January, 2008

As most of us can attest, it's still winter and in most parts of the northern hemisphere it's appropriately chilly outside, despite the threat of global warming. If you are hoping to stay toasty this season without compromising your artistic sensibilities, then this wall radiator by Austrian designer Marco Dessi might be right up your alley. read more »

550 Horsepower Caddy........Oh yes.

Every Auto Show across the world has some kind of significance when it comes to new cars, whether it's a newly designed exotic or a new Hybrid. At NAIAS, there were numerous displays, but 5 were chosen as the most significant, and each for a different reason.

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The BlingNation Blinger personal ATM device was unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This portable handheld device is basically like having an ATM in the palm of your hand. It will accomplish a variety of personal banking tasks such as money transfers, pay bills, request money from other people, and more. read more »

Once again, an auto show comes to a close and it's time to look back and choose the best and worst. Here are the top picks for production cars from the North American International Auto Show. read more »

This may not be the diaper bag I choose for myself, but this is one I would definitely consider for my husband (and many of my mom friends). When my kids were younger, they didn't have as many choices for dads (or maybe I was just too darn tired to look on theInternet for them). read more »

Parisian designer Celine Wright bridges nature and function in her stunning and sensual lighting creations. read more »

Bigger, better, and a lot more complicated than the Information Age, success in the Age of Connectivity depends more on our capacity to learn what is needed for tomorrow, than what we know today. As soon as information is available, our computers, hand-helds, and cell-phones make it accessible. We need to retrieve it and act on it; that is critical to our livelihoods and to our lives. read more »

Anyone who is a fan of The Simpsons, has got to get themselves one of these Mr. Burns USB webcams. Yeah...it is just basically a regular old webcam...so why would anyone want it...because it's a Mr Burns webcam! read more »

By modifying a few genes in the stomach bacteria E. coli, scientists from Texas A&M have made the bacteria capable of producing hydrogen - possibly enough to power vehicles and homes in the future. read more »

BUSTED!!!!!

When someone has a camera around, everyone becomes exponentially more daring, what can we say, we like to show off. And thanks to video-sharing sites, such as YouTube, we can share our most amazing (and often painful) stunts with the world. Now, Police in Scottland are using those videos to help in reducing traffic accidents. read more »

Like finding refuge in a desert oasis, the BeHive's mission is to reproduce the luxurious feeling of lounging at a tea house somewhere in a faraway land, where everyone is focused on the sharing of good conversation and the main priority is relaxing. read more »

Sony is set to release the Ericsson W890i cell phone which happens to double as a Sony Walkman music player. This phone also features a FM radio, which can both be listened to over the built-in speaker or with the matching pair of included earphones. Sony hopes that the smooth curves and good functionality of the W890i will make it a hit for 2008. read more »

Our Guest Blogger, James Golbey, is the site owner of Dump Trumpet which is a daily compendium of cool links on art, funny stuff, some games and videos. He also contributes to Dark Roasted Blend . He thought the readers of InventorSpot.com would enjoy reading about an nnovative artist he recently discovered. Here's his article: read more »

Strap-on Pacifier

Technology has transformed the baby raising landscape in some ingenious ways. Who knows? If the following three inventions had been available a few years ago my home office might today be covered in Disney motif wallpaper, and all the electrical outlets plugged up with child safety protectors. read more »

Mazda is known for it's very clever use of the rotary engine, especially the RX series. Recently, they decided to add another vehicle to the Rotary family, and it's a love-hate relationship. read more »

Jennifer Northup, a talented jewelry designer, deserves applause for her innovative eco-jewelry. Recycled from vintage antique silverware of the 1800s she molds silverware (handles and other parts) into elegant belts buckles, necklace pendants, bracelets, rings, spoon watches, cardholders, etc. read more »

