The General Dynamics Itronix GD300 is running a version of Android, and it offers a GPS system, MIL-STD 810G-grade durability, a 600 MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 256 meg of RAM, eight gigs of flash storage and a 3.5 inch touchscreen that’s both “glove friendly” and “sunlight readable”.

Looking at it, and going over its functions–including real-time position locating and connection to military radios–suggests that it pretty much is the Pip-Boy of legend staring us right in the face. No word on how long it’ll take for the civilian model to land, though I’ll give good odds there are plenty of gamers out there who’d love to get this in, considering it’s comparably powerful to, say, a Nexus One and is likely on par with the iPhone.

And considering the government’s as broke as it is, you’d think there’d be an all-too-welcome fortune in licensing the wearable iPhone.

The inPulse BlackBerry watch isn’t a substitute for the popular phone also known as the CrackBerry. The watch connects to your BlackBerry via Bluetooth 2.0. It includes a 1.3-inch OLED display screen and lets you preview e-mails, messages, alarms and will even show incoming call details. To answer calls or reply to messages, you will still need to whip out the actual phone.

All the settings for the watch are done on the actual BlackBerry. It features optional vibrating alerts and comes with a microUSB port for charging. Once the 150mAh Li-ion battery is fully charged, Allerta claims that it can last for up to four days, based on receiving 20 to 30 updates a day.

Allerta’s initial press release included features for the inPulse that had gadget fanatics smiling:

Check your messages quickly and discreetly
Using inPulse, a glance down at your wrist is all it takes to easily check recently received email, SMS and even Twitter messages. New messages are sent directly to your inPulse. Instead of pulling out your phone to figure out who keeps texting you, just keep an eye on your inPulse.

Never miss an important call
Have you ever missed a call because you didn’t hear your phone ringing or couldn’t feel the vibration? inPulse has a built-in vibrating motor which immediately alerts you of incoming calls. Glance down at inPulse to quickly see who is calling.

You can place your pre-order for the inPulse for just $149. Keep in mind that the first batch has been fully pre-ordered. It was meant to have gone out in February but obviously that didn’t eventuate due to manufacturing problems. Do expect longer delays to receive your inPulse if you’re just putting in your order today. Although the long wait could be worth it in the end.

Talented artists Jonathan Schipper and Amelia Biewald have joined forces to come up with one of the coolest things to adore your iPhone with, the handcrafted solid metal EXOvault iPhone case. Made from solid aluminum, brass or titanium, the EXOvault iPhone case keeps away from the common plastics we see popping each day on the market, and charms with the unique steampunk look that it lends to the stylish handset.

Although we love the whole design that turns your iPhone into an unique iBrick that gets into your eyes, the new EXOvault iPhone case may have a big drawback – the fact that it’s made from metal could destroy reception. I mean that’s the reason why manufacturers these days keep away from metal cases so that 3G and GPS radios to “break” through. However we’d like to believe that Schipper and Biewald have used paramagnetic metal that won’t affect the aforementioned issues, but since details are scarce we can only speculate.

So far what we know for sure is that the metalic EXOvault iPhone Case sells for $95 and $300 if you’re after the titanium version.

Sleek you say?

[via Geeky-Gadgets]

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty can be found just about everywhere. It’s on cell phones, MP3 players, backpacks, underwear…you get the picture. Well, now there is yet another reason for teenage girls in Japan to go all crazy over this cute little critter. In an effort to help boost sales of its notebooks, Epson have announced the launch of two models of the Endeavor NJ2150 laptop dressed in pearly white and sporting the mug of Hello Kitty.

The latest Endeavor models will be available in two configurations. The standard comes with an Intel Celeron 900 processor at 2.2GHz, 1GB Ram and an 80GB HDD. For those girls with more high-end tastes, the upgraded model is equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor at 2.53GHz, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. Both models feature a 15.4-inch screen, 5 USB 2.0 ports, a 3-in1- card reader, IEEE 1394/IEEE 802.11a/b/g/nWLAN and Windows Vista Home Premium.

