CarMD

A winner of an Edison 2010 Best Products Award, this cool diagnostic tool includes everything needed to monitor your car’s health — including an easy-to-use handheld diagnostic device, Mac/PC software, USB cable and lifetime software and firmware updates. Completely redesigned this year to include features such as vehicle recalls and technical service bulletins, CarMD works on all vehicles manufactured for use in the United States since 1996 — foreign and domestic. Just plug it into your car’s onboard diagnostic port (CarMD.com shows you where it is) and the device’s color-coded lights will tell you if your ride has any problems lurking under the hood. If so, just use the included Mac/PC software and your computer to tap into CarMD’s online database to generate a Vehicle Health Report. You willl receive an easy-to-understand overview of what’s wrong and what it will take to fix it — down to estimated parts and labor costs in your zip code. $98.99.

Toshiba Satellite T235 Laptop

This brand-new debut from Toshiba is just an inch thin and weighs less than four pounds, making it an ideal traveling companion that offers serious power in a lightweight package. It features a 13.3-inch diagonal TruBrite HD widescreen display, well sized for multitasking, work or play. It’s available with a choice of powerful AMD Athlon II Neo, Turion II Neo or ultra-low voltage Intel Pentium dual-core processors and includes a 320GB hard drive and up to 4GB of memory. The ultrathin laptop also features an HDMI port and built-in webcam, as well as smart Toshiba features like USB Sleep-and-Charge and Hard Drive Impact Sensors. And it’s green, with industry-leading Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Gold status. Starts at $469.99.

netTALK DUO

This simple VoIP device lets you make free calls to any landline or mobile phone in the United States and Canada from anywhere in the world, with no monthly fees and no contracts. Unlike other devices, the netTALK DUO connects directly to the Internet through your router/modem rather than through the computer (although it can). By not relying on a computer, the DUO allows for greater flexibility and phone privacy for single-computer households. The portability of the netTALK DUO is also perfect for international travel, allowing you to place free nationwide calls to the United States and Canada. And calls to other netTALK customers are always free. All you need is high-speed Internet and a traditional corded or cordless telephone. Additional benefits include the choice of a free local telephone number, enhanced 911, free 411 directory assistance, call waiting, voicemail and live tech support with specially trained Talk Experts. $69.95 first year, $29.95 each subsequent year.

Mophie Juice Pack Reserve

This sleek, keychain-sized external battery is compatible with all iPhone and iPod touch models, including the much-anticipated iPhone 4, charging them twice as fast as any other device on the market at a price that’s just right. It’s equipped with a breakthrough rechargeable lithium polymer battery and boasts recharging capability for more than 500 cycles. $39.95.