Crave

We've seen some over-pimped phones in our day, but this has got to be one of the ugliest. And, believe us, that's saying a lot.

It's not just the garishness that typically defines these monstrosities. In this case, the special-edition LG "Fusic" handset looks like it has some kind of disease, thanks to--what else?--an overabundance of Swarovski crystals.

We can't rag on this item too much, though, because it's been released for a charity event. MobileWhack says the special Fusic will be auctioned this June to raise funds for the Jermaine Dupri Foundation. … Read more

As pet robots go, we can't exactly say this one is the cutest or cuddliest. In fact, we can't even say what it looks like at all, except for maybe a giant shark tooth.

But to hear the Taiwanese Industrial Technology Research Institute tell it, this is actually a robotic fish with the unlikely name of "POPO," according to I4U News. POPO can reportedly swim on its own for 24 hours on its rechargeable batteries without bumping into things because of its ultrasound system.

That's all well and good, but we think they could have … Read more

Few things are more closely associated with domestic male behavior than control of the TV remote. Sad but true.

So if you really want to mess with the man of the house, consider the "Covert Clicker"--a tiny but devious universal device that Chip Chick says can work on 90 percent of all TV sets (and probably 99.9 percent of all men).

Change channels and mute stations at will with one of these in your pocket, with no one the wiser. But you'd better practice your poker face, for the consequences could be dire.

I have a funny story about this Electrolux Vege that I read about on GadgetCandy. It's a prototype for a fridge-sized hydroponic plant-growing cupboard that will allow you to grow your own plants and herbs in the comfort of your own home. If you want to be mega-eco-friendly but don't have the time or space for a full-fledged garden or greenhouse, here's a solution. Cool, right? So I decided to Crave it.

Then it occurred to me that the Vege might gain more popularity as an incubator for plants that are a little bit more on the … Read more

The "Never-miss-me-again" doll is so creepy, it makes Teddy Ruxpin seem like a Care Bear.

If you must, Popgadget says that Swiss company Bumbi has these dolls with slots for a photo of any face you like. There is also a recording device that allows the wool doll to carry a message recorded in your voice.

There's nothing like a good leak from "sources in Taiwan" to get tongues wagging about the latest Apple developments. We've heard talk of everything from ultraportable MacBook Pros to Mac tablets, but the most reliable rumor these days seems to be around a 15.4-inch MacBook, similar in size to the popular 15.4-inch MacBook Pro.

According to DigiTimes, the 15.4-inch MacBooks will be made by the same company, Quanta Computer, which makes the MacBook Pro, instead of Asus, the company that makes the current non-Pro MacBook.

If you're salivating over the idea of … Read more

The island city-state of Singapore announced a contest to build a Terminator-style robot, able to operate in urban warfare environments independent of direct human control. That's right; no joystick.

Individuals, companies, universities and research institutes are invited to compete in what the country's Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) calls the TechX Challenge. The autonomous robot DSTA has in mind would be an all-weather unit, able to negotiate stairs, use an elevator and generally move and shoot in a search-and-destroy mode without the aid of satellite navigation, just like a human soldier.

"Operation in urban areas represents … Read more

We're big on personal hygiene here at Crave--so much so, in fact, that we wish it would be a societal requirement (especially for public transportation). But even the most OCD-afflicted among us aren't sure about the need for scented gadgets.

As if Japan's aroma phones weren't weird enough (and they are), now we hear about a USB drive in a silver bamboo motif from Hong Kong-based Debreu that "holds your favorite scent for up to two hours of use," according to Everything USB.

We're not sure who exactly would want--or need--one of these … Read more

Not much surprises us nowadays on the CNET Car Tech channel. In this age of mobile, voice-activated, wireless, digital, high-definition, mesh-networked, in-car infotainment, we hardly bat an eyelid as torrents of new automotive gadgets comes down the pike.

But here's something that made us sit up and take notice: an in-car phonograph. According to an article on the UAW-DaimlerChrysler National Training Center Web site, these record players--made by Columbia and offered as options on 1956 Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth models--could handle 45-speed records as well as 7-inch records in the new 16-2/3 format. The players were installed … Read more