Full-color pocket-sized printers are now becoming a reality. The reason for this new innovation is that these printers don't use ink or laser technology like most other printers. Instead of ink, these printers use thermal heat to create millions of different colors on a special kind of paper called Zink paper (Zink stands for "zero ink") - these printers are surprisingly inexpensive as well. See the video... read more »

Since it's release in 2005, the new edition of the Mustang has seen steadily climbing sales and some very happy drivers. They hope to improve upon both with a revamping for the 2010 year model. One which may include Twin-Turbo. read more »

Believe it or not, Americans will buy 189 million stems of roses for Valentine's Day, according to the California Cut Flower Commission. read more »

While most tourists visit the Chena Hot Springs Resort to swim in the steaming water of Rock Lake, the locals use the hot springs for another reason: to power their buildings in an attempt to become a self-sufficient community. read more »

Giant "Sit 'N' Spin" for adults? Think again! Rotate at a mature, leisurely pace with the Panorama Sofa by Walking Chair Designs. read more »

A new concept cell phone sports sort-of a throw-back design, and it reminds me of the massive "woody" station wagon that we had when I was a kid because of the old-school wood panel trim. This cell phone was created by designer Seungchan Lee, and it does a good job of blending the old with the new. read more »

UK designer Max McMurdo of Reestore takes everyday objects headed for the landfill and turns them into functional pieces of cool, contemporary furniture and accessories. read more »

Researchers now believe that they have found a promising new treatment for Alzheimer's disease, and it comes in the form of a helmet that shoots infrared rays into your head. It sound a little crude, but these researchers say that this treatment has worked on mice to help restore memory and stimulate brain cell growth, and they will now begin testing on humans. read more »

Synthetic biologists from the J. Craig Venter Institute in Maryland have announced that they have synthetically reproduced the DNA of the bacteria called Mycoplasma laboratorium. With this significant step in their research, they hope to go on to create an entire synthetic organism. read more »

I'm not too sure how the squirrels will feel about this, but certain feathered varieties of local wildlife could now be styling in some well-made birdhouses, modeled after historical architectural homes. read more »

Renault's, soon to be electric, Megane. (from Channel4.com)

When a country can't buy oil from most of the Middle East, there are a few smart things to do: reduce consumption, buy from somewhere else, or, introduce the most revolutionary electric car infrastructure ever. For Israel, it's doing all three. read more »

Looking for a creative way to adorn your bare walls? The Living Wall Planter might be an idea worth considering. read more »

The new ultra-portable Apple MacBook Air was recently introduced at the 2008 MacWorld Expo, and it has not surprisingly created a huge buzz in the notebook computer world. Today, the first hands-on reviews have been released by 3 of the largest news organizations in the world: USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. Here's what they had to say about the MacBook Air... read more »

Even though the Year of the Dog won't actually be coming around again until 2018, in Japan, where there are more dogs than children under the age of 12, it's always the Year of the Dog! So, no surprise that in Tokyo last week there was a New Year Dog Party that lasted two days! And because Japanese people spend more than $10 billion a year on their pets, the world-class designers of canine couture were more than happy to participate. read more »

In Korea, food is not only for eating, but for supersized artistic expression as well. read more »

Today's baby product manufacturers are not only innovative, but environmentally friendly too. read more »

A new international research collaboration has recently announced an ambitious project: mapping the complete genomes of 1,000 individuals from different parts of the world. The new map of the human genome will contain the most detailed data yet on DNA variations, increasing our understanding of genetic roots and diseases. read more »

Supernatural began back in 2004 as a computer graphics collaborative and has since taken flight into realms including design, technology, fine art projects and beyond. read more »

The Nokia Prism 7900 is a cell phone that is more than just a phone - it's a work of art! This glamorous cell phone with diamond-cut designs and crystal center key was created by Nokia in collaboration with the French creative designer Frederique Daubal. read more »