As if having a Hello Kitty Epson laptop wasn’t enough, they have also loaded it with a bunch of Hello Kitty SWAG like screensavers and wallpaper. With all of that cuddly cute coating this thing it just might be dripping with sweetness when it arrives in Japan on July 17^th.

Unfortunately for us, the Epson Endeavor NJ2150 Hello Kitty version laptops are only available from Sanrio’s Japanese website and in a couple of Hello Kitty shops in Tokyo. The base model retails for $1,350 and the upgraded model for $1,650. If you absolutely must have one and you live outside of the Land of the Rising Sun, you can contact the www.JapanTrendShop.com or www.GeekStuff4U.com to see about getting one sent to you.

There is certainly no shortage of wearable communications devices on the market. The main problem seems to be that they are either loaded with useless functions or prices that are out of the range of the average consumer. The latest offering from Chinese electronics distributor impart.com, the W968 All-Metal Watch Phone, is hoping to change that.

The W968 All-Metal Watch Phone sports a pretty cool brushed aluminum construction that is a nice departure from the typical black rubber models we are used to seeing. It has a 1.3-in touch screen and it offers support for playing both MP3 and MP4 audio files. Given its size, however, I doubt that it will blow your eardrums away with high-fidelity music. On the positive side, there is also a 1.3 MP camera built-in making it a contender for spy gadget of the year.

• 1.3-in touch screen
• Support GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz
• Handwritten input
• MP3/MP4 multimedia player
• 1.3MP camera
• FM radio
• GPRS
• Bluetooth function
• Support Multi-Language interfaces

There’s a good chance that this low-priced device may prove to be less than stellar when it comes to performance and durability, but it its current price point there isn’t much room for complaints. The W968 All-Metal Watch Phone can be purchased for $137.70 at www.ipmart.com.

If you are up on your geek trivia, you know that back in 2005 scientists discovered the largest known dwarf planet in our solar system, later named Eris. According to Wikipedia, it’s the ninth largest direct solar-orbiting body; it’s approximately 2,500 km (1553-mi) in diameter and 27% more massive than Pluto. So it seems only fitting that designers would be inspired to create a watch that is shaped like a sphere in honor of the discovery of Eris, right? The students at l’Ecole d’Arts Appliques Geneva thought so, too. The result is the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch.

Manufactured by Swiss watchmakers, Pierre Junod, the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch is truly a unique timepiece. It can be worn as a pocket watch, pendant or used as a small desk clock. And at just over an inch in diameter, could do some serious damage in a sling-shot. The unit reports the time with a white hour hand and orange minute hand. The case is constructed of anthracite-anodized aluminum and features laser-engraved figures, mineral glass, and Swiss quartz movement. It also comes complete with a rubber strap just in case you want to wear it around your neck to impress the ladies.

• Diameter: 33.2-mm (1.3-in)
• Weight: 36-g (0.08-lb)
• Battery Ref: Renata Swiss-made 364

The two pointers report the correct time as they float around the equator of this mini-planet with the minutes in the northern hemisphere and the hours in the southern. It actually looks pretty sleek, but I don’t think I’d be confident enough to actually wear it around my neck. The Eris Planetary Sphere Watch will be available for sale late July 2009. You can pre-order yours at www.watchismo.com for $450.

We’ve all seen the little gadgets that you can carry around that let you know when you’re near a Wi-Fi signal. They normally take the form of a small handheld device that you can fit in your pocket or put on your keychain. Not a bad idea, really. So why don’t we see too many wearable gizmos that do the same thing? Probably because they don’t seem to make much sense and most people wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them. The makers of the WiFi Cap certainly got it right when they called their latest invention “geeky” and I’m sure they won’t be winning any fashion awards anytime soon.

