crystal

Super strong stemware for the less delicate among us

You learn something new every day. I had always thought it was my pure masculine manliness that always seemed to break the wine glasses when I tried washing them out. Turns out, it isn't my super strength that was responsible for the constant snapping of the stemware. No, apparently this breakage is a common occurrence and it is torque that is the culprit to blame. Luckily, there is a solution, as this set of wine glasses purports to be 98 percent more resistant to this stress that occurs while washing and drying.

The World's Strongest Crystal Red Wine … Read more

Myvu sets its sights on your iPhone

If you purchased the Myvu Crystal video eyewear in hopes that wearing it would make you look cooler, only to find that you were full of dork when you actually put it on, we have some good news.

On Tuesday, Myvu announced that you can attempt to offset the geekiness of the glasses, since the Crystal is now fully compatible with the iPhone and iPhone 3G thanks to the new Works With iPhone cable.

The cable is available for $24.95 from Myvu's Web site.

Universal wireless kit for loudspeakers

It can be a real pain when it comes to routing speaker cables, especially those surround boomboxes mounted on the far corners of your media room. You can either draw up an elaborate plan involving trunking and false ceilings, or check out Crystal Audio's latest wireless audio transmission systems on the U.K. market: the TR-100 and TR-60.

For 399 pounds (about $787), the TR-100 provides two sets of independent transmitters and receivers to power a stereo. Each has a provision for 100-watt audio amplification and a peak effective range of 25 meters, according to AV Review. Those who … Read more

Gadgettes 94: The Solar Episode

Lindsey's going green, pigeons! Molly and Jason never knew she was such a hippie. But she'll have a chance to explain herself on this week's solar powered episode of Gadgettes. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 94

Microinverters track solar panels via the Web http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9964732-54.html

The solar powered golf cart at Hammacher Schlemmer http://www.hammacher.com/publish/11164.asp

Floating solar farm juices up winery http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9954667-1.html

Profolio solar bag, take solar with you anywhere you need it! http://www.rewarestore.com/product/profolio.html

Artificial … Read more

Swarovski tarts up a new HDTV

We've already seen the Crystallized Loewe Individual and the ultra-bling Philips Diamond TV, and now it's LG's turn to join forces with the Swarovski empire with its Canvas Crystal X HDTV. A pretty clever one, too, which weds last year's Design Art-series chassis with 1,000 of the glittery crystals. It would have been even better if the company had extended this special treatment to its Scarlet lineup, though we have had equal reservations on the level of unnecessary extravagance.

Whatever it is, this 47-incher is already out in South Korea and costs a dear $3,194 … Read more

Report: Tube TVs weather slowdown better than LCDs, plasmas

Tube TVs did best weathering an overall decline in television sales during the first quarter, largely due to a softening economy and a lower price point than their plasma display panel and liquid crystal display TV competitors.

Total North America TV shipments declined 34 percent in the first quarter over the previous quarter, according to recently released results from DisplaySearch, an NPD Group company. Plasmas fell by 38 percent, while LCD televisions dropped by 35 percent.

But in comparison, shipments of the old CRT (cathode ray tube) TVs slipped only 14 percent in the quarter, the study found.

"We … Read more

Myvu ships new fashion video glasses

About a year ago it seemed that everyone was coming out with their own version of video glasses. Perhaps one reason their production has since slowed down was their awkward design.

Some manufacturers have tried to address this asthetic challenge, but it remains a work in progress. Now Myvu, which was one of the earlier companies in the market, is taking its products to the runway with the fashion-conscious "Myvu Crystal" and "Myvu Shades," both of which the company has just begun to ship.

The viewers have 320 x 240 resolution and include "CyberDisplay" … Read more

The first conceited cable connector

Of all the ridiculous venues for Swarovski crystals--trust us, there are far more than we'd care to count--this has to rank among the silliest. And that's saying a lot.

Why anyone would want crystals on a cable connector is beyond us, but that's exactly what Neutrik has created with its "CrystalCON" plug. It's apparently a more fashionable version of its ugly-duckling XLR connector sibling, according to BornRich, though both probably work just the same.

Still, it's worth pointing out for the product literature alone, which describes it as a "fancy, noble, valuable, … Read more

Pimp your Wii for $4,000

If you're looking considering a new look for your precious Nintendo Wii, would you rather give it a G-mask makeover (stick-on overlay) or one of these bling jobs with 20,000 Swarovski crystals? For a mere $4,000, Crystal Icing is offering its "The Brawl To End Them All" series crystallized Wii, according to BornRich. There is a choice of Mario himself or his arch nemesis Bowser to take home. Both are brought to life against a contrasting white-and-blue background, complete with the highly sought-after in-game, Invincibility Star.

(Source: Crave Asia)

Ruin your MacBook Air for $39,700

Wow. If you though the customized MacBook Air from aptly named "Crystal Icing" molested the laptop's ultra-clean design, check out this number.

Dubbed "Golden Age," this custom Air has no fewer than 12,000 Swarovski crystals that are "specially coated with 24k gold from underneath so that the transparent crystals can reflect the true gold color," according to Pocket-lint. Classy. Designed by an outfit called "Bling My Thing"--we kid you not--it supposedly was inspired by a traditional Japanese pattern.

The best thing about it is its exclusivity, as only 20 … Read more