your data, too! The crystal can be pulled off the ring to reveal the mini USB flash drive component, in case you want to carry with you digital photos of the two of you, or poems your lover has written in the past.

As much as I love USB gadgets, I think I'll stick to the more traditional-looking diamond rings, k honey?

If you were anxiously awaiting the release of a pink iPod nano (3rd gen) in time for Valentine's Day, the wait is over. Apple announced the immediate availability of the new pink iPod nano in an 8GB model for $199. "Customers are going to love the gorgeous new pink iPod nano," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. "The pink iPod nano is perfect for people who want a great new color this spring, or who are searching for a special Valentine's Day gift."

Just another pink product to add to your collection, ladies!

Belkin seems rather busy at this year's CES, announcing 10 new products that I'm rather excited about, including an 8-outlet surge protector with remote control and fun laptop bags.

Belkin Conserve ($49.99, summer 2008)
Pictured here, this is probably the coolest surge protector I've ever heard of, and it doesn't require you having to reach behind your desk or TV to turn off devices. The Conserve is an 8-outlet surge protector with a wireless remote control that lets you completely shut off the power to devices that consume standby power, such as TVs or computer monitors, when not in use. Even more, there are two "always-on" outlets for devices that always need to stay on, such as your cable modem or DVR.
Ceylon Messenger ($49.99, late January)
A slim and lightweight water-resistant messenger bag with multiple compartments for a 15.4-inch laptop and accessories. Available in colors: black/light grey, grey/lavender, grey/green, and grey/blue.
Desktop Internet Phone for Skype ($99.99, March)
Plugs into port on wired/wireless router or a live Ethernet port so you can start making calls. It features speaker, speed dial, call hold/release, call pickup/park, mute, redial, hold, call-timer display, and contact list for over 500 Skype and SkypeOut contacts.

Differentiating one women's laptop tote from another is an exercise is splitting hairs--this one's strap is 1/2 an inch, and that one's 3/4; this one comes in 3 colors, that one in 6... And, more often than not, even though the idea of carrying a laptop tote is to blend your bag into an otherwise fashionable outfit, many of them still scream "computer bag!" to anyone who takes more than a single glance.

So it says a lot that the first thing I thought of when I saw the new line of j'Tote laptop bags was not "that's a nice laptop bag," but, "that bag is gorgeous!" The Fall '07 line of 10 laptop totes, each designed by Anna Vahey Casey, seem to upend the usual approach to fashioning computer bags, adding function to form instead of vice versa.

Over the past couple weeks, having already been sold on the detailed designs, I put the Dubheasa model (pictured) through the functionality wringer. What I found most impressive was the laptop pocket; my PowerBook (fits notebooks up to 15 inches) didn't budge an inch once I secured it inside the padded walls with the heavy-duty padded Velcro closure. For added insurance three gel pads--one on the bottom and another on each side--provide extra shock absorption.

Today, Sony unveiled a new line of fashionable, entry-level VAIO notebooks that I'm sure the women of Cashmere Mafia would love. The VAIO NR Series is available in three colors: Wenge—a rich brown with copper accents; silk—a bright white with a matte finish; and granite—a silver hue with natural tones.

The NR Series is the lowest-priced notebook Sony has introduced, starting at $750. The notebooks' design features a textured chassis with a fabric-like feel, rounded corners and beveled edges. They sport a 15.4-inch widescreen with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (on select models), built-in 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN, four USB ports, ExpressCard, SD card and Memory Stick PRO slots, and come pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium.

Look for the VAIO NR Series next month, available online at www.sony.com/pr/nr, as well as Sony Style stores and other retailers.

When this sleek, light laptop sleeve landed at the PC Mag office last week, I immediately snatched it up, slung it over my shoulder and headed off home to fill it up with my 15-inch PowerBook and peripherals. And now, after a long weekend visiting friends and family (bag in tow), I've decided two things: This is the best bag I've seen for the price ($29.95), and it's best suited for those who travel light (like commuters). Oh, and it's super cute, too!

All in all, it's got what you need for everyday use: there's an inner organizer pocket with slots for your MP3 player, cell phone, pens, wallet, and a couple files. And it's a comfortable bag to carry, with a nice soft shoulder pad on the strap (detachable).

Though it's undoubtedly perfect for day-to-day use, I wouldn't want to carry it on a long trip or have it jostled around on an airplane. While the construction on the whole is pretty sturdy (heavy duty nylon keeps moisture out), the laptop pocket itself it's completely padded on all sides, so my laptop didn't fit perfectly snug inside. The heaviest padding sits between the computer and the rest of the bag's pockets (I'd rather have more padding between the computer and the outside of the bag, which is where most of the impact of travel will fall).

Who said the only way to accessorizingly control your iPod was with a bulky, digital wristwatch? Not I. Fine, fine: for the time being at least, that's still true. But if the iRIng by Victor Soto becomes a reality, it won't be.

