LG first previewed its smart appliances at last year’s CES, but says that this year’s lineup has improved significantly. The company has updated the individual appliances and improved the connectivity between them and your other devices. For instance, you can monitor and control your washing machine from your TV or your smartphone.

At this year’s CES, we can expect to see an upgraded French-door style LG refrigerator that’s equipped with a new Blast Chiller, which is a compartment for drinks that can cool down a 12-ounce can of beer or soda in less than five minutes. This nifty feature has earned a CES 2012 Best of Innovations award. LG will also be showing a fast clothes washer that has been honored for a 2012 CES Innovations Award, a smart oven, and a HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner.

[via LG]

A clever airfoil-shaped ramp around which the air is channelled, and an oscillating base – that can be tilted – add up to quieter, more effective heating. There’s also no unpleasant burning smell, which you can get from traditional bar heaters. Meanwhile, the Dyson Hot can also work as a regular fan for cool air, too.

A remote control, for adjusting temperature, airflow and turning on and off the oscillation, is included. It’s also slightly bowed and magnetic, so that it can be safely stored on top of the Hot itself rather than getting lost down the back of your sofa.

Unfortunately, all this heating goodness doesn’t come cheap. The Dyson Hot AM04 is available now, priced at £269.99 in the UK and $399.99 in the US. It comes in both silver and black/blue finishes.

The system relies on LG’s Smart Grid, which wirelessly connects with appliances like washer-dryers, ovens and refrigerators and monitors their power usage, can warn if the fridge door has been left open, and automatically chooses when to run the washer based on off-peak electricity rates. Power use is recorded and daily, weekly and monthly charts of usage available on phones and tablets; THINQ even counts up how many times you open the fridge door.

THINQ is paired with LG Smart Diagnosis, which remotely assesses breakdowns and, if possible, bypasses the need for an engineer to make a call-out visit. There’s also remote access from outside the home, and, eventually, remote HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner control for cleaning and even feeding pets. Meanwhile, the LG Food Management system tracks what you have in the fridge and reminds you which you need to eat first so as to avoid expiry dates.

Press Release:

LG unveils total home appliance solution empowering consumers to smartly manage their homes

Offering Easy-to-Use Centralized Management with Smartphones and Tablets

SEOUL, Jan. 3, 2011 – For the first time anywhere, LG Electronics (LG) will today unveil its full range of smart appliances, enabled by LG THINQ™ Technology, at the 2011 International CES®. Comprising five key features – Smart Grid, Smart Diagnosis™, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Food Management – LG THINQ™ Technology offers a complete smart solution that lets consumers manage their homes in a more centralized and convenient way.

“For LG, ‘smart’ means offering the ultimate benefits of empowerment and convenience to our consumers. With our innovative THINQ™ Technology, consumers will be more empowered when doing household tasks thanks to more efficient, controllable, and ecofriendly appliance options,” said Young-ha Lee, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Appliance Company. “This isn’t a gradual evolution – LG THINQ™ Technology essentially transforms how consumers take care of their home, and makes it easier and smarter than ever before.”

Less Energy, Lower Electricity Bills, Eco-Friendlier Life
A centerpiece of LG THINQ™ Technology, the Smart Grid, deploys a smart meter to ensure that appliances use the minimum amount of energy at the least expensive rates as possible. When switched on, the Smart Grid gives consumers the choice of using “Recommend Time,” which does the washing at the nearest, most cost-effective time or immediately if there are no off-peak electricity options available anytime soon. Alternatively, users can opt for “Lowest Rate,” which finds the time when electricity rates are at their lowest. Consumers can also select the washing time themselves, and if they have to do the washing at a peak time, the washing machine will recommend the most energy-efficient cycle.

Using the Smart Grid, LG’s ovens offer three cost options – low, middle and high – that take into account both the duration of the cooking cycle and varying costs of electricity. Similarly, LG’s refrigerators can use a unique algorithm to adjust various functions, such as defrost time control – to offer further savings on energy bills at peak times. What’s more, LG refrigerators even count and display the frequency at which homeowners open the refrigerator door, giving them the information they need to save even more energy.

