Talking Plate

Forget diets. The Talking Plate will shame you into watching those Christmas and New Year calories you are about to, or have piled on. Ukrainian scientist Dr Hryhory Chausouvsky ma have taken on more than he can chew, with a plate that will scold you for being a glutton, lipping off with stock phrases like "where's your willpower?" and "stop right there"! It'll even beep a discreet alarm when the maximum allowable amount is piled on the dish. And if your cutlery strikes the plate much too rapidly, it will play fast and aggressive music. And we thought the Academy Awards' imposed time limit for speeches was bad. Lest you're tempted to hurl this nagging plate into the bin, remember that this is one pricey invention. It comes attached to a contact sensor and palm-sized computer. This good doctor also lays (and we say that loosely) claim to inventing a musical condom with built-in motion detector, which lets sex partners vary the music played according to the intensity of their love-making.

Via Ubergizmo

Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Computerized plate
Specs: 15cm in diameter

Toast Printer

Remember that really weird eBay item of Virgin Mary on a piece of toast? No miracle there. Just gullible bidders who've probably never heard of Inseq Design's Zuse toaster. Quite simply, it's a printer and the bread's the medium. In any case, the Zuse allows you to burn custom images onto your toast, going one slice up on Sanyo's Hello Kitty toaster. Contrary to naysayers, there's a multitude of uses we can think of for this nifty gadget. Once your toaster gets Internet-connected, there's nothing to stop you from downloading quick news bites onto your bread. Or personalize your toast to make that boring loaf an inspiration for breakfast, to say nothing of making an impression on your guests, ai?

See larger image

Via Dr Toast

Price: N.A.
Availability: In concept mode, more information here
Device: Printer in a toaster
Specs: N.A.

Umbrella Photo Browser

An innovative, if not the most practical of, inventions since you really ought to watch your step so you don't end up in the ditch with the other silly brollie browsers. Still, such hindrances shouldn't be an obstacle to the creative juices. This idea turns the underside of an umbrella into your personal projector screen. It gets even cosier if you share your brolly with a partner. Apparently, Tokyo's Keio University's creation, which has been codenamed Pileus, can play FLICKR photos and stream YouTube videos via Wi-Fi. Hopefully, the final edition will be packed away and waterproofed. Otherwise, you could end up with an electrifying road show.

More at the Pileus homepage

Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Umbrella device
Specs: N.A.

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (840)

» Digital Cameras (460)

» Notebooks (556)

» PC & Peripherals (608)

» Handhelds (287)

» Printers (46)

» Home AV (561)

» Music & Play (463)

» Gadgets (1059)

» Future Tech (187)

Previously...

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Subscribe to
Crave

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads