Sliced cucumbers on the eyes are all in a day's work for this spa owner.
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)A funny thing happened to me last weekend on my way to save the galaxy, chainsaw aliens to death, and beat the living snot out of the world's top martial artists. I painted a stranger's toenails purple--and helped her shape her eyebrows.
That's right. Instead of logging countless hours on Xbox Live, I was taken in by the unstoppable force that is Game Cafe's iPhone game, Sally's Spa. Not only is this the best iPhone game I've played (not saying a lot, since I don't play many, but still), it's one of the most addictive handheld games I've ever played.
If this is your first time hearing about Sally and her addictive qualities, here's the deal in a nutshell. In the game, you play a young entrepreneur (Sally) who starts her own spa business.
Although you'll eventually hire others to help, you take a very hands-on approach to running your business. When patrons enter the shop, an icon over their head hints at their current need. So, if a patron enters with a yellow-chair symbol, it's up to you to drag that customer to the big yellow masking chair. Once a patron is situated, you'll usually have to interact with them in some way, whether it's plucking eyebrows, applying facials, or giving the occasional mani-pedi.
This is all completely addicting thanks to simple mechanics (dragging and tapping), gameplay that keeps you constantly busy, and an upgrade system that gives you long-term goals.
Upgrading your spa equipment directly impacts your customers' comfort level, which makes them less likely to leave before you've served them, thus making them happier (and the happier they are when the check out, the higher your tips). The more money you make, the more you'll have to spend on upgrades.
Also, the side mini-game game of selling supplementary items like shampoo and skin creams earns you promotions if you sell enough. The promotions grant you access to even more expensive ancillary items that make more money when sold.
If this seems like the most capitalistic game ever, you're not far off. Although I guess Mercenaries 2 would give it a run for its money.
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If it's good enough for Criterion and CNET, it should be good enough for you.
It goes without saying that the folks who work at Criterion Collection are film buffs. And anyone who has watched one of the company's lovingly remastered DVDs can attest to the fact the company really cares about making films look as good as they can. That's why we took notice when a poster at AVS Forum pointed out an interesting tidbit in Sound & Vision's recent profile of Criterion Collection's new high-def home theater--Criterion's reference Blu-ray player is a PS3.
We're not exactly surprised. We've been using the PS3 as our reference Blu-ray player at CNET since it was released, and you'll notice that it tops our best Blu-ray players list by quite a margin. Furthermore, it's worth noting that video quality expert Joe Kane help set up Criterion's new home theater room. When we checked out Joe Kane's demo of the truly awesome SP-A800B at CES, we specifically asked what Blu-ray player he thought had the best image quality, he immediately said the PS3. So if you're worried about the image quality of a "game console" versus a high-end standalone Blu-ray player, it's worth rechecking your assumptions when CNET, Criterion and Joe Kane all vouch for the PS3's excellent performance.
Another interesting piece of gear we noted from the S&V article is... Read more
(Credit:
BornRich)
People ascribe great healing powers to LED lamps and are willing to make some notable sacrifices to use them. But the Med Spa Clinic in England has taken the concept to its therapeutic extreme.
The "Oxy-LED Light Spa Capsule" isn't directed only at the face as are other products, instead spreading its magic wavelengths over the entire body. The reason: Not only is it an emotional enhancer, but the pricey full-body spa supposedly promotes weight loss when combined with other therapies by causing "intense physical stimulation," according to BornRich. With claims like that, it might run afoul of some vice squads if it ever gets to the States.
Depression among household pets may be worse than originally believed.
(Credit:
Luxurylaunches)
We thought the issue was more isolated last month upon learning of the "Fauna Sauna"--its name doesn't exactly scream credibility--a device that uses radiant heat "to bring healing to your pet right in your home." But now it has competition in the "SunSpa," another product that claims to control mood swings by simulating sunlight "for a warm and soothing heaven for your pets," according to Luxurylaunches. We're not sure about that, but it does look considerably more comfy than its competitor.
To calm the savage beast's nerves (and your pet's as well), the 150-watt light keeps the bed at a toasty 80 to 85 degrees while promising to last 5,000 hours. The bed itself is covered with "Crypton Fabric" that is odor- and water-resistant, two qualities that would probably improve any pet's disposition with or without any lights at all.
