Best Gadgets of the Week: Nikon Coolpix S800c, Logitech Washable Keyboard, Audyssey Speakers, IRISNotes 2 Digital Pen

Aug. 26, 2012 — -- intro: First there was the new app releases -- new 2012 political convention apps, Facebook's new iOS app, and a cool service named Treater. Then came Microsoft's decision to revamp its logo after 25 years. And then the jury's decision in the landmark Apple v. Samsung case. No, it wasn't a quiet week in tech and the gadget releases followed a similar trend.

Nikon responded to the popularity of photo sharing with its Facebook and Twitter-equipped Coolpix camera, Logitech tended to the germaphobes with a washable keyboard, and IRISNotes announced a digital pen for all those headed back to school. There's more on all those and more in our weekly coolest gadgets roundup.

quicklist: 1title: Nikon Coolpix S800ctext:The camera changed the smartphone and now the smartphone is changing the camera. Sure, Nikon's new Coolpix camera takes quality 16-megapixel photos and shoots 1080p HD video, but it also has apps that let you upload the photos to social media sites. It has built-in Wi-Fi, runs a version of Google's Android OS, and has a 3.5-inch multitouch display. You can download e-mail apps and even watch videos downloaded from the Internet on it. Not quite a tablet killer but it might just have a better camera than the smartphone in your pocket. It will be out this fall. ($350, Nikon)

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quicklist: 2title: Logitech Washable Keyboardtext: Most of us have had that awful and panicked feeling of spilling coffee or other beverages (we're looking at you college students!) all over a keyboard. But this new keyboard from Logitech can be submerged in up to 11 inches of water (without the USB cord) and still work. For you clumsy folks out there, this is the keyboard for you. Another plus is that it works straight out of the box. I'll have another latte, please. ($39.99, Logitech) media: 17076273

quicklist: 3title:Audyssey's Wireless Speakerstext: They might look like plain old desktop speakers, but we promise you they're a whole lot more modern than that. With Audyssey's Wireless Speakers, you have the option to plug the speakers into your desktop or laptop computer or the option to use Bluetooth to stream audio from your phone, tablet and other Bluetooth enabled devices without the wires. On top of that all, they promise great sound quality with two .75 tweeters, Audyssey's BassXT, and Dynamic EQ. You can grab 'em now at the link. ($299.99, Audyssey)

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quicklist: 4title: IRISNotes 2 Digital Penstext: Some of us just can't give up paper, no matter how good those apps are. But the new IRISNotes 2 might be the best of both worlds. The digital pen lets you take notes on old-fashioned pad of paper, but then connect the pen to your computer via USB and the notes are uploaded as editable text into a Word document, Outlook email or into Notepad. You don't need special paper, though you do have to attach a small reciever to the top of the page. According to the company it can hold up to 100 pages worth of notes before you need to sync it to your computer. The package is out now, just in time for school to open. ($99, IRIS)

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quicklist: 5title: Hövding Invisible Bike Helmettext: The Hövding is a bicycle helmet that remains invisible unless you need it, to solve the issues we all have with helmets. It is designed to inflate in a fraction of a second if you have an accident. It looks like a collar at first, worn around the neck, but inside it is an air bag, similar to the ones in your car. Shaped like a hood, the air bag is triggered when sensors (a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes) pick up "abnormal movements of a bicyclist in an accident. The catch (or catches)? It's got to be charged, it's expensive ($600) and only available in Europe now. (Hövding)

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