What an ingenious way to give shelter dogs a voice... and get them homes too! Chatterdogs.com has designed clothing for shelter dogs that speaks for them. Adopt me! Pet me! Take me home! I love cats! (Well, that last one is definitely special order....) read more »

McDonald's is one of the largest fast food restaurants and one of the largest advertisers in the world.  Here are 9 fun and creative ads from recent McDonald's advertising campaigns designed to make you hungry for McDonald's:

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Feces Scale

I have a friend who tries to calm my food fears by reassuring me that something that doesn't weigh a pound cannot make me gain a pound. Fine! But what about the bag of chocolate covered nuts (they're filled with protein) I ate this morning? The one I forgot to weigh on my food scale? How much of that have I got sitting inside of me, threatening the needle of my bathroom scale? read more »

Olympus is set to release 2 new waterproof compact digital cameras from their popular Stylus line of compacts. The 2 new models are called the Stylus 1030 SW and the Stylus 850 SW, and they are built to be durable and waterproof (the "SW" stands for "shockproof" and "waterproof"). read more »

While there are plenty of laptops out there for the choosing, Taiwan recently decided it would be a good idea to give both Asian and overseas consumers one more (tiny) option. read more »

When you say "super car," the first things that come to mind are usually either "speed" or "expensive." With the introduction of Audi's R8 TDI, that may change to "clean" and "fuel efficient." read more »

The proposed Universe Islands, depicted just under The World Islands

Sunday, on the heels of the completion of a massive project, property development company, Nakheel, unveiled another Dubai mega-project. If given the go ahead, The Universe Islands would add more than 7,500 acres worth of man-made islands to an already crowded coastline. read more »

Germs pop up everywhere, and when it comes to protecting your little one from illness and bacteria, you can never be too careful. read more »

The delicate balance between negative and positive space can say a lot, especially when using these crafty alphanumeric display and analog dot tapes. rAndom International has teamed up with SuckUK to produce and distribute this tenacious collection for all your interactive labeling needs. read more »

Remember the Super Soaker water gun (a.k.a Power Drencher)? It was the world's first high-performance, pressurized water gun invented by nuclear engineer Lonnie Johnson.

Mr. Johnson who once worked with the U.S Air Force and NASA has more than 100 patents to his name. His most recent invention today could drastically reduce the cost of solar energy as well as conserve heat, if it works. read more »

A Dutch Company by the name of Polymer Vision is set to release the world's first cell phone that features a fold-out display for viewing email, podcasts, text documents, news, and blogs. This device, called the "Readius", is the size of a typical cell phone and has a large 5-inch screen that folds out from the body of the phone. read more »

Although discovering green methods for generating power is a worldwide priority, many people are worried that these cures won't come soon enough. To try to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the meantime, some countries are looking at ways to hide our enormous CO2 footprint by burying the gas deep in the earth. read more »

The results of the "Dining in 2015" contest hosted by designboom are in and my, oh my, are there some fascinating finds. Over four thousand aspiring designers from ninety-eight countries participated, and I must say we humans really are a creative bunch, especially when it comes to food and the partaking thereof. But don't let me convince you -- check out these noteworthy picks for yourself. read more »

The latest on the market to liven up your shower are these wicked heat-reactive tiles from Ultra Glas. These babies bloom like hothouse flowers under the right circumstances, and are sure to make bath time more enjoyable read more »

The iriver W7 isn't your average MP3 player. Yeah, it plays music, video, games, displays photos, among other things, but it also doubles as a fully functional navigation system for your car. There's no other media player like it on the market. read more »

For those people who have been unlucky enough to experience the high costs of a DUI or DWI conviction, you know the extremely high costs associated with drunk driving which include DUI defense attorney fees, court costs, cost of treatment classes, higher auto insurance, not to mention injury or death in some cases. There are some simple, inexpensive gadgets out there that can help to prevent you from getting behind the wheel when you've had a few too many. read more »

