Flip Flap

Collectors of Japanese toy maker Tomy's Hidamari No Tami ("sunny people") solar-powered noddies will probably flip over the Flip Flap. Looking like a pair of green bunny ears, this potted plant requires no maintenance or batteries as it "flaps" under the power of a light source. While we are not sure if the Flip Flap has hidden "stress-relieving properties" like its Hidamari cousin, we're certain it will make an interesting conversation piece. In fact, Tomy anticipates that people will want to have more than one Flip Flap. The manufacturer has thus, savvily, packaged each pot in an attractive transparent receptacle that allows yet more Flip Flaps to be stacked pyramid-style. Be warned. If that doesn't whet your urge to start collecting, the medley of six irresistible colors will.

Price: S$29.90 (US$17.49)
Availability: Now
Device: Solar-powered desktop accessory
Basic specs: Solar panel, on/off switch, choice of six colors; transparent acrylic casing

Xenofreaks PIX

Korean company Xenofreaks is clearly hoping the younger set will take to its mobile LED display, a disc-shaped device with a 2-inch LED screen that can be worn armband style or around the neck. Fancily dubbed an "ego visualizer", this could almost be a wearable cousin to the Tamagotchi Connection. Like the virtual pet toy, the PIX is designed to search for icon matches on other people's devices, and owners within range can infrared each other with images or text messages. Hey SDU (Singapore's official matchmaking agency), are you listening?

For more pictures, click here

Price: N.A.
Availability: Korea, likely to be rolled out across Asia
Device: Interactive visual display device
Basic specs: Infrared, 2-inch LED display, 177 high luminous LED in 15 x 15 matrix, 70 x 18.7mm, 59g including battery, 2 AAA batteries good for about 4 days, neck strap

Beachworld Biosphere

Have you ever wondered how the ship gets stuffed in the bottle? The same question applies to the Beachworld Biosphere. How cool can it be that an ecosystem actually thrives within a sealed glass sphere? Created by a space station engineer and two of the original Biosphere2 crew members, the Beachworld Biosphere works along the same principles. Light and heat help the micro algae generate oxygen and food for the resident freshwater shrimp (harvested from lava rock pools in Hawaii), which in turn produce carbon dioxide and nutrients for the algae to grow. Voila! The Beachworld Biosphere claims to be good for up to five years, although the first globe introduced to the Singapore Science Centre is still alive and kicking after 11 whopping years. But what we like best about the Biosphere is that it's absolutely maintenance-free.

Price: S$236 to S$988
Availability: Sole distributor Glo-Well (SEA) at Chinatown Plaza, Singapore
Device: Self-contained miniature world
Basic specs: Available in egg shape or round, varies from 10-25cm, weighs between 0.8kg and 1kg depending on model, contains freshwater amphipod shrimp, algae and micro-algae, self-supporting ecosystem, lifespan of 3-5 years

Kaori (Scent) Web System

Japanese firm K. Opticom is making a stink, literally, with its Kaori (fragrance in Japanese) Web system. Trial sets have been installed in optic@fe cybercafes across Japan till end September, possibly changing the way PC users immerse themselves in the desktop environment, by adding the (until now) missing sense of smell in relation to computer pixels. In short, see a durian image, whiff a durian. From what we know, the server sends the attached scent diffuser a signal to release the appropriate scent, prepared beforehand, to match the onscreen image. Having inhaled more than our share of gimmicks, hopefully this latest olfactory attempt will get to smell the roses far longer than the shortlived 1960s Smell-O-Vision fad.

Price: N.A.
Availability: On trial in Japan cybercafes
Device: Scent diffuser for PCs
Basic specs: Scent diffuser

Personal Cooling System 2.0

If keeping cool in Singapore's infernal heat is a personal crusade for you, this mini aircon device claims to keep you about 6 degrees colder than the surrounding temperature. Resembling a clunky neck brace, you fill it with water, place it around your neck and hit the on button. The motorized fan and aluminum cooling plates then go to work for up to 4 hours. One online user who trialed the gizmo said it chills the skin over key blood vessels so you feel cooler overall, taking about 10 minutes for the effect to kick in. We say at nearly S$52 (batteries not included), it may be lots cheaper to get a brain freeze with a convenience store Slushie.

Price: US$29.95
Availability: Sharper Image online
Device: Wearable cooling system
Basic specs: Motorized fan, two power settings, 2oz water bottle, 1 AA battery good for about 4 hours, 284g empty, 397g filled, in silver or cobalt blue, 1-year warranty

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