Crave

What is it that makes accessory manufacturers think that media players need flashing lights? Griffin recently came out with its "Disko" case in all its blinking glory, much to the dismay of some true Apple loyalists. But at least that product had some practical protective use.

The "Lumi Flasher" by Japan's Trinity, on the other hand, is simply lights for the sake of lights, with one white and four red LEDs that plug into the iPod's dock connector. It does include a "flashlight mode," according to Newlaunches, but we're not sure … Read more

Not long ago, the idea of a video lens built into a pair of eyeglasses was little more than science fiction. Now, a Japanese company wants to make it a reality and even relatively affordable.

The "Teleglass" from Arisawa Manufacturing is a quarter-inch LCD that yields an image that's the equivalent of a 21-inch screen from about a yard away, according to I4U News. That's about half the size and distance of products such as RelaxView's glasses, but the Teleglass allows you to maintain your regular field of vision at the same time. (We must … Read more

In one of our more recent rants (there are so many to keep track of), we have been campaigning for wireless stereo speakers in the home. But in a way, Kleer has taken the concept a step further by putting them directly in the ear.

The company has launched a line of wireless earbuds that Red Ferret says can provide CD-like quality and 10 times the battery life of comparable Bluetooth technologies. The Kleer system is housed completely in the earphones themselves, eliminating the need for a wire between the left and right sides.

Although we're fond of the … Read more

Sometimes, we have to wonder what manufacturers are thinking when they sit down at the drawing table. Case in point: a corded mouse with a built-in laser pointer.

We understand the concept, that people presumably would find some value in having a pointer for presentations to impress their clients and bosses. And Fareastgizmos notes that the pointer in Kokuyo's wired USB optical mouse will never run out of batteries. But how sophisticated would it look when the mouse is pulled just a little too far and yanks your laptop clean off the desk?

It's the same issue we … Read more

It's rare that we see a device that performs well and actually makes a good fashion statement. The Aliph Jawbone is apparently one of those exceptions.

Gizmodo says the unique over-the-ear Bluetooth headset "uses military noise-canceling tech that can drown out the violent screams of traffic, lawnmowers, and anything else NOT your voice by using an array of microphones." But what really makes this product stand out is its aesthetic qualities--not an easy accomplishment given the limitations of size and the infinite competition of its market.

The Jawbone's stunning appearance is no accident: It was created … Read more

It seems like not that long ago when USB hubs were nearly the size of the computer itself. In fact, it seems like not that long ago when few people even knew what USB meant. But then again, we're pretty old. Anyway, enough depressing digression.

Chip Chick has found what appears to be "the world's smallest USB hub," which seems to be barely bigger than most USB storage keys. The "T3Hub" can serve up to three devices, including one high-power gadget if needed. We wish these were around before the days when desktops and … Read more

File this under "for the ridiculously lazy"--a rapidly growing category of late.

USB-powered devices are slowly rising to the iPod case's level of ubiquity. Who isn't selling one of these? It may be because no one is feeling the urge to do anything more than an arm's length from a keyboard any more.

Case in point: Gearlog has a USB Noodle Strainer that, quite honestly, resembles a foot bath. It's for making cold soumen noodles when you're presumably too engrossed in battling virtual armies of the undead, or are allergic to kitchens, … Read more

We think we've finally figured out the strategy behind this whole heated peripheral craze (we're a little slow on the uptake this time of year): The colder it gets outside, the more products are released inside.

That's the only explanation we can come up with for the proliferation of such products as the heated mouse by Brando--which, if you can believe it, has come with its second version in almost as many months. The "USB Warmer Mouse II" seems almost identical to its predecessor but is a bit more stylish, coming in colors like red … Read more

The more high-tech we get, the more is seems we try to hide it. Maybe The Flintstones actually took place in the far future on Mars, and all those stone electronics were just to keep the Zen in their lives.

Here are more items to go with your wooden multimedia computer and wooden LCD.

Wood Contour offers computer peripherals in a variety of woods and "stone." Depending on the materials you choose, a USB keyboard, USB wireless mouse, and a 17-inch or 19-inch LCD monitor is about $3,775.

While the items are pricey, the options are plenty. … Read more