Is the standalone toaster an endangered species?

Pity the poor toaster. Like a single person surrounded by married couples, it seems destined to be fixed up again and again, with the promise that this coupling will be the match that lasts.

The latest pairing to come to my attention: A Breakfast Set from Team Appliances, which combines a two-slot toaster with a five-cup drip coffee maker. All the expected features are here, from a removable crumb tray and adjustable darkness settings on the toaster to a reusable filter and automatic shut off on the coffee maker. What's missing? A timer to start your coffee brewing before you wake up in the morning. But it's a forgivable omission, given the product's space-saving design (hello, dorm room) and US$50 price tag.

If you're not a coffee drinker, fret not: There's a toaster combo appliance for you, too. We've already seen a combination toaster and teakettle from Breville. I've long been a fan of the toaster and egg poacher that a friend acquired several years ago; it lets you prep all the ingredients for a breakfast sandwich at once. (Tefal makes a similar product.) LG makes a US$140 microwave oven and toaster combo that's available in black, white, or stainless steel finishes. (So does Daewoo.)

Each of these pairings seems like such a good fit, I have to wonder if the humble stand-alone toaster is an endangered species. Tell me: would you go for any of these hybrids? Or is there any other appliance you'd like to see fixed up with the toaster?

Via CNET Crave

A ladybug with multiple personalities

We really don't know what to make of this gadget, for a variety of reasons. First there's the odd combination of features--memory card reader, flash drive, USB charger, and a UV counterfeit money detector, of all things. Then there's the US$9.99 price, which can barely buy a keychain these days. But weirdest of all is the design: A ladybug.

One can't help but wonder what goes through the mind of an engineer who comes up with something like this. Actually, it's probably just as well that this twisted thought process isn't applied to something even more bizarre. Whatever the case, this gizmo certainly lives up to its billing as a "multi-functional" device. Whether anyone will want this particular combination of functions, of course, is another question.

Via CNET Crave

A wristed development for Disney

With K-Rudd talking up the "digital schools" thing, USB drives are being chucked into backpacks alongside lunchboxes, textbooks and loose change for the tuckshop.

As with all other schoolyard accoutrements, having a cool-looking memory stick aids in the prevention of social ostracism. Never one to miss out on a tween marketing opportunity, Disney has gotten into the data storage action, teaming with Lexar to release a range of High School Musical, Hannah Montana and Pirates of the Caribbean-branded USB products.

Items in the range include a bracelet with an embedded USB key, available in 512MB (AU$31.55)(S$17.80) and 1GB (AU$46.88)(S$16.60) capacities. If the prices seem steep, consider this: The High School Musical version we received comes preloaded with digital goodies including Zac Efron desktop wallpaper. For kiddies who haven't yet discovered Google Image Search, this is truly OMG-worthy.

To see the whole line-up of Disney USB thingies, visit Lexar's Web site.

Via CNET Oi! Australia

Another GPS device goes to the dogs

As consumers are deluged with GPS products, manufacturers are continually looking for ways to expand the market--and that includes non-humans. Tracking technologies for pets (and kids) are hardly new, but Garmin is trying to stay ahead of the pack, literally, with more powerful devices.

The company debuted its original "Astro 220" system only a few months ago, and now it's already coming out with an updated dog collar. The new "Astro DC 30" has a range of 7 miles that's displayed on the correponding handheld device's digital map, according to Gizmodo.

It can track Fido's movements every 5 seconds and operate for up to 36 hours per charge. Or, as fellow Craver Caroline McCarthy suggests, it can surreptiously be used to find out why your regular pizza delivery is always so late.

Via CNET Crave

No more 24-hour convenience stores in Japan?

24-hour convenience stores, which are a common sight in Japan cities, may soon be a thing of the past, if the local authorities have their way. It's not that they will close the stores for good, but that several Japanese prefectures and cities are considering a proposal to ask 24-hour retailers to run shorter operating hours--all part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the fight against global warming.

Saitama will be among the first prefectures to support this proposal and plans to implement it earliest by April next fiscal year. Other prefectures also considering include Tokyo, Kanagawa and Aichi.
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