The LCD display on LG’s smart appliances shows daily, weekly or monthly reports detailing the appliance’s overall levels of energy consumption and associated costs. Daily totals for electricity usage and subsequent charges will be accessible on smartphones and tablet PCs. With these new functions, consumers can save on time and energy bills while also opting for a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

LG Smart Diagnosis™ Makes Things Simple and Provides Optimum Performance
LG’s high-tech appliances are highly reliable, yet service issues arise from time to time. Previously, the only course of action was to contact customer service and await the arrival of a service technician to access and repair the unit. Now, LG’s Smart Diagnosis™ feature helps customer service representatives quickly and efficiently troubleshoot mechanical issues over the phone, limiting costly, inconvenient service calls and in-home visits.

For minor problems – refrigerator door left open, ice-maker switched off, washing machine off-balance – the appliance alerts the owner either on its display panel or for future models, via a Wi-Fi connection, on the consumer’s smartphone or tablet PC.

When consumers call the LG customer service center, a technician will instruct them to press a sequence of buttons on the laundry unit. This triggers a series of tones that let the technician identify the issue and how to correct the problem. Consumers can also diagnose their washing machines at home via a downloadable mobile application on their smartphone.

LG Smart Diagnosis™ eliminates a step in the troubleshooting process, because issues can at times be identified without the need for a service technician to visit the home for diagnosis, saving time and money. In those instances where a service visit is required, the field technician can come prepared with the correct parts, enabling the repair to be resolved in one visit. The combination of this new feature and LG’s product warranties – including the unprecedented 10-year warranty on the Direct Drive motor – illustrates that the company’s customer service is as reliable as it home appliances.

LG Smart Access Monitors, Controls and Secures Your Home Appliances
LG Smart Access makes it possible for homeowners to monitor and control home appliances remotely from outside of the home. Using a smartphone or tablet PC, users can manage their washing cycle from the office, or set their refrigerator temperature while they’re at the gym. Alert messages will be sent to the user’s smartphone or tablet PC for items such as the end of a washing cycle or a potential product issue.

More impressively, consumers will soon be able to order their HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner to tidy up their home while they’re out, or use the vacuum’s viewing function to keep watch when they are away from home. Via a smartphone or tablet PC, consumers even have the option to have HOM-BOT feed their pet while they’re away. LG plans to offer even more convenient options through Smart Access in the near future.

Smart Adapt for Upgrading and Adapting to Personal Preference
LG Smart Adapt allows consumers to download the latest services and technology upgrades for their appliances via a Wi-Fi connection. With this innovation, consumers will be able to access up-to-date pre-programmed recipes as well as advanced cycles for their washing machines. A mother with a newborn child might opt for special delicate washing cycles for the baby’s clothes, while individuals involved in particularly strenuous work might need to add a more heavy-duty wash cycle to their laundry unit. With Smart Adapt, consumers will be able to experience the very latest LG technologies without having to upgrade to new products.

LG Food Management Monitors Your Refrigerator and Puts You in Control
LG’s Food Management Solution helps consumers manage the contents of their refrigerator more effectively. By dragging and dropping food icons on the refrigerator’s LCD display or by using the voice recognition function, users can easily identify what is in the refrigerator, as well as where certain items are located and when they expire. This information is also accessible via smartphones or tablet PCs, allowing consumers to reference this while grocery shopping.

With all these innovative functions and smart options, LG THINQ™ Technology is helping consumers live more empowered lives and enjoy a new level of convenience and interactivity.

For more information and product images, please visit LG’s online press kit at www.lgnewsroom.com/CES2011

And let’s face it. When you’re creating something from random pieces lying around you, you’ve got the theme song to MacGuyver playing in the back of your head, don’t you? It’s hard to escape, really, especially when you’ve got something like this laying in front of you. If you’ve got an Altoids tin next to you, two computer fan guards, and a toolbox (with tools), you can actually create a working mini-BBQ. And, apparently this little thing can actually cook a hamburger patty, and a hot dog, as long as they’re trimmed down to fit onto the BBQ.