Marketed by ThumbsUp, the WiFi Cap is basically a ballcap that doubles as a signal-detecting device. It let’s you know that you are in the wireless zone by lighting up a little display on the front of the cap. There are several other reviews of this technology floating around out there and I have to say that they are spot on when they point out the seemingly obvious flaw of this new design. How are you supposed to see the signal if you are wearing the cap? I guess if you have a friend with you (who shouldn’t have let you put on the damn thing to begin with) they can let you know when your head starts to blink.

According to the ThumbsUp website, The WiFi Detecting Cap can locate either 802.11b or 802.11g signals and runs on CR2032 batteries that are housed in a small battery pack that tucks neatly inside the lining of the cap. If you are measuring the success of the device by its ability to find wireless signals, you might have a winner. If you are using fashion and practicality as your yardsticks, it might fall a bit short. You can purchase your very own nerd cap at www.thumbsupuk.com for 12.99GBP/$21.00.

I don’t think I’d get much argument when I say that most electronics are not designed with women in mind. With their boring blacks and gloomy grays it’s no surprise that most women aren’t drawn to the latest in gadgetry. The designers at Juicy Couture have decided that it’s time to change all that. Their latest girl-centric product offering, the Juicy Couture “Back to School” Flexi Keyboard, will have tech-tweens swooning.

The Juicy Couture ‘Back to School’ Flexi Keyboard is nothing new when it comes to technology. It’s your basic flexible silicone USB keyboard. But where it differentiates itself from amongst the masses is in its bright bubblegum pink color and fancy Old English lettering gracing its keys. I would think that this overly artistic script would prove difficult to ready, but who am I to judge? The device is compatible with both Mac and PC and as its name suggests, you can roll it up to take it with you

Juicy Couture might not be known for its great advances in electronics, but when it comes to having its thumb on the pulse of their target demographic, few would disagree that they are on top of things. Their version of the portable USB keyboard seems to offer both prerequisites in this category, it’s portable and it’s a keyboard. Will their pink keyboard make them the next iPhone? I hardly think so. Will it give guys just a bit more of a chance when it comes to getting their girlfriends something they might actually use? Quite possibly. You can pick one up for $45 at www.nordstrom.com.

Renowned for their luxury streetwear, the Parisian folks from Hoon (together with young French audio firm — The Perfect Unison) came up with a new set of python skin headphones that not only rock for their exquisite looks but also for featuring the newest innovation in acoustic.

A perfect mix of high technology and stylish design, the new line of headphones are packaged in traditional French craftsmanship with nine layers of birch wood which are then covered in supple goat skin on the inside for comfort and python skin on the exterior for looks. With ear pieces crafted from polished carbon fiber that have been strictly varnished by hand, the new headphones make for a quality professional product.

The new collection will be released on Collete in Paris, starting June 23rd.

While those buying a yacht aren’t considering any green alternatives but rather a wave tearer that will impress the ladies, there’s a new toy around. Dubbed Code X, this hybrid yacht is a cleaner option for those who won’t sacrifice luxury and comfort for greener technologies. And the great part is they are not going to …

With a pair of Ilmor Formula One engines that can throw 710 hp into the sea to propel it at 80 knots, Code X is quite a speedboat that knows how to relax from time to time. Because that luxurious 47? 7� catamaran also features a set of two electric engines that draw power from the on-board solar panels, great for a leisure trip at a 9 knots speed while enjoying the sun.

An amazing amalgamation of style and state-of-the art technologies, the new Code X yacht features an interesting GPS-controlled “Virtual Anchor” system that is supposed to keep it stationary when windy or when the sea is harsh. It also introduces touchscreen controls and a Kevlar/carbon shell with phototropic-shaded screens and windows to his filthy rich owner …

Quite a boat, isn’t it?

In a first for this blog, we bring to you a sewing machine so advanced that… ummm it lets you stitch and mend clothes faster with more options for patterns and types of stitches. Now, know that sewing machines are gadgets too and there are men out there who are as enthused about their Jukis and Singers as others amongst us are about our iPods and BlackBerrys.

