LaCie is known for making aesthetically pleasing – or at least interesting – gadgets that are equally functional, and Starck’s new babies seem to be no exception. Both the desktop and mobile versions of the external hard drive have aluminum casings that help dissipate heat while providing ample protection. The desktop versions have 3 mm casings, a “Starck signature” LED, and a touch-sensitive front panel that can be customized so that it “opens the application of your choosing, depending on whether you use a short tap or a long touch.”

Unfortunately we don’t have a video of the touch panel being used so I don’t have an idea where exactly the touch panel is, if the whole thing is the button or what. It could also be that I’m an idiot, but please, just play along and act like you’re as dumbfounded as I am. The 1 TB desktop hard drives sell for $130 (USD), while a 2 TB drive can be yours for $250.

The 320 GB mobile version on the other hand sells for $100, while the 500 GB version sells for $140. The mobile hard drives have 2 mm aluminum casings, but no fancy signature LEDs or touch panels. What they have is an embedded USB cable that tucks neatly inside it’s butt derriere. So yeah, still functional and beautiful. They’re a bit pricey though. Oh yeah, about the love affair, here, watch monsieur Starck admit it on camera.

Did I let you down? I probably did, but you were also treated to lots of sexy, heavily-accented English, so that makes up for the disappointing metaphorical tryst. Good on you.

The creators of the ReactOgon call it a “chain reactive performance arpeggiator”, which dynamically shifts its patterns and sequences based on coded discs placed on the flat-panel interface.

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Each hexagonal cell on the surface represents a fixed note on the harmonic table. The placement of the discs influences the whether or not a note is played, as well as its placement in the sequence. By stringing together a number of directional discs, an entire musical sequence can be created. Special discs can also initiate multiple sequences, for more complex patterns. A bank of touch-sensitive sliders are then used to change volume, timbre and rhythm of the notes.

There’s no word on if or when the developers of this technology plan on commercializing the concept.

The ModBook features a WACOM pressure-sensitive digitizer, allowing artists to draw directly on its 13.3-inch (1280×800) LCD screen. It also works with Apple’s Inkwell handwriting and gesture recognition software, providing immediate integration with all applications. The computer also features built-in GPS tracking, and iSight camera and an internal CD/DVD or DVD burner. Axiotron has also encased the computer in a magnesium alloy case for durability.

The ModBook will be available from Other World Computing with prices starting at $2279 for a complete system, including an Intel Core Duo MacBook, the ModBook conversion kit and a 1 year warranty on the complete system.

[ADDED: Video of the ModBook in action, via CrunchGear...]