We’re not sure that you’ll actually eat anything that small for a meal, but if you’ve got plenty of mini-hot dogs in your refrigerator, just waiting to be cooked, this might be the perfect way to get that done. And considering the whole thing’s powered by a standard-sized briquette, there’s no reason not to give this a shot, right? Cue that MacGuyver music, folks.

[via GearLog]

The Zipel is designed to combine your traditional oven, a microwave, and even a steamer, and package it all in a nicely-designed box. And considering the steamer function, along with everything else, the Zipel is perfectly capable of cooking pretty much anything you’d ever want to eat, even if it is healthy. And with touch controls on the front, you won’t have to worry about any pesky dials.

Just to tantalize us even more, Samsung even included voice activation. It comes with over 160 settings, so you don’t actually have to try and cook your favorite macaroni and cheese dish — it’ll take care of that for you. The Zipel will sell for just under $600 for the full rig, including the steamer functionality. But if you don’t think you’ll ever use that, you can get a steam-less version for just around $250. That price seems more than reasonable, especially if students all over the place start getting rid of their hot plates.

[via OhGizmo!]

A dude has taken a washing machine and Tim Allened it with a massive motor type thing out back to get more power. Apparently, one brick is already in the thing and then a second is introduced. This video is funny as hell.

Let’s face it, most of us have probably wondered what would happen if we tossed something crazy in the washing machine. I sense a new Will it Blend style video series called Will it Wash in the works. Check out the video of the washing machine dying and taking someone’s flowers with it below.

As before, the AM02 and AM03 take the blades of regular fans and house them in the bottom part of the Dyson system.  The fast-moving air is then ducted up and through the hooped “head” section; because there are no blades to chop at the air, the fans are quieter despite being stronger than traditional models.  Both new models come with a remote control for easier use.

Both the AM02 and the AM03 are priced at £299.99 ($443), £100 more than the original AM01.  The AM03 is only available in white/silver, while the AM02 will come in silver or blue.  No word on when exactly they’ll go on sale, but you can register for more details.

[via Tech Radar]

While that may sound like a gimmick, it does mean that there are no finger-hungry moving parts destined to slice up your children.  The Air Multiplier should be quieter, too, since there’s no air-chopping that can cause “buffeting” in traditional fans.

Unfortunately the demo model Engadget were wafted with actually sounded more like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, and the Air Multiplier doesn’t come cheap.  Dyson are asking $299.99 for the 10-inch model and $329.99 for the 12-inch; at prices like that, this could end up going the same way as the Dyson CR01/CR02 contrarotating washing machine.

Press Release:

SAY GOODBYE TO THE BLADE

James Dyson introduces the bladeless fan. No blades. No buffeting.

James Dyson, who for the past 30 years has continuously revolutionized the vacuum cleaner his attention to addressing the everyday fan. As a result, he has designed the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan, which has no blades, but instead uses a unique technology to multiply air 15 industry through unprecedented advancements in airflow engineering, has turned times, expelling 119 gallons of smooth and uninterrupted air every second.

Until today, conventional electric fans have gone largely unchanged. The fundamental problem has remained the same for more than 125 years; the blades chop the air creating an uneven airflow and unpleasant buffeting.

Dyson’s fluid dynamics engineers spent four years running hundreds of simulations to precisely measure and optimize the machine’s aperture and airfoil-shaped ramp before perfecting Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology. Air fluctuations were mapped with Laser Doppler Anemometry, helping measure control the machine’s airflow.

“We realised that this inducement, or amplification, effect could be further enhanced by passing airflow over a ramp,” says Dyson. “And of course this was the point where the idea of a bladeless fan became a real possibility. Here was a way to create turbulent-free air and finally do away with blades.”