The Quattro 6000D is a feature-packed sewing machine which takes a little more than 4 feet of space (which is actually a lot of space). In my opinion as an ex-textiles engineer a small garments job-working business could be comfortably run from home if you have two of these monsters to work with.

A 4.5 x 7-inch Sharp HD LCD display gives you a clear view of the patterns you are creating. The display is made possible by the InnovEye and Up-Close Viewer technology which places a camera close to the needle. Embedded lighting on the runway lets you view the stitch area with greater clarity. The machine has three USB ports so that you can download embroidery instructions and patterns from the net, plug them to the machine and create designs based on them.

The Quattro 6000D is not yet out in the market and there is no information on price but it appears that only garment houses and fashion designers will be able to absorb the cost of this baby, at least during the first few rounds of selling.

Ok I may be geeky and I may be somewhat of a tomboy at heart but every now and again I feel that little girl peek her head through and say, “Yeah! I like features but is it pretty?” Most of the time I like to shove her out of sight but this time she’s out to play and she is playing with the latest HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook.

You may remember the MP3 Player design well … The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook is anything but boring and if we could compare it to people, then this is the ramp model of the notebooks! In fact, it was debuted at New York Fashion Week on the ramp!!!

When HP approached Vivienne Tam to design a notebook she says she had to consider the modern women; one who was feminine and fashionable but still cared about technology.

The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook will be launched in October but what could be seen from the ramp was a gorgeous purse-like design (approx. 8 – 10 inches) and a complementary designer embroidered storage sleeve.

Although not much else is known, sources say that it resembles the HP 2133 Mini-Note, has a 10-inch screen and the keyboard also appears the same as the Mini-Notes, as do the position of the trackpad and mouse keys.

So the “little girl” inside is happy and now I can’t wait for the specs to be announced! At least a part of me is adamant to own this stunning fashionable piece of technology.

[source]

Another pretty offering for us geeky gals out there. Paris Hilton eat your heart out! Introducing the Rhinestone USB flash drive, complete with sparkly goodness!

These Rhinestone USB Flash Drives are the standard 1GB offering (seems like most of these “cute” offerings are nowadays) and is made of stainless steel and obviously embellished in hundreds of iridescent rhinestones in either pink, blue or crystal.

You’ll love the fact that it’s “pretty” for lack of any other word, because they really are just pretty. The price tag of $125 may seem exorbitant to those only interested in features over looks (I’ll be one of those girls I’m afraid; would rather have a brand new 8GB flash drive in plain black for the same price). However, I still happen to think it’s nifty that we can express ourselves even more now with the modern designs that are taking over the USB market.

I recommend this sweet offering to all those feminine girls who need that latest piece of attractive gadgetry to keep them not only tech savvy, but also in-style!

[source]

Hmmm … That’s what I have to say so far with regards to the new Zip Light, mainly because I have a bad past with zips in general (and I have the scar to prove it! Something About Mary – Eat your heart out!)

This so called Zip Light is said to take the monotony of switching lights on and off using a switch, by letting you zip it on and off. This interesting design by Shannon South makes lighting similar to handbag use – where one would have to zip their bag open.

I’m not entirely sold on the idea … yes, it’s interesting and well, different, but is it easy? I quite like having a switch here and there without having to walk to my light continuosly to zip it on and off. Then again, this would take the hassle out of wiring your house AND it has a low energy fluorescent bulb which means you’ll be saving on electricity.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m still undecided. Guess I’ll have to try one out to decide properly.

[source]

Man oh man, what I would give to have this in a human-sized offering. I think I’m in love with this plush pink Beetle Pet Sofa.

I’ve never thought of myself as the jealous kind but now I can imagine myself getting rather “catty” with my pets when they snuggle up on this gorgeous fluffy offering.

