Electronic Wind Instrument with USB

Talk about taking the idea of plug-and-play into a whole new realm. We've already seen USB drum kits, guitars and keyboards. Now there's a USB wind instrument that lets the PC do the playing. Looking like the old school recorder we kids used to huff on in saliva-induced musicality, crossed with a clarinet, the bundled synthesizer software won't turn you into a Kenny G, but should put the power of an entire orchestra at your finger tips literally, from woodwind to brass, to percussion and even string. Carnegie Hall, here we come. (Not!)

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Via Everything USB

Price: US$199
Availability: At Ion
Device: USB instrument
Specs: USB computer connectivity, touch-sensitive keys, touch-sensitive octave rollers, touch-sensitive pitch bend plates, virtual sampler software, w oodwind, brass, percussion, string, synthesizer and percussion instruments included in software, battery power (AA x 2) or optional AC adapter, includes 32MB CompactFlash card, power cable

Digital Sound Feeling System

An acoustic soother by any name sounds just as good? Well, SegaToys' Digital Sound Feeling System works along the same principles of dampening unwanted ambient noise to promote relaxation. Once powered on, the device will bath the user in the three-dimensional sounds of nature, from birds chirping to wind bells chiming, to water running. Of course, this being Japanese, nothing is as it seems. Possibly in an attempt to blend in with the whole new age deal, the Digital Sound Feeling System is disguised as a log or very large twig. Go figure. Fetch, Ubu, fetch.

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Via Technabob

Price: 2,625 yen (US$22.60)
Availability: Japan
Device: Sound simulator
Specs: 240 x 50 x 65mm, 2 single three dry cell

Candy Floss Maker

If you fancy playing the strange Willy Wonka, churning out candy galore for your mates on the next sugar rush outing, this Candy Floss Maker is a more fun carnival take than the countertop version. Oompa Loompa, cavities be damned.

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Price: US$62.91
Availability: At Boys Stuff
Device: Candy floss machine
Specs: N.A.

Car Umbrella Drainer

Argh, not another monsoon shower. There is, however, nothing worse than trying to quickly get into a car while you're struggling with an umbrella. By the time you've succeeded in getting both yourself and the brolly inside, the interior resembles the rain-swept cliffs of Dover. Bad enough there's a pool forming on the carpet, it's soaking through the seats and ruining the leather. The Car Umbrella with Drainer comes in handy here, and is a simple if effective way to catch all that water rolling off your umbrella. The device looks like a giant mug which you slot into one of your cupholders, and provides a holder at the same time for your brolly. Alternatively, being, ah, frugal Asians, you can grab those free grocery bags at the supermart as a substitute.

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Via OhGizmo

Price: US$19.98
Availability: At Get Organized
Device: Umbrella holder with drainer
Specs: Includes 39-inch umbrella, nylon

Walkie Talkie Watches

Before you sniff at these as toys right out of Spy Kids' crazy gizmo lab, these Walkie Talkie Watches were apparently considered competent enough for the Nowegian Winter Olympic team at last year's Winter Olympics. What's good enough for world-class professionals has gotta be good enough for us plebs, right? Speaking of handy, these two-way radios pack full clock function, voice activation, stopwatch, alarm, backlight, a 3km range, and 300 channel combos for discreet yakking. What, no Bluetooth or FM radio onboard? Guess, you can't have it all with the battery being so tiny. No licence is needed, though it's best to check with the local authorities. Other than that, be warned that wearing this chunky watch with antenna can imbue you with an instant nerd halo.

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Price: US$107.98
Availability: At I Want One Of These
Device: Communicator watches
Specs: Headset with PTT button attached, auto channel scan and squelch control, five melody call tones, compatible with all Walkie Talkies at 446MHz, splash-proof, battery low indicator, after initial 24-hour charge, full 6-hour charge will provide 40 hours of standby and 2 hours of continuous talktime, requires rechargeable Lithium battery (included), mains adaptor, 10 x 7 x 5cm, circumference up to 7cm

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