The Top 20 Weirdest gadgets of 2006

The Register ^ | 20 December 2006 | Tech Digest

[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)

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/)

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/)

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)

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)

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/)

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

[ShadowAce]

[Michael.SF.]

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

[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)

[camle]

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

[AntiKev]

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

[garyhope]

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

[caver]

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

[Disambiguator]

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

Probably two two.

[Slings and Arrows]

SPFL

[Red Badger]

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

[Red Badger]

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

[Wormwood]

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

I'll let you know.

[MPJackal]

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

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

The BeerBelly Now this would come in handy at the ball game!

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

[Wormwood]

I can't see the her and her in it.

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

[TKDietz]

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

[MPJackal]

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

[50sDad]

Geeky as hell BTTT.