This ring concept comes in white or black (though with the announcement of the updated iPod classics, new white iPods no longer exist, which is kinda tough luck for people who are all into matchy-matchy). The touch-sensitive controls can play/pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume at the tap or flick of your finger (hmmmm, sound familiar?). There's even a feature to lock the controls on the back of the ring.

Status lights are bright OLEDs, and the rechargeable battery (USB charging/storage station included) should last up to 2 days.

Via GeekSugar.

I recently enjoyed some art therapy courtesy of Skooba Design, maker of laptop cases and other gear. Armed with an assortment of Sharpies, highlighters and colored pencils, I gazed at the empty canvas that is the Skooba DIY Skin laptop case. What to draw? Shockingly, I chose to decorate my bag with ducks (and hearts just to be extra super cute.) Since I'm a terrible scribbler, and for the sake of consistency, I traced an image I found somewhere on the Internets. I liked how it looked with just the outline so much that I stopped there and did not color it in. But I felt the need to represent the traditional orange-beaked rubber ducky, so I hid two tiny ones on the inside of the strap. Oohs and aaahs from my co-workers followed.[[More images of the Skooba DIY Skin after the jump]]

Skooba Designs offers a variety of laptop cases, and the DIY bag is the latest in their collection. You can decorate your own with markers, pens, paint and even glue! The only thing you can't do is use heat--so no iron ons--as this will do terrible things to the fabric. Some customer-designed bags are displayed on the site--lots of creative, cool stuff. You too, can design your own bag for $27.95--art supplies not included.

By now, it's probably pretty obvious that I've got a thing for ittt, bitty dancing gadgets. (In case you've forgotten, check out the music-responsive Keepon Beat Bots doll getting his groove on here and here.) So, you can imagine my glee when I happened upon these sound-activated Hop Pop dolls. Each duck, panda, frog, rabbit, monkey, or bear pops up and down with sound (kind of like adorable little Clappers).

Buy yours today from Dynamism for $17 each, or $88 for the set of six.

Via Shiny Shiny.

Today, Belkin announced its latest cases for the iPod nano and shuffle, in which 10-percent of sales will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Sport Armband for iPod nano ($24.99) is water-resistant and made with a "stitchless" construction. The Remix Acrylic for iPod nano ($24.99) is a clear acrylic case with a soft backing that also protects the click wheel. The Statements (Charm/Folio Case) for iPod nano ($24.99) feature a ribbon pattern leather material with a wristlet for portability and get this ladies--an interior mirror that doubles as a picture frame! Finally, the Sport Armband for iPod shuffle ($19.99) may look weird at first since the shuffle is so small, but it's a different way to carry the shuffle instead of clipping it to your shirt or purse. It's also water-resistant and sports reflectors for nighttime use.

Each case comes in pink and "bone" colors and will be available in Mid-September 2007.

What happens when one of the world's biggest electronics companies join hands with a highly acclaimed crystal and jewelry company? We'll soon find out, as Philips, in collaboration with Swarovski, unveils a series of stylish computing accessories called Active Crystals to the Korean market.

Specifically designed for women, these fashionable accessories include high-end USB memory keys and stereo earphones adorning silver metal and transparent Swarovski crystals. (Lots of pictures after the jump.)

Scott Jordan, founder and CEO of SCOTTEVEST, pinged me on some of the company's latest additions to its tech-friendly apparel, including styles for women! First, are two new jackets: the Explorer and the Evolution. The Explorer jacket is made of water-repellent microsuede and has 20 pockets for storing all sorts of gadgets and gear. Perfect for the fall and winter seasons, it also lets you control your iPod directly through the fabric, thanks to SCOTTEVEST's patented Wire Management System. It's available now for $200 in sizes Small to XX-Large for men.

The Evolution is described as a convertible jacket with 25 hidden pockets (would you have enough stuff to pack into each one?), a waterproof and breathable design, and removable sleeves. Like the Explorer, it also offers wire management. Sizes range from Small to XXX-large Tall for Men. It's expected to ship on October 15 and is priced at $150. Pre-order now and save 20-percent.

Perhaps the most exciting news is that after 7 years, SCOTTEVEST will be offering jacket styles for women! Two models offered in 3 colors are coming this December and January. So ladies, be patient!

What do you get when you cross a digital electronics case maker with a Project Runway sensibility? You get laptop totes, and cellphone, iPhone, and iPod nano cases, designed by PR's Season 2 winner Chloe Dao, that's what. And these are most definitely for women. Shown at left is one of her nano cases ($19.99) in the fabric called Small Heels (if you look really closely, you can see the design is made up of tiny stilettos!); click through for more pictures of Dao's designs, along with another new line from Pacific called Kailo Chic--gorgeous stuff that female Gearloggers are salivating over. All of these bags are available now, at extremely reasonable prices.

I know it's early, but I'm sticking this post in the Holiday Gift Guide category, hoping my loved ones will make a note of it...

You capture my thoughts
Fly Fusion; taking notes should
not be so much fun

--Molly K. McLaughlin

For the full-length, free-verse FLY Fusion review check out PCmag.com.

Check out our hands-on Gearlog post.