Wake n’ Bacon

Does any of our readers have trouble getting up in the morning? How would you like to be woken up with the smell of freshly cooked bacon rather than that annoying alarm clock all the time? Well now you can! The Wake n Bacon gadget does just that, simply position a frozen slice of bacon in the unit before you go to bed and set the alarm clock, and 10 minutes before the alarm goes off the bacon will begin to cook producing a nice sizzling sound and a waft of bacon odour.

The name bacon is on the name of the product and just to clarify yes the unit is designed in the shape of a pig, however I presume other foods can be cooked on it as long as it doesn’t require a lot of heat and long cooking times. Anyway, the product is just in early stages of development with further modifications and features likely to be added to it.

Scent-Emitting LCD Display

A Japanese firm called Recruit Co Ltd has designed this food related gadget to entice people to go into restaurants situated in the mall under Tokyo station. How does it work? Well the LCD display screen displays restaurant advertisements whilst emitting different food scents encouraging people to go into restaurants or cafes and order some food.

To be perfectly honest, although this gadget would probably make me hungry it wouldn’t encourage me to go into a restaurant. I quite enjoy walking past restaurants and smelling the real food that’s being cooked and served, I’m sorry but no mechanical device can recreate this.

Microsoft ARC mouse

Microsoft as many of you know is not just a software provider but also dabbles into hardware and peripheral devices. The latest gadget is called the wireless ARC mouse. Not much information is available currently but we can confirm it is wireless and that the rear of the mouse can be folded to make it more compact for easier storage.

Priced at $59.95 the Microsoft Wireless ARC mouse will be available during the holiday season.

Portable Digital Magnifier

This is a handy little gizmo.  Have you ever tried to read or see something which is just too small for your naked eye to make out? Well the Portable Digital Magnifier could be the answer to your problems. The device outputs a magnified image to a 2” LCD screen which can be frozen at the push of a button to allow you to clearly see what you couldn’t previously. Magnification levels can be altered by the adjustable scroll wheel from x5 to x 20 magnifications. The unit is powered by batteries which can be re-charged via an USB lead.

Features

•    Displays on a crystal clear 2″ LCD screen
•    Magnification of 5x to 20x (in increments of 1)
•    Image can be frozen on the screen
•    Illuminates using 3 LEDs
•    Takes 3 rechargeable AAA batteries
•    Charges via USB (3 hour battery run time)
•    Weight: 4oz.
•    Dimensions: 4.75″ x 2.4″ x .85″
•    One year manufacturer warranty

Priced at $179.99 from ThinkGeek

Digital Luggage Scales

This latest gadget from I Want One Of Those Ltd is a money saver for those travelers amongst us. We have all been there, got a cheap flight to some destination only to find that we have over packed. The result is having the option of leaving stuff behind or paying the extortionate excess baggage charge. This digital luggage scale gadget therefore allows you to precisely weigh your baggage before you turn up at the airport to assess whether you are within the baggage carrier limits.

Features

• A portable design so you can slip into your luggage for use on return journeys.
• The scales have a large digital display so is super clear to read.
• Reading displayed in either lbs of kgs.
• The maximum weight the scales can hold is 100lbs or 44kgs.
• There is an automatic hold feature that allows you to pick up and set down your item to be weighed whilst holding the weight on the screen.
• The weighing process is easy - attach the strap to your object and lift, wait for the beep and set down.
• The beep signifies that the weight has been identified, locked and displayed.
• Suitable for ages 14 years+.
• Requires 2 x AAA Batteries (included).
• Size: 13 x 7 x 2.5cm.

Priced at £19.99.

USB Turntable

Digital music is great isn’t it, but what happens if you have old records that you would like to listen to or transfer to your computer? Well this USB turntable is the answer. The USB turntable allows you to move your entire old LP collection straight into your digital library of your computer.

Using the Audacity software, LP’s can be converted with ease into digital audio files WAV, WMV and MP3s. Simply plug the turntable into your computer via the USB port and use the idiot proof software to bring your old music into the digital era.