On top of it’s appeal, it is also cleverly designed with a slipcover which is machine washable in cold water. It is available in pink and black and makes your pets feel as though they have just stepped of f the “cat” walk …
(Yes, for your information, I am loving the puns! Mainly to keep me from saying horrible things about my pets using this sofa, instead of me!)

It’s unfortunately designed for cats and small dogs so I can’t even pretend that it’s mine. Could you imagine a 5ft2inch girl perched on a bright pink sofa which is only 26” x 12” x 14”? Let’s put it this way; the image is amusing to say the least.

This stunning polyester, foam and wood sofa is a definite must for any adored pet or for those, without pets, who want hot mini sofas just for kicks (Me! Me! Me!)

[source]

I know I’m a girl but it doesn’t make me love Hello Kitty paraphernalia more than the next guy, to be honest with you. Seeing however that I’m on the lookout for a new camera (Yay! how I love to be robbed!) I stumbled upon this Hello Kitty Digital Camera offering.

So, firstly, let’s take Hello Kitty out of the equation. Pretend we have a plain white camera (a canvas so to speak). So, what does this standard camera have to offer the aspiring photographer?

Well, this version is one of the CasioExilim line of digital cameras and has an impressive 8.1 megapixel capability to offer. It also includes a 3x optical zoom and a delightful 2.6 inch LCD screen so you can see your beautiful light artworks. So far so good, right?

Right!

Now for the bad news … it’s Hello Kitty Damn Nabbit!!! So, if you are one of the throngs of people who happen to LOVE this “design” (I say this gritting my teeth) then this is most definitely the camera for you. I myself am not a Hello Kitty admirer, but that being said, I love the new idea of making themed items because I’m all for individualism. I think that’s why I’m not fond of the Hello Kitty Fad … it just seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry is too. Of course this means more sales – so good on the guy who decided to brand it such!

All in all … this spec-filled camera is available for the modest price of $538.70 which I happen to think is a bargain for the features it offers.

[source]

Ok, so maybe it is just because I am of the fairer sex but I am all for keeping a diary (despite blogging half my life away on Facebook and Livejournal) and also, keeping it safe and secret, so when I stumbled upon the USB secret Diary I was somewhat euphoric!

The USB Secret Diary allows you to put fingers to keyboard and type away your most secret feelings and desires without ever worrying about lock, key, pencil and book again! Though I’ll admit to missing the pen and paper bit, this little baby has so much to offer, I reckon I’ll get over it quickly enough!

The USB Secret Diary has a numeric pad in order to enter your own specially chosen 4 digit pin which means you’re already safe to start with. It impresses by going that one step further by encrypting your stored entries via 256-bit AES crypto, and if this wasn’t enough, well then you’re going to LOVE this next bit. This little gem will take intruders on like James Bond and self destruct the data when someone tries to force their way in! (I would suggest a backup on another USB just incase) No good losing all your secrets due to your nosey little brother messing around with your stuff!

This USB Secret Diary is available with bundled software to ensure your diary acts just as a real-life one would. Fortune cookie, My Stars application, Dream Catcher, Thinking Deep, and Mood Art are the software applications that will increase your experience of enjoyment while writing in your diary. These applications make your practice more life-like and interactive while supposedly “reading your emotions” by displayng a colourful swirl in the heading depicting the emotion “sensed” in your writing. (Wow!)

I think I might buy a few at this rate; 1 or 2 for myself and 1 or 2 for my VERY IMPORTANT WORK (No … no … no … I’m not a spy, I promise!)

[source]

“Pantone Coffee Mugs?” you say.
Yes, I do say! Possibly the coolest thing to hit the shelves this season, in my opinion. My opinion, being that of a graphic design graduate, of course.

For those of you who haven’t a clue what “Pantone” means, well, basically consider that each colour in the whole entire world (approximately 24 million to be precise) has it’s own unique code (just to make we designer’s lives that much easier). So the designers of this particular range have appealed to the average artist’s geeky side by making a range of colourful mugs, complete with their own individual colour codes, matching their printed colour. Ingenious! Modern! Absolutely Fabulous!