Contemporary lamp or some kind of high-tech medical instrument? This wall-mounted lighting device is so futuristic looking it could easily pass for a tool of much more importance. read more »

Philips is trying to clean house in the vacuum cleaner market with their new Marathon bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner. For those people who have always wanted a Dyson vacuum cleaner but couldn't afford the high price tag, this may be the cleaner for you, because it costs about $150 less than comparable Dysons. read more »

Researchers have developed new contact lenses that contain circuits, LEDs, and a "powder" of electrical components that can enable an average human being to possess superhuman vision. read more »

A new company in Los Angeles has started a program that gives consumer's the option to purchase a "guaranteed buyback" on any type of consumer electronic gadget. The company says that this will help the consumer electronic device recycling initiative, as well as put some money back into your pocket. Sounds good at first glance, but is it really a good deal for you? read more »

Our lives can bring us a daily dose of stress that is less than ideal. However next time you feel stressed or upset about life's circumstances, you may want to consider traveling to Korea for a reality check. read more »

Seems the days of mere lounging are quite passé - now it's hip to hover. UK-based design company Hoverit transports you beyond the realms of gravity with "The Lounger." read more »

Bebe Sounds helps you to feel closer to your baby without having to wait for that next prenatal appointment! read more »

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A new remote control enables people with macular degeneration to watch TV, thanks to a special contrast enhancement technology.

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Interested in dropping some extra cash on a luxury chair? You may have found the perfect choice with Lussedia, the latest in ultra-luxe seating. read more »

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There are some things we just don't want to talk about, and condoms are one of them. Instead of looking at this as a problem, condom companies are taking advantage of our discomfort with condoms and using this to create some very entertaining advertising.

Here are ten of the most creative and entertaining condom ads from recent advertising campaigns: read more »

Want a new way to exchange business cards without needing to actually carry them around? A company has developed a new way to wear your digital business card, instead of carrying it, inside of a normal-sized ring. The best part is that to exchange your digital business card with another person, all you do is shake their hand. read more »

With the winter months upon us, it's not uncommon for one's interests to turn to such noble pursuits as the fine art of reading. Ah, literature. Certainly, one of life's finer pastimes, indeed. But what do you do when you find your Danielle Steel collection strewn haphazardly about your living space? Surely, there must be a solution to the stacks that seem to pile higher each day, no? Well, I've done some hunting, and here are a few of my top picks for storing your favorite written works. read more »

Image from CO-STAR BlogSecond Life Israel was launched Sunday, enabling Second Life users from around the world to visit Israel's beaches and historic sites. The virtual state, preceded by a whole Jewish neighborhood in Second Life, is a work in progress, meant to, "present Israel to a global audience beyond the traditional media," according to co-founder Chaim Landau. read more »

Professional Photographer magazine's prestigious Hot One Awards are awarded to the most innovative camera products in each category, and the Lensbabies 3G camera lens has won this award in the medium format lens category. The Lensbabies 3G camera lens allows photographers to literally bend the lens to create some amazing effects in photos. read more »

If simple heat applications could melt away all your cosmetic flaws, would you apply them? Would you spend a few thousand dollars and withstand the heat, let’s say of a hot tub or heating pad, to get a face lift or a tummy tuck without the knife or the sucking device? How about lifting your buttocks or firming your thighs? Well hurry! In most areas, you're looking two to six months out to get started... because the procedure is really HOT! read more »

This week it's my turn to host the Carnival of the Green and I am excited to be the 110th host for the Carnival. read more »

In Romania, lawyers are not allowed to advertise, check out this alternative used by a divorce lawyer in Bucharest. read more »

A South Carolina company is hard at work on a strategy that would mean not a single additional rainforest tree will have to be cut down. read more »

Buckets are handy home essentials, no doubt about it. Anyone who likes to clean will tell you they're absolutely necessary for effective housekeeping. Studio Neils en Sven livens things up with their new spin on an old classic. read more »

