Disney may have invented the first one-of-a-kind talking mirror for Snow White. And happily ever after, we've seen tech magic conjure up TV mirrors, interactive mirrors, and projection mirrors to see how you look in the clothes. Now designer Robert Stadler of the French design group Radi Designers has decided to mirror the other efforts. Only his is a mirror that can receive SMS messages from phones. The messages appear as luminous text running on the surface which is visible close up. It's fortunate there are just 20 pieces available worldwide, so you'll never have to agonize over whether to plonk down US$10,000 to feed your SMS addiction.
If you really, really love your TV, then this is the one to get. With the DirecTV Sat-Go, you essentially get the world's first portable satellite TV system which you can lug along everywhere for your TV fix--on your travels, at work, at the beach. And since it runs on rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, it's all wire-free, although the unit also packs AC/DC adapters for the home and car. The whole thingamajib is packed into a Mission Impossible-like briefcase which unfolds to reveal a dish in the back, a 17-inch LCD on its face and controls below. It's good to go with minimal fuss. We're waiting for the day it all sits in our palm. Until then, suffer gear envy because, ironically, while this is satellite TV, not all of Asia gets on the beaming list.
Here's the ultimate big kid toy that's heavy on the artillery, but soft on the target. Better yet, victory will always taste sweet. This sucker will take on any regular- or mini-sized marshmallow in its chamber. You simply pump with air to build up pressure, lock and load, and pull the trigger. Your ammo will hit that target as far as 40ft away. What makes it tough love is its Terminator-like shiny chrome exterior, which should appeal to even the most hardened geek. Until then, hasta la vista, baby.
Price: US$39.95 Availability: At Hammacher Schlemmer Device: Toy blaster Specs: Carrying case, 6 x 2.5 x 15 inch, 2lbs, detachable front handle is washable
This certainly appeals to our inner vanity. If Marilyn Monroe could have her picture full-blown on billboards, this is the closest we get to going all narcissistic on ourselves. But, really, it's a great idea for homeowners to turn boring walls into larger-than-life family canvasses or simply as fun, thematic wallpaper like a Beatles room. UK company Better Wallpaper has tons of customized "wallpapers" to pick from. And given that it's all digital, the sky (or wall space)'s the limit. The bad news, it's in the UK. The good news, the company does international orders. All that's apparently needed is to provide a digital image file (at least 4 megapixels and preferably in RAW format) and the final product will be delivered right to your doorstep, with instructions on how apply it. Don't you just love home projects?
Price: Price varies with size; printed 1.5 x 1.5m sheet costs roughly £90 (US$185). Availability: More info at UK company Better Wallpaper Device: Wallpaper Specs: Seven-year no-fade guarantee
The last time we checked, our sneakers didn't talk to us or do stuff like you see in Mission Impossible or Q's 007 weapons lab. However, shoes have begun to do a lot more than protect your feet. Like keeping an eye on you, literally, from the sky. Earlier this year, Isaac Daniel released 1,000 limited-edition GPS sneakers worldwide, at a lovely price of US$350. The good news for those of us in the region is that we'll now be able to get our own GPS-enabled soles, thanks to Texas-based Enfora and GTX looking to get a foothold in the Asia market.
First out to market will be the GTXC Xplorer GPS Smart Shoe embedded with the Enabler IIG-A-GPS location module. If you're planning to keep an eye on mum, dad, grandpa or junior's whereabouts, it's all done by logging online to pinpoint the current location of the shoe wearer on an interactive map or receiving SMS alerts. Keeping those feet even happier is what seems to be more reasonable pricing of US$99 to US$199, with the subscription fee for the monitoring service estimated to be US$19.95 per month. Enfora's Asia-Pacific VP James Furneaux expects the GPS offering out some time after October. Talk about footwear that'll be making tracks in more ways than one.
Price: US$99 to US$199, depending on manufacturer, with est. subscription fee of US$19.95 per month for monitoring service Availability: Singapore and Asia, Q4 2007 Device: GPS-enabeld shoes Specs: Proprietary power source apparently can last several days before next recharge