Can you fit the Wii Fit?

There may yet be a day when the ubiquitous treadmill is replaced by Wii machines in the gym, and the first step could very well be on the Wii Fit.

When the Wii was first introduced with its motion-sensing remotes, geeks everywhere suddenly had the incentive to exercise their arms in ways other than to lift a can of Coke. Capitalizing on this, the Wii Fit senses the movement of your entire body using a device which resembles a weighing scale. And, like a scale, it can insult you by breaking if you weigh too much.

The weight limit of 300lbs (136.1kg) may be fine for the petite Japanese, but it better be able to handle more weight if it wants to make it outside of Japan, particularly to the US, without a class action suit. After all, even 200kg nerds may want a piece of the Wii action. There is no firm news if the Wii Fit outside of Japan has been given extra protection against the gravitationally challenged, but it's something to look out for.

USB MSN Missile Launcher coming

As with all things tech, the next upgrade is always waiting around the corner. The Missile Launcher is no exception. Besides getting laser sight in one iteration, this latest update sports sight of another kind--a Webcam.

Just where this is going isn't clear, though. While the MSN features lets you hook up with IM pals, the launcher could work against you. If your nice buddies find a way to hack the program, they can commandeer your artillery, scan you out on the onboard Webcam, and basically nuke you unawares. Great if you're into pain therapy.

Hong Kong e-tailer Brando says this shoots up to 15ft "at an extremely fast rate". However, shipping will take just a tad longer as this US$48 weapon of mass destruction goes out only in February.

A multimedia helmet that's Gatorade-proof

If NFL teams continue to use technology on the field--legally or otherwise--you've got to wonder how long it'll be before they start using something like this.

The Multy LYNK helmet from Voz Sports would seem just as suitable for the battlefield as the gridiron, serving as both a multimedia device and communications tool. In addition to playing MP3s on its built-in stereo speakers, according to Gizmodo, it has a "two-way Family Radio Service radio with voice control and 14 channels (plus 38 privacy codes) or via Bluetooth".

We'd be dubious about the effectiveness of its noise-cancellation technology at venues like Lambeau Field during the playoffs, but the Multy LYNK does have a weather receiver and a waterproof finish to help survive the freezing tundra. And if your team happens to win, the helmet can be submersed in a liter of Gatorade for a full 30 minutes.

Via Crave CNET

The ruby TV--because diamonds are so passe

Just for the record, iPhones and iPods aren't the only objects of jewelers' affections. In fact, some aren't even portable at all.

There's almost no better example of this than this HDTV embedded with 155 rubies, which comes with screens in sizes from 32 to 40 inches and goes for around US$85,000. (We say "almost" because, as BornRich notes, the Yalos Diamond bests it with 160 diamonds and white gold trim for US$130,000.)

And if you don't mind mixing and matching your precious minerals, we have the perfect place to display your ruby TV: the "diamond dust" stand, for just another US$142,000.

Via Crave CNET

Digital pen doubles as a mouse

With all the digital pens that are coming to market these days, one might ask whether the world needs yet another smart writing instrument. But unlike some of its competitors, Wow-Pen has a bit of experience on the subject.

Almost exactly a year ago, the Korean company came out with its Traveler version, which was really a mouse with an ergonomic design that could be handled like a pen. Now it's releasing its Digi model, which also reads and stores what you write through a wireless USB receiver. It can toggle back and forth from pen to mouse function "with the click of a button", according to I4U News.

Something like this isn't for everyone but, as far as multi-functional pens are concerned, it certainly has more practical uses than most.

Via Crave CNET

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