(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.
(Credit:
SPI)
As people seek out all manner of gadget-powered therapy--even for their pets--there may be something much simpler available to soothe the soul. Such as a "Sound Bubbler."
This iPod dock's name pretty much says it all, as it releases bubbles in sync with the beat and rhythm of your tunes, according to Chip Chick. It even comes in three colors, though they have a long way to go before re-creating a true '60s atmosphere. Still, it's better than nothing if you're whiling away the time while chained to the desk and sure beats USB aromatherapy.
If only they could combine this with a swirling vortex, we might be able to cut back on the valium once and for all. Maybe.
(Credit:
Enfren)
Of all the odd therapeutic lights we've seen--and there have been some doozies--this is one of the stranger-looking examples. We just can't imagine what could be so relaxing about something that looks like a cheap disco accessory.
But maybe the Korean-made LTK-200 "Therapy Station" makes up for its design with its features. The blue LEDs don't actually turn on until you've supposedly been lulled into a catatonic state by 24 soothing sounds that range from "concentration" to "therapy for depression," according to Technabob. Then the herbal aromatherapy kicks in, followed by a rush of negative ions to cleanse your oxygen.
The device may seem expensive, going for about $395 on the Korean market, but that might not even be enough to buy one spa treatment in Beverly Hills. Besides, it's better than walking around with a head massager.
(Credit:
Life Solutions Plus)
We recognize that "BlackBerry Thumb" can be an all-too-real affliction but, seriously, if you need something like this therapeutic contraption you've really got to let it go. Literally.
The "Xtensor" claims to be "the first product on the market to perform with true bio-mechanically correctness and treats the direct cause of this pain." That may be so, but to us it looks like a bowling glove combined with those elastic bands that pitchers use for to exercise their rotator cuffs.
In any case, the makers of the Xtensor say it can help rehabilitate habitual gamers as well as CrackBerry addicts. As for us, we'd rather be at the spa.
The author going beyond the call of duty
(Credit: CNET Networks)The Compex Sport is one of the scariest, but also most oddly compelling, devices I've ever tried.
The device sends electrical shocks, via electrodes attached to your body, to nerves. Your nerves then stimulate specific muscle groups. As a result, when you work out with the Compex, nearly 100 percent of the muscle fibers get into the act. Ordinarily, you might only use 50 percent, said Heiko Van Vliet, a European marketing manager for Compex and a coach/trainer who works with the CSC bicycling team and the Norwegian national skating team.
Thus, by using it, you can bring long dormant muscle back to life, and run faster, swim longer or get your bike up hill quicker than in the past. Olympic athletes use it to train. Now consumers in the U.S. can snap one up for $899.
But man, does it hurt. I did a set of seven 7-second intervals on the "resistance" setting and seven 4-second intervals on the "explosive strength" setting. That's 1 minute, 17 seconds of exercise. I was panting and sweating. And when the electricity was going through my muscles, it felt like my legs were in a vise.
See the video. Those howls of pain are real. (Weirdly, once the current stops, you feel and act completely normal, which is probably the way shock therapy patients feel.)
Did it work my muscles? Yes. I'd never seen my legs flex like that before. But I've also been sore for three days. It feels like I went five rounds in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
So my advice? Try it, but go slow.
(Credit:
Brando)
Lest you think we've been exaggerating when warning that the evil Hello Kitty is permeating every aspect of our lives, consider this: the "Hello Kitty Static Electricity Key Holder" uncovered by Uber-Review.
Now why, pray tell, does the dreaded feline need to make an appearance on something as innocuous as a key cover that prevents electric shocks? The only explanation can be that its relentless drive toward world domination is beginning to invade our homes. It gets worse: This item is the unholy product of the power axis between the cursed cat and the insane inventors of Brando. There's no stopping them now.
(Credit:
Hollywood Gadgets)
The solar-powered hat fan taught us how to survive the summer heat, but what about the winter doldrums? Enter the "Feel Bright Light" from Hollywood Gadgets. A set of LED bulbs affixed underneath the brim of a visor bathe your face in happy light to help ward off seasonal affective disorder, for a mere $200. Our take: We'd rather stay in a permanent funk.
(Credit:
Gadget Candy)
LEDs are beginning to rival Swarovski crystals as overused (and unnecessary) accents for all manner of products--even handbags. They appear so often that we could even start a daily feature on them.
So for today's installment of Crave, The LED Edition, we be bring you into the home. The "Diamond Lite" mirror, from the UK's BC Designs, is a backlit, splash-proof accessory punctuated with small diamond-shaped LED clusters. But, unlike so the garish designs of so many other items we've seen, this one is actually done in a tasteful manner, as Gadget Candy says. Then again, considering the competition where LED aesthetics are concerned, it's not hard to look good.
(Credit:
Generate)
Mood-ring offshoots have become a staple of the retro-tech trend, but this is one of the sillier--and most expensive--examples of the genre we've seen. The "Therapie" is a canvas wall lamp that was "inspired by color and light therapy theories which give it a soothing aura to reverse bad tempers," according to BornRich. To us, it just looks like a plasma TV displaying different colors.
We woudn't mind the idea so much--many of us at Crave have a fondness for the '60s--but the price is downright offensive: $1,100. At that level, you'd be better off buying a real TV that can showcase the work of French impressionists, as well as calming colors.
