What to Watch For In 2006

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LET THE (HIGH-DEFINITION) GAMES BEGIN Microsoft's Xbox 360 has the advantage of having already shipped, but Sony's competing game console may be worth the wait. Due out this spring, the PS3 is supposed to have better graphics and will support up to seven wireless game pads (Xbox 360 allows four). PS3's best advantage: it will play high-definition Blu-ray DVDs. But at an expected retail price of $400 to $500, it won't come cheap. TAPPING INTO THE POWER OF FUEL CELLS Could Medis Technologies turn the Energizer Bunny into roadkill? The company's disposable $19.99 fuel cell batteries will deliver up to 20 hours of cell-phone talk time. Optional adapters allow it to juice up iPods and PDAs as well.

CALL IT COOL Scheduled for release this week is Palm's latest smart phone, the Treo 700w. Slightly narrower than its predecessors, it will forsake the familiar Palm operating system for Microsoft's Windows Mobile. Available exclusively through Verizon Wireless, it should be able to take full advantage of Verizon's wire-free broadband network.