These Pantone Coffee Mugs are priced at 8 pounds per one or at a sterling 72 pounds for the palette of 10 (makes more sense to own the whole lot)!

For all those nerdy enough to go “google” the Pantone colours after reading this post, the reference numbers for the particular colours are Red 186C, Pink 239C, Royal Blue 286C, Lime Green 388C, Pale Blue 549C, Lilac 2583C, Olive Green 5757C, Black 4C, Orange 021C, Process YellowC.

While you’re at it, why not order a set and get ready to entertain “colourfully.”

[source]

*POP* … Watch out! It’s the Champagne Cork Capsule Stool.
Pardon me?
Yes, well, let’s call it the brain-child of the US designer, James Herman, then, shall we?

I’m all for nifty one-of-a-kind stool and chair designs and would love it if they added this model to the miniature set once reviewed on this site.
The Champagne Cork Capsule Stools were “invented” one night when the designer in question was fiddling around with a Champagne Cork (See what happens when you leave us designers alone to our own devices!)

Luckily for designer, Herman, Moet et Chandon granted him royalty free licence to reproduce their trademark in a stool fashion. I can’t see why not though, I mean, it is free advertising, despite having some lovely lady’s bottom perched on it.
In a way, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “bottom’s up”.

The Champagne Cork Capsule Stools can be viewed or sat upon in the Tribeca Bubbles bar in NYC though I’m certain if you had the right amount of pocket change ($$$) you should be able to afford some for your own bubbly bar.

[source]

So I think I’ve pretty much explained how “nerdy” I am so this review on the “Pixel couch” should come as no surprise. The “Pixel Couch” is a celebration of bad computer graphics and terrible screen resolution, yet somehow, the designer, Cristian Zuzunaga, has designed a fabric that rejoices this phenomenon.

This “Pixel Couch” is all thanks to the Royal College art graduate’s fabric design which is now being produced through the Danish manufacturer Kvadrat and sold through Moroso.

It only makes sense to own furniture that replicates our daily lives by bringing the concept of computer pixels into our living room don’t you think? Why escape pixels when our entire lives revolve around myriad pixels on an hourly basis; from cameras to cellphones to computers to GPS units to portable gaming devices and now lounge suites. Our lives are part of one big pixelated heaven …

So go grab a pixel couch today and integrate your old-fashioned homely life and modern existence flawlessly into one faultless pixel picture of perfection. Wow, that’s a lot of “P’s”

[source]

Following on from the Digg Me and Wi-Fi Signal Strength T-shirts featured some weeks ago, this decidedly geeky ‘Are You Social?’ T-shirt will allow you to parade your Web 2.0 credentials with pride thanks to a series of check boxes allowing you to indicate to all and sundry which Web 2.0 sites you actively partake in.

The ‘Are You Social?’ T-shirt comes with a total of 79 Web 2.0 sites listed (including such favourites as Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Reddit, Digg, Skype, YouTube, and Technorati) which you simply cross off with a pen (waterproof pens recommended for all but the especially indecisive) to display your particular allegiances.

The full range extends to lightweight and heavyweight cotton T’s for both men and women as well as long sleeved Jersey T’s with prices ranging from $16.90 to $25.90.

[Source | Geekology]

Whilst we’ve featured many gadgets that allow you to enjoy your favourite MP3s whilst on the move, such as Soundwalk’s MP3 Vest and Marware’s iTouch Sportsband, these cool, newly announced MP3 sunglasses from Oakley, which come with detachable speakers and up to 2GB of NAND based internal storage capacity, undoubtedly win out in terms of both style and versatility.

