Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

Even if you’ve never used an iron in your life, you probably realize it’s a good idea to let it completely cool down before you put it back in the closet. But Sunbeam seems to be contradicting this simple piece of common sense with their Hot Iron Storage Case. It basically lets you put your iron away as soon as you’re done using it, without having to wait for it to cool off. The case is made from a durable heat-resistant plastic and features a locking lid to prevent other people or items from coming into contact with the heat. The iron itself actually sits on a set of silicon pads, while other items like the power cord or water cup accessory are stored in a separate compartment.

If I were the type who used an iron, I would still be leery about putting it away while it was still hot. But I have to assume that if any product in the Sunbeam line was thoroughly tested before it hit the consumer market, it would be this thing. You can get it directly from Sunbeam for $19.99. (Iron not included.)

[ Sunbeam Hot Iron Storage Case ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

By Luke Anderson

When I get up in the morning (though I try to push it to afternoon as often as I can) the last thing I want to do is turn on a light. I’ll try to get through as much of my morning routine as I can while turning on the least possible amount of lights. However, there are a few tasks that I won’t do in the dark, and one of them is shaving.

If you have no problem sliding a few pieces of extremely sharp metal across your face with only a tiny light to guide you, then you’ll love the Power Razor. It features a small LED light that will illuminate enough of your skin to shave. Apparently it has benefits when used under normal lighting conditions, as it allows you to see missed hairs under your chin and along your jawline. That’s cool and all, but with the $150 price tag, I think I’ll pass.

[ TheArtofShaving ] VIA [ UberGizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I wasn’t exactly thrilled when I discovered there was a device that allowed people to use the same annoying ringtones they have on their cellphones, for their land line phones. But mankind seems adept at finding new ways to annoy each other, and the latest weapon in that arsenal would have to be the iChime. It replaces the standard ‘ding-dong’ of your doorbell with a pre-recorded song, sound effect or message of your choosing.

The device easily integrates with your existing wired door chime system and features a 2 wire ‘no mistake’ installation process that I’m sure people will still screw up. The control panel/speaker is where you actually make the recording, either through the built-in microphone or a line-in jack for hooking up an MP3 or CD player. It’s limited to just storing six-custom chimes at a time, but you can re-record them whenever you need. A USB connection and the ability to upload sound files directly to the iChime would have definitely been preferred, but their website actually spins that con as a pro, claiming it doesn’t need complicated USB software. So your potential clients can’t handle a USB connection, but they can install and properly wire their own doorbells?

You can order the iChime directly from the manufacturer’s website for $89.95. It also supports auxiliary speakers that can be installed in other rooms, and they run $24.95 each.

[ iChime Digital Doorchime ] VIA [ UberReview ]

By Andrew Liszewski

For a while now, shower manufacturers have been trying to one up each other with models that feature more jets and more functions than the competition. But I think the battle for luxury shower supremacy may have a new front runner with the Pure Satin Steam Shower. It features a standard over head shower plus an adjustable shower on a slide rail for positioning at the appropriate height. Adjustable back massage jets. A steam module with time and temperature settings. An ozone sterilization system that will clean the shower at the push of a button. A tri-protection safety system which features an automatic cut-off to prevent burns. And even a foot massage device designed to target the acupuncture points on the sole of your feet with hydraulic, mechanical and magnetic massages.

And if you’re the type who finds showering to be a bit boring, the Pure Satin even features a built-in FM radio with a waterproof speaker and a wireless transmitter for listening to a CD or MP3 player that’s not water-friendly. Best of all, the shower’s many functions can all be accessed from a wireless and water-safe remote, allowing you to turn everything on before you even set foot inside. Not surprisingly this luxury will set you back about $2,189, and that’s the sale price.

