Besides the spaceship orb on top, it holds more beans than the old machines (more productivity, less sore arms) and actually does give overworked coffee slaves more control over what comes out, like shot length and adjustable steam wands, both of which used to be fixed (from what I know about their current machines). Hopefully, this means better coffee. They'll be in about 30 percent of US stores by the end of this year, and 75 percent by 2010, but I think with a woodier look to them. [Hossli]

Basically, this blasphemous contraption picks up the gas espresso puts out when warmed, and translates the ion combos into frou-frou meatbag descriptions like "roasted, flowery, woody, toffee and acidity." Since it's a European-produced bolt bucket, for now it only tastes ristretto pulls of espresso, but the goal is to use it as a large-scale quality control agent.

Given the cold, ruthless machine that Starbucks has morphed into, I wouldn't be surprised if they dumped their human taste-testers for these things. Everything else is automated at this point, so why not? Embrace (and taste) the machinic mediocrity. [Analytical Chemistry]

Just add a single-serve pod of finely ground burnt coffee beans and hot water, and it won't be long before your brain starts juking the Watusi like it always does. [Handpresso, via Single Serve Espresso]

And while the espresso maker only pumps out one to two cups at a time, your third guest will be too busy crapping their pants to request that you fire up the machine for a second go, and otherwise ruining post-dessert conversation. We don't know how much this beauty costs, but like a trip to the gun store, we don't recommend you attempt the five-finger discount. [product via bornrich]

Porsche Designed Nespresso Espresso Machine [Single Serve Coffee]

But it costs $2,099, which is only the price of 525 lattes at $4 apiece. But let's face it, you'll pull this out like 5 times a year, relearning how to use it each time, thereby guaranteeing that you'll only pull it out 5 times a year. But we still want one. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via MSN]

We'll save you all the stuff you need at least a bachelor's in EE to understand, and just say that this man is a huge nerd in more ways than one. Definitely cool though. – Jason Chen

Rancilio Silvia "PID PIC NES" mod [Growdown via MAKE]

Our commute to work most days is the five inches we reach to get the laptop off of the bedside table and into bed, so we read stories about extreme commuting with great horror and begin to think things like the working WMF espresso machine Audi placed in the rear-seat console of its Roadjet concept car might be good ideas. The Roadjet is reportedly going into production for the European market (the US is expected to get the more SUV-like Q5), so it'll be interesting to see if the espresso machine makes it into the final model as an added feature or if the in-car coffee machine will remain just a dream for now.

Coffee machine for the car [Tech Digest]
Nespresso InCar Coffee Machine Concept [Gizmodo]

Zanussi's built-in coffee maker [Tech Digest]

Product page

The Nespresso Essenza C90 uses a lever system to make a shot of espresso. You pull the lever up and then put the capsule in the front of the Nespresso Essenza C90 and pull the lever back down. This ejects a previous capsule into the catch tray and gets your new shot ready to go.

I used to visit this one guy who got used to get my new shot ready to go. Regardless, at $179.99, you're getting great quality caffeine at a great price.

Nespresso Essenza C90 Espresso Machine [Single Serve Coffee]

The X6 Trio will be available stateside in October for around $375.

The X6 Trio [Product Page]