Another Swarovski victim is in the bag

What would go impractically well with a US$350 Dunhill USB drive? A Swarovski-studded laptop bag, of course. Port Designs has made one to order in the name of Paris, a crystal-trimmed case in a sleek black design for laptops up to 15.4 inches. It even has a matching heart charm, Chip Chick says, in case you don't have enough rhinestones in your life. As saddened as we are to see another Swarovski-infected product on the market, we're somewhat heartened that its designers exercised some restraint, unlike other items we've seen. One must take what one can get.

Via Crave CNET

The incredible shrinking Lightsaber

The Lightsaber has always held a special place in this category, and a new product is paying homage to this totem once again in the form of a stylus for the Nintendo DS. (Make that styli, actually, because they're being sold in packs of two or three at a time.)

For those not in the know, according to OhGizmo, the trio-pack includes the Luke, Vader, and Obi-Wan sabers. And yes, they do light up, but don't expect them to retract. Remember, that's not real.

Via CNET Crave

A scale for the Iron Man in your family

Those callous souls who gave their poor mums a Wii Fit for Mother's Day should take note: They can even the score between parents by giving a similarly subtle hint to dad this weekend. But why not be a little more creative?

Tanita is pushing its BC-558 Tanita Ironman Segmental and Full Body Composition Monitor, which is especially useful for those vain fathers who spend too much time at the gym and flexing in the bathroom mirror, because this scale measures the body by segments--as in arms, legs, and the trunk. It's probably equally appropriate for dads of the flabbier variety, as it gauges "segmental body fat" as well as muscle, bone mass, and metabolic rates.

For those fitness-challenged types, Tanita even makes another kind of scale that would be a perfect companion: A kitchen version that's sensitive enough to weight every Cheeto, right down to the crumb.

Via CNET Crave

Gaming keyboard meets manual typewriter

Hardcore gamers are always looking for gear that will survive the most merciless abuse under their sweaty palms. So needless to say, tough keyboards are frequently at the top of the list.

But it isn't often that a new version borrows a technology from the distant past. The first gaming keyboard in OCZ's new Alchemy series features keys made from "100 percent rubber-coating for no-slip comfort", according to PClaunches. And in doing so, the Elixir is taking a tack used by old Royal and Underwood manual typerwriters, which occasionally sported rubber caps designed to endure the relentless pounding required to operate the primitive equipment.

Alchemy has included a few more modern features as well, such as 10 programmable keys--the same number provided by the lower-end version of the vaunted Optimus Maximus keyboard from Art Lebedev, by the way. We don't know how well the Elixir stacks up in that regard, but at US$30 vs. US$462, it might be worth a try just to see.

Via CNET Crave

The pointless USB paper clip dispenser

No sooner did we post an item about an ill-advised promotional tchotchke that another one has popped up on the radar. But unlike the previous gadget, this one isn't of dubious value because of anachronistic timing; rather, it would be questionable no matter when it came out.

The reason: It's a paper clip dispenser. Not that we have anything against paper clips, mind you, but we can't exactly see the point of a dispenser that's also a pen holder with USB ports.

Hong Kong-based Earth Trek is trying to cast this in the best possible light, referring to it as a "3-in-1 stationery item" available in five colors. But if it's going to take this tack, the least it can do is provide a place to keep one's beer.

Via CNET Crave

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