Designed by Mac Funamizu, Quackie doesn't really seem like it'd be practical once you're over the five minutes of "Wee! It rolls around! Quack Quack! What's that, Quackie? Ya wanna go louder? Ooooopen wide!" childlike glee, but it could still be a nice desk decoration. [Yanko Design]

The setup sort of reminds me of the overpriced Bose 3-2-1 system, which mimics surround sound using just two speakers and a sub, but unfortunately there's little else to go on. The press release is sparse, as hyped-up marketing materials are wont to be, and not even a release date or pricing escapes its hazy grip. Maybe April. In Japan. Maybe.

What we do know is that this little box will make use of DTS Surround Sensation tech. Nothing more. [Press Release via CrunchGear]

The new version keeps the radio, amp, vinyl playback and robot anthropomorphism, but adds a CD and DVD player as well. The price will undoubtedly still be high when it comes on the market, but... well... let's just say there are less classy designs on which to spend your money. [Boingboing]

Out on June 1 in Japan, the Stitch CD player, which runs either off the mains or on eight AA batteries, will cost around $90. [Far East Gizmos]

5W x 2 channel speakers
15W subwoofer
210 x 81 x 169mm speakers
160 x 335 x 245mm subwoofer
255 x 115 x 169mm, main unit
Alarm function
Remote control

Tell you the truth, I'm not convinced about iPod dock-CD player combos. [Impress]

Unlike the messy twerps that stole your life after plastic had torn, the Marantz CR201 will only give your life a new positive direction once you do away with the plastic covering. If the leeches children leave you with $759.00 at the end of the month, why not treat yourself? OK, so it isn't going to happen—we're trying to help, man. We really are. [Product Page via Sci Fi Tech]

By soldering two additional light sensors inside the CD player, and then using software, the researchers were able to control how the device "played" a disk. The substance to be analyzed (in this case, the team was trying to detect traces of three different pesticides in various samples) was then placed on a normal compact disc, and inserted into the machine.

While the first light sensor identified where the sample was on the disc, using black marks on the edge of the disc, the second analyzed the sample itself, measuring the amount of laser light that was able to pass through the disk. Normally, discs reflect around 30 percent of the laser beam onto the reading head, while the rest passes through.

The sample, half a millimeter in size, was treated to produce dye or silver that was inversely proportional to the amount of pesticide in the sample. Using the modded CD player, they could detect pesticide levels as low as 0.02 micrograms per liter just by seeing how much laser light passed through the disc to the second sensor.

While it may not be as accurate as genuine lab sensors, which can cost between $42,000 and $85,000, the hacked CD player is accurate enough for many laboratory tasks &mdash some experts think the cheap and cheerful device would work wonders in developing countries, helping the fight against malaria, for instance. And the shorter wavelength lasers of Blu-ray and HD DVD technology will make the process even easier. [New Scientist]

• XM/Sirius support on all models
• Direct iPod control
• USB connectivity (in case your "iPod" is a flash drive)
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Auxiliary inputs
• The awkwardly-titled "rotary commander" replacing the old and outdated volume control knob
– Karson Thompson

Apparently the system turns on when it receives an external input and also has an audio out for external recording.

The styling is quite striking and it'll be interesting the see what else JVC comes out with in this vein.