How it works: inducement and entrainment

Air is drawn into the base of the machine. The air is forced up into the loop amplifier and accelerated through the 1.3mm annular aperture, creating a jet of air that hugs the airfoil- shaped ramp. While exiting the loop amplifier, the jet pulls air from behind the fan into the airflow (inducement). At the same time, the surrounding air from the front and sides of the machine are forced into the air stream (entrainment), amplifying it 15 times. The result is a constant uninterrupted flow of cooling air.

The Dyson Air MultiplierTMfan is powered by an energy efficient brushless motor and air speed can be precisely adjusted with a dimmer switch. Conventional fans are wired to run at just two or three settings.

No blades mean no need for a grille and it’s safe and simple to clean.

And because its motor is at its base, the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan can be tilted with a touch, unlike a conventional top-heavy fan, which needs to be positioned with two hands and can topple easily.

The Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan is available in two 10-inch models: blue & iron and silver & white with an MSRP of $299.99. A 12-inch model is available in silver & iron with an MSRP of $329.99. All three machines are available at The Conran Shop (NY), Luminaire (Chicago/Miami) and Twentieth (LA). To learn more about the Dyson Air MultiplierTM fan visit www.dyson.com.

[via Engadget]

As you can see, this is a pretty cool use of Twitter.  But why stop at washing machines?  There are a lot of consumer electronics and appliances that could benefit from a similar modification.  We might not need hacks, though – companies seem to be embracing internet connectivity in their products more and more, and it might not be long until all our devices talk to us through the web.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

For those that just can’t stand to be away from their technology, even while in the kitchen, this Samsung fridge is right for you. With a 7-inch touchscreen LCD built right into the door, you can control your refrigerator from the outside.

You can control the refrigerator’s temperature and check on the water filter, of course. But even more impressive, you can access a calendar, keep your schedule, view nutrition facts, view photos and even check unit conversions for those cooking emergencies. Besides all of the techie goodness, this fridge also features a 28.5 cubic foot capacity. LED lighting is incorporated as well for great energy savings and brighter lighting. The Samsung RFG299 is available now in black and white and stainless platinum colors for $3,099.

Back side of the window

Each panel has a resolution of 840×504 and is capable of 200cd/m2 luminance, extremely fast 0.01 ms panel response rate, and can achieve 100% coverage of NTSC color gamut.

Nikkei said the manufacturer has declined to disclose the technicality behind the four panes of glass. But like the flapping 0.05mm OLED panel, the drive element was formed by a low temperature polysilicon TFTs and “The device structure is a top emission type, and organic EL materials for RBG colors are separately applied by using a metal mask”.

Entered into an Electrolux design competition, the Scan Toaster connects to a PC by USB. Then, it can download news, weather reports, the time and more. There are modules inside of the toaster that heat up, just like a regular toaster would. The only difference is that these modules can move 30 degrees. So, once you select a news story you want printed, the modules will realign and then burn the image onto the bread.

This is just a design at the moment and there are no plans for the toaster to be manufactured for consumers. But this is really one of those items that makes you wonder what will they think of next?

[via Register Hardware]

Only 1,000 of these cool robots fridges were made, and now ToyEast has gotten ahold of one. It’s in great condition, but it costs $1,070. That’s pretty pricey for a mini-fridge, if you ask me.

But given the rarity of the promotion item and the loyalty of Star Wars fans, I’d say they’ll be able to sell this one. Now let’s see if any more pop up on the market.

[via technabob]

While this hack isn’t exactly very functional, it is pretty fun to watch. The man posted a YouTube video of how to he did the hack, and then the Roomba/Wii Balance Board combination in action. Check it out for yourself here:

[via BalanceBoardBlog]

 
The iBasket is a laundry hamper that will automatically clean your clothes once enough items have been tossed inside. This is determined by weight. What’s neat is a WiFi link is even built in that allows you to control the frequency of wash cycles. The basket will also send a message to your computer once the cleaning is completed.

Designed by Guopeng Liang at China’s Tongji University as a part of the Electrolux 2008 Design Lab competition, the iBasket is a real innovation and could potentially make the process of washing clothes a less daunting experience.

