Crave

At technology trade shows, Samsung has a history of going all out. While most manufacturers introduce maybe five phones tops, Samsung usually unveils double that number. And as 3GSM closes this week in Barcelona, Samsung again showed that it thinks "less is more" is just plain rubbish. We showed you six new models earlier in the week, and now here are five more fresh out of the Samsung labs.

Designwise, the SGH-P110 is the most interesting of the bunch. Though we were just about to sound the death knell for swivel phones, Samsung attempts this unique swivel-flip design. … Read more

If H.G. Wells had envisioned a set of speakers that could take over the planet, they would have looked like these.

This Martian-impersonating pair hails from Western Ireland, created by former BMW designer Aonghus O'hEocha. Hammacher Schlemmer says the hand-crafted 200-watt isobaric speakers "provide the clearest three-dimensional soundstage performance available." They'd better, when you see the price: $9,000.

Then again, as eyeball-shaped alien speakers go, that's a lot cheaper than Cabesse's $150,000 "La Sphere." Talk about the end of the world.

Prices of flat TVs have been plummeting around the world, but apparently no one has told that to Vidikron.

The high-end home theater equipment maker has stayed true to its niche with a 65-inch plasma for $19,995. It's got 1080p resolution and claims to be the first plasma with THX certification, according to Luxist, but is the price really worth it? Even if it does have an attractive black or brushed-aluminum frame, the price is still two or three times more than a 65-inch plasma from Panasonic.

Then again, if you do get one these, you can brag … Read more

Hybrid cars? Blah. Three-wheeled-cars? Blah. Three-wheeled hybrid cars? Blah.

Tilting three-wheeled hybrid cars? Now that's worth craving. Venture Vehicles has unveiled plans for its VentureOne, a two-seat plug-in three-wheeler with a glass canopy roof that can out-accelerate a Porsche Boxster, and gets 100 miles to the gallon. If that's not enough to get you reaching for your checkbook (estimated price is less than $20,000), then this might be: The VentureOne's passenger compartment and front wheel tilt when cornering for that authentic motocross experience.

The VentureOne will come with three engine choices: two gasoline-electric hybrids and one … Read more

So you're ready to take on the world with your Lightsaber phone and MP3 Lightsaber. But wait--your Millennium Falcon develops engine trouble. What's a Jedi to do?

Why, whip out your Safety Wand and Megaphone, of course--"a safety beacon that amplifies your voice up to five football fields away," as Uber-Review says. It's not an official piece of equipment from the Lucas empire, but it sure could have fooled us. (Do we hear the pitter-patter of trademark attorneys?)

Anyway, at least your ship has been rescued. And good thing you didn't have a … Read more

We're open to all lifestyles here at Crave, so far be it from us to pass any judgment on recreational activities involving laser shows that might be enhanced by specific equipment. (We never inhaled, for the record.)

But we have to ask: Is it really necessary to have a portable laser show? Apparently the makers of the "Might Mini Laser" see a market for one, described on Red Ferret as transforming "walls or ceilings into a magical light show experience" in a highly mobile form.

If you decide to try one of these, we suggest … Read more

If there's one thing American consumers are obsessed with, it's vibrating chairs and other massage equipment. The problem, of course, is that the experience lasts only as long as the salesperson at Sharper Image will let you use them.

But the "Good Vibrations Therapeutic Vibrating Shoes" allow you to get an all-day foot massage with a built-in high-frequency vibrating mechanism, according to the Raw Feed. They even have in-sole toggle switches and rechargeable batteries.

These have got to be some of the geekier products we've seen in awhile, but we might still be willing to … Read more

Borrowing a page from computer resellers, Target is selling previously owned iPods, including some of those in the latest colors. It's unclear where exactly these players came from, but Target says they've all been "quality tested." In any case, as Chip Chick points out, it's a chance to try one out at a good price if you've been holding out for them to get cheaper.

Claiming that you've got the world's thinnest phone is a boast that might last a day or two tops, even if it's true. But NEC may well have those bragging rights for a few hours, at least in the flip-phone category.

Its n703iu is just 0.45 inches thick when closed, Electronista says. Making it even more interesting is the outer shell, which features 49 LED lights that change patterns to indicate when calls, e-mail or other functions are at work. It also has the obligatory 1.3-megapixel camera and MP3 player.

The 3G handset will be … Read more