15 great gadgets you can't get in the U.S.

Mobile phones

Despite the immense popularly of Apple's iPhone, there are still a lot of new handsets coming out on the market and begging for your attention.

Some of them try to take the iPhone's touch technology and do it one better (such as Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1), while others are testing out new technologies and/or new designs in an attempt to come up with the Next Big Communications Thing (such as SoftBank's 920SH Aquos Mobile).

Unfortunately, none of the following five phones are actually being sold in the U.S. And, of course, few of them are actually compatible with current U.S. networks.

The phone that does it all

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

Easily the coolest handset on the planet, Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 is a marvel of miniaturization that delivers on the promise of high-speed wireless networks. It's every bit as slick as an iPhone -- the Xperia X1's 3-in. touch screen is the equivalent of the iPhone's multitouch; it can interpret a variety of finger gestures. Slide the screen up and underneath is a tiny keyboard for writing brief notes and entering Web addresses.

At just five ounces and capable of using the latest 3G networks, it puts other smart phones to shame, but at the moment can only be had in Asia and Europe.

High-speed trifecta

Toshiba G450

Three handsets in one, Toshiba's G450 is a wireless modem (it supports the HSDPA protocol for mobile phone data transmission), an MP3 player and -- oh, yeah -- a phone (both using the HSDPA broadband connection and on a cell network). The unique oval design has three circular elements: the top circle incorporates a bright OLED screen, while the other two split up the traditional phone keypad for the most finger-friendly dialing around.

Although you'll have to use a headset to make a call, the G450 works with the latest HSDPA network technology, delivers three hours of talk time and has room for 160MB of your favorite files.

The G450 sells for €200 (about $300) and -- you guessed it -- isn't available in the U.S.

Transformer phone

SoftBank 920SH Aquos Mobile

Made by Sharp for the Japanese market, SoftBank's 920SH Aquos Mobile is a 4-ounce handset that when closed, it looks and acts like any other slim phone. But open it and its wide-screen display rotates like a Transformer toy to create the equivalent of a mini-entertainment center.

Its 3.2-in. screen can show VGA images, there's a tuner for watching digital TV in Japan and even a pull-out antenna to help tune in stations. The phone has a bar-code reader and can connect to a variety of online services in Japan.

A soul sensation

Samsung Soul

The rest of the world has something on the U.S.: Samsung's phenomenal Soul slider phone. Not only can this thin wonder tap into the latest HSDPA phone networks for up to 7Mbit/sec. download speeds, but it has a 5-megapixel camera with a shake reduction program so every shot turns out clear and sharp. It offers face recognition as a security method (something that only a few U.S. manufacturers have incorporated into their devices), has room for 15 hours of music onboard and a built-in FM radio.

The Samsung Soul costs €400 (about $600), and at the moment, you'll have to go to France, Germany or the U.K. to get one.

Pocketful of TV

GSmart t600

Tired of watching the same old shows over your phone network? Regardless of whether it's a baseball game, a reality show or a soap opera, Gigabyte Communications' GSmart t600 super-phone can tune in live digital TV broadcasts and display them on its 2.6-in. color screen. Based on the latest Windows Mobile 6 Pro software, the t600 works only on European DVB-T, DVB-H and T-DMB TV networks.

Its phone connects calls over any GSM network, but also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in. The best part is that during the commercials, you can call in and get your voice messages.

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