Includes and Features

•    Adjustable pitch belt drive turntable.
•    A USB cable.
•    Includes Audacity software for Mac/PC recording
•    Line level RCA outputs to connect up to your stereo.
•    33 and 45 RPM Buttons (78’s are played at 33 and then converted by the software).
•    Adjustable Anti-Skating control for increased stereo balancing.
•    High speed vinyl recording
•    A CD with Mac/PC Recording Software.
•    Full instruction manual.
•    Requires a USB port and mains power to run the turntable.
•    Size: - Product weight: 12lbs
•    Turntable: 42 x 37 x 14.

Requirements is a PC running Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, a MAC running OS9 or higher and a USB port 1.1 or higher. Priced at $125.

Neptune Reclining Bath Lift

Deserve a treat? Why not indulge yourself in a Neptune Reclining Bath Lift, the perfect relaxation gadget after a hard days work. Priced at $1,049 the portable bath lift is able to lower you into your bath tub in a safe and secure manner.  The Neptune bath lift is fully adjustable catering for a variety of bath sizes and shapes and different sized users.

What makes is different to other reclining bath lifts I hear you say? Well firstly, the unique design and open base frame allows for easy cleaning which was a pain to do on more intricate bath lifts. Secondly, the sucker release feet makes it easy to detach the unit from the bottom of the bath, therefore prevents having to yank suction feet free. Thirdly, the Neptune reclining bath lift offers a lot more legroom for taller users or shorter bath tubs.

Features

- Lightweight and compact design for removal, storage and transport.
- Touch button controller with battery level indicator.
- Rechargable 12v Nicad battery.
- Easy to clean

E-BALL Multiplug Connector

Let’s face it, powerstrips are pretty boring to look at, nevertheless they are useful and at times extremely necessary. This latest concept gadget called the E-Ball from MarshallAH.Design proves that with a bit of innovation and creative thinking you can make something dull and lifeless into something more visually appealing. I mean the E-Ball is not going to win any awards for the smoothest and sleekest product design of the year but give these guys some credit they accomplished what they set out to do, something unique.

From the looks of the sockets on the E-Ball the multiplug is not a product available to the US market unless you have suitable adapters. However, before complaining please remember that this product is currently not available anywhere for purchase and is in design stages only.

Shocker Electric Chair

I’m pretty sure everyone has seen the Shocker Electric Chair in or around amusement and arcade stations before. For those of you that haven’t the Shocker Electric Chair is a chair for torture, cruelty, and in reality something you can have a lot of fun with on your unsuspecting friends. Some say the chairs appearance looks worse than it actually is (eg the smoke rising as the voltage is increased), others say the tingle that the small electric current administered is enough to make you jump. Note to readers with dodgy tickers, the manufacturer recommends those with pacemakers should stay well clear.  Designed for arcade sites, the chair has a coin slot for collecting payment.

Example of the Shcoker Electric Chair in action.

Priced at $1000 the Shocker Electric Chair is not cheap however it will provide plenty laughs and a guarantee of shocks especially at Halloween parties.

Tranquil Sounds Oxygen Bar

The Tranquil Sounds Oxygen Bar is not a new concept for relaxation, its technology specifically the Oxygen Bar has been around since the late 90s. It is used in health and recreational locations to rejuvenate and refresh your body by providing pure oxygen at 30% which is inhaled directly into the body. What makes this Oxygen Bar different and better than others is that it provides four soothing music songs to listen to via the headphones provided. Need any more reasons to buy one? Well how about the ability to use essential oils transforming the standard oxygen bar into an aromatherapy device.

Features:
• Easy to use stationary device
• Silent compressor with baffler
• Soothing music is built in, with your choice of song mode: individual repeat, toggle repeat and off
• No filter replacements necessary.
• Oxygen pipe condenses steam and expels moisture from produced oxygen
• Extractor fan exhausts waste gas for 1 minute after each concentrating session.
• Aromatherapy! Pull out the filter and place a drop or two of Essential Oil!

The Tranquil Sounds Oxygen Bar is not cheap at $299.95 but if it relaxes you and makes you comfortable it has to be worth it doesn’t it?