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Dimension One Spas)
This is a convergence trend that must be stopped: the combination of fitness and relaxation products. First there was this lounge chair from Japan that facilitated sit-ups. Now there's a hot tub that--gasp--includes bult-in exercise equipment.
Or aqua-cise, to be exact, hence the name--the "AquaFit 19 Dual Temp." The "Dual Temp" part refers to its two temperature zones, cooler for workouts and hotter for the whirlpool. "It includes all of the equipment that you need for stationary swimming, jogging, and rowing," Uber-Review says. And you must pay $40,000 for the privilege of ruining your sanctuary.
This is heresy. If there's one thing Crave has always defended, it's the right to enjoy a multimedia spa with a gigantic TV built into it, exerting as little energy as humanly possible. We must now retire to our La-Z-Boy recliner hot tub to ponder our next move.
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SpaCapsule)
Technology can be a wonderful thing, especially when it involves massage, music, and us in a supine position. And now it's never been easier to combine all three in one experience, through a modern wonder known as the "SpaCapsule"--a relaxation cocoon that resembles spaceship capsules seen in countless sci-fi movies ranging from Alien to 2001: A Space Odyssey. But it includes one feature that neither Ripley nor HAL had ever heard of: iPod compatibility. In addition to enjoying the automated bodywork and aromatherapy, you don't have to leave your precious media player behind because the capsule has video and audio systems that work with it.
This self-contained personal spa, which Gizmowatch says was invented by physicians, features "light-source video programs, touch-screen computer control, closed water system, and computer diagnostic and repair system." And it doesn't look nearly as terrifying as those individual saunas that look like MRI machines, so we wouldn't be too afraid to get in. If it only had a built-in "HomePub," this would be a human sloth's dream.
(Credit:
Coast Spas)
At first glance this multimedia spa didn't seem particularly special, especially given its optional 17-inch LCD. After all, we've already seen versions with others with screens as large as 42 and even 61 inches. But Coast Spas is apparently trying to make the case that size isn't everything (at least where the TV is concerned).
The "Extreme Spa" focuses on other features, such as a Sony sound system, Boss controls, DVD player, LED-equipped headrests, underwater lights and even a towel warmer. And it claims to seat eight people comfortably, according to Luxurylaunches, for $16,000. Maybe size is important after all.
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Thanko)
It's late in the afternoon on a gloomy fall day. What do you need for a pick-me-up? A touch of USB aromatherapy, of course.
The crackpot R&D department at Japan's Thanko--maker of heated USB gloves, muscle-toning mice and other bizarre items--has expanded its semi-useless repertoire to include a USB humidifier. Everything USB notes that a drop or two of scented oil can provide a quick aromatherapy treatment right at your desk.
Perhaps the most bizarre thing of all is that this product actually has some direct competition.
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Plastic Bamboo)
Crave has featured all manner of luxury items for humans, but we've been woefully (and unintentionally) remiss when it comes to the same for lesser beings. In a first step toward rectification, therefore, today we offer something for our pelted friends--a paw spa.
This mini-whirlpool is like a Jacuzzi for four-legged loved ones, though it's big enough only to soak one aching paw at a time. Available at Amazon Japan, it even comes with a matching towel and "a special super-absorbent mat," according to Plastic Bamboo. Little did we know that Japan's agenda for a human-free society would cater so much to pets but, upon reflection, it makes sense in a perverse way.
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Costco)
Well, that was close. We could have spent $8,000 or so for a "Luxor Hydro Massage Bathtub," mostly because of a single feature: the built-in TV. But how selfish of us--what about our guests?
BornRich has solved our entertaining conundrum with the "Infinity Vista TV Spa," which seats six who can enjoy "57 jets, an auto-rising 19-inch Polaroid HDTV, JVC DVD/AM/FM/CD player, four-speaker stereo system, a 10-inch subwoofer with amplifier and LED lighting." Who knew that Costco would become a purveyor of luxury home items? We just hope that they don't require us to buy six at a time.
Once you're done with the multimedia spa treatment, of course, the natural thing to do is take a leisurely nap. For this we suggest the $26,000 TV bed.
