Star Wars Rain Lightsaber

For sheer exploitation, Japanese manufacturer Happinet gets the saber, er, cake. Riding on the current Star Wars hype, this savvy vendor has rolled out the Rain Lightsaber, essentially an umbrella given the Darth Vaderoid silkscreened treatment on the underside, complete with lightsaber handle based on Master Replica's .45 scale Darth Vader lightsaber hilt. When closed, the umbrella comes sheathed in a red sleeve to look like Vader's saber blade. (In fact, is this even legal and licensed?) Whatever the deal, what would be ultra-cool is if the handle has an option to light up at night or if there are prerecorded sound effects of sabers sizzling in rain. That would assuredly make you the coolest dude out there on a rainy day.

Via Wonderland

The Force up large | Star Wars Force FX Lightsabers | Episode III Darth Vader Voice Changer

Price: US$85, preorders now taken
Availability: Mid to late June, Happinet
Device: Star Wars collectible
Basic specs: Durable vinyl material, opens out to 100cm, choice of artwork featuring Darth Vader wielding a saber or a diamond-shaped Vader logo

Scooba

Scooba, dooba doo! Remember the Roomba? Well, our friendly robotic vacuum is about to rumba with the Scooba, a kitchen companion that will mop hard floors made of materials like tile, wood and linoleum. Clorox, better known to Singaporeans as a household bleach compound, has teamed up with Roomba makers iRobot for this latest outing to take the scrub out of your kitchen chores. Besides developing a cleaning fluid that won't send Scooba's steering systems into a spin, they've created a machine capable of sucking up loose particles, cleaning the floor and drying it, all in five stages. Wonder who gets to clean up Scooba after all that dirty, hard work.

See Scooba in action

Other robotic assistants: Bosch's shirt-ironing robot | Motoman's Robobar | Desktop Sushi Robot

Price: N.A.
Availability: Christmas
Device: Robotic kitchen helper
Basic specs: N.A.

Star Wars Force FX Lightsabers

In a galaxy not so far away (try earth), where crazy fan boys are willing to cough out hard-earned lucre to own a piece of Star Wars or parade amidst saner fellowmen as Sith Lords or Storm Troopers, the Force FX Lightsaber is one collectible that's guaranteed to bring out the Jedi in anyone. That said, this isn't for dueling purposes. Nor is it a toy. The sticker price alone should cue you in to that. Having said that, these licensed replicas need more than the Force to activate them, like a fresh set of batteries.

On the Light Side, Anakin Skywalker's saber is a Blue Blade from Revenge of the Sith. For those who've turned to the Dark Side, check out Darth Vader's Red Blade from Empire Strikes Back. Or see both blades lighted up

Price: S$235 (US$119)
Availability: Hobby shops, including one at Suntec City; or check out ThinkGeek
Device: Star Wars collectible
Basic specs: Glowing blades with realistic power-up/down effects, authentic sound effects digitally recorded from movie, motion sensor-controlled sound effects, power-up, idle hum, clash, and power-down, durable metal hilt, sturdy polycarbonate blade attached to hilt, custom-designed display stand

Elasticity Swatch

Swatch watches are so yesterday, at least in this part of the world where our once sought-after Black Sheep Too and Olympic Special box sets have since been R.I.P. (Rusting in Peace) somewhere in a forgotten corner of the home. This one, however, warrants some mention, not least because it's so outrageous in design that we don't know whether to loop the springy telephone-like cord around our neck or down the entire arm. Knowing how telephone cords have a life of their own, wear it at your peril. Comes in a plastic packaging which doubles as a frisbee.

Have a peek at the three colors | frisbee packaging

Price: US$55
Availability: Swatch shops
Device: Wrist watch
Basic specs: Comes in three colors, plastic belt length of about 35cm, water resistant up to 30m

Dog washing machine

The last time we looked, washing machines were for dirty laundry. Not anymore, it seems. Now pooches are being tossed into a machine that resembles an industrial washing machine and works like one, too. It sprays the poor mutt with water and natural cleaning solution through 37 nozzles for a good 4 minutes. This is followed by a 20-minute drying cycle. Probably a boon for dog owners who can now step back from the mess and muck, but not for the reluctant pet who's probably wishing the roles were reversed.

BBC News has a video of the dog washer in action.

Price: Wash and dry for US$15
Availability: US
Device: Dog wash
Basic specs: N.A.

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