In the photo above there is a picture of an innovative jacket designed for the polite smoker by Fiona Carswell, a recent graduate of the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) at NYU. read more »

Experts say that algae could generate 30 times more energy per acre of land than corn and other biofuels, and grow at a much faster rate. read more »

AutoNet Mobile has updated their in-car wireless router for 2008, and this useful device will allow you to connect to the Internet via any WiFi-enabled device. This would include: laptops, PSPs, cell phones, PDAs, and more. The kids won't be bored on those long road trips anymore! read more »

Do you suffer from a tired toilet tank?  Wake up your bathroom terrain with these jokey vinyl stickers from Vital Industries... read more »

Music plays a huge role in the cultures of every country around the world. Check out the following nine ads for everything from rock radio stations to classical music classes and hip jazz night clubs. read more »

It doesn't matter whether it's cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, or opiates - drug addictions may be explained in part by about 400 genes. Scientists predict that genetic factors may account for up to 60% of an individual's drug addiction, while environmental factors account for the other 40%. read more »

Jessica Nebel's Rocking Cube shatters old conceptions of the traditional rocker and brings the classic up to speed with its clean lines and simple geometry. read more »

Winning the Last Gadget Standing Award is a prestigious honor, because it's voted on by the attendees at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The 2008 winner of the award is the Eye-Fi wireless photo transfer SD memory card. This device looks like a regular SD memory card, but it's able to transfer photos from your digital camera to your computer (or laptop) instantly and wirelessly. read more »

Digital Rendering of the World Islands

The much touted World Islands in Dubai were officially completed Thursday, after the final stone in a surrounding breakwater was set. Stretching off the coast of Dubai, the World Islands are manmade islands in the formation of a map of the world. read more »

Technology in our home is becoming more and more hi-tech everyday. Even those little dry-erase marker boards for your refrigerator are getting a hi-tech overhaul thanks to the Audiovox Home Base system which adds a 7 inch LCD display with audio and visual communications capabilities. read more »

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What a great way to reward and inspire creativity!

Wham-O, the company that brought us Hula Hoop, Slip N Slide, Frisbee, SuperBall and Hacky Sack products, is having a big 60th year birthday bash and, to celebrate, Wham-O is inviting all kids between the ages of 6 and 17, U.S. residents only, to submit their unique toy inventions to the Kid Inventor Contest.The winner will receive $2000 and, possibly, three percent of sales! read more »

Cute shoes aren't just an obsession for women anymore, as parents begin to purchase the most adorable of shoes for babies to young to really know the difference. read more »

The chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates, said in a recent interview that Microsoft will not produce a device to try and directly compete with the Apple iPhone - at least not in 2008. This is bad news for Microsoft supporters and for "Apple-haters" alike. read more »

Doggie Dust Cover

Is Fido's fur causing you to fret and frown over your furniture's future? Does the care and maintenance of your pooch's pelt leave you pooped and peeved? Well, I've discovered two patents that address some of the hygiene problems facing dog owners - dog hair, dander and fleas - in unusual ways. read more »

We're all suckers for amazing photography, and Bobby Neel Adams has created quite the repeteoire of some pretty incredible images. His most impressive are the spliced images of the same person, one half from when they were younger, the other years later. The results are something altogether intriguing. read more »

While many people are still confused about the difference between LCD, plasma, DLP, etc., Mitsubishi is already set to release a new kind of TV to the mix - laser TV. As the name implies, this new TV uses laser technology to produce what may just be the best quality picture ever. read more »

Turkey is in the midst of building a rail tunnel and a vehicle tunnel that will connect Asia and Europe through the Bosporous Strait. While the rail tunnel is expected to be completed in 2009, the vehicle tunnel will be taking bids shortly, and its expected completion date is 2011.