Offering a series of beautifully understated controls built into the sunglasses’ arms along with custom Mylar speaker units that can be removed at will, these Oakley Split Thumb shades not only offer music on the move, whist avoiding the need for trailing wires, they also offer high definition ‘Plutonite’ optics affording 100% protection from the sun’s harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

Available in 512MB, 1GB and 2GB flavours, with the 2GB version capable of storing up to 500 tracks, Oakley’s Split Thumb MP3 shades are MP3, AAC, WMA and Audible file format friendly and, regardless of weighing in at less than a CD jewel case offer up to 7 hours of playback endurance thanks to the inbuilt rechargeable battery. Naturally, the shades also come with a USB 2.0 port allowing for convenient file transfer from Windows and Mac based PCs as well as serving to recharge the shades when their three colour battery level indicator advises that the juice is running a little low.

Oakley’s cool, new Split Thumb sunglasses, which are available in either polished black or white with either warm gray or black lenses, retail from $250.

[Source | Electronista]

Whilst we liked the T-Qualizer animated graphic equalizer t-shirt previously featured on TFTS it is, in truth, a little to gaudy for our tastes, but this Wi-Fi Signal Strength Detecting T-Shirt, in being somewhat understated yet fabulously geeky, really appeals to us.

Featuring a glowing, animated signal strength meter, the Wi-Fi Signal Strength Detecting T-Shirt will dynamically offer a real-time indication as to signal strengths of any 802.11b or 802.11g wi-fi connections currently available courtesy of a series of glowing bars powered by a small battery pack concealed within a small pocking in the shirt.

Ideal for those of you who are not adverse to partaking of a little web surfing on someone’s unsecured connection or for those who are just looking to display their geek credentials with pride (and why not?) this cotton, machine washable Wi-Fi Signal Strength Detecting T-Shirt retails for $29.99 (approximately £15 / €21).

We had to do several double takes as far as this diamond and ruby encrusted lure is concerned on the basis that we felt certain that we had fallen prey to an especially far fetched lack of sleep induced hallucination but, having slapped ourselves around the face a few times (the wife seemed unusually eager to assist) and having duly checked the alcohol content of our beer we can confirm that some things are indeed stranger than fiction.

Regular readers will have long since come to the understandable assumption that we are going to dislike this item with a passion and a vigour of such magnitude that your screen is liable to implode (ok, unlikely, but should this be the case we accept no liability whatsoever) but, here’s the rub. We don’t.

How can we? After all we now think we have at last seen the wider picture in the ongoing trend to cover just about everything in precious metals and/or gem stones – and we’re shocked that it’s taken us so long to understand precisely what’s going on here.

There is, we now believe, a concerted effort on behalf of some underground, international group to wholly devalue any ingredient that could be considered a prerequisite of bling, if not of its monetary value then, at the very least, of its desirability. And, the simplest way to accomplish this is to use precious metals and gem stones in some of the most ludicrous manners conceivable to the point where presenting the woman of your dreams a ring fashioned with a glass imitation stone housed in a tin band will be seen as an overt compliment from someone with discerning taste.

We’ve seen gold iPods and jewel laden Nokia N95’s – to name but a few – and now, surely a masterstroke, this diamond and ruby encrusted big game fishing lure valued at a startling $1 million.

And, as if this were not startling enough – we like it. Has the world gone mad? Inexorably so it would seem – and we have every intention of blending seamlessly in on the basis of ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em).

It’s hard to explain why we like this having previously slated other items of the same ilk without sounding wholly hypocritical – but we’ll have a go (my apologies in advance).

As a lure we find it totally absurd – and in truth, it stands for everything we despise about so many things: unfettered greed, the growing divide between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and the evolving sense that blatant, overbearing, obnoxious displays of wealth is some new kind spiritualism when in fact it has more akin to porn.

As an object, however, it has a curious beauty and there can be little doubting the degree of craftsmanship involved in its production (the lure consists of 3lbs of gold and platinum and around 100 carets of set diamonds and rubies). It really is exquisite – though rather more so as an item of jewellery than a $1 million big game lure.

