The Beer Machine

Here's a Christmas gift we don't mind getting. The Beer Machine is a fun, idiot-proof microbrewery where you simply add water to the mix, pop the machine into the fridge, wait seven to 10 days, and be rewarded with a keg of 10 liters of fresh, cold beer. The saleslady assured that this worked out to 28 12oz mugs at just 71 Singapore cents each. Having partaken of a taste sample at Carrefour, we can say it's as good as the real thing. Since there's a whole load of beer mixes to pick from, there's probably one with your name on it. However, this being Singapore, there's just one last step to that beer party you're planning--applying for a homebrew license.

Price: S$198 (US$121)
Availability: Carrefour, Singapore
Device: Mini micro brewery
Basic specs: Beer Machine Model 2000, 1 mix, 3 CO2 bulbs, defoamer disk and brewers yeast

Mogu Triple Chamber Pillow

Our favorite squishy pillow maker Mogu is back with an offering that’s designed to give you a good night's sleep. Containing the same beads and stretchy smooth skin that make its other products so squeezable, the Triple Chamber Pillow, under the Mogu Sleep System Titanium Series, features a "titanium weave" cover fabric which is said to absorb heat from your head so you'll feel cool enough to sleep longer. Even if you can't get in 40 winks, this just feels sooo comfy.

Price: From US$99
Availability: Bed, Bath and Beyond
Device: Pillow
Basic specs: 80 percent cotton/20 percent polyester cover with titanium coating, inner fabric comprises 81 percent polyester/19 percent polyurethane, three sizes with smallest at 21.6 x 14.9 x 1.9 inches, dry clean

Airstream SkyDeck Motorhome

This novel idea seems to take off from the open air double-deckers, lifting the roof literally off the humble motorhome. For the roving gypsy, the result is a full-sized rooftop patio to sleep under the stars or enjoy the panaromic view. As with anything that comes with a view, the cost is enough to go through the roof, too.

Price: US$255,173
Availability: Airstream
Device: Motorhome
Basic specs: 330 HP Caterpillar diesel engine, 860ft lbs of torque, marine-grade weatherproof rooftop furniture, patio conveniently retracts within seconds from controls inside the coach

Hug pillow

In hug-adverse Asia, this subtle pillow hugger from robotics researchers at Carnegie Mellon may be just the thing to get grandma. About the size of a throw pillow with two arms reaching up and out from a small torso, it's made of a plush material you just wanna hug. However, the team at Carnegie Mellon didn't employ their considerable talents just to play upholsterer. The Hug utilizes wireless phone technology and sensors to send hugs remotely, while thermal fibers around its belly radiate heat that increases with time. In the meantime, for those starved of affection, there's always linen maker Kameo Corp's Boyfriend's Arm Pillow.

Price: N.A.
Availability: Prototype to be ready in December
Device: Intelligent pillow
Basic specs: N.A.

Goggle Lamps

If you're looking for matching interior decoration to go with your Philips Miravision, designer Ross Lovegrove's swimming goggles-inspired wall lamp is just as tricky. When it's off, the iridescent film on the lamp turns it into a mirror. Your guests can't help but eyeball the Goggle lamps, particularly when it changes colors depending on the angle. Pretty. Though our male colleages seem to have other less-than wholesome thoughts in mind.

Click to see the Goggle Lamps in different settings: image 1 | image 2 | image 3

Price: 60-70 pounds (US$111-US$130)
Availability: Luceplan
Device: Wall lamps
Basic specs: Base and diffuser in opaline polycarbonate. Elliptical mirror or iridescent film, 220v-240v

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