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The ultimate in crappy activities for growing minds, Baby Bush Toys reigns supreme as an Internet store that doesn't sell anything. read more »

Aside from insulation, floral arrangements, and the housing of egg sandwiches, the joys of Styrofoam have apparently crossed into the realm of interior design with Kwangho Lee’s Styrofoam couch. read more »

While Feng Shui used to be frowned upon in communist China, those same officials that once disdained experts of this ancient craft are now turning to them for job security. read more »

The New Motorola ROKR E8 is a cell phone like no other. With its innovative design, music player, web browser, camera, and Bluetooth support, it's sure to start 2008 off with a bang. read more »

Some people may have already heard about the Slacker software service which allows you to create your own customized radio stations on your computer, but now you can transfer those customized stations to the Slacker Portable Player to listen on-the-go. read more »

With 1.8 million named species out there, it's nearly impossible to categorize them all into one neat catalogue. Nevertheless, that's not stopping the guys over at The Field Museum of Natural History, Harvard University, Marine Biological Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, and Biodiversity Heritage Library who have all banned together to launch the Encyclopedia of Life, which hopes to document all 1.8 million species on their state-of-the-art website. read more »

Over the years, animal rights organizations have used some very interesting advertising to promote their message. Everything from bags to packaged people in parks. What do you think of these organization's advertising efforts? read more »

Tony Fulford, our Guest Blogger, is an independent inventor dedicated to enhancing and protecting America’s unique natural resource…the small independent inventor.

We asked him to help us raise awareness about proposed changes to the U.S. Patent Laws that some argue could serve to destroy the small independent inventor. Here's his article:

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In case you haven't caught up to 2008 yet, the Imbroglio perpetual calendar gives you the chance to do so in fully modern form. read more »

Whether you're a professional DJ or you throw a house party every now and then, the Pacemaker may be the DJ system that you've been waiting for. This DJ system is different from any other system on the market, because it's small enough to fit in your pocket and can be used in conjunction with the DJ equipment that you already have. See the video here... read more »

The Kids City, the very first in China, will open its doors to children aged 5-10, giving them an opportunity to live a "day in the life" of their dream jobs. read more »

Forget about nanotechnology; when it comes to making TV's bigger is better! Panasonic displayed the world's largest Plasma HDTV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) yesterday, and it has proved to be a big hit. read more »

The compounds in cannabis are already known to alleviate the pain from cancer and other illnesses, but now some studies have found that cannabis may also stop tumor cells from growing and getting out of control, as normally happens in untreated cancer. read more »

Grocery stores are now a great place to advertise, not only for the store and the products they carry but also for medical centers, tv shows and even nonprofit campaigns. read more »

The design duo Eva Guillet and Aruna Ratnayake of studio.lo have discovered a whole new way to store CDs -- as wholly cool wall art made from sturdy paper cases. read more »

As a continued environmentally conscious effort Sony has added one more hand-powered prototype to their eco-list called the "Twirl N' Take". It looks and moves kind of like a pizza cutter, but it doesn't cut pizza. It takes digital pictures instead. read more »

New for 2008 is the Sony Mylo 2, which obviously is the follow-up to the first Sony Mylo of last year. This new model offers a whole new set of features and functionality that expands upon the original Mylo's somewhat "primitive" features. For example, the new Mylo 2 sports built-in Wi-Fi G (54 Mbps) capabilities, while the first Mylo offered a much slower Wi-Fi B (11Mbps). read more »

Robocup, a worldwide initiative to get a team of humanoid robots prepped and able to defeat a human world champion soccer team by the year 2050, has been getting a lot of attention around the globe. Now China is starting to show distinct interest, with the continual development of the Robocup China Committee. read more »

Every once in awhile, I run into a three-dimensional, walking, talking and, most of all, hard-working soul, who embodies the qualities that make inventors successful. This time it's Robert ("Bobby") Amore who, with his "Toner Belt," made it to the round-of-twelve in season one of American Inventor (ABC, 2006). Bobby just happens to be one of the few contestants from season one and two who has reached the mass market with his product... now being sold as the "Walk n' Burn." read more »

Hip hats aren't just for those with fully developed motor skills, as has been proven on the heads of various happenin' infants all across the country. read more »

This new "sleep station" will give people no reason to get out of bed in the morning. The Starry Night bed, as it's called, contains enough features to allow you to stay in bed all day and surf the Web, watch movies, or listen to your digital music collection with its built-in surround sound system. You won't believe some of the features that this "super bed" sports, and it all comes with a hefty price tag. read more »

Snot Sucking Gun

Nowadays, the word "automatic" appears in front of almost everything we touch. Today a brief stroll around the aisles of most stores reveals a culture that can no longer, is no longer, interested in doing things the old-fashioned way: manually. Disagree? Then take a look at United States patent 6471679 . read more »

For most of us in the northern hemisphere, winter has us fully in its grip by now, so staying warm is somewhat of a priority as the temperatures drop. If you're in the market to not only stay toasty but also add some panache to your home décor, Carisa radiators promise to keep you both snug as a bug as well as luxuriously stylish. read more »

What is the best way to get your message across about lingerie and sex toys without the use of half naked models? The following ads, from Ann Summers, Blush, Stringfellows, Bus-stop and Oohtique.com have figured out how to get their message across without reverting to the predictable. read more »

Gayhane at SO36 (from The New York Times)

Outside of the confines of the Middle East, where homosexuality is still expressly forbidden, a new community is springing up at a nightclub in Berlin. The nightclub, SO36, is hosting a monthly event called ‘Gayhane', which gives homosexual Muslims, mostly of Arab and Turkish descent, the opportunity to connect with others of similar backgrounds. read more »

We've all heard of spoon-bending and telekinesis, but Quebec native Francois Legault brings a whole new level of organized interconnectedness to the domain of eating utensils with his unique lighting collections. read more »

Last year in celebration of 15 years of business TAXI and its executive creative director Steve Mykolyn decided to give back to the community. Steve came up with the 15 Below project and recruited Lida Baday, Canadian designer, to design a coat for the homeless. She designed the 15 Below jacket. read more »

In many ways, Apple does a firm grip on the MP3 player and digital music market with its iPod and iTunes empire. Some people believe that Apple has been unfair in these respective markets from a consumer standpoint, saying that Apple overcharges for iPods and also for music at iTunes. read more »

The DYMO DiscPainter is a very cool device that will appeal to some people, while others will find the cost of operation to be unjustified. This little printer is a must-have for budding musicians, photographers, business professionals, and amateur cinematographers. read more »

The skyline of Japan's Inazawa City has a whole new look today, dominated by the Solae Elevator Testing Tower. A true triumph of architectural design, Solae is not only sleek and stylish but at 567 ft high, is the world's tallest elevator testing tower. read more »

Today's generation of tykes are all over the fashion scene, thanks to the wit of Generation X fashion designers wanting cute baby apparel choices for both their own kids and for a lucrative business opportunity. read more »

Greg Wolos, winner of the "Show Us Your Skills" contest held by retro clockmakers furni, has turned timekeeping on its head -- rather, its side -- with his funky, vertical-mounted wall clock titled, "Emily." read more »

We all know that in today's world you are either a fan of Apple products like the iPod Touch, iPod, or iPhone, and for those people who don't swing Apple's way, you go with Microsoft stuff- most recently the Microsoft Zune. The Zune 80GB is a very popular MP3 player, but it doesn't have near the functionality of the iPhone - so doesn't it make sense that the Zune 3 should be iPhone-like? read more »

Can placing magnets on your skin cure aches, pains, and sprains? So-called "magnetic therapy" is often considered to be a hoax under the guise of "alternative medicine." But now a study by biomedical engineering researchers at the University of Virginia has found that magnets may really provide biological healing. The scientific evidence for the controversial therapy may lead to mainstream use of magnets for athletes, the elderly, and others. read more »

A company in Canada by the name of RabbitHoles has created a new technique of turning regular 2-D images, such as a movie poster, into high quality, full-color 3-D images that can even have animation sequences implemented into the photo. Check out the video of this new technology in action... read more »

Unfortunately, suicide is a horrific problem facing the members of the global community. Look how some countries are reaching out to their citizens. read more »

Kick Your Own Butt Device

"I Could Just Kick Myself." Well, now you can!

