In an otherwise surprise-free keynote today, one without booms or "one more thing"s, one bit of news stood out: White made a quiet return to the iPod family in the premium 16GB iPhone 3G. Sure, it never fully left Apple—remaining the default color for earbuds, plugs, power bricks, AirPort products and the cheapest MacBooks—but we were finally getting used to a world without white iPods. Does this mean after nine short months put out to the pastures, white is already retro-cool again?

This time around, white won't be for everybody. Once the staple color of the iPod revolution, white will be a statement for those bold enough to sport a phone that bright. It's incredible; when Jobs dropped a little black on the masses, we thought that was radical, but eventually accepted it as the norm. When most Apple products went brushed-aluminum, we were again stunned, but now we think nothing of it. Today white, the color that we accepted from the beginning, is back, this time on an iPhone, and it looks like the most far-out Apple product yet.

Will the return of white in the iPhone set a pattern for the iPod touch, classic, and others? Will white be the new, well, white, taking back the reins as the most popular color? Will the color make its way back to Apple's high-style MacBook Air? Can Jobs, Jonathan Ive and the Cupertino crew keep us on our toes forever by recycling the same three finishes? Most importantly, are you a person that's bold enough to rock this flamboyant new phone? I, for one, am not. [Apple]

But maybe we're just grumpy. Does anyone think this actually looks good? [MAKE]

Interestingly enough, Dell's knowledge base acknowledges the problem in an entry entitled "A Tingling Sensation May Be Noticed When Touching Metal Components of Dell Devices Equipped with Two-Prong AC Adapters." However, the entry also states that "the voltage (tingling sensation) does NOT present any risk of injury to the user." Whether that is true or not, getting constant electric shocks from your laptop is, at the very least, annoying as hell. Fortunately, Dell informed CNET that they are willing to replace the two-pin power supplies with a three-pin version if requested to do so. If you are experiencing this problem (and entries on Dell's forums suggest that this issue is not isolated), you may want to hit Dell up for a replacement. [Crave and Dell Forums / Knowledge Base]

Because it's made from aluminium though, it's not all that strong, and is more for show than anything else - so don't try testing this out in actual jousting/sword-fighting events. It's available now for a very reasonable $99.99. [ThinkGeek]

Although we've yet to see a hotel room without any hangers in the closet, maybe you're hanging out in different hotel rooms than we are. And, since this hanger will undoubtedly look like some sort of horrifying, dangerous weapon to those transportation safety drones at the airport, good luck getting it through that airtight security gauntlet.

Instead of spending the $6.99 on this questionable accoutrement, if you find yourself hangerless, why not just hang that sportcoat on a doorknob? [Merlin's Box, via OhGizmo]

When it showed up for testing, I loaded up my laptop inside. And I beat the shit out of the case by standing on it, punching it, kneeing it, and dropping weights on it. Did it hold up?

Yes, it stood up. My knuckles are scraped, and only my knee put a dent in the case. I dropped a 20 pound dumb bell from 2 feet up, with little effect. I'm sure that if I jumped up and dropped a heel into it, the case would be dent a lot more, but I'm also confident that the laptop inside would be in good shape. The firm foam inside would see to that. At any rate, my heart wasn't into doling out more punishing attacks. It's too nice looking to want to hurt with any sort of malicious intent. (I think the gun metal grey case looks even nicer.)

The case itself has sturdy rivets for the shoulder strap, but lets face it: If you're rocking a Halliburton, you need to be attaching it to your person with a handcuff. There was also a random strap with two aluminum plates. I have no idea what purpose it serves. Anyhow, inside there's a velcro strap for securing your computer to the fabric covered hard foam lining. The feet? Unfortunately, they were plastic. I would have preferred more aluminum, with rubber feet. The chromed latches open and close with precision, and are the only notable upgrade the Deluxe line has over the Z line.

I'll have videos later of the attempts to destroy the case.

Would I buy one of these? At $350, only if I worked for Los Alamos, or a guy named Marsellus. Depending on your disposable income, you may feel more motivated to protect your lappie with the toughest mother lovin' laptop case I could find. –Brian Lam

Zero Halliburton Digerati Laptop Case [Gizmodo]

Although this is one fine-looking keyboard, we're a bit wary of what the company calls the "compact" arrangement of the keys, a seemingly unnecessary characteristic for a keyboard that probably won't be taken on the road. And what's with that tiny spacebar, not quite as small as the one we saw on that Onkyo aluminum keyboard last week, but still not big enough?

There's a row of hotkeys across the top, but unfortunately there is no calculator button which seems to be one of the more useful hotkeys in our office. And then there's the exorbitant price, clipping you for $97 for being so style conscious. As if aluminum is a precious metal. Don't they make soda cans out of it? – Charlie White

Product Page (German) [Speed Link, via Randomly Accessed]

These two announcements coincide with Onkyo's PC HD, completing the all-aluminum matched set. Take a close-up look at the gleaming mouse, along with the sexy black anodized aluminum keyboard. Oo-la-la!

Wonder how much these babies cost? Onkyo's mum thus far about that and a ship date, but we'll let you know. – Charlie White

After the PC HD from Onkyo, now the Onkyo keyboards! [Akihabara News]

Image Page [Via dapreview]

Don't worry about it getting too scuffed up, either, because it has a special wax coating to keep it scratch-free. Why didn't Apple think of that with its iPods? Beautiful design. The only bad news is its price: $1300. – Charlie White

Kata Mali 01 Aluminium speaker set [Newlaunches]

If you have a Motorola Q, perhaps it seems too slim for comfort. For those who would rather protect their Q than enjoy its exquisite pulchritude, get yourself this Brando Workshop Lightweight Motorola Q Metal Case that has a neoprene lining inside to keep its precious cargo extra-protected. Hey, that's like wearing two condoms. For additional peace of mind, it's made of impressive-sounding "aircraft grade aluminum." Keep in mind, though, that aircraft are just great big tin cans, or to put a fine point on it, aluminum cans.

So if you're the type who keeps slipcovers on your couch for years and leaves the cellophane wrapping on lampshades until it turns yellow with age, go ahead and get yourself a "tin-can grade" Motorola Q metal case in either black or shiny color for $28. Either that or let that Q get slightly scratched up and enjoy the form factor designed-in by its manufacturer for free. – Charlie White

Product Page [Brando Workshop, via MobileWhack]