XaviXPORT

Here's a sweet idea that really works if you have a TV screen as big as your garage door (i.e. if you have one). Japanese company XaviX is betting the XaviXPORT is so simple, even video-challenged gamers will get hooked. Just plug the console directly into a TV. Insert game cartridge. Place the optical sensor on the floor in front of the telly. And, voila. Go golfing, bass fishing, bowling, boxing, tennis, baseball or even master Jackie Chan's moves, all within your living room. Do ensure that pets, parents and passers-by are safely out of range of your swings and smashes. Hardcore gamers, though, will consider this baby stuff and likely opt for thumb twiddling on the PS2 or Xbox 360.

Play ball with the family here

Price: US$74.99 for port; from US$49.99 a game
Availability: See XaviX Store
Device: Interactive TV-based gaming console
Basic specs: N.A.

Malaria Monitor wristwatch

It's hard to know what's worse. Being stabbed by damn moskies. Or by a wristwatch that's supposed to do the deed four times a day. But if it's a question of life or death, what's an annoying little prick every few hours? Enter South African inventor Dr Gervan Lubbe's digital timepiece. This lances the wrist with a tiny needle four times a day and tests the blood for malaria parasites. If the parasite count tops 50, an alarm sounds and a brightly colored mosquito image flashes on the watch face. The wearer must then take three tablets. As backup, the watch's radio frequency transmits the wearer's information to a central computer, so health departments can ensure that those at risk take the tablets. Here's a Fear Factor trivia to take away: Malaria kills over one million people yearly, while making 300 million wretchedly ill. (picture from artist impression)

See more details of watch here

Price: 1,700 rand (US$280)
Availability: Next month
Device: Wristwatch monitor
Basic specs: N.A.

Iqua Snake

Now this is what we call thinking out of the box. The Iqua Snake Bluetooth Headrest HHF-801 wraps, snake-like, around the car's headrest, which puts the speakers and mike closer to the driver's ears and mouth compared with other more conventional in-car handsfree sets. While your mouth and ears are thus preoccupied, just be prepared to pay through your nose for such cool convenience.

See bigger image | in use

Price: About US$299
Availability: See Web site
Device: Bluetooth handsfree
Basic specs: Easy to install, brush metal and real leather, Bluetooth, flexible mechanism to fit your height, LED light for call status, low battery indication, talktime of up to 10 hours, standby at 300 hours, recharges within 6 hours, 450 x 250 x 26mm, 350g

EnterTrainer

You've got to love this. Too lazy to exercise? Here's a personal trainer that takes away your TV if you're slacking in your workout. Since the EnterTrainer is a wireless gizmo that monitors your heart beat, there's just no way to cheat around this. Fail to apply yourself, and the EnterTrainer "tells" the TV to turn down the volume on whatever you're watching or listening to. Pick up your pace, and you get your show back. Work it, baby, work it.

Price: About US$99.99
Availability: See Web site
Device: TV-based personal trainer
Basic specs: Comes with an EKHO heart monitor strap with extended wireless range

Egg Babies

This looks freakily lifelike, if not for the fact that we know these Egg Babies to be made of resin. Hand sculpted in clay and cured to a hard porcelain-like finish, the little nubbin's mop is topped with fine strand English Mohair. Just too bad artist Camille Allen's stopped taking custom orders. Otherwise it's easy to see this becoming a bestseller with parents, much like those baby hand and feet cast impression molds.

See Shell Babies | Egg Babies | Lifesize Babies | Super Miniature Babies | Miniature Babies

Price: From US$200 to US$2,000
Availability: See Web site
Device: Collectible
Basic specs: N.A.

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