Did your parents ever tell you all you needed was a swift kick in the butt? If you were in grade school around the time I was - back when no one much cared about your self-esteem or your feelings - you might have heard a teacher say these very same words to/at you. Perhaps when you've screwed up, yet again, you've even uttered these words to yourself under your breath. The obvious problem in this last scenario is that people just aren't built to accomplish such a feat. read more »

Using molten salt to store solar energy, researchers hope to implement large-scale solar power generation, with a single tower capable of producing up to 500 megawatts of peak power. read more »

Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka blurs elemental lines with the Waterfall, bringing new meaning to the term "wet bar." read more »

Fouad al-Farhan (center)

On December tenth, Saudi blogger Fouad al-Farhan was detained for questioning by the Saudi Interior Ministry. In a case that has invoked international condemnation, possible charges against Farhan have not been elaborated on, except for a brief statement by a Ministry spokesman, stating that, Farhan was detained "for violating rules not related to state security." read more »

With the Macworld Expo fast approaching (January 15, 2008), Apple is expected to unveil their latest crop of their ultra-popular MacBooks. These new MacBooks are expected to feature support for Blu-ray DVD movies, which will bring HD content to MacBook users by way of traditional DVD's and digital movies via iTunes. read more »

More and more people are choosing to "cut the cord" when it comes to their choice of computer mouse. Wireless mice are becoming increasingly standard in the computer world, and for good reason. They are typically easier to use, more convenient, and less of a hassle than the wired variety. They do have one drawback, though - they've always required batteries - until now... read more »

Temporary/Portable Nuclear Fallout Shelter

If you've listened to the news lately it might seem as though we are on the brink of another arms race. Oh sure, we've made some progress with North Korea, for now, but what about the rest of the world? If worrying about escalating international tensions is keeping you from making good on your new year's resolution to embark on a diet and fitness program that will help you transform yourself, I've got a patent that could put some of your fears to rest - temporarily - just long enough so that you can get up off the couch and into the gym.

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Turn on the faucet and let the light flow? Hmm... Seems a bit paradoxical, but the Light Drop by Brazilian designer Rafael Morgan does just that. read more »

There are plenty of mysteries out there for scientists to worry about. Finding the cure for cancer or discovering a way to reverse ozone damage would be a good start. However, over in Russia they are concerned about something else: Saying hello to an alien read more »

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a Nintendo Wii this holiday season, you may have gotten more than just a gaming system. A recent press release has stated that certain gaming consoles, like the Nintendo Wii and the Playstation 3, are able to act as a stereo receiver to play your online music collection. Find out how... read more »

More than 250,000 people pass through the Stockholm Central Station every day. In the past, the body heat they release has posed problems, requiring open windows to air it out. But soon, the excess heat will be used to provide heating for a new office building nearby. read more »

Sleeping entwined with another is a novel concept, but there's always the problem of that extra arm. Where does one put it? Mehdi Mojtabvi's Love Mattress offers a simple solution for the chronic limp arm that often results from sleeping while wrapped in a prolonged embrace. read more »

The Unofficial Lego Mindstorms NXT Inventor's Guide (300 pages)
David J. Perdue
(No Starch Press)

Lego Mindstorms is one of the latest educational toys aimed at getting kids interested in high-tech subjects the fun way: by building robots. Aimed at kids 10 years old and up, the robotics kit teaches young students about building, programming, and electronics. read more »