These are six of the most common gadgets I hear women talking about.  “Enthusing” is a better word.  A lot of women rave about these products.  Maybe this is just a personal wishlist.  But I own several of these items and I want all of them.  Take a look at this list and tell me your favorite gadgets.

1. iPhone

Do I have to say anything?  It’s beautiful.  There aren’t any buttons to get stuck on random items in your purse.  (Have you ever called someone unintentionally when you bumped your phone in your purse?  Ugh!)  You can show off your kids’ latest stunt to your mom or your friend.  Oh, and the how many? apps that you can download to do everything from keep track of your budget (Mint.com, free – love it!), find free parking, download recipes and shopping lists (epicurious.com) and even go fishing.  It’s a virtual smorgasbord and we love it.

If you’re thinking of picking one up – WAIT.  By Monday, there will be a new generation iPhone, and the price point is rumored to come flying drastically down.  If it’s true, I may put up a link to the iPhone here.  

2. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

We all want one.  It’s the fail-safe, hot-night-out lipstick for your kitchen, the one that you find yourself using every night just because.  Adapters abound for the KitchenAid mixer family, making it a very, very useful appliance.  Even the Plain Jane versions look beautiful and do their job.  Unlike your ten-year old egg beater, this thing quietly whirls- whipping meringues, bases, cookies, and even breads into shape without breaking a single, gorgeous gear.  When I get one of these babies, I will cry.  And then I will immediately make some bread without a whiff of burning motor.  Ah…! 

Get the Artisan for $70 off here.

3.  Exergen Temporal Scanner

You can find this at your local supermarket or pharmacy store.  With small children around, midnight fevers are a constant threat.  I have a daughter who is extremely febrile and runs fevers of 104+ 24/7 for five days in a row.  Was that kid going to let me stick a thermometer under her tongue for two minutes?  In her armpit?  Every two hours, all night long?  I don’t think so.

My pediatrician suggested this and it literally saved my sanity and my sleep.  Run it over their forehead and get an extremely accurate reading, in about 2 seconds.  They don’t even know you’ve been there.  This little baby only costs $20-$30.  Peace of mind?  Priceless.

4. EasyBloom Plant Sensor

I would love to have thriving, beautiful plants in my yard, but I seem to always pick flowers that do better anywhere but where I plant them.  Enter the EasyBloom Plant Sensor – stick it in the dirt and then put the USB portion in your computer.  The sensor tracks information about the soil, sunlight, temperate, water drainage, and humidity in its memory. Plug it into the USB of your PC or Mac and EasyBloom.com adjusts that information with your climate, growing zone, and even hourly weather.  If your plants are doing badly, the Plant Doctor will tell you why and what to do about it.  It has over 5000 plants in its library, so you’ll get instant advice on what plants are best for your spot and how to care for them.  Use it over and over again, inside and outside. 

The Today Show called this “technology that can save you time.”  It would definitely keep me from wasting money.

Here’s a link to the EasyBloom on Amazon

5. Canon Rebel EOS XSi

It’s amazing how many moms carry this camera to soccer games, recitals, and field trips.  You know it’s good when no one knows how to use all the buttons and no one cares… the pictures are that good.  Can I just say… I LOVE this camera!!!!

The XSi is a good entry model and has Live View (translation: look at the screen on the back of the camera and not through the little hole), 12.2-megapixels (do you need any other reason?), and comes in a kit with a standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.  (IS means Image Stabilization – no more camera shake).  It looks bulkier than a point-and-shoot, but it’s surprisingly easy to hold, comfortable even over long periods, and has all kinds of fun bells and whistles for those who want them.  If you already know what you’re doing, check out the back – so easy to read!

You can buy this on Amazon, but I suggest getting it used from B&H.  You’ll pay less and you’ll never believe it was pre-owned.  They only accept items without any damage and most haven’t even got normal wear on the shutter release.  B&H is where I buy my audio/video toys… uh, tools, and they definitely have the best customer service in the industry.  Call in for better pricing or check their website:  www.bhphotovideo.com.

6.  Nintendo Wii

Nintendo definitely hit their target market with this one.  Wii moms (sorry) are sick of watching our male adolescents playing bloody and gruesome games solo.  Women want to interact, to laugh and joke and tease while we play video games.  All the adrenaline and testosterone and competitive hormones in role-playing games are a huge turnoff. 

Enter the Wii.  Lighthearted, lightweight, and multiplayer, this console was built for our kind of interaction.  All the old complaints (“Mom, you don’t have to move the controller to drive the car”) are out.  Want to play MarioKart with your kids?  Grab the wheel and steer your way around!  Like tennis, bowling, golf, or baseball?  Grab the controller, put the cord around your hand, and swing away.  Want to lose weight or tone up?  Try the ‘>Fit. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this hard.  We don’t even own a TV, but we have a component-in monitor on our computer to hook this up to.  I was a little nervous that it wouldn’t be worth the money, but this is definitely worth every cent.

Want a little more incentive?  Rockband just released a Wii Beatles version.  Be Paul, Ringo, John, or George and croon your way through the entire Beatles’ catalog.  AWESOME.  Wii?  I wanna hold your hand… uh, controller. 

What are your favorite gadgets?  What would you add to the list?

Disclaimer:  None of these sites know or care that I’m promoting them.  Sigh.