Gallery: Things We Love: Valentine Edition
01vespa-gts-250ie
We're buried in stuff. All of us here at the Gadget Lab are; it's part of the job. Every day, something new and shiny and better than any product that's ever been produced is trotted out for us to touch and test and scrutinize. Some of these items are great. A slim few of them are spectacular. But every once in a while, something comes along that ingrains itself into our lives until we can't imagine how we got along without it. The objects collected here are those change-of-life items — the products or things we love as much as you can love an inanimate object. They enrich our lives in small but profound ways. Some of them are new, others have been around for years. But each is a tiny window into our lives. We present this list of 12 treasures so that your life might become enriched, too. Or at the very least, to give you some ideas about what to get for that certain someone. Vespa GTS 250ie --------------- Three years ago, I told my wife I was planing to buy a 1979 Vespa P200 scooter. She informed me that when it broke down and I called from the side of the road, she would refuse to drive out and pick me up. She then said the greatest thing she's ever uttered since, "I do." She said: "We should just buy a new Vespa." I routinely tell people that the [Vespa](http://www.vespausa.com/) ($6,100 MSRP) was the best city purchase we've ever made. It's powerful enough to carry my 200-pound body up the steep San Francisco hills. Yet it's nimble enough to work its way through the city's debilitating traffic. But maybe the most important feature is that you can park it anywhere. A huge plus in a densely populated city like SF, where there are more cars than parking spaces. I ride the Vespa every day. It's how I get to work, take care of quick errands and enjoy the city without being trapped inside a bus or car. It's the ultimate urban vehicle and buying it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. And sometimes I let my wife use it. *— Roberto Baldwin*
02bonavita-variable-temperature-electric-kettle
Bonavita Variable Temperature Electric Kettle --------------------------------------------- Here's the thing about the coffee you make in an automatic drip brewer: It's too cold. I know, I know, it burns your lips. But I'm not talking about the temperature when you drink it, I mean the temperature when you brew it. Unless you have one of a very small handful of automatic machines (and you'd know if you did) your coffee brewer isn't heating the water above 200 degrees, which means you're not getting good flavor extraction. And that little problem right there is why we've seen the rise of the cult of pour-over coffee within the past five years, and with it, the swan-necked kettle. Swan-necked kettles let you make a long, slow pour, evenly distributing almost-boiling water over ground coffee. But until now, it's been nearly impossible to know and control the exact temperature of the water, and most methods have required an external heat source, as well. [Bonavita's Variable Temperature Electric Kettle](http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40) ($90) will heat your water to a precise temperature — one that you can vary depending on the beans and brew method you're using. The kettle can hold it at your chosen temperature for up to an hour, too, which is great if you're making more than one cup. The no-nonsense interface is easy to use, while the graceful design is easy on the eyes. It's enough to give the coffee nerd in your life heart palpitations. At least, that's what I feel when I see it. Or maybe it's just all the coffee. Another cup, anyone? *— Mat Honan*
03google-nexus-4
Google Nexus 4 -------------- Here at Wired, I review every single major Android handset that comes out. And there are plenty of fantastic, top-notch phones out there — such as the HTC One X+, the Motorola Droid Razr HD and the Samsung Galaxy S III. But none top [Google's Nexus 4](http://www.google.com/nexus/4/), which is built by LG. I've made the latest Nexus my personal phone. The biggest reason for this is the software. The Nexus 4 runs a "pure" version of Android, which is presented exactly how Google designed it to be used. Those cruddy, pre-loaded apps you get on other phones that you can't delete? They're not here. Same with the gimmicky user interface tweaks — not on this phone. Best of all, software updates come directly from Google, which means you never experience the months-long upgrade delays imposed by hardware makers or wireless carriers. It's thin, light and incredibly fast, thanks to a quad-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. The 4.7-inch display is so dense that discerning individual pixels is nearly impossible. There's no LTE connectivity, which is a bummer, but the fact that you can buy the Nexus 4 directly from Google for just $350 without signing a service contract is reason enough for me to ignore that oversight. *— Nathan Olivarez-Giles*
04castelli-womens-anima-fz-bike-jersey
Castelli Women's Anima FZ Bike Jersey ------------------------------------- As part of an experiment last September where [I ditched my wallet and used only my smartphone](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/walletless-week-1/), I began riding my bike everywhere. I had to bike to get around, since we don't have NFC-powered bus passes here in San Francisco. But what started as the only viable alternative to public transportation for my daily commute quickly blossomed into a full-blown hobby. And as such, I needed to pick up some proper gear and attire. The first piece of bike-specific apparel I purchased was Castelli's FZ Bike Jersey, and it continues to be one of my absolute favorite pieces. The polyester micro-fleece material insulates just enough to protect against chilly mornings and light wind while expertly wicking away sweat once your workout starts getting intense. There's a full-length zipper on the front, and the zipper pull is large enough that it's a cinch to adjust mid-ride. Another boon: Both the overall cut and the styling of this jersey are figure-flattering and pleasantly feminine. On the back are the requisite 3 pockets for stashing things like keys, snacks, and your iPhone — important, because once you've got this jersey you're going to need to start Strava-ing your rides, if you weren't already. Since this was a 2011 style, color and sizing availability are a bit strained, but you can [nab this jersey](http://www.rei.com/product/840940/castelli-anima-fz-bike-jersey-womens-2011-closeout?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-shipping_conf-_-20121212-_-itemdesc&RMID=ShipmentConfirmation_v1_20111028&RRID=2821878) at a fraction of its original $120 price tag. *— Christina Bonnington*
