For you early adopters of all things new and largely untested, comes the next generation of Toshiba’s HD DVD player. The HD-E1 is now available to order from the company’s UK Web site and will set you back the guts of £450.
If you think that’s expensive, remember that Sony’s dedicated Blu-ray player, the much-delayed BDP-S1 is double that and the Samsung BDP-1000 clocks in around £750-800. This makes the Tosh a bargain, then. So what do you get?
It’s certainly not as bulky as the Sony effort and supports a wide array of audio formats, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus etc. It comes with one HDMI connection and can playback regular DVDs and CDs too. This is the vanilla model, so to speak, but there’s a feature-heavy version due out in January for a not insubstantial £650. Toshiba is running a deal with the HD-E1 to throw in 8 free DVD rentals with ilovefilm.
Although the HD-E1 is still significantly cheaper than Blu-ray players (Amazon is flogging it for just £397 but with rubbish availability), there are not enough HD DVD movies or high-def TV broadcasts out here to warrant most of you reaching for your flexible friends. Wait a year.
What we really need is a player that will handle both formats. Anyone?-Martin Lynch
Rakuten's latest gadget sterilizes your toothbrush in four minutes, preventing the buildup of bacteria and other nasty elements. When the toothbrush is inserted and the lid is shut, an ultraviolet lamp heats up and within four minutes, your brush is as clean as the day you bought it. Pretty handy, especially when you consider how often the average person really cleans their toothbrush.
This little UV wonder is only $45, but only available in Japan. At least it beats a trip to the dentist and having your teeth cleaned with a power saw. – Nicholas Deleon
Electrolux, makers of everything vacuum (translation: evil) tipped T3 to their new vacuum cleaner shoe concept design. There is no information on the functionality of their design, such as how the shoes will create suction, find power, or store dirt, but these are just details, people.
The only real flaw I can see is that the shoes still require you to actually walk around the house. Maybe if they could attach a vacuum to my wheeled computer chair, or a Segway, we'd have a winner. – Mark Wilson
In the war between robots and humans, the humans just scored a major victory. Researchers at the University of Washington have successfully demonstrated a robotic interface operated through mind control. Utilizing an electrode cap (a non-invasive tool generating a noisy signal), mental powers commanded the robot to walk to a block, pick it up, and set it down in a designated area.
Hit the link for the video demonstration. Now we just need scientists to hone the "don't blow my head off with that laser" command and we'll be all set. – Mark Wilson
Hot on the heels of the (probably not so much) original Vibrator patent, Google patent search fans have found some of the original Transformers patents.
This one is the one for Megatron, the guy who turned into a gun and needed someone else to fire him—the most co-dependent robot this side of Bender.
Of course this kinda toy wouldn't fly in here and now. Any kid holding a gun, even if it is a toy that transforms into a robot, would be shot by cops about 57 times before he could say "more than meets the eye". – Jason Chen
Some clever fella has mixed the aural delights of foul-mouthed rapper Jay Z and Nobuo Uematsu's catchy Final Fantasy 7 bleeps, and the results are magical. Hearing 'Weapon Raid' while an angry looking Jay Z informs us of his lack of 'bitch problems' works surprisingly well - if only the same was true for FF7 hero Cloud, who most certainly had bitch problems, what with that whole Aeris palava. -Tamlin Magee
Instead of blowing their noses like us heathens in America, the Japanese apparently like to irrigate the nasal cavity first before expelling its mucus. The gadget fits up either nostril and shoots an irrigation solution, which is made up of one part water and a small bit of salt. We're not sure what the salt's for—killing bacteria perhaps—but the procedure is reportedly not very painful at all.
If this is anything like the bidets popular in Japan, then our experience tells us that we'll use it a couple times before going back to a plain old paper solution. – Jason Chen
We all pretended to duel with lightsabers when we were kids—poor Ghyslain was the only one who got filmed doing it. But of all the things my maimed brother and I used to use‐sticks, crutches, toy lightsabers, the long lightbulbs from bathrooms—none of them had the pop-up action of real lightsabers. Until now.
Hasbro's Spring Activated Force Action Lightsaber complete with sound effects pops up when you press the button, giving you an authentic experience that even tops the joy of hearing "oh my god the glass is in my eyes". – Jason Chen
What’s in a name? Nothing if it’s mine but if it happens to be Vodka.com, then it’s worth a cool £1.5m. Mom/Dad, I hope your listening.
The Web site domain name has just fetched £1.5m – one of the biggest sums paid for a generic domain - from the Russian firm that produces the Imperia vodka brand. Russian Standard vodka brands now claim almost two-thirds of the premium vodka market and, since it’s decided to invade the US and elsewhere last year, it seems the £1.5m paid is small change in the drinks war.
Sedo.com, which brokered the sale, said the price is one of the highest, but is still less than half that paid by jewellery retailer ice.com for the diamond.com domain name in May, which reputedly went under the virtual hammer for an even cooler £3.8m.-Martin Lynch
Someone will probably like this and for you outgoing adventurous types, the Berman Center Astrea Remote Vibrating Thong is guaranteed to keep you extra warm during the chilly season.
Essentially, this is a thong with a pocket inside which the vibrator sits in – it even comes with a handy little remote for when the daily commute really starts to suck. The remote though is aimed at partners who want to keep Mrs. Claus on her toes – or is that back? – this Christmas. This is what the official blurb says:
Remote control vibrating thong provides discreet hands-free stimulation. Designed in beautiful stretch lace, it is comfortable and sexy. Mini-remote stimulator is contoured, compact and removable. Remote control has a 12' range, and allows you to receive hands-free stimulation. Batteries included.
It costs around £17 but, one reviewer was not happy. Jump now to find out why.-Martin Lynch
For you early adopters of all things new and largely untested, comes the next generation of Toshiba’s HD DVD player. The HD-E1 is now available to order from the company’s UK Web site and will set you back the guts of £450. 
Hot on the heels of the (probably not so much) 
Someone will probably like this and for you outgoing adventurous types, the Berman Center Astrea Remote Vibrating Thong is guaranteed to keep you extra warm during the chilly season. 
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
