Crave

(Credit: Crave Asia)

Here in the tropics of Singapore where it's perpetually summer, air conditioners are big business all year long. We're happy campers as long as they just do their job, but Samsung is on a crusade to improve our health as well with two new bacteria-killing models.

Using Samsung's proprietary Micro Plasma Ion technology, the Vivace Shadow Mirror pictured here and Neo-Forte pack enough firepower to zap all manner of germs. According to company representatives, MPI is capable of effectively eliminating 78 percent of fungus and 58 percent of bacteria in a 30-minute time frame, within an enclosed environment.

The MPI works in tandem with a carbon deodorizer that removes odors and bacteria, a Silver Nano evaporator and a Catechin filter developed from a green tea extract. Samsung claims that the MPI unit and evaporator are capable of lasting over a decade with only the filter requiring regular replacement, as well as 30 percent energy savings. But expect to pay an up-front premium on the price tag for that long-term conservation.

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Hammacher)

For reasons that are all too obvious to the OCD community, the toothbrush has been the object of seemingly endless technological innovations designed to sterilize this most hallowed of hygienic instruments. But one product just on the market puts a new spin on the concept, quite literally: It uses ultrasonic waves to clean teeth, not just the toothbrush.

This germaphobe's delight claims to emit nearly 4 million cycles of ultrasonic energy from its head every two minutes while removing up to 95 percent of plaque in the first 60 seconds of brushing. The only thing better would be one that ran by remote control.

But we're not sure about Hammacher Schlemmer's claim that this is the "only ultrasonic toothbrush," as a simple Web search immediately turns up other models. At $170, perhaps they meant to say that it's the most expensive version.

(Credit: Yamagiwa)

Just like in the movies, they attack when you least expect it. It had been months since we'd encountered any spherical alien vehicles, but they're back--disguised a harmless air filter.

The "Antibac2K" claims to be a lightweight air-cleaning device that eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria and other contaminants. That's a whole 0.02 percentage points more than other air filters, and we germaphobes all know how important that difference is.

But benefits aside, this circular menace is betrayed by its LEDs, which we all know the classic alien calling cards. We hope only that it doesn't joins forces with the evil Sanrio empire.

In this corner, the Veltia

(Credit: Uber-Review)

Believe it or not, one of the most popular items ever featured on Crave was a hand dryer. Not just any old washroom appliance, mind you, but the Dyson Airblade--a supposedly state-of-the-art contraption from the U.K. that "strips water droplets off your mitts in 6 to 12 seconds" with air traveling at 400 miles per hour. (See NYC Craver Rich DeMuro test it out in this video and judge for yourself.)

But barely three months later, it already has competition from another European company that makes the "Veltia," a self-proclaimed "new generation hand dryer." Uber-Review says this version, from Barcelona-based Veltek Systems, claims to do the job in a comparable 10 to 15 seconds. But the most significant difference is its cost: about $725, which is roughly half the price of the $1,400 Airblade.

As for us, we'll stick with the touchless dispenser for paper towels--because germaphobes can be cheap, as well as lazy.

(Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer)

Sure, we have germ-killing handheld devices in various sizes. There's just one problem, as every germaphobe knows: They require you to get uncomfortably close to the potential contaminants at hand.

That's why we're so delighted to see products like this germ-eliminating vacuum cleaner, which uses a HEPA filter that catches the usual 99.97 percent of cooties as promised by most other gadgets of this kind. (We live in fear of encountering whatever's in that remaining 0.03 percent.)

Best of all, this upright machine with its telescoping wand and crevice nozzle allows us to do battle with the enemy at more than arm's length--a crucial advantage to those of us in the OCD community. Now if we can only figure out how to keep its particles from going anywhere near the toothbrush cleaner.

(Credit: RabbitAir)

The hot trend of air-purifying combo gadgetry continues. Just as we saw a few months ago with a lamp-speaker-filter, this convergence juggernaut continues unabated. The latest combination: a purifier with mood lighting.

What better way to relax after a hard day of destroying 99.97 percent of the allergens and contaminants in your immediate vicinity? It's like nalpalm in a bacteria-free morning, or perhaps the perfect setting for a romantic evening shared by two germaphobes. The curiously named "RabbitAir MinusA2 Air Purifier" supposedly can be programmed to target specific areas, with such category names as "Baby," "New House" and "Pet" filters. (Aren't those covered in the 99.97 percent? And why would you name an air purifier after a fur-bearing rodent? This item comes from Red Ferret, by the way, which seems like a conflict of interest.)

Comfort also comes at a hefty price: You might not continue to breathe so easily after seeing its $600 tag. But if it can keep certain feline elements at bay, it's money well spent.

(Credit: ProductDose)

We must admit that, as far as germ-centric issues are concerned, the toothbrush has to rank at or near the top of the list. And even though some uber-devices claim to sterilize practically any object they encounter, we'd feel more comfortable with something that's been developed specifically for oral hygiene.

Now we finally have just such an item that's made for travel--which is ideal because, as any bona fide germaphobe will tell you, the hotel room is the ultimate breeding ground for cooties. The scientific-sounding "Violight VIO200 Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer" is the portable version of the countertop station featured in this space earlier this year. It claims to zap 99 percent of germs with its UV death rays in 7 minutes, according to ProductDose, making it worth every penny of its $28 price if it works as promised.

Now if we can just figure out how to carry a touchless faucet with us, we might actually be able to use a hotel sink without a surgical mask.

(Credit: The Gadget Blog)

Being of a somewhat fastidious nature here at Crave, we've been delighted to see such advances in hand-cleaning systems as touchless faucets for the home and Dyson's "Airblade" hand-drying machine. There's just one minor complication: They work only if people use them.

That's where the "Speechpod" comes in. It's sort of a surrogate mom, always at the ready to nag us to wash our hands when its sensors detect a human in the vicinity, according to the Gadget Blog.

At present it's designated only for medical facilities, which reportedly have ordered nearly 500 Speechpods from its Scottish manufacturer. But we're already scheming to figure out a way to get one for our kids.

(Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer)

Some months ago--on Jan. 1, as a matter of fact--we reported what we then thought was the "ultimate germaphobe gadget," perhaps our way of ushering in a bacteria-free 2007. Barely halfway through the year, however, that item appears to have already been eclipsed.

Not only does the "Wide Coverage Germ-Eliminating Wand" claim to eradicate "99 percent of bacteria, viruses, mold, and dust mites," but it can do so in broader areas with a 6-inch ultraviolet lightbulb. All the germaphobic head of the household needs to do is hold the wand 3 inches over a suspect surface for 20 seconds, according to Hammacher Schlemmer, and it can be programmed in 5- or 60-minute intervals.

We haven't heard from him lately, but we're certain that the "OCD Action Figure" will be pleased.