BTW, if you hate the gallery format as much as the Grinch hated Christmas, click here.

Crumpler Industry Disgrace neckstrap Fancy cameras, especially German ones, are heavy. Fancy lenses bolted to fancy cameras? It's like lugging around a (fancy) dump truck. Normal camera straps are thin and cut into your neck. Crumpler's Industry Disgrace neckstrap is fat, super padded and breathable. And, they come in patterns. $30-$40. [Link]

Lensbaby optics Crazy lenses for DSLRs, like tilt-shifts and fisheyes, can be ridiculously expensive, way too expensive for a starving artiste who must save their pennies for vintage boots. Enter Lens Baby, which produces cheap, quick and dirty single-effect lenses and adapters for DSLRs. While their quality isn't exactly bulletproof, they do deliver the special effect shots Flickr whores crave. The core lenses do variations on the whole small area of focus, lots of blurriness surrounding it, while the optics system lets you swap out inserts for different effects, like fisheye or pinhole. $95-$300. [Link]

A 50mm prime lens Back in the day, a 50mm prime lens is what photogs cut their teeth on. No zoom, no wide-angle, no image stabilization to fiddle with. Just sharp focus. Meaning it's pure composition on the photographer's part. If you're buying for a DSLR that's not full-frame—basically anything other than Canon 5D Mark II or D700—you're gonna wanna grab a 35mm lens (with the crop factor, it becomes about 50mm, give or take). They get pricier as they get faster, but you can score a cheap 50mm for about a hundred bucks, and a cheap(ish) 35mm for between $200 and $300. $90-$320 [Nikon 50mm, Canon 50mm, Nikon 35mm, Canon 35mm]

Joby GorillaPod A cheap tripod that'll fit in a hipster messenger bag, for long exposure shots. $30-$50 [Link]

Crumpler camera bags Most camera bags aren't very befitting of actually cool photographers. They're boring. Corporate. Ugly. Crumpler's 5 Million Home holds a DSLR, an extra lens and flash and is sunny sky blue. Stepping up a model, the 8 Million Dollar Home has more space for more stuff, if needed. $80-$170. [Link, Link]

Diana F+ CMYK lomo camera Real artsy photographers shoot with cheap lomo film cameras to produce vintage-y lo-fi photos, with crazy saturation, exposures and optical effects, perfect for Vice Magazine. Don't think, just shoot. And the super bright CMYK paint job? You know what it is. $105 [Link]

Leica M9: The ultimate photographer gift. Picking up a Leica camera instantly turns anybody into a Photographer. While holding a Leica, it is impossible not to shoot perfect, artsy photos. Even if you try. The M9 is the latest, most exquisite piece of German photographic craftsmanship yet, with an 18-megapixel, full-frame sensor that delivers the most amazing photos of all time. $7000 and worth every penny. [Link]

Superzoom Cameras: They're not DSLRs, they're not pocketable point-and-shoots, and they're definitely not artsy. They're for tourists, and for the money, you could easily get a way better cheap DSLR or vintage film camera.

All Giz Wants is our annual round-up of favorite gift ideas, including amazing attainable objects and a few far-out fantasies. We'll be popping guides catered to different interests several times per day for the next week, so keep checking back.

The bag you see above isn't actually the core component of interface device—that'd be the sensor tile at its base, which generates and monitors a magnetic field. Any disturbances in the field—that's where the bag, filled with some kind of magnetic substance, like iron filings, comes in—can be translated into movement, whether it be simple X/Y gestures around a flat plane, or more complex gestures that take into account prod pressure. Technically interesting, but I feel like this concept needs a little something extra:

[A researcher said] making a device that could switch between an input and output device would be challenging. While moving ball bearings using magnetic fields shouldn't be too hard, "[moving] ferrous fluid bladders would be trickier," he says.

WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT OUTPUT? Consider this, mouse jockies: a few years from now, your Intellipoint might be an actively pulsating pouch of magnetic fluid. John C Dvorak, 1984:

The nature of the personal computer is simply not fully understood by companies like Apple (or anyone else for that matter). Apple makes the arrogant assumption of thinking that it knows what you want and need. It, unfortunately, leaves the "why" out of the equation - as in "why would I want this?" The Macintosh uses an experimental pointing device called a ‘mouse'. There is no evidence that people want to use these things. I dont want one of these new fangled devices.

Just replace "mouse" with "undulating sack of ferrofluid" and then tell me I'm crazy. Anyone? [Technology Review]

It is made from old truck tires. [wannekes]

If there's an argument to be made, it's one of durability. These vintage Nazi backpacks are rated to last another 50 years (apparently WW2 was meant to go on a long, long time). Retrofitted with solar panels and batteries before being rebranded as KILLA Vintage series #1 bags, I have a feeling that the electronics will fail long before the cloth will wear away.

And while admitting this feels a bit awkward, I'm smitten with the design of the pack itself. It's almost too bad that only 20 bags will be produced yearly for an unspecified price. [Killa via taktomyshirt via therawfeed]

UPDATE: Remember—text is fine but we're looking for PICTURES here if you can take 'em.

[Solar Vest via Chinavision]

The Crave is only available in navy blue, however besides the 16-inch backpack form you can get it in a 15.6-inch slipcase and a smaller netbook size. The backpack is $50 which isn't so bad considering it could double as a travel pillow.

The other two lines of notebook cases seem pretty standard and by standard I mean boring. There is a typical mix of leather and canvas business looking bags. However, the Phobos netbook case which apparently is a "throw back to acid-washed jeans" seems interesting though I haven't seen a picture.

Those two are probably the most interesting since the rest are all business all the time. Those interested can hit the link for the full release. In the meantime, I'll be remembering how good those college class naps were. [Targus]

A cursory scan of camera bags on Amazon will reveal that they all pretty much look like crap from a design standpoint. Yes, they get the job done, but if you're more of a hobbyist and not so much of a photo pro, you still might want to attempt to blend in with the rest of society. Which is why Carrying Case and Sling Pack bags are refreshing—to the naked eye, they more or less just look like normal bags.

The Carrying Case is meant for a single camera and lens, plus a couple of small accessories. The Sling Pack has room for additional lenses and flashes, and as the name imples, fits like a messenger bag. Both bags are professional-grade water resistant products that will sell for $60 (Carrying Case) and $80 (Sling Pack). [Incase via Uncrate]

The TV bag is a repurposed Sony transistor TV that makes absolutely no sense to me. Sure, it's kind of a neat form factor, but there is no way in hell this is anything close to comfortable. Carrying a TV up a flight of stairs when you're moving is how you get a hernia, and you want to do it on a daily basis?

But hey, what do I know? Pick this up for yourself for $89. But hurry, there's only one! [Etsy via GadgetVenue]

Just hold up the symbol on the back of the bag to your webcam—webcam not included in Doritos bag—and visit doritoslatenight.com. You'll get the option of Choosing Blink182 or Big Boi, and they'll magically POP out of your bag, onscreen, and do a little dance for you.

Unless you're four years old or really, really love Doritos, this'll be interesting for about 10 minutes. But when it's done, you have a bag of Doritos that taste like Taco Bell tacos. Score.

If you're trying to decide between the bag of Doritos that doesn't let you do something with your webcam and the one that does, the choice is obvious. [Doritos Late Night]

You'll actually notice that all of the bags have laptop compartments—that's because going forward, laptop bags won't be a separate category for Timbuk2, but a "function" of all of their bags. All of them hold 15 or 17-inch laptops, depending on the size bag you get. Up top, respectively, is Hemlock, Q and Swig. Swig doesn't have the sideloading awesomeness that Hemlock and Q do, but it's the first backpack of Timbuk2's that you can personalize the colors on. They come out later this month. Here's all the details:

Hemlock
Made for the urbanite that needs a pack to schlep around town in style – from the office, to the rock climbing gym, to courtside at the game, the pack features a rolled, expandable top, Swing Around Access™, a side-access compartment designed to fit a 17-inch laptop (15-inch in the small) and signature Timbuk2 D-ring bottle opener. Available in solid, color block and the official camo of the Navy Special Ops and the retail price is $90 for Small and $100 for Medium.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Waterproof flap liner
* Compression straps
* Accessory attachment loops
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back

"Q" Computer Backpack
Appropriately named after the gadget inventor of the Bond movies, the "Q" has a place for everything. This pack is designed to fit a 15-inch laptop with multiple grab handles for convenience and Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown/black, army/spinach, rev red/gun metal, and black and the retail price is $100.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access