Have we convinced you that we’re not hypocrites? No, I thought not as we can hardly convince ourselves.

Perhaps it’s just better to admit to liking it without fully understanding why.

We are inundated with plastic cards these days. From credit cards to debit cards, gym membership cards to ID cards – the list goes on, and on – to the point at which our wallets and purses are positively bursting at the seems. But help is at hand, thanks to this automatic, six shot card dispensing gadget.

This curious gadget, which measures 10.2 x 6.6 x 1.4 cm, will store up to six credit cards or similar cards within its confines which can be retrieved simply by selecting the associated card’s button – the result being that the desired card is ejected from the device for use.

The device comes with a set of predefined labels – such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard – as well as a series of colour coded labels that can be applied to represent whatever you wish and it even includes a money clip on the reverse.

Personally we detest it, but if you cannot live without the 6 Shot Automatic Credit Card Dispensing Wallet, which appears to be known as the AutoCard, we can advise that it is available in several colours, including (a very) shocking pink and that it retails for approximately $52 / £25 / €38.

Of late, and not in small part thanks to Apple and its marketing of the iPOD, it would appear that we are making a fashion choice (whether we like it or not) when selecting what MP3 digital music player we opt for, but whatever MP3 player we decide to go with invariably come with a pair of headphones that, at best are tacky and, at worse, are frankly pathetic.

Now, thanks to the Japanese company Sega, we can introduce a touch of much needed style to our choice of MP3 related headgear in the shape of these undeniably cute Mu-Bot headphones.

Styled to look like a cartoon character of unknown origin, the Mu-Bot’s main figure actually serves to keep those unwieldy cables cleverly and neatly stored when not in use. Very cool.

Due to be released in April of this year, the Mu-Bot will retail at 2940 Yen but we strongly suspect that they will become widely available outside of Japan in a matter of months (we feel a trend coming on).

[Source | the wonderful Digital Tokyo]

You only get once chance to make a first impression and if you are in the IT industry, or are just a geek, then these novel Circuitboard Business Cases will surely appeal not only in their uniqueness (each case, being manufactures with a real circuitboard, will be unique) but their ability to turn heads as you whip one out of your jacket and flip it open to present one of your cards with a glint in your eye.

The Geek Circuitboard Business Card Case retails at £19.99 and is available this site.

If you think your sunglasses score highly in the geeky stakes, think again as these Uber Shades are sure to leave your sunglasses well and truly in the shade.

Created by the German company Not-So-Bright Sunwear (a name that’s surely as bad as my former attempt at a pun) these Uber Shades are undoubtedly the Swiss Army Knife of protective eyewear as they contain a wealth of tools cunningly hidden within the frames.

Quite apart from offering 100% UV protection courtesy of their polarised lenses, these shades also boast a startling number of tools from nail files to combs, scissors to screwdrivers, spanners to cork-screws and make-up brushes. In fact these sunglasses can be fitted with up to an astounding 263 separate tools to the point at which you can venture out onto the streets safe in the knowledge that you have an entire hardware store balanced on your ears.

[Source | InventorSpot]

Utilising a radio link with the well established AccuWeather.com, the umbrella’s handle features a blue LED light that pulses so as to indicate the probability of precipitation, with, for example, one pulse per second indicating a sixty percent chance of rain and one hundred pulses a minute indicating that you’re likely to find a monsoon on the other side of your front door.

The only draw back is that, if you are going out for more than just a short trip then it would appear that you’d have to take this umbrella with you if only to find that the umbrella itself then tells you that you really needn’t have brought it as it isn’t going to rain anyway – which, in a sense, surely negates the need for this technology enhanced umbrella over a standard umbrella if you’re going to end up carrying it all the time regardless. But perhaps I’m just being unnecessarily picky.

Either ways, as regular readers of TFTS will know, the mere fact that it features a blue LED virtually assures it of featuring on this site and getting our vote of approval.

[Source | Gearlog]