[ Pure Satin Steam Shower ] VIA [ Home Improvement Ideas ]

By Andrew Liszewski

These Spoon Scales are the perfect tool if your favorite recipe or less-than-legal means of employment requires extremely precise measurements. The spoon can weigh amounts ranging from 0.1 to 300g, and is accurate to 1/10th of a gram. It uses a built-in LCD to display the current weight which can be switched to show ounces instead of grams at the push of a button. While the scoop itself is made of ABS plastic, the spoon’s handle is actually made from stainless steel giving it that classy, professional kitchen appearance.

You can get it from Pro-idee for about $35.

[ Spoon Scales ] VIA [ Gadget Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Yesterday I wrote about some concept Shuriken LED Lamps that were a dangerous but cool way to light your home. So in keeping with that trend, here’s a coat hook that looks like someone has simply stabbed a knife into the wall. They’re made of polyurethane and steel plates and are actually safe and easy to install since they just screw into the wall like a regular coat hook.

The Knife Hooks were designed by Tianyi Chang of TC Studio but can actually be pre-ordered from Bouf.com for about $50 per hook. And if you want more than one you better act fast since there will be a limited batch of just 50 hooks come early May. Of course you can save yourself a lot of money by just stabbing a real knife into your wall, which could also serve as a great way to relieve stress.

[ Knife Hooks ] VIA [ Freshome ]

By Luke Anderson

Have you ever been kept up at night because your bedroom is too warm? I’ve always thought that it was better to have it cold than warm at night. My logic is simple; there are only so many clothes that can be taken off, however, there’s no limit to the amount of blankets you can toss on a bed. That’s why I’d love to get my hands on a BedFan

This strange little device simply sucks air from under your bed and blasts it between your sheets. Provided that you don’t have too many covers stacked on top of yourself, it should keep a steady breeze on you throughout the night. It’ll set you back $100 bucks, however, anything that helps me sleep better at night is well worth it.

[ FirstStreet VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While this Celebrity Scale allows you to see your weight compared to famous people, what if you’re more obsessed with height than pounds? In that case you’ll want to mount one of these ‘Who Tall Are You?’ charts on the wall which allows you to compare your own stature to a wide range of celebrities. At the bottom you’ll find such notables as Gary Coleman, Linda Hunt and Mary Lou Retton, while the top includes David Prowse (aka Darth Vader), Michael Jordan and even David Hasselhoff.

While I’m not sure where you can find the mirror version, the Who Tall Are You? website does provide a list of retailers, and it seems the standard paper wall charts run about $8.

[ Who Tall Are You? ] VIA [ MAKE: Blog ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The International Exhibition of Inventions is currently running in Geneva, and every year the show manages to attract over 700 of the world’s most creative inventors. So what does USA TODAY feel is the most notable invention to feature? That would be Selfy, the self-making bed. Its creator, Enrico Berruti, was actually thinking of people who are too sick or injured to make the bed on their own, but admits his own laziness was also a factor for designing it.

The bed sheets are connected to a couple of fasteners which roll along a set of metal rails attached to each side of the bed. Once the sheets are completely spread out, the metal rails automatically lower, creating a neat finish. The idea seems promising, and hopefully Enrico’s invention will catch the eye of a manufacturer who’s willing to hire a marketing team to come up with a better name than ‘Selfy the Easy Bed.’

[ World’s biggest inventions fair features self-making bed ] VIA [ Born Rich ]

By Andrew Liszewski

As much as I like the high-tech looks and design of the Dyson vacuums (not to mention their performance) they tend to be a bit overkill if you’re not chasing toddlers or shedding pets all day. So if the biggest mess in your bachelor apartment is a few Doritos crumbs, this miniature bagged vacuum from Morphy Richards should be more than adequate for getting the job done.

Even though it’s small (making it easy to store) it has a 2.5 liter capacity, 4 stage standard filtration, retractable power cord, a set of on-board tools and a hose that can be stored on the back of the vacuum when not in use. It even features an ‘Eco Switch’ which is an adjustable power dial that can be turned down when cleaning delicate fabrics and upholstery, or when you want to minimize your electricity bill.

It’s available from Morphy Richards for about $60.

[ Morphy Richards Mini Bagged 1600W Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner ] VIA [ Hippyshopper ]