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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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To: Irish_Thatcherite
The wonders of science - can she actually take the bikini off? :-P

That depends on the laws of your local jurisdiction...

41 posted on 12/20/2006 3:26:05 PM PST by gridlock (We just got dumped. McCain and Rudy are Rebound Guys. Let's not marry the Rebound Guy.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

You smell bagels?


42 posted on 12/20/2006 5:05:38 PM PST by rzeznikj at stout (Boldly Going Nowhere...)
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To: Darksheare

I have lost the Evil Mr. Ducky. I have searched high and low and he is no where to be found. If you run across him on the web let me know. I miss him.


43 posted on 12/20/2006 5:28:03 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (We must have faith For when it is all said and done, Faith manages. And the impossible is achieved)
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To: byteback

ROFL!

[my iPod is connected to a 650W amp with quad speakers....and mounted on a Harley....not that I'm sayin'....].....;]


44 posted on 12/20/2006 5:53:16 PM PST by Salamander (And don't forget my Dog; fixed and consequent.......)
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To: ShadowAce

DUCK FADAR???

ROTFLMAO!!!


45 posted on 12/20/2006 6:24:28 PM PST by FYREDEUS (FYREDEUS)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

http://www.scavengeinc.com/gifts-novelties-devil-duckies-c-297_305.html?osCsid=c6832d0514291eac618b56582b0ef71d


?


46 posted on 12/20/2006 6:52:54 PM PST by Salamander (And don't forget my Dog; fixed and consequent.......)
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To: rzeznikj at stout

>>>You smell bagels?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUZ_-6CmXaM


47 posted on 12/20/2006 7:14:54 PM PST by Slings and Arrows ("I smell bagels.")
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To: ShadowAce

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)

Richard Gere would love this. Because since he is a PETA member the guinea pig wont die unless he has rechargable batteries.


48 posted on 12/20/2006 7:17:44 PM PST by lndrvr1972
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To: Slings and Arrows

Er, I was commenting on your tagline...8^)


49 posted on 12/20/2006 8:35:13 PM PST by rzeznikj at stout (Boldly Going Nowhere...)
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To: ShadowAce

18. Zaporozhye, the musical condom Has mini-speakers that play music louder and faster as your bumping'n'grinding becomes more frantic

Probably only programmed with the Minute Waltz.


50 posted on 12/20/2006 9:28:16 PM PST by tlb
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To: rzeznikj at stout
Er, I was commenting on your tagline...8^)

I know - I was showing you the source.

51 posted on 12/20/2006 11:19:48 PM PST by Slings and Arrows ("I smell bagels.")
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To: Salamander
No those are not him.

No horns, he was blue and had an Omega on his head.

Thank you though.

52 posted on 12/21/2006 3:16:02 AM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (We must have faith For when it is all said and done, Faith manages. And the impossible is achieved)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Drat.

I'll keep an eye out for him....:)


53 posted on 12/21/2006 6:55:21 AM PST by Salamander (And don't forget my Dog; fixed and consequent.......)
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To: Slings and Arrows

D'Oh...


54 posted on 12/21/2006 7:01:14 AM PST by rzeznikj at stout (Boldly Going Nowhere...)
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To: New Perspective
And where do you get those little tiny one dollar bills?

Inside her panties? :-P

55 posted on 12/21/2006 11:09:55 AM PST by Irish_Thatcherite (A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!|What if I lecture Americans about America?)
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To: gridlock

In Saudi Arabia she wears a Burkha and bows to Allah! ;)


56 posted on 12/21/2006 11:11:07 AM PST by Irish_Thatcherite (A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!|What if I lecture Americans about America?)
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