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With all the enthusiasm of a 5-year old boy, I present the ultimate R2-D2 Gift Guide.  Resplendent in options to bring everyone’s favorite droid into their lives in a multitude of capacities.  Somewhere, somehow, C-3P0 cries a silent cry.

We begin with the practical. You need a projector and who better to get your high-tech point across then a robot from “a long time ago”.  This is no gimmick, she costs $4000...

“This one is different. This 1/2 scale replica is a projector. That is right, start making your Princess Leia videos about problems on Alderaan… Not only that, it is a remote control robot and it’s remote is a small Millennium Falcon…”

The boys over at Gizmodo unearthed this useful Skype phone/webcam.  $349 from Hammacher Schlemmer

“The camera might not scream great picture quality at 628x528 resolution, but there are so many reasons why this R2D2 rendition kicks geek gadget butt. The obligatory beeping sounds are all preset, along with the Star Wars soundtrack. Digital photos and voice recorder functions are also included. ... The supplied remote control, which is kick-ass because it is shaped as a light saber, allows you to control R2D2’s movements. Yes it moves, in four glorious planes!”

From Japan, who altogether seems to have an almost unhealthy appreciation for Artoo, comes this speaker set.  Designed with two different colors, because having 2 identical R2-D2s on your desk would just make you a geek.  Brought to us by Engadget,

“The force is strong with these ones, although the drivers probably aren’t. Available in December for $40, “

In another computer related product, Artoo doubles as a USB Mimobot for a measly $119.

” R2-D2 was the fourth character in the Star Wars mimobot Series 1!

Only 3,500 of the lovable droid were made available, and unfortunately, they’re all gone! You’ve gotta figure, if he can handle the Astromech duties for an X-wing, he can handle the data storage duties for you!”

Moving now to the less-than-practical but boarding (and probably crossing) absurd:

The team at GearFuse say it all with their finding of this soy sauce bottle.  This product looks to be refillable and pre-orders are being taken now with an anticipated release in just a few weeks, $18:

“When you head out to a Japanese restaurant, sometimes the little bottles restaurants have to hold the soy sauce resemble little robots. I half expect them to walk across the table and pour themselves. And what robot is more appropriate to have a themed soy sauce bottle for than R2D2, the lovable droid from Star Wars.”

Then there is the almost insulting Trash Can R2-D2 brought to us by ThinkGeek.  Just $99 for the 2 feet tall can:

“Trash is just not that cool. Not only can it be dirty and odorous but it’s simply low-tech and boring. At least that’s what we used to think… until we saw this amazing R2-D2 Trashcan and learned to love trash.”

For out of the ordinary simple R2-D2 related gifts, you can find ringtones
to make your phone blop and bleep, desktop backgrounds to keep your ego in check.

This list climaxes with the king of R2-D2 gear.  This is the piece that will make you a believer that one day, robots will be commonplace.  Back to Hammacher we go for this $119 voice activated robot, who moves at your command:

“This motorized replica of the headstrong little droid from the Star Wars® films responds to voice commands, navigates rooms and hallways, and makes any home feel like it has been transported to a galaxy far, far away.”

I find it amazing that as we roll past the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars, more and more products come out.  There are over 1000 R2-D2 items on eBay right now, there is a builders club (they even have meet ups), instructions on how to make a cake Artoo, random images of people standing next to the droids USPS mailboxes, a steam-powered version and exploring the Japanese infatuation takes you to some dark places.  In the end, even if you have no interest in any of the above gadgets, you can take solace in noting there is always someone who out-geeks you.

Got something I missed?  Put it in the comments.