Tissues for the Addams family

Yes, tissues now come in a shocking new color. Black! In color psychology, black is seen as the color of authority and power. It's popular in fashion because it makes people (like some of us) appear thinner. It's stylish and classically timeless. It'll even go matchingly with Renovo's black toilet rolls.

In fact, why stop at black? There's no reason those tissue-thin sheets should always be virginal white. Japan Today reports that these trendy black tissues from Daishowa First Corp are now retailing at Beaux-Art shops in Japan. Though at 500 yen (US$4.65) a box, the price just went up for blowing into that tissue.

Energizer's versatile Light on Demand

There's more to Energizer than that darn bunny. Despite some booth members seen wearing pink bunny ears at a CES preshow event CNET Asia had attended last week in Las Vegas. (Has it been a week already since the chaotic Consumer Electronics Show?) We did, however, like what we saw of the versatile, new Energizer Light on Demand range.

At the heart of this series lies a removable light stick that packs onboard rechargeable batteries. What makes it so usable is that the light stick can function independently of its specific setup like, say, a Wall Sconce (US$44.99). Detached from the main unit, it can work as an emergency or area flashlight. And if those rechargeables happen to konk out, simply slot in AAA batteries, and you're good to go.
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A fingerprint safe recommended by the NRA

This certainly isn't the first personal safe that's controlled by biometrics, but its design is a definite improvement over previous models we've seen. The BioVault 2.0 Fingerprint Safe from Sequiam Biometrics has the kind of futuristic look that's appropriate for a security technology of the future--in fact, it reminds us of the Enterprise's sliding doors on the original Star Trek.

It does seem kind of curious, however, that one of its highly touted features is the ability to work with the fingerprints of up to 50 people; we thought the idea was to keep the virtual "combination" a secret. Maybe that has something to do with its official endorsement by the NRA: It can be used to store a few emergency firearms accessible to all members of the neighborhood militia.

Via Crave CNET

Master Chief sidelined as vacuum cleaner

Love is an extraordinary thing. It incapacitates our innate ability to make rational decisions, like refusing to do housework. But for once, we may actually have to eat our own words in the name of love. Not for the significant other half, but for Halo's Master Chief.

Perhaps the protagonist had enough of the Covenants, but when we saw the Samsung Silencio vacuum cleaner, our heart went out to him. When he's not tasked to save the world, his alter-ego catches micro-particles such as dust and allergens with a hit rate of 99.95 percent. The bagless cleaner has a suction power of 360 air watts that exceed its conventional counterparts. And like his calm, quiet fictional self in the first-person shooter game, the Silencio produces a sound level of only 73dB. The only armor he's carrying is the infrared remote control for varying the intensity of his suction, or to power off.

Not much of a threat, isn't it? Well, it's all about market penetration. All hail, Master Chief.

Via CNET Crave

Handy multi-screwdriver

Hands up, those who have busted a screw head by using the wrong screwdriver. Forcing a flat on a Philips screw may get the job done, but the damage you do to the screw may just render it unremovable the next time. Carrying the CRKT Get-A-Way Driver is a good way to make sure that doesn't happen.

This nifty gadget carries four hex bits (two flats and two Philips) so you will surely find one that fits your screw. The bits go on the front if you are holding it like a regular driver, but if you find yourself at an awkward position, they also fit at a 90-degree angle. The tool even comes with an LED light--the only gripe we have is that it's at the back, so it won't shine on the spot where you are securing. And for those who need a beer while assembling your computer, it even opens bottles.

This product is part of CRKT's upcoming 2008 series of I.D Works tools and hasn't been shipped yet. But when it does, you should be able to get one at your favorite online tool shop.

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