Sometimes, the days of holding a good old CD case in our hands as we listen to an album makes us yearn for simpler times when MP3 players only held a few gigs of data. This concept by David Friedman mixes the modern technology of digital displays, high powered PMP systems, and the days of old jewel CD case, to offer up a solution for those nostalgic times.

The digital jewel box would synchronize with iTunes and display album art and linear notes as you listened to your music. Just like the days you used to go out and buy an album on Tuesday, only to come home and pour over the liner notes as you listened to your newly acquired album. The concept would also double as an infrared remote, allowing you to control the song and to preview the next albums track list. — Andrew Dobrow

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Panasonic is releasing its new ultra compact LF-P968C DVD burner which is as small as a typical CD case. While most American made computers contain an integrated optical drive, many people in Japan who are using ultra portables rely on external devices for their burning needs. The newest Panasonic ultra slim DVD burner is capable of burning dual-sided DVD’s at 8x.

The drive is completely USB powered, which is sure to make the panties moist of world travelers and road warriors as it means one less heavy and clunky power adapter to lug around on their various journeys. The Panasonic model burns almost twice as fast as other compact portable burners. Panasonic hopes to sell 5000 or so a month of these bad boys which might be wishful thinking of the amount users who need an optical disc upgrade. — Andrew Dobrow

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