Renova Black

Oolalah, love the Renova ads and free calendar downloads. Toilet paper never looked so sexy a la the Pirelli calendars. And whoever said white was the new black? For those tired of plain or sickly pastel toilet rolls, here's the latest poop report. The European-based Renova Black may just be the thing to vamp up the inner closet user in you. However, at 2.50 pounds per roll, it's a rather rich way to wipe your butt.

See six-roll package here

Price: 2.50 euro (US$3) per roll, or 6 euro (US$7.20) per six-pack
Availability: Renova Web site
Device: Toilet roll
Basic specs: N.A.

Wine aging machine

So much for the saying that all good things come to those who wait. In the spirit of innovation, bioengineer Hiroshi Tanaka spent--get this--15 years to uncork the secrets of aging and prove that he could have his cake and eat it. Or, in this case, his sake and drink it. Tucked away in his rural Shizuoka lab is a gizmo that's said to age wine to a "drink now" stage by softening and adding complexity to young and even cheap spirits. At its heart lies an electrolyser which can convert about 4 liters of wine per minute. The device can be installed in wineries, while a small-scale version is being developed for restaurants and home cellars. Before you think this bizarre and far-fetched, wineries in California, South America and other parts of the world are taking a close interest in Tanaka's time machine. And after all that, the Japanese admitted he doesn't fancy the stuff.

(Unfortunately, no image was available at press time.)

Price: N.A.
Availability: Innovative Design and Technology
Device: Wine aging device
Basic specs: N.A.

Mobile theft device detects walking style

You can mimic a person's body language, but can you imitate his exact gait? From the land of Nokia and Santa Claus comes a device that aims to make it that much harder to steal mobile phones and laptops, as the gizmo detects changes in its owner's walking style. The VTT Technical Research Center of Finland gets credit for thinking out of the biometric box with this one. The gadget first imprints the user's gait, then checks it against the saved information. If the values differ, the user has to enter a password. Failing which, well, your mobile or laptop simply freezes to prevent unauthorized use. Wonder what happens if you stub a toe.

(image: VTT research professor Heikki Ailisto)

See larger image here | another device that uses movement

Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept, read more at the Web site
Device: Security device
Basic specs: N.A.

Minus Ion Dryer for dogs

If you love your pooch, chant the mantra: Negative ions good, positive ions bad. Because now you can get hold of a minus ion dryer for your mutt which is supposed to bathe it with positive feelings of well-being while reducing stress. The product also apparently smoothes and conditions hair by pushing minus ion micro particles directly into the hair cuticle. For the clueless, negative ions occur naturally in forests and streams and promote tranquility. Heck, if this works, we won't mind trying it on ourselves. Ommmm.

Price: 9,800 yen (US$85.80)
Availability: Pet's Treasure
Device: Pet dryer
Basic specs: 100V 50/60Hz 12,000W, ABS material, 73 – 91 degrees Celsius, 700,000 pieces/cc of minus ion, 16.5 × 19.5 × 48cm, 0.9kg

HP recalls faulty batteries

In a proactive move to protect consumer interest, HP is recalling the batteries of several notebook lines due to a manufacturing fault. The following laptop models are affected:

1. HP Pavilion zv5000
2. HP Pavilion ze5000
3. HP Pavilion ze4000
4. Compaq Presario R3000
5. Compaq Presario 2100
6. Compaq Presario 2500
7. HP Compaq nc6000
8. HP Compaq nc/nw8000
9. HP Compaq nx5000
10. HP Compaq nx9000
11. HP Compaq nx9005
12. HP Compaq nx9100
13. HP Compaq nx9010

The faulty third-party batteries belong to a batch manufactured between March 2004 and September 2004. Affected users can go to HP's Web site or dial a toll-free number to register for the replacement. Either method can also be used if you are not sure whether your battery qualifies for the exchange. Faulty batteries are to be sent back to HP using the return shipping instructions which will come with the new power cells. The time required is up to 10 business days for customers outside the US for it to arrive.

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