[via DVICE]

If you are trying to either use less gas or go the eco-friendly route this mod would be a great weekend project. Sadly since this was only spotted in someone’s Flickr account, there are no details on it.

I’d like to know how successful the modder thinks their creation is. I’m sure now that this has made its way onto the internet someone else will try their hand at it. It just makes me even more happy that I have no yard to mow.

[via inhabitat]

You have to love the Sci-Fi Channel, they play so many old sci-fi reruns and know exactly how to keep their viewers coming back for more. Now they are releasing a limited series of Galactica toasters.

They don’t just slap a Battlestar Glactica logo on the front either, this toaster will actually brand each piece with an image of Cylon. Making each piece of toast you pop in extra geeky.

There is no word on exactly how limited these will be just yet, but I’d snag one quick. To purchase your own it will cost you $65.

[via ubergizmo]

The red cushion in the picture is the Alternative Clothes Cleaner. There is no detergent necessary, due to the fact it pressure washes your clothing and cleans with ionized air.

Which would also mean there is no need to dry the clothing either. It was designed by Harsha Vardhan from New Delhi.

[via dvice]

The washer from Fisher & Paykels mimics hand washing. The washer uses sensors to monitor the clothing movement and will adjust how it is washing and the water level. It will adjust the agitator to give more gentle or more intense movements. That way getting the clothes cleaner while using less water and energy. It actually only fills up enough to saturate the clothing.

You can also have it run on an allergy cycle, which is a highly concentrated wash that will kill dust mites. The machine has no mechanical brake, pulleys or gears, giving it fewer moving parts. For those that want to go the extra mile, you can also reuse your wash and rinse water for a second load.

[via gizmodiva]

About a year ago I wrote up a similar fridge, however, it was sadly only sold in Brazil. This one is actually available here in the US.

It is being sold for $549, just make sure the munchkins don’t wander off and make all of your other appliances pretty colors. The best part is that if you look closely at the photo, the little girl is writing on the fridge “I will not write on the wall.”

[via gearfuse]

The washing machine uses only one cup of water per load. It makes this possible by tossing in a bunch of small plastic chips into the mix. The plastic chips absorb the dirt in your clothing, then the water is heated up enough to dissolve the dirt on the chips.

At the end of the wash it removes the chips by a grill opening up and they fall out of your clothing. The chips can be used up to 100 times. The washing machine itself uses 2% of the energy that the average washing machine uses. One extra perk is that it leaves the clothing virtually dry, which means it won’t have to be in your dryer nearly as long.

[via dvice]

Could you imagine if someone who was already anal about their weight got a hold of this? They’d be holding it up the thing to their rear, belly and arms to note the exact amount of flab. This thing even has a way to hold the screen in front of you while standing on the scale so you don’t have to look down to read your weight.

The Overall Health Balance Scale from the Japan’s National Electric does have actual medical benefits, it is meant to help you avoid metabolic syndrome. Honestly, instead of having a machine this complex in the home, it’d probably be better to just go get regular check ups at the Doctor. After using the machine it will rate what kind of shape you’re in for your age on a scale of 1 to 5.

[via slipperybrick]

Word is the little record player thing, which is coincidentally what I thought this was at first glance, shoots water out and an alarming rate, a sonic rate if you will, and cleans stuff. I have no idea how well this little bugger actually works, but I do know, that as far as dish washers go, this is by far one of the best looking ones I’ve seen that wasn’t human.

The only downside I could see is that depending on the number of dishes you are doing at a time, this could be a real water waster, and the other is that if it sprays water hard enough to clean dishes without soap, it could probably quite easily hurt someone. Lastly, most machines I know of capable at pushing water out at rates fast enough to clean things are really loud, and that’s highly unattractive.

[via ShinyShiny]

However, now I feel a little less prissy since apparently someone saw fit to create this expensive little number. The toaster created by Russell Hobbs is made of glass and stainless steel and encrusted with more than 200 Swarvoski crystals. Which leaves me to wonder. Why?! Seriously people, it’s toast.

