magnets

This is a must-have accessory for the music lover who can't stand to be apart from the iPod but doesn't have any pockets. The "iStik" is a plastic case with four magnets that attaches to a corresponding set mounted on a plastic plate that goes underneath your clothes, so you can literally wear the player.

How much of a demand is there for something like this? We have no idea, but it's probably not a good sign that the iStik is available only for the second-generation Nano, as iLounge says. You could also get a … Read more

Onesens is a really peculiar annotation tool for shared media on the Web. It lets you add a variety of words like magnetic poetry to a photos, videos, and music tracks. When another user sees your creation the words are scattered about, but there are buttons to reorder, or simply "explode" them once again. Users can also reorganize them as they would fridge magnets to create new expressions, although these can't be shared with other users or the creator of the original message.

While the creators of Onesens claim the application "will change the way you … Read more

D-Wave Systems has received $17 million to see if it's possible to compute complex equations by studying the behavior of molecules.

International Investment and Underwriting of Dublin led the round, which was the third round of funding for the Vancouver-based company. Draper Fisher Jurvetson (which always seems to be involved in wacky sorts of companies), GrowthWorks Capital, BDC Venture Capital, Harris & Harris Group, and British Columbia Investment Management also participated. Previously, the company raised more than $30 million.

Quantum computers, which researchers have experimented with for years but which haven't yet existed outside of the laboratory, are … Read more

It's not too hard to remember a time when it required two hands to get a simple plug out. Things have since changed, and many manufacturers, especially in the gaming industry, are moving toward wireless peripherals, or including breakaways to remedy consumers stumbling over cords and taking the entire machine with them. The coolest one in recent memory is Apple's MagSafe power adapter, which not only makes your Mac laptop easier to plug-in, but keeps flying laptops at a minimum.

Replug is a handy product that's done the same thing for audio jacks. It's a two-part … Read more

Junior's artwork looks great on the fridge, but it would look even better next to a full-on light show.

If you've ever wanted to turn your fridge into a big ol' Lite Brite, you're in luck. Thanks to this tutorial on the excellent and addictive Instructables site, it's easier than ever.

Using some surface-mount resistors, conductive nickel paint, LEDs, a 4.5 volt power supply, and some other parts, you can recreate the Aqua Teen Hunger Force LED hoax or whatever else you want. In marquee style. On your fridge.

The entire tutorial is available on … Read more

It's not exactly an automated head massager, but this device says it will stimulate your Qi in just the right spot. (Get your mind out of the gutter, please.)

The "Aculife Magnetic Wave Therapist" claims to bridge ancient Chinese medicine with modern technology by digitally locating the so-called acupoints in your body so you can apply a "small amount of electricity" accordingly, Red Ferret says. We're not sure if we'd spend $300 to find out if it really works, but it would still be cheaper than regular visits to the local acupuncture clinic--and … Read more

Let it be known that Crave is always looking out for your communication needs. Last week, you may recall, we offered up the "Memo Motion Sensor," which automatically plays a message to anyone who walks into your office at work. But as fond as we are of this idea, it's not the most practical for most households.

So to leave messages for your loved ones at home, we suggest something like the "Message Magnet," a simple but effective way to leave the equivalent of a 10-second voicemail for up to six individual recipients (or all … Read more

If there's one thing everyone agrees on, it's that we all need a better way to charge the multiplying electronic devices that run our lives. One of the more anticipated technologies in this department, for example, has been the "WildCharger" wireless recharging pad. Herman Miller, the office furnishing designer extraordinaire that gave us the "Aeron" chair, has apparently a concept similar to the WildCharger's and plans to use it in future desks.

The company has licensed a system called "eCoupled," which uses a magnetic field that can theoretically charge cell phones, … Read more

There's a new Webcam on the market that has a potential for dual use: If it breaks down, you can always use it to decorate the Christmas tree or to play fetch with the dog.

That's because Savit Micro's "VIJEeye" isn't attached by any joints or other fixtures--instead, it has a magnetized base that allows 360-degree movement. The higher of two models comes with 1.3-megapixel resolution and a built-in microphone. Pricing isn't yet known, but Akihabara News says both models are destined for stores next week.

And its "red wine" … Read more