AdvancedBPM system

Hypochondriacs now have one more tool to battle their paranoia since this cuts down on hospital visits and medical costs. San Diego-based Triage Wireless has apparently developed a patch with a microchip which, when attached to your arm, will wirelessly transmit blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen levels to your doc's PC. The goal is to obtain a more accurate reading of a person's vital signs throughout the day. Hopefully, when this little smart patch retails next year, insurance won't flinch when it comes to covering the costs.

See larger image here

Price: N.A.
Availability: Prototype, expected commercially next year
Device: Monitoring systems for vital signs
Basic specs: Potentially two version of the patch system to be marketed, with one for hospitals and another for home use

Planar Systems 3D monitor

Getting woozy headed from catching Spy Kids in 3D isn't great fun, speaking from experience. After 20 minutes, one feels positively nauseas. However, the need to scale that 3D Everest matches ever onwards. To date, Planar Systems appears to be the latest to go for it with a monitor that lets you view aerial photos in three dimensions, provided you have US$3,995 in spare change. The SD1710 comprises two monitors positioned at 110-degree angles separated by a piece of polarized glass which lets the image from the bottom panel pass through while reflecting the same image from the top piece. Too bad, you'll still need to don special glasses to get the full 3D effect.

Click to see larger image

Price: US$3,995
Availability: US
Device: 3D monitor
Basic specs: Two 17-inch AMLCD monitors with SXGA resolution (1,280 x 1,024), 17-nits luminance

FlashPoint ShareDrive

Pack-Man Dust Box

Gadget Buzz saw this in Harajuku and big toy stores in Japan and was tempted to pack one home. Toymaker Tomy's Pack-Man comes in two versions. A giant bin that swallows garbage, and a tiny one which eats coins. Apparently the piggy bank model, first released in 1974, was so hugely successful that a dustbin version was introduced. Using the same principle of pushing the arm down to lever open the monster mouth, there's also a foot pedal should you prefer the Pack-Man Dust Box on the floor. What we didn't like, though, was the rather flimsy arm structure.

Click here on how to use

Price: 2,625 yen (US$23.80)
Availability: Japan, comes in green and yellow
Device: Dustbin
Basic specs: N.A.

Hello Kitty flower arrangements

If you thought you've seen everything, check out these Hello Kitty flowers. Gadget Buzz did a double take at a flower stand along Tokyo's famous Ginza strip. These blossoms are the real deal, only cleverly dotted with eyes and nose to resemble Sanrio's most famous export. As to how long these pricey if sweet-smelling blossoms will last is quite another thing. Comes in four different bouquets.

Click to see larger image

More cat in the bag: Hello Kitty fire extinguisher | Singapore Airlines and Hello Kitty | Hello Kitty toaster | Hello Kitty XBox console

Price: 2,100 yen (US$19), 3,150 yen (US$28) and 6,300 yen (US$57)
Availability: Japan
Device: Flowers
Basic specs: N.A.

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