Fashion

While so many other computer companies are trying to hide their CPUs, a handful of brave mavericks are actually trying to draw more attention to them. But that doesn't mean they're building the standard and deadly boring old gray boxes.

Directron, for example, is selling one that looks more like a rubber ball than a PC--hence its name, the "Ball PC System." Not much is offered in the way of specs, pricing or availability, but SCI FI Tech says the shiny sphere splits open, spaceship-style, to reveal a 40GB hard drive between its hemispheres.

That means … Read more

LEDs are beginning to rival Swarovski crystals as overused (and unnecessary) accents for all manner of products--even handbags. They appear so often that we could even start a daily feature on them.

So for today's installment of Crave, The LED Edition, we be bring you into the home. The "Diamond Lite" mirror, from the UK's BC Designs, is a backlit, splash-proof accessory punctuated with small diamond-shaped LED clusters. But, unlike so the garish designs of so many other items we've seen, this one is actually done in a tasteful manner, as Gadget Candy says. Then … Read more

It seems strangely appropriate that an item named the "Bling Player" would be found on a site called Shiny Shiny. Or maybe it's just redundant. Either way, we're suckers for all that glitters so here it is.

The self-proclaimed "iced-out" player from MediaReady tries to live up to its moniker with a skull-and-crossbones design encrusted with crystals (how original). But like the Average Joe who tries to compensate for his shortcomings with expensive clothes, the $200 Bling is rather ordinary inside with 2GB of memory, an FM tuner and voice recorder to go along … Read more

Some marketers will never understand the meaning of "enough." LEDs are everywhere, of course, having gone far beyond computing to everything from umbrellas and license plates to tables and your mouth. Well, not your mouth, necessarily.

So naturally, some brilliant designer (unintentional pun) had to come up with the "Illuminated Handbag" too. At first glance, we thought it was taken from some footage of a recent volcano eruption or perhaps a studio still from the '50s horror classic The Blob. But nay, it was just an unfortunate attempt at techno-fashion that Red Ferret says was priced … Read more

Companies have tinkered with the concept of wearable monitors for years. This summer, Santa Monica-based Headplay is going to see if the public wants to buy them.

In June, the company will begin to sell its Personal Cinema System (PCS), a portable movie viewer/PC monitor whose principal component is a sun visor that sports a TV monitor under the brim for close, personal viewing. The PCS also comes with a control unit with a memory card slot for playing recorded movies or videos; headphones' and a device for selecting and navigating through the possible content selections with your thumb. … Read more

No fashion accessory seems immune to the trend of built-in speakers, from toolboxes to bowling bags. But the fanny pack?

The "Sound Box Waist Bag" not only carries your personal effects but also blares music from its sewn-in speaker. And if that's not enough reason to draw attention to your midsection, Red Ferret notes that it comes in bright orange. But we can't get past its name, which sounds disturbingly medical.

How many gadgets can you lug around while exercising? On one extreme, there are lightweight straps like the skull music headband, but we know you need more than that--the true gadget freak needs something like the "Soundwalk MP3 Player Audio Vest."

The vest claims to go a step beyond other products that simply provide secure pockets, featuring "hands-free functionality" for such controls as toggling from cell phone to media player. (The product literature doesn't explain exactly sure how this works, however.)

GeekSugar isn't thrilled about its value as a fashion accessory , but we still … Read more

As noted in this space the other day, pink gadgetry is still very much in, to the dismay of some detractors (perhaps even among fellow Cravers). But in case any doubting Thomases remain, we point to the ultimate example: the iPod.

Proving its staying power, the pink iPod is in its fifth generation, according to Gizmodiva, the latest line being a "Romance Pink" limited edition from Colorware featuring a choice of four accents: rose, hearts, cherries and butterfly. Aside from these somewhat cheesy designs (can you say Hallmark?) the rest of the player is the same, with 30GB … Read more

The phone may not be terribly new but, if you live in the U.K., you can certainly get it with a colorful new look.

Sony Ericsson's K510i has the same specs as always, but its exterior has gotten a major makeover from hot British designer Julien Macdonald that looks downright psychedelic compared with the original in basic black. And if you get one of these from Orange, you'll be right on time.

MacDonald himself was quoted on Tech Digest thusly: "The print was inspired by exotic flowers, orchids in particular, so thought it would be perfect … Read more