Chic Gadgets

 iPod docking stations do come in all outrageous shapes and sizes. These cute ones, from Lanchiya Technology, are actually too powerful, that I can forgive the design (it’s cute alright,  decorative even… but its novelty will wear easily!)

These spherical docks use 25 watts of undistorted music power and supports many types of music devices including gaming platforms, DVD players and other audio peripherals. It is fully featured with —

•  5 speakers including a 4 in. subwoofer
• super Hi-Fi Amplifier
• interior dynamic airflow optimizer
• interior dynamic cooling exchange system
• high sound stabilization

It comes with a wireless remote (convenient!) and it is also made from eco-friendly non-hazardous materials. Because it is shaped like a sphere, sound distribution spreads 360 degrees all over the room.

These speakers/docks are priced at $129.99 and may be purchased here .

From the other day’s annual Macworld event Apple has unveiled their latest 17 inches MacBook Pro. It is said to be the thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptop in existence and features a powerful 8GB of RAM and Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93 GHz Dual Core processor, as well as, an improved longer battery life. The new laptop will hit Apple stores later this month.

The company also unveiled changes to their support applications, such as the iLife (for the iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand) and the iWork (for Keynote, Pages and Numbers) where loyal Apple customers can make use of new tools and features to synergize their usage better.

For the iPhone, downloading improvements and updates from iTunes was unveiled.

Below are some videos from the MacWorld event:

If this looks mighty familiar to you….it’s because I know you’ve already seen it as a younger child, while playing video games at the arcade. Even if weren’t into it back then I am pretty confident you are still familiar with the joystick.

Because joysticks like this are no longer in vogue, an artist based in Santiago, Chile, have come up with a better use for it. Designer Felipe Morales didn’t have much anything to do with the item, but his concept is actually quite useful. He recycled this and turned it into a coat rack or hanger.

It doesn’t look so bad, does it?

The item went on display at the StgoDiseno,  a design exhibition which was held in 2005.

Via Coroflot   

Who would think that this pretty thing by the wall, one that resembles Zen-minimalist Japanese art, is actually a fire extinguisher.

Called the Flower Fire Extinguisher, this thing is made of decorative silk flowers and is of course, miles apart from how a regular extinguisher looks (I mean, those? You can’t even put on display!).

But say you have a kitchen emergency? The flowers can be dropped on to the pan and the flames dissipates right away. Watch this video demonstration of how it works…it’s actually amazing:

Though, I think this fire extinguisher only works for grease and pans. It doesn’t work as well as when curtains or electrical appliances catch fire.

Available for $59 at Japan Trend Shop.

Via Redferret

Normally, I’d stay away from any Star Wars merchandise because, while I consider myself sort of a geek in some aspects….there is such as thing as too geeky. But this custom made wall clock is different. First of all, it isn’t anything like any other Star Wars stuff being sold by the franchise.  When you buy it, only a handful of people have it since it’s not mass produced. And I wouldn’t mind displaying this in the house.

This wall clock is from an Etsy seller named YOUgNeek. The clock’s design consists of twelve Action Fleet Micro Machine battleships, plastered against a chrome and acrylic generic wall clock. You can apparently pick what battleships you’d like to have on it.

The merchandise costs a little under $90.

For a Star Wars fan, this would be really perfect.

Via OhGizmo

Most people take a fresh start during the new year, be it a life-changing one or something as simple as getting a new wardrobe or looking different this 2009.

For the techie woman, this USB Jewel Bracelet Thumb Drive brings two things: fashion and functionality.

It’s designed to be wearable as a fancy and very stylish bracelet; one women can wear as an everyday accessory. At the same time, this also functions as a flash drive. It’s a typical plug and play device and it support Windows XP/Vista, MAC OS and Linux systems.

This is how it looks when worn like a regular bracelet —

 Looks fashionably pretty, doesn’t it?

The bracelet may be purchased at Brando for $33.00

Happy New Year!

 Chic Gadgets will resume regular posting tomorrow…

My son’s bathroom has a cartoon character container for a soap dispenser. Now that he’s outgrown that, I’m thinking of getting him new ones. All I have are containers with flowers on it…. which doesn’t suit him, of course.

But these soap dispensers should fit right in:

It’s the kind of design his age would appreciate because it borders between cute and creepy. I’m sure he and his friends would have tons of laughs about this. I like it personally because of the muted cool colors (black, grey and blue), one that is right up in style and designs meant for tweener boys.

Liquid soap dispensers are kinda girly girly, but even boys have to learn to wash their hands appropriately, so this one will do.

It’s $7.99 at Perpetual Kid

How cool are these iPhone coasters?

These are available from  Meninos,  a site run by Brazilian designers who also customize hard drives. So cool are these coasters that it’s been sold out for the holidays! Guess a lot of people thought this would make a great gift, especially to those who are addicted to the iPhone.

The coasters measure 85mm square and is constructed using MDF plywood and vinyl. Varnish is applied to protect the design and under the coaster, rubber layers are in place to keep it from slipping.

A set of this will set you back at $60.

These are unlicensed Apple products, I assume.

I think I have a great need for this. My work computer has keyboards done in plain black and I sometimes work on it without so much as a bedside lamp, it’s hard to see the letters at times. I’d need the keyboards illuminated. A keyboard sticker might help. And if not for that purpose, the keyboard stickers also pretties it up, splashes some character on it, and personalizes it.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 7.1″ x 14.2″ (180 x 360 mm)
• Weight: 0.16 lbs. (74 g)
• Supported Local Demands: Font design and location on the keys is made accordingly to local keyboard Market demands.

Features

• A unique set of designed stickers developed by Funky-Rico, shaped to fit your standard PC and laptop keyboard.
• Funkeyboards covers your entire keyboard with beautiful and astonishing graphics, Allowing you to select the looks of your keyboard thus transforming it to a Fashion accessory.
• Additional stickers are attached to each set of stickers to suit different Keyboard types.
• Funkeyboards stickers fits Dell, HP, Gateway, Compac, Apple, and other major brands.

These keyboard stickers are available to purchase for $9.99 at this site.