electricity

If this becomes a trend, let's hope it doesn't reach the level of extreme gaming. Just after we cited an alarm clock that shocks you awake, we learned of the "Shocking Duel Novelty Game," which is described rather frighteningly as "a pain endurance test to see who can hold on longer."

It gets worse: The electric shock, according to Chip Chick, intensifies every 5 seconds. We hope, for the sake of the poor contestants, that the intensity level tops out at some point. Otherwise, people with pacemakers won't be the only ones who … Read more

The alarm-clock sadists are at it again. Someone somewhere is having a grand time thinking up ways to rudely awaken us, literally, whether it be making clocks that run away or force us to disarm fake bombs.

But this new one crosses the line into a bizarre experiment in cruelty, if you ask us. (Which no one ever does, of course.) The "Shocking Alarm Clock" does just what its name implies: When you hit the button to turn it off, it gives you a "minor electrical shock" just for kicks--and you pay $30 for the privilege … Read more

We're not really sure what the leopard print has to do with an electric car, except maybe to suggest that the Greeny is not only eco-conscious, but stylish as well. The Greeny, seen here at the 2007 Geneva auto show, is a 2+2 seater and uses a pack of lead-acid batteries mounted under the front seats to give it a range of 50 to 80 kilometers (30 to 50 miles). Although that may seem a short distance, it's plenty for most urban environments where typical driving distances are under 20 miles. The batteries fully recharge in six … Read more

It may look like a medieval torture device, but the headgear pictured here is designed for gaming, of all things. And if you're paranoid about EMFs eating away at your brain, avert your eyes from this item now.

Called "Project Epoc," this neuro-technology apparatus includes "sensors that tune into your brain's natural electric signals, detecting player thoughts, feelings and expression," according to Ubergizmo. It also connects to consoles and computers, supposedly allowing your thought pulses to influence if not control the game at hand. (We're not making this up.)

But if you're … Read more

Way back before Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other wireless technologies, some people touted electrical power lines as the next big thing for digital transmissions. But even though it was feasible, few companies marketed products that used the technology.

Despite this unknown potential, Pioneer Japan has gone ahead and released its "Music Tap" series of power-line products for the Japanese market, according to Newlaunches. The line doesn't include an actual media player but provides the equipment necessary to turn an iPod into a sound system connected by electrical outlets.

We applaud the effort, but it may be too late … Read more

We may be a fun-loving lot here at Crave, but there are some things we take very seriously--like shaving. There have been a fair number of silly USB and other novelty razers on the market of late, but we'll have none of that, thank you.

We reserve our attention for substantive grooming hardware, or at least those products that claim to be, such as the "Axis" line of shavers. They promise the "closest shave yet," according to Cool Hunting, though we've all heard that before. But one thing we do appreciate is their promise … Read more

Zap, which specializes in electric scooters and economy cars, is jumping into the sports car market.

The Santa Rosa, Calif.-based company will try to bring an electric sports car to the market by the end of 2008 built around the APX, a concept car developed by England's Lotus Engineering. Lotus designed the APX to accommodate a gas-powered V6.

Zap said its car will go 350 miles before a charge, significantly farther than either the Tesla Roadster or the car from Wrightspeed, two other electric cars.

The car will only cost $60,000, said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. The … Read more

Venturi, a French company that bills itself as "The Carbon Neutral Company," has a new electric vehicle that can also be powered by nature.

Whenever I see cars like this, my first thought is always...OK, how fast does it go? Politics aside, no one wants to be the guy in the Trabant.

The answer for the Venturi Eclectic is not that fast, but not that bad for what it is. It tops out at 31 mph.

As with the Tamarack Lake Engine Company's solar-electric pontoon boat, recreational vehicles like these seem to be more about making … Read more

Meet the Dolphin, a three-wheeled, two-seater concept car that carries driver and passenger in tandem configuration. The aerodynamic prototype (pictured left) weighs just 475 pounds, and relies on a 200cc Piaggio scooter engine. According to this article in the U.K.'s Telegraph, the Dolphin can reach speeds of more than 60mph and gets an average fuel economy of 90 miles per gallon.

While the Dolphin is still a concept, a tandem-style, three-wheeled, two-seater production vehicle is not that far off. Myers Motors is scheduled to launch its electric-powered Qui Moto (right)--a successor to the Corbin Sparrow and NmG … Read more