The Mylo is an “internet communication device,” which means it’s a tiny laptop. The prime feature is you can use it like a phone with Skype because it has built-in wireless internet (there is a microphone and ear speaker), making it a gadget of interest for travelers. Mostly you’ll be using it to surf the internet but add a Sony memory stick (no SD cards unfortunately) and you can use it to open files and listen to MP3’s.

I’m going to rate it on two dimensions: looks and personality.

It gets a 7 out of 10 on looks. It’s lightweight and pleasing on the eye and has neon-looking lights at the ends. You won’t be embarrassed with it in your hand. The screen is bright and clear and the keyword is easy to use. The stylus at the end of the wrist strap is discreet. But it’s not hot enough that you’ll make someone else feel insecure about their electronic device. iPhone people will look at it and act all smug-like, going off about the superiority of their phone in a passive aggressive mumble.

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After selecting a travel destination, and dedicating the necessary funds, it’s all about bags: which ones to take, and what to put in them. My family has caught on. During Christmas travel in the Bay Area and Folsom, I received a Briggs & Riley satchel. Life sees its share of baggage (pun intended), so the humble carryall faces tall odds against standing out. Yet some do. This Briggs & Riley tote commands respect, replacing the made-in-the-northern-Philippines backpack (a topic for another post) as the daily bag of choice.

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As you may or may not know, Volette is (loosely) based out of Las Vegas, which means that the decision to attend CES this year was a pretty easy one. (Taxi or bus? Bus. We’re all about the cheap green solution.) So we’ll be checking in over the next couple of days with the coolest travel gear and gadgets we can find in the massive cavernous space of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

If you see us (or rather, me), say hello!

Here’s something for those of you who lug a Playstation Portable around on your adventures: Sony has officially announced that the PSP will support Skype. For those of you who spend your days living under rocks, Skype is the ultra-badass service that provides simple VOIP (Voice Over IP) Internet telephony. We’re big fans of Skype here at Volette; it’s the cheapest way to make computer-to-phone international calls that we know of, and calling other Skype users is free. Even the app is a free download.

Apparently, Skype will arrive on the PSP as a firmware update later this month.

Mmmm. I have a thing for any device with removable external pockets (yeah, I know, as a fetish it’s a pretty dull one), and the Oakley S.I. Computer Bag definitely gets my Evinrude cranking.

The S.I. bag? US$175.00. Being able to leave your big bag at home or the hotel whilst still carrying your PDA, camera and iPod? Priceless.

(via 43 Folders)

While Internet cafes in America seem to primarily be the domain of Warcrafters and other online gamers, my experience on the ground in Europe suggests that it’s usually easier to find a Net cafe than an open wifi hotspot for my laptop. And for millions of people around the world, a terminal at their local cybercafe or library is their primary access point.

With this in mind, Jooce is offering a pretty cool product — a “desktop” where users can upload their own files and store their preferences for things like IM, accessible from any Flash-enabled desktop. The company has plans for an email client and an API for third party developers as well. Users can also share files with one another.

After playing with it for a few minutes, it seems pretty slick and easy to use. It points towards the idea that the browser is increasingly becoming the desktop.

It’s free to sign up, so go check it out.

Via Gizmodo: Sporty manufacturer O’Neill (maker of fine body suits that have graced the glutes of many a Huntington Beach surf hottie) have announced the NavJacket, a new snowboarding jacket with a built-in GPS receiver, speakers in the hood and a flexible display on the sleeve.

Which sounds awesome, but of course, being a sports clothing company and not into general couture, O’Neill’s plans seem limited to things like seeing mountain ski trails in real-time and checking to see if your buddies have ditched you in favor of a warm fire, hot toddies and snow bunnies at the ski lodge. It’s also got some goofy styling that makes it look like you’re going snowboarding in the Matrix. Or to a hacker convention in 1996.

This would be much cooler if it were oriented towards the urban nomad — link the display to the GPS or your iPhone and find your way around Manhattan or Harajuku whilst simultaneously bumping your ultra-fly dubstep mix. The speakers in the hood are the crowning touch, because then you can totally annoy everyone around you with your ultra-fly dubstep mix. Or attract hotties who are into serious Kode9 or Burial identification.

No word on when this drops on the street, of course.

Via Better Living Through Design: the Onme Belt ($220) from Fluke Collective looks like a pretty useful tool for getting through airport security much more easily than usual: throw all your pocket detritus in it and, when you get to the security gate, throw it in the bin. Boom! Belt and stuff problem solved.

This meticulously tailored adjustable leather belt seamlessly blends functionality and good taste, a nod to the iconic workman’s belt recrafted from gentlemanly materials into something both ‘hip’ and sophisticated. Four pockets–three with velcro closures–-make for easy organization of one’s personal effects.