Today in Gear: June 30, 2014

2015 Ford Focus ST
One of our favorite hot hatchbacks gets a bump in style and performance for 2015, including a sportier suspension, sharper steering and a flat-bottomed steering wheel coupled with a fantastic 2.0 Liter Eco-boost engine and six-speed short-shift manual gearbox. Add all this to the fact that it even has two more cupholders than the outgoing rendition, and the Focus ST looks like it will continue to reign as domestic hot hatch champion. ford.com

Apple iPod Touch 16GB
Despite the success of the iPhone, the iPod Touch isn’t quite down for the count yet. The new 16GB model has received some serious (and seriously needed) updates. What you get is a rear-facing 5MP iSight camera, an Apple A5 processor, a four-inch retina display and an aluminum body available in six different colors. Oh, and it all only costs $199, making this the the cheapest iPod Touch yet. $199

Nikon D810
The newest member to Nikon’s DSLR family is the full-frame powerhouse D810, meant to replace the D800 and D800E — both successes in their own right. The D810 offers an improvement in picture quality and reduction of noise with a brand new 36.3-megapixel sensor and EXPEED 4 processor. Nikon promises more precise autofocusing and high-speed continuous shooting, meaning even the clumsiest of photographers can look like professionals. $3,300

Nike KD7
Kevin Durant might not have any rings, but does have seven signature Nike basketball shoes. The new KD7 incorporates Nike’s Flywire tech and Nike Zoom into the design, allowing for maximum speed and stability. $150

Hella Bitters Kit
Despite our occasional cynicism of Kickstarter campaigns, some projects — like the Hella Bitter Kit, say — are as realistic as they are awesome. The kit includes everything you need to start making your own bitters, sans spirits. If you’re an aspiring mixologist, or just have a fondness for the sauce, this is a project worth backing. kickstarter.com

Formlabs Form 1+
Everyone knows that printers are a pain in the ass. So 3D must bring the levels of user hostility to new planes, right? Not necessarily. The Form 1+, successor to the well-received Form 1, doubles printing speed, improves print quality and has a 15-minute setup time. $3,299

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