Tag: HOUSEHOLD

Moshi IVR Alarm Clock (Homebody, Under $50) Even vampires know that there's really no good way to wake up out of a deep slumber, but Moshi is trying to help late sleepers make a go of it. The Moshi IVR Alarm Clock ($49.99) is, somewhat surprisingly, the first alarm clock that responds to voice commands. Saying "Hello Moshi" starts things off, and then users simply speak to the device, using ...

Ripple LED Coffee Table (Homebody, Under $2,500) When you want to add both dynamic design and interactive gadgetry to a living space, look no further than this piece of futuristic furniture from sustainable-wares front Because We Can. The Ripple LED coffee table ($2,100), made from eco-friendly maple, alights based on motion sensors embedded in the table's surface. As folks move their hand ...

A fan with no blades? Sounds impossible, but when coming from the innovating mind of James Dyson (of the nifty, newfangled vacuum cleaners and hand dryers), maybe it's not so impossible. Then again, maybe that's why Dyson is calling his newest creation the Dyson Air Multiplier instead of the Dyson fan. Well, there is a fan of sorts in the base of the unit, but it's off limits to users because ...

Home appliances generally haven't been at the forefront of the green movement. While the Energy Star rating on some household gadgets has helped eco-warriors reduce their carbon footprint (and saved homeowners some money), it doesn't hold a candle to the devices that are designed to be green from the get-go. Switched.com decided to dig a little deeper – and found a dozen products that ...

1. Xeros washing machine Though still a prototype, this new washer promises to clean clothes with just one cup of water and thousands of nylon beads that absorb dirt and stains, with a carbon footprint that's 40-percent less than the current most efficient washing machine. Initially, Xeros will only be available commercially, but the home market will follow soon after. << Back Next ...

Question: I use my computer for most of my TV and movie watching and music listening, but my machine's built-in speakers sound bloody awful. I want a set of computer speakers that sounds good whether cranked up loud or turned down soft. And I don't want to spend a fortune. Advice: The underpowered speakers built into laptops and desktops can suck the life out of any video or song. They're too ...

Share Foreclosures. Bailouts. Unemployment. Cats and dogs living together. Yes, these are stressful times. But don't panic: There are a lot of ways to stay afloat during this economic downturn. While we can't advise you on stocks or mortgages, we do know a thing or two about technology. So we present this list of gadgets, Web sites, and tips that will keep at least a few bucks in your bank ...

What it is: Those who still think a vacuum's a vacuum have yet to encounter Dyson. The funky-looking, English-engineered line of bag-less, suctioning masterpieces is a far cry from the clunkers lining the shelves of Bed, Bath & Beyond. (You'll even find several in modern art museums around the world.) The DC22 Motorhead is the newest addition to the line of Dyson canister models. It takes ...

Remember when everyone installed those neon lights underneath their cars, like in 'The Fast and The Furious?' We thought that trend had died out like Paul Walker's acting career. Now, thanks to LIT's LED lighting kit, you can relive those days in the comfort of your own home. These LED tubes can be installed around or under just about any piece of furniture in your house, giving it that sci-fi ...

Summer is, give or take a couple of weeks, here. That means BBQs, baseball, new love and -- of course -- yardwork. Given our preference for keyboards and joysticks over rakes and hoes, we sought out the best gizmos to minimize our outdoor chores. Next >> ...

Yanko Design plays host to some pretty brilliant ideas, but this is the best we've seen in awhile: the smoke alarm remote. Smoke alarms are a necessary safety precaution, though they can be plenty inconvenient (not to mention, annoying). When you're searing or grilling in the kitchen, the last thing you want to hear is the smoke alarm screaming its head off. Beth Fuller's ingenious concept -- ...

Doing laundry is about as fun as watching the paint dry, and given our technological advances, it hasn't come very far in the past 50 years, at least in terms of convenience. Enter the Maytag washing machines at Wheelock College; the wired washers and dryers actually text and e-mail when they're done with a load. The system lets students log on to a Web site where a virtual laundry room shows ...

What do you get that friend/lover/boss that has everything -- except hair? Why a high-end wig cleaner of course! At $367, the Wig Purifier can only be described as the Rolls Royce of wig maintenance accessories. Simply place the hairpiece inside the handsome cabinet and allow the Wig Purifier's secret weapon (ozone particles) to do the rest. The trioxygen filtering through the chamber ...

Faulty installation of flat-screen televisions can pose a real risk to children when they're not properly secured, according to a new study recently published by the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. According to the study, nearly 8,500 children visited emergency rooms in 2007 because of accidents involving falling televisions. A four-year-old named Dymounique Wilson died in just ...

Inevitably, your fancy HDTV and flat-panel monitor are going to collect dust. But how should you clean them? Many people go the Windex route, while others splurge for the pricey cleaning products sold at BestBuy and the like. Truth is, however, the best way to clean your LCD and plasma screens is with a soft cloth and water, says Consumer Reports. The chemicals in Windex and other glass ...