It looks like Apple is on a roll with its latest round patent applications. Hot on the heels of the recently seen illuminated touchpad and Home on iPod filings, comes two new applications that should have only the fiercest of fanboys excited. First up is a technology which the Cupertino camp calls “Dynamic lyrics display for portable media devices,” or as we would describe it — karaoke on your iPod. Nothing really groundbreaking here: obviously lyrics would be displayed while you belted out your favorite Pat Benatar song, which is pretty unexciting and definitely unoriginal. Patent number two seems a bit more promising, as it addresses the possibility of using your iPod or other “portable media player” as a wireless remote for your PC or media center, thus allowing you easier access to your Best of the 80’s collection. Of course, this would require a wireless iPod, which doesn’t exist, although we understand those new iPhone things have some kind of wireless capability…

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Wired has a really awesome gallery of tiny, tiny computers. You can’t help but love a full computer crammed into something the size of a box of matches, can you? Sure, some of these aren’t really at that small (Mac Mini? Come on, dudes.), but there are some pretty awesome examples of wee ‘puters in here. Although they did forget a pretty tiny computer that would have fit well on the list.

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OtterBox is known for their rugged cases, and this forthcoming iPhone case looks like it’s going to continue their tradition. It’s got “complete” protection, which means not only are all the sides and back covered (the buttons work through pass-through buttons), there’s a built-in screen protector that works through their “patented touch-screen membrane”. The case is a couple months out, so you may want to find another way to protect your $600 in the meantime.

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Want your iPhone in a color other than silver? Apple can’t help, but Colorware’s got you covered. You saw what a good job they did on on Xbox 360, so there’s no reason to think their quality will be anything but spectacular for the iPhone. You can send in your existing iPhone and have them color it up for $149, or buy a pre-colored 4GB for $649 and a 8GB for $749. Not a bad deal if you really want to get an even bigger head start on differentiating yourself from other cellphone users. But if you’re being cheap, you can always get a $48 back replacement.

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We’ve been eyeballing the Sony Ericsson P1 smartphone for a while now, but the reviews are finally in. The verdict? It’s pretty good. Besides being smaller than its P990 predecessor, it has the hybrid QWERTY keyboard (which is actually comfortable to use), a pretty decent 3-megapixel camera and a bunch of extras best fit for a spec sheet list than a review.

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Walk into an Apple or AT&T store, walk out with an iPhone in whatever color you like: that is, if you like black, silver, and chrome. Which is why, as usual, we’re stoked that Colorware’s on the case (literally), offering up another 29 shades for your Apple phone. The price: $150 if you send yours in, or $650 / $750 if you buy a 4GB / 8GB new from them.

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If you like your PC hardware to be wrapped in only the glitziest, most showy enclosure that money can buy, Shuttle’s latest XPC isn’t exactly numero uno, but it can certainly hold its own if you aren’t willing to spend a fortune. This SFF chassis is built around Intel’s G33 Express chipset, can accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2-800 memory, touts an HDCP-compliant HDMI port, and also includes a snazzy integrated VFD display on the front for wowing your guests. Additionally, you’ll find onboard GMA 3100 graphics, a 7.1 audio chip with Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect certifications, gigabit Ethernet, an infrared remote, I.C.E. heatpipe cooling system, and a 250-watt SilentX power supply. Mmm, hot stuff for “just” €328 ($453).0

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It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard anything new on the C-Leg, but German firm Otto Bock has now unveiled a sleeker, stronger, and more military-approved version for those in need of a new leg. The microprocessor-controlled knee joint is “the standard prosthesis issued to US fighters who have lost a leg above the knee,” offers up a number of “modes” to best suit your current activity, and includes a wireless remote for switching between those modes. The intelligent system within takes data samples of your gait 50 times per second in order to best adapt to your needs, and the internal hydraulics promise “optimal response” no matter how strenuous or demanding the chore. Of course, buying a leg that seemingly puts these natural ones to shame won’t run you cheap, as the newest C-Leg will reportedly cost somewhere in the $30,000 to $40,000 range to have it delivered and fitted.

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If you’re wearing one of those colorful wristbands anyway, might as well store some data on it, and this USB Flash Drive Wrist Band from Brando is more than happy to help you pack 512MB on board. No, that’s not much data, but this is about the most painless way to carry around data there is. The price is right, too.

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Those willing to give up a few speakers for a slightly more discreet home theater now have another option to consider, with Sony today announcing its new “minimalist” BRAVIA DAV-X10 home theater system. While it only packs two speakers, Sony’s promising some virtual surround sound courtesy of its S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, with the system providing a total of 480W of power. Rounding things out, you’ll find some hidden touch-sensitive controls on the main unit, along a Bluetooth adapter that’ll let you pull music off any compatible device. The system will also upscale your DVDs to 720p or 1080i, and should work nicely with your other BRAVIA gear thanks to Sony’s trademark BRAVIA Theater Sync technology. No word on what it’ll cost, but Sony says you can look for it this September.

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