05mg-0059edit.jpg
Nike LeBron X ------------- I don't play basketball in NBA arenas. I play on playground courts or in neighborhood parks. And, I'm not as explosive, fast, or as precise of a player as NBA champion and Olympic gold medal winner LeBron James. But, when playing hoops, we wear the same sneakers — the [LeBron X](http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/basketball/lebron-10). And while nearly every aspect of our existence is different (including the fact that I paid $180 for my kicks and LeBron most certainly did not), I am willing to bet he and I appreciate many of the same things about his latest signature shoe. The LeBron X is a substantial, fairly high-cut shoe. It's ideal for larger guards and forwards. It's lightweight, but still provides provides plenty of support when I'm making a quick cut or a hard drive down the court. Mesh windows throughout the X's upper provide gobs of ventilation — my feet never feel hot when I'm wearing these. The outsole is grippy and affords plenty of traction so I'm never slipping. And the visible full-length "Zoom Air" bag is a dream to run and land on. These also come with the Nike+ performance-tracking system, but I'm more of a soul guy than a data guy, so I skipped that version (though Wired did review the LeBron X+). Even in the non-digital configuration, the $180 LeBron X is the most expensive basketball shoe I've ever bought. But it's also the best shoe I've ever played in. *— Nathan Olivarez-Giles*
06michael-hemmer-utility-knife
Michael Hemmer Utility Knife ---------------------------- You can play pretty much any three-par golf course in the world using just a 5-iron and a putter. The same maxim holds true in the kitchen: As long as you're not doing anything too complicated, you can prep almost any meal using just a chef's knife and a good utility blade. The utility knife I always keep at the ready is this one from Michael Hemmer. Like all his knives, this 5-inch blade ($70) is hand-forged by the man himself in his Oregon workshop. Hemmer exclusively uses high-carbon steel, the perfect material for an all-purpose kitchen knife because of its exceptional strength and its ability to hold an edge under heavy use. Also, the handle is perfectly shaped and beautiful to behold. (I'm pretty sure it's padauk, but it could be rosewood.) Hemmer uses recycled materials whenever possible, sometimes crafting his knives out of old, retired saw mill blades and the like. Each blade is stamped with a distinctive "MH." Hemmer's knives look old, well-loved and lived-in, even when they're brand new, and the blade continues to develop a beautiful patina over time. The only way to get one is over the counter at specialty cutlery shops on the West Coast, or by [ordering from Hemmer directly](http://www.ferndaleblacksmith.com/MichaelHemmerKnivesNew.htm). I bought this knife for my wife, a professional chef, as a gift a couple of years ago. So *technically*, it's hers. But it sits at the end of the knife magnet next to our fridge, and I use it just as much as she does. So even though it makes me feel like a bit of a heel to say it, it's my favorite thing in our kitchen. *— Michael Calore*
07livescribe-smartpen
Livescribe Smartpen ------------------- The [Livescribe Smartpen](http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/) is one of the very few gadgets I can't live without. Or at least, I never want to live without it. Ever since a co-worker of mine recommended the pen a couple of years ago, I've been bringing it along to every interview. It seriously never ceases to amaze me, or the people I'm interviewing. It records audio! It syncs the recordings with your notes! It captures what you're writing and beams everything to your computer! It takes all the pain out of gathering key quotes for a story and transcribing longer interviews. There's a trick to it: Draw a star when somebody says something important. Then, all you have to do is tap the star with your pen and — *voilà* — you'll hear what they said at the moment you drew the star. The magic lies in the special paper you write on. It's printed with an array of tiny dots. An infrared camera located near the tip of the pen records the pattern of the tiny dots, enabling the pen to recall the snippet of audio that was being recorded at the moment you were writing on a specific pattern of dots. If you get Livescribe's Wi-Fi enabled [Sky Smartpen](http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/sky/) ($170 for 2GB) then your pen will automatically and wirelessly sync to your Evernote account. But even if you stick with the lower-tech [Echo Smartpen](http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/echo/) ($120 for 2GB, $70 for refurbished) you can still easily sync the captured data to your computer via USB. I honestly don't understand why everyone who has to take notes in meetings (or in class) isn't using one of these. Go get one. *— Alexandra Chang*
08clarisonic-mia-sonic-skin-cleansing-system
Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System ------------------------------------------ I tried many skin cleanser systems in the past, and none of them were satisfactory. Most only cleaned the surface of my skin, leaving the deeper pores by the wayside. Once I tried the [Clarisonic Mia](http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic_skin_cleansing_systems/sonic_skin_cleansing_system_mia/), the difference jumped out right away. The Mia ($120) has two things going for it the others lack: its superior brush, and its one-button, single-speed vibration system. The Mia's cleaning head vibrates while you move it around on your skin to help the brush fibers loosen and remove dirt, makeup and dead cells. It really gets deep into your pores. Also, it runs for exactly one minute with each press of the button (the company recommends 10 seconds each on the nose, chin and both cheeks, plus 20 seconds on the forehead) so you won't accidentally over-scrub. It's meant to be used with a facial cleanser or soap, which is another nice feature. I can wash off a ton of makeup or dirt, and the level of clean I get from the Mia is always completely thorough and refreshing. *— Valentina Palladino*
09logitech-wireless-rechargeable-touchpad
Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad --------------------------------------- The built-in trackpads on most laptops suck. They're too small and not always as responsive as they should be — especially for multitouch gestures requiring two or more fingers, which always feel more natural on a bigger surface. That's why I like [Logitech's newest wireless touchpad](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/touchpad-t650). It's the best addition to a Windows 8 setup I've been able to find, and it's especially handy if you're on a tablet or a hybrid device (and we've certainly seen plenty of them of late). But it's also a great addition to a laptop or a desktop. Logitech's offering is a lot like Apple's Magic Trackpad — same size, same concept — but it has its own distinct dark grey look. The glass surface is totally smooth to the touch, which only makes me want to use it more. It supports all the expected gestures like pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scrolling, and tap to click. But you also get OS-specific gestures and a few extras. For example, in Windows 8, swipe up with three fingers and you get sent back to the Start Screen. Every gesture is customizable, so you can turn off the ones you hate in the settings. (Goodbye, swiping in from the left to switch applications!) It's definitely worth the $80 to make your Windows 8 life a whole lot easier. If you're on a Mac, Logitech makes a silver-colored version, too. *— Alexandra Chang*
10hamilton-beach-single-serve-blender
Hamilton Beach Single Serve Blender ----------------------------------- My younger sister gave me [one of these blenders](http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/blenders-single-serve-blenders.html) for Christmas last year. It's the perfect size for making smoothies or blended beverages (Margaritas are my guilty pleasure) for one or two people at a time. And it's *so* tiny, which is important. When you're living in an apartment the size of most Americans' living rooms, where kitchen storage — heck, all storage — is at a premium, a small footprint is a definite plus. It's not the best blender out there. It's not a [Vitamix](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/video/2012-sp-wish-list-missy/1978278770001), or even an as-seen-on-TV [Magic Bullet](http://www.buythebullet.com/). It's not practical if you're looking to make drinks for more than two or three people. It only has one button: blend. But you know what? None of that matters. There's beauty in simplicity. And this little $20 blender (so cheap!) makes a damn good frosty, icy, single-serving fruity beverage. It's even got a travel lid in case you want to take your mix out the door. *— Christina Bonnington*
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Kindle Paperwhite ----------------- If you're a writer by trade, you're also a huge reader by default. Before someone told me I could get a steady paycheck by writing on the internet, I was devouring books. I was also devouring batteries to power the family's emergency flashlight, and all the other portable book-lighting devices I tried and was never really happy with. That's why I think the [Kindle Paperwhite](http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Paperwhite-Touch-light/dp/B007OZNZG0) ($120), with its built-in LEDs, is so awesome. It supports my voracious reading habit by allowing me to read anywhere, regardless of the lighting situation. And once I finish a book, I can immediately start reading another. Now I'm burring through books quicker than before. But more importantly, I'm not ripping through C's, AAs and AAAs like I used to — though I still keep a loaded flashlight under my pillow just in case. *— Roberto Baldwin*
12ryka-womens-illusion-running-shoes
Ryka Women's Illusion Running Shoes ----------------------------------- I hated sneakers. Hell, I still hate sneakers. But when I switched gears from solely doing yoga to working out at the gym every morning, I needed to get over my sneaker cynicism. No-sole Keds just weren't going to cut it. These [Ryka running shoes](http://www.ryka.com/en-US/Product/21746-5180410/Ryka/Silver_Blk_Neon+Pink/Womens+Illusion.aspx) ($60) were a saving grace. My mom recommended Ryka to me because she's worn shoes from the women-only brand to help with her back problems. While I cringed a little at the the idea of buying athletic shoes, I've certainly never cringed during a workout. I never had to go through that awkward "breaking in" period with them — they were ready to serve, right out of the box. The cushioned Ortholight insoles make them perfect for anything active. Since they are made for running, I tried adding a morning jog to my fitness regimen. Oh, that time I took up running — what a joke! That endeavor didn't last, but my Rykas did, and they're still going strong every morning at 6:30 for my workout, even if I'm still a little sleepy. *— Valentina Palladino*