It, as with all toasters, has a dial to decide how brown and crispy you want your bread. However, despite the price, it still pops out normal, boring, plain toast. If you can’t seem to resist that whole shiny factor, the toaster will set you back $300.

[via chipchick]

Just flip your toast onto the plate and no burnt fingers. The only thing that concerns me is with flipping your toast out you’re bound to get all those grubby crumbs with it. Which in my case would mean I’d end up spilling them all over everything due to my clumsy nature.

It’s a bit of a toss up really, do you value your fingers your clean kitchen. Then again this product is still a concept so they might have a way to thwart those pesky crumbs.

[via ohgizmo]

It can be programmed to use random patterns or even better, it can use a bit of your own designs. Which means you can get those creative juices going first thing in the morning.

Sadly this toaster is still in its concept stages and has been for a bit. Hopefully soon someone will see it for the genius it is and finally put it to use.

[via shinyshiny]

I’ve lived in places where I just had a tiny bit of carpet so a full sized vacuum was absolutely ridiculous but I had one anyway due to lack of exciting choices. If you don’t have much of a mess to clean up you can flip a switch, the ‘eco switch’ for a slightly lighter mode and save a bit of energy.

The little sweeper is being sold for just under $60 or £29.99. Not a bad price and you can keep any hippie friends off of your back and brag about how you’re saving the environment.

[via shinyshiny]

Not only does it promise less mess, but it also helps keep the spread of germs within your home down to a minimum. With its touch-free sensor it can give you one, two or even one of those tiny half sheets, just with the wave of your hand. Unfortunately for me, paper towel and sink sensors tend to think I’m invisible so I’d go crazy jumping up and down trying to get a paper towel out of it.

The design would also be great for anyone who has ever entered the kitchen to find a very guilty looking child with a heap of paper towels at their feet. The Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser is being sold for $53.99.

[via gadgetgrid]

I actually enjoy Valentine’s Day, however, the commercials that come with this grand holiday are just so sappy I could puke. I know, I am female so I should be swept off my feet by them, but I tend to get a little green in the face. This limited-edition Love Tub is a state-of-the-art Amore Bay hot tub from Dimension One Spas. They are only offering 100 of the bright red hot tubs, so if you have the dough to pony up for it you’ll have to snag one quick. Then mail it to me of course.

As with all D1 spas the gray exterior is made out of recycled plastic milk jugs and also features a black etched design along the side. The jets are also enhanced with with black accents. The tub designed by Vic Walker is also available through the Sweetheart of a Love Tub contest, you can enter online until February 29th of this year. Just swing by the product site to drop in an entry. Otherwise, you’ll have to come up with $20,000 for the Love Tub.

[via born rich]

Although it can’t fit all that much, it could fit a coffee cup, Ramen noodles or a strategically placed piece of pizza. Which keeps your caffeine buzz going as well as your stomach filled with those top of the line gourmet foods.

The Sharper Image IW400 Iwavecube Personal Microwave may be half the size of a normal microwave, but it’s price suggests otherwise. This tiny little microwave is being sold for $129.95, then again you are paying for all the convenience of a microwave constantly at your fingertips.

Personal Mini Microwave [via random good stuff]

Some of the fans once the blades retract it just looks like a plain overhead light. I keep staring up at the ceiling fan above my head and no matter how hard I look at it I can’t force myself to think it’s such a hideous thing that it should be hidden.

Each fan varies in price according to model and how the blades retract. The base Air Shadow is priced at $499.95 but with extra lighting kits added the price reaches $899.95.

Air Shadow ceiling fan hides its blades when not in use [via bornrich]

The Throwzini Knife Block features a small red man strapped helpless to a spinning wheel of doom. Strategically placed slots will hold 5 stainless steal knives (They come included!) in place using magnets and knife sheaths.

It’s not on the market yet, so hopefully all you tortured circus enthusiasts like myself can keep your anticipation in check. I hope the little man will come in different colors, red turns this lively entertainment into a shocking horrorfest.

Knife Block for Knife Sadists or Circus Fans [via Coolest Gadgets]

The blender is voice activated, by voice activated I don’t mean you say things like “blend high” or “blend low”. You have to learn to speak the same language as your blender.

