Crave

Forget the chairs--get a massage bed

Anyone who's been to a mall in the last decade or so knows that massage chairs are a dime a dozen (well, maybe a few grand a dozen). But what about a massage bed? Now we're talking.

The "Heated Shiatsu MassageBed" from Relax The Back isn't just one of those vibrating quarter-operated motel beds, as its $1,995 price tag indicates. Not only does it have all the features of a fully loaded massage chair, but it also has 14 rollers made of jade. That's right, as in the jewelry.

"Since jade is … Read more

'Friendspotting' on MIT's campus

Do you remember the old-fashioned college days when a friend would call you by cell phone to let you know when "he" turned up at the library? Or maybe you figured out someone's class schedule, so you could just happen to be walking by when "she" got out. Technology, once again, is changing the game.

The Senseable City Lab at MIT released a free desktop application on Wednesday with real-time mapping and instant-messaging features. iFind, as it's called, works by detecting which Wi-Fi access point a person is near. Because MIT has over 2,… Read more

More iPhone rumors, Crave bangs head on desk

As far as we're concerned, the new year can't come too quickly. Not only does it mean some time off, but it also puts us closer to Macworld, where hopefully all the iPhone speculation will be put to rest. After months of gossip and a gallery of iPhone "photos" ranging from the silly to the just plain ugly, we're getting the tiniest bit sick of it all. Unfortunately, the Steve Jobs love-fest is at the same time as CES, but if we see something substantial next month, we'll be ecstatic. Of course there's … Read more

More stuff to Crave

We dredged the series of tubes for you: here's today's roundup of link love.

--APPLE: Microsoft takes a swipe at Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads (Engadget)

--GAMING: Major League Gaming gets $25 million funding (PaidContent)

--MEDIA: Amanda Congdon's webcasts are real, and they're spectacular (Gawker)

--DIGITAL HOME: Intel's Viiv low on holiday shopping lists (CNET News.com)**

--APPLE: Defend your MacBook with iSight (CrunchGear)

--NEWS: Boston transit system bans M-rated game ads (Joystiq)

** Krazit, thanks for clarifying the pronunciation of "Viiv." This whole time I'd been thinking it … Read more

New gear for iPodsters on the go

Just minutes after having noted that laptops face relative neglect when it comes to protective products, we got notice of yet another an iPod safety accessory--thereby proving our point once again. But to show we're not bitter, we're passing along DLO's "Action Jacket" for the Shuffle, a strap-on case for Shufflers on the go.

Ultra-mobile podsters will probably also appreciate the "Power Bug" announced at the same time, a "compact, fold-away" charger that plugs into the wall. It should be noted that DLO isn't just any iPod accessory bandwagon-jumper: Months … Read more

RPTV fit club

JVC, purveyor of LCoS-based rear-projection HDTVs such as the well-performing HD-56FN97, today announced a pair of superslim models designed to "easily fit on most stands and furniture designed for flat-panel TVs" according to the press release. The 58-inch HD-58S998 (January, $3,300 selling price) and the 65-inch HD-65S998 (March, $4,200) occupy a mere 10.7 inches and 11.6 inches of depth respectively. The company is marketing a stand (pictured, right) and a wall-mount bracket that allows these TVs to hang over the fireplace, plasma-style.

Given the fact that a comparably sized plasma, such as Panasonic's … Read more

iPod-Chocolate love-hate saga, part deux

Awhile back we posted an item on a product that could have been the offspring of an iPod-Chocolate union, from a company that produces neither. But LG apparently had such romantic leanings already, for it has given birth to the lovingly named "UP3Flat," a screen-less Chocolate MP3 player that appears aimed at the iPod Shuffle market.

Our cousins at Crave UK describe it this way: "It's about the same size as a lighter and sports a sumptupuous 'piano-black' finish. Its silver volume buttons take the place of the red touch-sensitive navigation buttons on the Chocolate phone.&… Read more

ezGear makes ezPlay for ezVision

You've been playing with your video glasses and have finished boring your friends with a lame impersonation of Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge, so it's finally time to use them for their intended purpose. And let's say you're in the mood for a DVD you picked up at the last Star Trek convention. The last thing you want to do is lug around a huge player with your new headgear; that would instantly negate whatever coolness you've managed to achieve despite the "Spock Lives" T-shirt.

ezGear, known for making accessories for media players … Read more

MacBooks need love too

As we were just noting in our usual cranky way, iPod cases are becoming the Starbucks of consumer electronics--a new one comes out seemingly every day, whether we need it or not (usually the latter). But what about its older and bulkier sibling, the MacBook?

As with many senior family members, the Apple laptop arguably needs more help in the injury-prevention department while the spry iPod goes on its merry way jogging or clubbing. Poor MacBook.

Luckily, RhinoSkin has come to the elder's rescue with a hard case to protect the laptop through the harsh winter months. MobilitySite … Read more