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The Top 20 Weirdest gadgets of 2006
The Register ^ | 20 December 2006 | Tech Digest

Posted on 12/20/2006 12:40:37 PM PST by ShadowAce

It's been one of those years when technology came on in leaps and bounds. Around the world, thousands of pointy-headed scientists and product designers beavered away in high-security laboratories, investing time, money and effort to create... more silly USB gadgets.

Yes, 2006 has been the year when gadgets got a bit ridiculous. And it wasn't just USB devices either. Here's Tech Digest's (http://techdigest.tv) pick of the year's gadgets that got us chuckling, frightened, or just scratching our heads in bafflement.

1. Gupi the robot guinea pig Complete with his animatronic carrot and 30 different sounds (most of which are presumably a variation on "WeeEEEeeeEE!"). Read more (http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/robot-guinea-pig/index.html)

robot guinea pig

2. The BeerBelly Released in time for the World Cup, this gave football-loving men a false beer-belly full of, yes, beer. Complete with a rubber tube to suck the booze through. Read more (http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&action=product&pid=1388&src_t=sbk&src_id=beerbelly)

3. Solar-powered insect theatre This eco-gadget isn't that silly, actually. It stores power in the day, then lights up at night to attract moths and butterflies for you to watch. Their version of Hamlet is a bit rubbish, mind. Read more (http://techdigest.tv/2006/05/solar_powered_i.html)

4. LumiGram fibre optic clothing Scared you won't stand out from the crowd at your office Chrimbo party? How about clothing with fibre optics inside for a shimmery effect? Nigel from Accounts will love it. Read more (http://www.lumigram.com/)

luminous clothing

5. Froot Loop cereal bowl light Very strange indeed. Dip your spoon into this bowl of Froot Loops, and it lights up. What are Froot Loops anyway? Read more (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=269572)

6. Geek-a-cycle It's a reclining exercise bike hooked up to a computer desk, ensuring you can spend four hours a night updating your MySpace page and have Calves of Steel. At last! Read more (http://www.slimgeek.com/index.html)

7. USB pole dancer For the man who likes his desk to have a classy vibe. She's an eight-inch bikini-clad blonde, who dances on a lit-up podium. Nice. Read more (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/13/usb_pole_dancer/)

usb pole dancer

8. Fatman referee suit Should become standard issue in Premiership grounds next season. Read more (http://techdigest.tv/2006/08/one_minute_vide_10.html)

9. Crazy Frog karaoke mic Somewhere, in a company boardroom, someone actually had the idea of teaching The Kids to sing Crazy Frog songs better. Strewth. Read more (http://techdigest.tv/2006/02/london_toy_fair_1.html)

10. Spray-on condom Safe sex in a can! And gives you a choice of strengths and colours. Possibly good for preserving courgettes for a few more days in the fridge, too. Read more (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/21/china_liquid_condom/)


11. Walking Gundam robot He's called GuardRobo, he's 3.4m tall, and can stomp forwards, backwards and sideways. That said, he can only fire foam bullets, so Robocop would make mincemeat of him. Read more (http://techdigest.tv/2005/06/walking_gundam.html)

giant gundam robot

12. V Girl virtual girlfriend Think having cybersex is sad? Now imagine having cybersex with a Tamagotchi... Read more (http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&action=product&pid=1484&src_t=sbk&src_id=girlfriend)

13. Inflatable office in a bucket Designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Here's a tip: maybe don't pin anything on the walls. Read more (http://www.officeinabucket.co.uk/)

14. Lockup cup Another office gadget, this time a ceramic cup with a lock at the bottom so nobody else can use it. Be warned, workmates may see this as petty, and take to weeing on your cheese in retaliation. Read more (http://www.gommeh.com/)

15. Slade-singing toy dog Christmas genius! video here (http://techdigest.tv/2006/12/all_i_want_for.html)

16. Flying alarm clock Wakes you by taking off into the air while making a siren noise. Not recommended for any war veterans, in other words. Read more (http://www.boysstuff.co.uk/product.asp?id=13583)

flying alarm clock

17. Pimp My Bed Make your bed glow like a boy racer's car, giving the impression that it's floating. And spooking the bejaysus out of your cat. Read more (http://www.gadgetshop.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=1010)

18. Zaporozhye, the musical condom Has mini-speakers that play music louder and faster as your bumping'n'grinding becomes more frantic. Would be marvellous teamed with the Crazy Frog mic. Sorry, did I say marvellous? I meant arrestable. Read more (http://techdigest.tv/2006/10/play_musical_sa.html)

