2009 promises to be a great year for consumer electronics.  Products are constantly becoming slimmer, sleeker, and more ingenious.  The following gadgets are innovative products that tap into new ideas or use new technology and alternative energy to make existing products more effective, more efficient, and more fun.  Ranging from must-have to specialty to novelty, you don’t want to miss these gadgets.

With 120 GB the Pacemaker definitely has space to hold your music library, but it may not be for the average listener.   The real appeal of this device is professional audio manipulation features, so that you can mix up a storm anytime, anywhere.  The handheld device has a straightforward interface, and a huge list of features and functionality.  You can loop, crossfade, reverse, bend the pitch, set cue points, and much more.  The battery life will have you listening for up to 18 hours, or mixing for 5.  (It can be charged by USB port, so check out the Benex charger below as a companion device!)  At more than $700, this isn’t the cheapest gadget, but compared to the price of most mixing equipment, it’s a steal for rising DJ stars.

Called “The Boiler” this watch claims that it can run for 12 months on a single, solar powered charge.  That’s some pretty impressive green technology, and they don’t sacrifice any features to achieve it.  The watch is water proof to 100 meters depth, and also has an alarm, timer, backlight display to make it visible in the dark, a chronograph, and dual time.  It also has a power indicator so you know how much charge is left – and so you can see if one charge really does last a whole year.  The duration of the charge likely depends on how much you use that NightVision backlight, and on whether you employ the power saving mode.  This watch is a good buy; sporty, stylish, and solar savvy.

BlackBerry’s first touch screen, key-board-free model was released at the end of 2008 to generally positive reviews. It remains to be seen if it can win the battle with iPhones, but given that each device has its own hardcore fan base, there may not be a real battle at all. Those who loved earlier BlackBerry versions will be thrilled with the improvements in the Storm. The Storm has more of a multimedia emphasis than previous incarnations, but is still more likely to strike home with the business crowd than with recreational consumers.

With the simple turn of a crank, you can charge up any electronic that has a USB port for charging.  This sturdy device can be dropped in a pocket or purse, and should definitely be included in your luggage from any traveling.  It’s ingeniously simple, practical, and applicable across a wide range of devices.  Being able to charge your cell phone or music player without a wall socket means you can do it on the train, at the gym, or far from home.  You never need to feel ‘powerless’ again.  In foreign countries, you won’t need socket and power converters.  This is an all purpose tool, and very eco-friendly – that is, economically and ecologically friendly.  The cost is around 30 US dollars, and with no batteries to replace, this is a one-time investment for all your USB charging needs.

This sleek and sexy auto from BMW is entirely electric powered, meaning 0 carbon emissions – good news for the environment, and for keeping pace with ever-tightening emission standards.  Somewhat more startling is the fact that this car doesn’t make any noise!  It can go from 0 to 65 mph in 8.5 seconds, but it does so in serene silence.  Guess this is one vehicle that works to cut down air pollution and noise pollution.  The makers of the Mini E are the first to admit that the cutting edge lithium-ion technology they use is still something of an experiment and the car isn’t ready for mass production yet, but 500 of these quiet superstars will hit the US in 2009, so keep your eyes open.

This project is still in development, so it may be overly optimistic to look for it in 2009, but with any luck the major cell phone makers will come to an agreement soon. This device is exactly what it sounds like – a charger that works on any cell phone. It would use a technology like USB ports that is standardized and so can be added to any make or model. Currently, any time you get a new cell phone you need a new specific charger as well, and a universal charger could cut down production (and waste, and energy use) by more than half. It would certainly make our lives simpler and more convenient as well.

Usually when we think of gadgets and gizmos, we think of, well, the other sorts of things that are already on this list – music, phones, watches, cars, computer accessories. But gadgets are also great for tranquil, typically non-tech activities, as proved by this great bird house camera. Available at HandyKam.com, this natural, cedar box welcomes nesting and feeding birds in your backyard… and is wired with a high-resolution CCD camera! This may be a great gadget gift for the older crowd, who will appreciate technology improving a timeless activity like bird-watching, or for children, who will love watching the birds in their home as they raise a family.

Atacama Aurora speaker stands are not only really good looking, but they provide the perfect functional speaker stands for your home entertainment set up.

The hollow tubes can be filled with anything you like to suit your tastes, personality and home decor and bearing in mind Atacama Audio invented the first speaker stands, you know they are going to perform at the highest level.

As you can see, 2009 is another great gadget year.  The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the world, rising to new design challenges and creating brilliant devices.  There is something for everyone and in every price range.  Go for a new BMW Mini E if you can find (and afford) one, or stick with the simplicity and usefulness of the Benex wind up charger.  And, of course, keep your eyes peeled for other great new discoveries this year!