H.A.L.
H.A.L. (Heuristically programmed Algorithmic Computer) is the "Q's" older brother, named after HAL 9000 of the Space Odyssey saga, which was capable of speech recognition, lip reading, art appreciation as well as maintaining all systems on the ship. Similarly, the H.A.L. almost thinks for its owner and easily runs a mobile office. Designed to fit a 17-inch laptop, the backpack has multiple grab handles and plenty of capacity as well as Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown and black and the retail price is $120.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access

Swig
A messenger-inspired carry-all pack built for dudes AND ladies (Hallelujah!). Two large internal compartments accommodate loads of stuff and the organization panel makes it easy to find your keys. This sleek pack features a front-flap closure that comes in two sizes to fit a 15- or 17-inch laptop with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and the signature Timbuk2 bottle opener. Available in black/gun metal, moss/camo, gun metal/blue, and dark brown/orange and the retail price is $80 for Small and $90 for Medium.

Other features include:

* Accessory attachment loops
* Waterproof flap liner
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back
* Customizable beginning August 2009 at www.timbuk2.com

[Timbuk2]

The pack is waterproof, comes with a built-in metal bottle opener on the strap and is fully insulated to keep coldness in. And when you're done drinking, it's a perfect portable container for vomiting into. [Timbuk2 via Boing Boing Gadgets]

The 2UNFOLD laptop works as an urban briefcase, shoulder bag, safecase, rucksack, leather courier, canvas courier (it's reversible!), leather clutch or canvas clutch. No, I don't know what all those variations mean either, but the link at the end of this post contains handy photographs.

In vertical modes, the 2UNFOLD holds laptops up to 17 inches. In horizontal modes, it's suited for 13-inch notebooks. But either way, it makes for a zippy, pockety, and stylish bag that's a bit too beautiful for us to toss haphazardly onto the airport floor. $483.

(Sorry if that price part stings a bit.) [2UNFOLD via bbGadgets]

The Hacksac is a huge backpack designed to fit a tower, flat-panel monitor, keyboard, mouse and assorted cables. Sure, you'll still have 30 pounds worth of computer equipment on your back, but now you'll have it all in a bag designed for such endeavors.

Alternately, you can game online or just get one of the aforementioned 19-inch laptops. But hey, it's your LAN party. [Hacksac]

Womens Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags by Mobile Edge
New womens ScanFast Collection unveiled in time for holiday season

ANAHEIM, Calif., November 18, 2008 Mobile Edge, the industry leader in innovative and stylish laptop computer carrying cases and accessories, expands their ScanFast™ collection of Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags by adding three new carrying cases designed specifically for women. These unique models combine the fashion styling of our best selling womens cases with Checkpoint Friendly functionality, quality materials and the computer protection that only Mobile Edge can offer!

ScanFast for Her - Stylish Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags Designed for women by women, the new ScanFast™ for Her cases are the first TSA 'Checkpoint Friendly' laptop bags designed specifically for women to be introduced.

Like our original ScanFast cases, the new ScanFast for Her Collection exceeds all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines to be considered Checkpoint Friendly. Now travelers can speed through airport security checkpoints without having to remove their laptops.

"As the industry leader in fashion-inspired women's laptop carrying cases, we are proud to be the first to introduce Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Cases designed specifically for women," said G. David Cartwright, President & CEO, Mobile Edge. "Women are tired of traveling with generic, masculine cases and we are pleased to offer a stylish alternative for todays female road warriors."

The ScanFast for Her collection consists of three product styles; the all new Onyx ScanFast Briefcase, the Onyx ScanFast Backpack and a redesigned Element Briefcase. The Onyx Briefcase and Backpack feature a designer developed exterior material with faux-croc accents and polished steel fittings. The redesigned ScanFast Element Cases will be offered in three color combinations of chocolate brown, forest green and passion pink poly-suede accented with a dark faux-leather trim. The ScanFast for Her Cases are scheduled to begin shipping later this month at a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Mobile Edge continues to expand the laptop carrying case category by offering new, innovative and smart designs that fuse fashion trends with form and function, creating a brand that makes a positive statement about today's mobile computing lifestyle.

[Mobile Edge]

This year, Sharp kept the same size, but made their bags inflatable. The result is that you had the same morons colliding with you everywhere, but at least it didn't hurt your legs, arms, or body. And with that, I really mean crotch.

Plus, as a bonus, I was able to use them to lie down, take a siesta, and tan in the Berlin Messe gardens. Thank you Addy, you make the world go 'round. [More IFA 2008 Coverage]