Singapore debuts Ambient Experience to relax heart patients

Cardiac patients undergoing procedures at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) from today may find themselves either immersed in a Disney World setting or the African Savannah with accompanying audio playing in the background. This is part of a testbed project by the center involving Philips' Ambient Experience to soothe patients through the intimidating clinical process of preparation, examination, treatment and post procedure.

The Ambient Experience takes patients on a multimedia ride that lets them personalize the lighting, projected images and sounds in the examination or lab room. The 10 themes can be selected via a menu on a wireless touchscreen tablet, with more themes on the way. Once picked, the patient's choice is projected on the walls, ceilings and through TV screens, wrapping the user in a multi-sensorial setting of his or her own choosing.
Read more »

Get a grip of this Darth Vader Robotic Arm

"I am your father." Now that's out of the way, here's something for Vader fans and collectors of all things Star Wars. We all know George Lucas' obsession with limb amputations. Consider Luke Skywalker's loss of his right hand by Daddy-O, Jango Fett's beheading by Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker's parting of ways with his right arm after dueling Count Dooku, and much later losing all four appendages in the climatic battle with Obi-wan Kenobi. But that's not a problem as long as you get to keep your head. Prosthetics seem to be the answer, and the Darth Vader Robotic Arm is as close you get to owning one (without having to lose one of your own).
Read more »

Sleepbox for 40 winks in a mobile box

With more devices dedicated to the sleep deprived on the move, the Sleepbox is one concept I'm rooting for. It's probably not for the claustrophobic, given its box-like interior, but it draws inspiration from Japan's capsule hotels. Parked along stretches of an airport, this private nap space would be a boon for Economy Class overnighters with no access to a Business or First Class lounge with sleeping facilities. Not all of us plebs are that fortunate, and usually have to make do with stretching out on awkward plastic seats.
Read more »

Hands off with the Fridge Locker

How selfish can one truly get? How about the Fridge Locker (US$19.99), the ultimate weapon against food thieves? When it comes to bunking with roomies and even siblings who are full-time freeloaders, there's no arsenal great enough to protect your private food stash.

The Fridge Locker is really a tiny cage measuring 7.5 x .7.5 x 11 inches with a metal combination lock to keep out what the retailer can't help calling "Refrig-A Raiders". Poor pun aside, I wonder, would this kill your popularity rating if you brought one to the office? Goes brilliantly with the Ben & Jerry combination lock and moldy sandwich bags.

Via Oh Gizmo

USB Warm Gloves II strikes again

There's no real reason to get this in equatorial Singapore since you'll be laughed right out of your cubicle by your coworkers. But if you just gotta have these dubious USB Warm Gloves, Japanese e-tailer Thanko has finally released a new fashion model, four years later.

The USGLOM09 (2,500 yen, US$27.75) comes in white with faux trimmings for a more feminine elegance. Not forgetting the tech nerds, this also comes in a more conservative black without the furry bits. Other than those cosmetic tweaks, the gloves retain the original hood so you can expose your twinky digits for more effective keyboard work. The bummer is you'll need two USB jacks to plug in and get toasty, which could be a crowd if you're pairing this with the equally dubious USB Heating Slippers.
Read more »

Crave is...

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

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2182)

» Digital Cameras (962)

» Notebooks (1221)

» PC & Peripherals (1289)

» Handhelds (581)

» Printers (79)

» Home AV (1123)

» Music & Play (881)

» Gadgets (1460)

» Future Tech (381)

» Green Tech (168)

» Lifestyle (148)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (56)

» Cars (97)

» Games and Gear (241)

» Software (89)

» Web (95)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

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