19. iBuzz Two MP3 vibrator The sex toy that was so good, Apple called in the lawyers! Connect this to your MP3 playing device, and it buzzes and pulses in time to your tunes. I'm guessing sales of pounding Belgian techno have soared on the iTunes Store as a result... Read more (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/28/ibuzz_returns_as_ibuzz_two/)

love labs ibuzz two

20. Duck Fadar. Part rubber duck, part Darth Vadar. And it lights up to give your bathroom a comforting glow. Although not quite comforting enough to make you forget the fact that you've just spent £6.95 on glowing Star Wars duck. Read more


TOPICS: Technical
KEYWORDS: gadgets; tech; weird
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1 posted on 12/20/2006 12:40:38 PM PST by ShadowAce
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To: rdb3; chance33_98; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Bush2000; PenguinWry; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; ...

2 posted on 12/20/2006 12:41:06 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: ShadowAce

Maybe I am not clear on the concept, but how many people is number number 19 designed for?


3 posted on 12/20/2006 12:44:27 PM PST by Michael.SF. (It's time our lawmakers paid more attention to their responsibilities, and less to their privileges.)
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To: LonePalm
Self ping for later.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

4 posted on 12/20/2006 12:45:47 PM PST by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: ShadowAce

now if they can merge 4,9,10,18,19, that'd be something!


5 posted on 12/20/2006 12:45:59 PM PST by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Michael.SF.

I'd say about half the population...give or take.


7 posted on 12/20/2006 12:47:44 PM PST by AntiKev ("No damage. The world's still turning isn't it?" - Stereo Goes Stellar - Blow Me A Holloway)
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To: ShadowAce

I vote for #'s 4, 7 and 19.


8 posted on 12/20/2006 12:48:04 PM PST by garyhope (It's World War IV, right here, right now courtesy of Islam.)
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To: ShadowAce

Most of these look like Japanese inventions. They come up with some of the strangest stuff.


9 posted on 12/20/2006 12:48:09 PM PST by caver (Yes, I did crawl out of a hole in the ground.)
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To: Michael.SF.
Maybe I am not clear on the concept, but how many people is number number 19 designed for?

Probably two two.

10 posted on 12/20/2006 12:50:00 PM PST by Disambiguator (This tagline is brought to you by the letter "S" with a slash in front of it.)
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To: ShadowAce

SPFL


11 posted on 12/20/2006 12:50:44 PM PST by Slings and Arrows ("I smell bagels.")
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To: ShadowAce

I didn't see this on the list!.........

12 posted on 12/20/2006 12:51:56 PM PST by Red Badger (New! HeadOn Hemorrhoid Medication for Liberals!.........Apply directly to forehead.........)
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To: Disambiguator

......or more.......SF Version.......


13 posted on 12/20/2006 12:52:40 PM PST by Red Badger (New! HeadOn Hemorrhoid Medication for Liberals!.........Apply directly to forehead.........)
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To: Michael.SF.
Maybe I am not clear on the concept, but how many people is number number 19 designed for?

I'll let you know.

14 posted on 12/20/2006 12:55:19 PM PST by Wormwood (I'm with you in Rockland)
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To: Michael.SF.

Two. Him and her. Or him and him. I can't see the her and her in it.


15 posted on 12/20/2006 12:55:39 PM PST by MPJackal ("If you are not with us, you are against us.")
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To: ShadowAce
The BeerBelly Now this would come in handy at the ball game!

Duck Fader Sometimes you feel like a duck, Sometimes you don’t!

16 posted on 12/20/2006 12:55:51 PM PST by cuz_it_aint_their_money
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To: MPJackal
I can't see the her and her in it.

Then you aren't trying hard enough. Most every attachment shown looks 'girl-accessible'.

17 posted on 12/20/2006 12:58:24 PM PST by Wormwood (I'm with you in Rockland)
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To: camle

And if they merged #11 in with those it would really be something.


18 posted on 12/20/2006 1:00:00 PM PST by TKDietz (")
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To: Wormwood

I'll work on it. Perhaps I should order them and see if the wife can sort it out.


19 posted on 12/20/2006 1:02:56 PM PST by MPJackal ("If you are not with us, you are against us.")
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To: MPJackal

Geeky as hell BTTT.


20 posted on 12/20/2006 1:05:00 PM PST by 50sDad (I respect other religions by allowing them the right to worship. But they still are wrong.)
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