Make a low growl and the blender will blend at a low speed, make a high pitched growl and it will speed up. The girl in the video has to be the coolest chick ever, mostly to agree to go on video and growl at a blender.

VIDEO: MIT Students Develop Voice-Controlled Blender, Great for Making Smoothies [via techeblog]

I am not a coffee drinker, I give it a go every so often just in case my tastes might have changed, but they never do, but I am a big fan of highly attractive consumer appliances such as this one. There is a single cup, and it takes a pre-measured 1-cup’s worth of coffee filter.

It comes with the mug and you get your choice of one of the 4 accent colors. Now its meant to set on a table, counter, maybe desk, but I think it would look absolutely amazing if someone could figure out how to build it into the wall. Its only available in Europe with their 220-volt plug so you will have to buy a travel adapter, but first you have to come up with the $198 bones to buy one of these things.

Wmf coffee pad: just one cup of joe, please [via technabob]

This little penguin not only times it but it pulls your tea out when its finished. That way even if you don’t hear the timer your tea will have the perfect amount of flavor. You just may have to reheat it a bit if you leave it for too long. The down side is that it only workes with tea bags, and not the metal infusers.

It also works as a regular timer and can run for up to 20 minutes. The penguin comes in two different styles, one without the tophat for $12.98 or the one with the top hat for $18.98.

Perfectly brewed tea with the Penguin Tea Timer [via popgadget]

The first cool feature of the Miscea Sensor Activated Facet is that you don’t ever actually need to touch it. This is actually really great because when most people wash their hands they first touch the faucet to turn it on, wash, then touch the faucet (where their germ-covered hands just touched) to turn it back off.. That feature alone makes this worth mentioning, however, it can also dispense soap and disinfectant lotion, also without touching it.

This would be the perfect faucet for the germaphobes out there. I’ve always heard that the most germ-infested thing you’ll find in your house is the soap dispenser. No word on pricing or availability.

Miscea Sensor Activated Faucet [via coolestgadgets]

This bathtub incorporates a lounger into it. While I’m sure with a little bit of coaxing, you could stick any old lounger into your regular tub, it wouldn’t come out nearly as cool as this one. The water actually comes out through the halogen lamp which hangs over the tub.

The one thing that creeps me out is that the sides are completely transparent. The nice thing about being in the tub is that if someone walks in, they won’t really be able to see much. However, this one allows for a nice little show from the side.

Hoesch Water Lounge – Luxurious chaise lounge and bathtub hybrid [via bornrich]

The Dough-Nu-Matic is your own personal doughnut maker. According to the product description, this baby can churn out a single doughnut in 50 seconds and a dozen doughnuts in under six minutes. I’m no rocket scientist, but that doesn’t quite add up. Perhaps it spits more than one out at a time.

Doughnuts don’t come cheap though, you’ll have to shell out $129.99 for the Dough-Nu-Matic, plus whatever the ingredients cost.

Present for a Cop [via randomgoodstuff]

At least it’ll look like you’re about to blow your mind when you’re using it. I’m not really sure what would possess someone to create the Western Dryer, but you use pull back the hammer to switch between Off, High and Low.

This appears to be a Japanese product, and I wouldn’t expect to see this sold in US stores. If I’m not mistaken, it would have to have the tip dyed orange so that we don’t mistake it for a real gun when someone tries to rob us with one.

Hairdryer Looks Like A Gun [via tokyomango]

Someone decided that they wanted to have a fresh cup of coffee as soon as they walked in the front door. Unfortunately, since they worked an irregular schedule, that was next to impossible without first making a stop at their local Starbucks. So like any self-respecting geek he hacked his coffee maker.

The coffee maker now hooks up to the internet and when the correct command is sent, it will begin brewing. That would be pretty handy, just a few clicks before you leave work, and you’ve got a fresh cup of Joe when you walk in the door.

Why Make An Internet Enabled Coffee Machine? Because You Can [via gearfuse]