Golfing gets more and more popular every year it seems, and although lots of people think it's a really good time it still has a reputation of being a somewhat quiet, calm, and sophisticated sport. That stereotype could be changing, however, thanks to Bad Ass Golf Carts.
Yes, that's really what they're called and yes, they really are bad ass. There are numerous customized carts available, including one that jumps (seen here), one modeled after a Hummer, and a limo version that seats six. You can also buy customized parts like wheels and accessories for existing carts if you want to make your own. Sounds like good times! $12,000 - $18,000
It's cool to spend lots of money on fancy electronic gadgets but it's totally not cool to spend several minutes fishing around for a remote control to (gasp) actually have to get up off the couch in order to turn them on manually. Of course The Clapper could do the trick but who needs such a startling way to adjust the mood when you could have this gold (that's one of the last places you thought you'd see bling, isn't it?) electricity switch by Tobias Wong. Put it wherever you want (it works wirelessly) and you'll be having lights, music, and whatever else whenever and where ever you want -- no fumbling required. $150
I like sports cars, and I LOVE coffee, but I admit I totally don't get why the two seem to get combined so frequently. First we had this Lamborghini-inspired espresso machine and now, from Brunopasso, the PD-1 machine was created with Italian sports cars in mind. Of course there aren't many ways a coffee machine can look like a Ferrari, except of course a shiny red paint job (among other choices), automobile-inspired gauges that form a little mini-dashboard, and a lever made of beechwood for pressing the coffee. $850
Store your music, and add to it as you choose, on a 17-inch touch screen monitor with the Sooloos media system. It links to every room in your house, plus you can synchronize it at multiple residences. The system features storage, playback and control components that can be combined in a number of configurations. This is a new concept and a new product, so for those more technically-oriented who want to know more, go here to get the details, as we patiently wait for the site to get up and running. I just like the look of it, and would love to be able to get all my music going with just a few fingertip movements. If only I had $13,000 ...
Tennis star Maria Sharapova and her cute white dog Dolce are starring in another campaign for the Canon Powershot cameras. As part of the promotion and in anticipation of the U.S. Open, Canon will be giving away five diamond-encrusted cameras in each color that the camera is offered in. Sharapova will debut the five diamond-covered Canon PowerShot Elph cameras during an invitation-only event at "Canon Center Court" on Aug. 20 at South Street Seaport. The cameras are worth around $12,000 each and the contest will run from August 20 to October 20 on the Powershot website.
Polo Ralph Lauren will soon be offering American shoppers the ability to shop for goods via mobile phone. The technology itself is only about a year away (something about integrating codes for download) but the company expects Americans to warm up to the idea only very slowly after that. Although foreign consumers like the Japanese have been using similar technology for years, Americans are thought to be a little less comfortable with cutting edge shopping methods.
Do you think that's really the problem? Couldn't it be that we just have too much fun shopping to reduce the whole experience down to a tiny cellphone screen?
Hm, maybe that's just me. If you're interested look for the service to appear soon on a cell phone screen near you.
Who doesn't wish they had access to a professional massage at any time of the day or night in the comfort of their own home? Apparently enough people do to warrant the invention and production of this gadget, the Personal Dry Water Jet Massager. Laying down inside this space-looking capsule will get you what I can only imagine is a truly dreamy massage experience, as the 28 water jets mimic a shiatsu massage while the rest of your senses are relaxed via the Bose speaker system with iPod hookups, aroma diffuser, and 7 " LCD television with DVD player that's positioned perfectly as you lay on the headrest.
Sounds pretty awesome! Looks awesome, too, but seeing as how it costs more than my car I doubt I'll be treating myself to one anytime soon. $29,500.
Gone are the days of the little red toolbox that was barely big enough to hold a hammer. This beastly beauty by Kobalt not only has room enough for every hand tool imaginable (it can support up to 4000 pounds, which might be more than the floor you sit it on) but it also features fun (and necessary!) stuff like LED lights, a built-in power strip, a Pioneer sound system with iPod hookup, and a mini refrigerator.
Sounds like the perfect early Christmas shopping item for the guy (or tool-loving gal) who's got everything. $1600
If you're interested in getting one of these themed drives you better hurry because they're selling out quick -- the "medallion" ones are already gone.
Gallery: Lenovo's Beijing Olympic-themed USB Flash Drives
There's the Swarovski-fied iPhone pouch that Mercedes intro'd during Berlin Fashion Week. Then the "I Am Rich" app came along, soon to be removed by Apple but not before eight eager customers added the illuminating ruby application to their cells. Now, in an attempt to outdo the most luxurious (or at least ostentatious) iPhone accessories, Noreve brings us its hand-crafted leather case adorned with 272 diamonds. That's a whopping 6.8 carats of bling for your 3G. The French company based in St. Tropez has crafted glittering iPhone cases in colors ranging from black to red to a vintage shade of sand.
The Travelmate Portable Fireplace by Conmoto is made of black powder-coated steel and glass with an adjustable steel fuel-holder and burns on bio-ethanol liquid fuel (not included). Now you can put a fireplace where you want or need it for warmth or atmosphere. It's smokeless too. Safe to place on carpet, a table, near furniture, or outside. The glass pane is held on with magnets and only is removed in order to light the fire. Once the glass pane has been replaced, the fuel tank can be opened and closed, using the stainless steel slide at the front of the fireplace, so the flames can be regulated from the outside. I would love this in my home! Dimensions: 20" H x 28" W x 8" D, 55 lbs.($3,300)
Who wants a plain old Mickey-shaped mp3 player when you can have one all decked out with ribbons and Swarovski crystals? The Mplayer Swarovski is the same Mplayer it always was on the inside (1 GB, up to 9 hours of play time), but the outside is now all jazzed up with a variety of different colors, themes, and accessories (this one is called "Little Girl"). Available in limited edition of 500 they're now available in Japan for about $137-$150 each (the standard versions sell for around $50).
Sub-Zero has just announced a new line, its "Built In Refrigeration Series," which will keep food fresher longer, effectively reducing food waste. Between its unique dual-compressor system, advanced air purification and water filtration system, this refrigerator is a work of science. For those of us who don't quite understand how aforementioned systems work, there's also a "freshness guide" inside the unit to tell us where best to store fruits versus leftovers.
The line will be available in Fall 08. Check out the gallery to see some of your options!
The latest hot iPhone application that has caught everyone's attention is the "I Am Rich" app by developer Armin Heinrich. The app costs $999.99 and displays a glowing ruby-like light. and the words I Am Rich. Open it and it will load which Heinrich calls a secret mantra that may help you you to "stay rich, healthy, and successful." Ridiculous? Certainly, but rather clever too and subtler than having Amosu hook you up with a diamond or gold-covered iPhone.
Technologizer is conducting a poll on whether or not the app should be pulled from the App store. So far it looks like most are in favor of keeping it.
Sony has been coming out with some interesting speakers lately. Rigel recently mentioned the tiny Bravia Theater Micro System which put big sound in a package the size of a strawberry. Now check out the Sony Sountina. We're not talking small here, the six-foot tower is made of glass and has a 13 cm woofer and 7 cm mid range speaker. The speakers spread sound out in a circle giving listeners equal sound no matter where they are in the room. Even cooler, in dim light, the glass turns colors, displaying blue, amber, and purple. It sells for $11,800 from Dynamism.
