Items to Fall For - Gadgets

Yellow Submarine Sold Separately
Touted by its creators as “the world’s leading music game meets the greatest band in history,” The Beatles: Rock Band features upgrades to both scope and game play, allowing the player a glimpse into The Beatles’ backstage life and challenging the singer to recreate the fab four’s unique vocal blend. The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition bundle, $250, thebeatlesrockband.com

High Quality High Def
Building on the brand’s already strong HDTV reputation, the Samsung LNB750 has emerged as a top choice for LCDs. Its 240 Hz processor and excellent picture quality make it one of the highest-rated LCDs in its class among tech reviewers. Samsung LN46B750, from $2,900, samsung.com

New and iMPROVED
Apple’s recently updated smart phone significantly ups the ante. The company boasts the 3GS is “the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet” – the “S” stands for “speed,” by the way – as a new processor improves downloading and program-opening time, while a strengthened battery means the juice will flow longer, too. iPhone 3GS, from $199 (with a three-year contract), apple.com/ca/iphone

No Kindle? No Problem
Sony’s contribution to the burgeoning e-book market receives high marks from tech gurus and literary aficionados alike. Its 6-in. screen uses electronic paper, or “e-paper,” a relatively young technology that displays black and white text and images in a format that’s friendlier on your eyes than LCD displays. With Amazon’s Kindle still not available north of the 49th parallel, the Reader remains the best bet for bookworms on the go. Sony Reader PRS700 Digital Book, $449, sonystyle.ca

The Game Changer?
Following in the footsteps of Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1, the Olympus E-P1’s masterstroke is the power it packs in a relatively small punch. A high-quality image sensor and optional interchangeable lenses provide photo enthusiasts with the quality they expect and even allows users to shoot HD video, while its sleek and lightweight casing provides the convenience and cool to appeal to the masses. Olympus E-P1, from $850, olympusamerica.com

Blow Them Away
Autumn leaves make for a beautiful collage of colours on many a tree-lined street. But when those leaves dot your lawn, the sight becomes less mosaic and more chore. Make it easy this year by ditching the rake in favour of a leaf blower. This one, from Canadian Tire’s Yardworks line, offers a lithium-ion battery that’s easier on the environment (and the wallet) than gas-powered models, but packs enough punch to clear the yard. Yardworks 20V Lithium-ion Leaf Blower, $50; Yardworks 20V Lithium-ion battery, $120, canadiantire.ca