Smart Goggles

Talk about your power goggles. Apparently one Katie Williams, a Welsh design student at London's Brunel University, has developed a pair of goggles that do more than just protect your eyes from the chlorine in pools. In a Minority Report takeoff, the lenses reflect information off tiny mirrors that allow the swimmer to read data like number of laps completed, speed clocked and total time taken. The power pack, which also houses a compass, sits at the back of the headstrap. A tap of a button sets up the mechanism, while the compass takes note of when the swimmer changes directions. Now all that's needed is to fabricate bifocals into the lens so some of us can see the display and watch our lanes.

See other eyewear with a twist: Motorola-Oakley RAZRWire | Oakley Thump | Finis SwiMP3

Via CNN.com

Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Swimming goggles
Basic specs: N.A.

Fun Ironing Board Covers

Depending on your point of view, these naughty ironing board covers certainly show plenty of cheek. Literally. Just iron the towel or bikini on the picture, and now you don't see it, now you do. All thanks to a special heat-sensitive ink utilized for the image. Still, it's more flash than flesh, and ought to liven up what's typically a boring chore. Should go matchingly well with bikini idol Misako Yasuda's bedsheet prints, though there won't be any peekaboos in her case.

Take a peek at: Richard | Mark | Jordan | Kelly

Price: 14.95 pounds (US$27)
Availability: Prezzybox
Device: Ironing board covers
Basic specs: Fits all boards up to 1,200 x 370mm, actual cover size 1,320 x 480mm, felt backed, 100 percent cotton, elasticated for a quick and easy fit

Tactile Designer iPod Socks

Hot off HotROMZ's online inventory is a line of fluffy, fun Tactile cases for iPods that just beg to be picked up. As promised by its designer, your Apple player will be anything but boring (not that it was to begin with). HotROMZ owner Debbie Ann carries a wide enough range to please everyone, from the wild, furry Exotica Ipodica sleeves to the Tribble collection inspired by Star Trek Episode #42's The Trouble with Tribbles. Bet you can even stuff a Creative or iRiver in one of these. Even the tiny shuffle gets its own coat of many colors. Just remember to keep this away from your jealous pooch or tabby, if you don't want your Tactile to end up as Exotica Exterminus.

Click for sample casing: OrangeiPod

Price: US$14.95 to US$24.95
Availability: HotROMZ
Device: iPod casing
Basic specs: Poly fiber, handmade, machine washable, Certificate of Authenticity , gift box

Philips Smart Companion

We're still not sure what the hullabaloo is with Philips' Smart Companion. So it has a name, Dimi. So have Sony's Aibo and Honda's Asimo. So Dimi can nod, listen (something in short supply these days), and predict tomorrow's weather. But so can Japanese androids like NEC's PaPeRo which even develops a personality over time. We know Dimi can't do the locomotion since the 4-foot-tall device, looking like something out of a Philippe Starke catalog, is rooted to one spot. Still, call it paranoia, but it's a wakeup call to prepare for the inevitable, when smart(mouthed) appliances take over your home and start tattling on you. Bosch ShirtMaster: Heya Dimi, guess who just went up two dress sizes? Better tell the Internet fridge to cut back those Ben & Jerry orders.

Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept, more info at Philips site
Device: Intelligent robot
Basic specs: N.A.

LOTR Sting FX Sword

If you're a hardcore fan of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (affectionately called LOTR by movie-goers), you'll even know the inscription to the sword given by Bilbo to Frodo Baggins which he carried on his epic journey to destroy the ring. "Maegnas aen estar nín--dagnir in yngyl im". Or in plain English, "Sting is my name, I am the spider's bane". Licensed by New Line Cinema, the LOTR Sting FX Sword is just like the Force FX Lightsabers. The blade glows whenever Orcs are nearby, especially if you throw in a little battery magic and hit the On switch. In good old Hobbit fun, prepare to die, soldiers of Sauron!

See more images: Swords | display stand | runes on sword

Price: US$99.99
Availability: ThinkGeek
Device:: LOTR collectible
Basic specs: Permanently attached polycarbonate blade, metallic coating, core that glows brightly when activated, two motion sensors to sense different levels of impact, onboard multi-channel chip programmed with digital sound effects (four different clashes and a pulsing hum that accompanies glowing blade), requires two "123" 3-volt Lithium batteries, 27 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches, display base

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