Brit company AltoBridge has developed a mini-GSM gateway product which will let you chat away on your mobile phone while sipping a Vodka Martini on an ocean cruise. Just what you need when on holiday, eh? To be contactable! ‘Altobridge are behind the worlds first commercially available GSM service on Cruise Ships. This passenger service uses GSM Picocell technology interfacing with land based GSM networks via Inmarsat satellites.’

Eeeyeugh! The Memorial Gem. ‘To create this precious gem a small, 2.5 gram sample of cremated remains is incorporated for eternity within the molecular and atomic structure of a diamond. Unlike the process to create synthetic diamonds, there is no need to interrupt the cremation process to obtain the sample.’ Ick!

Apparently 17 of the world’s largest consumer electronics companies have got together to simplify the sharing of digital data between devices. ‘Bout time too. The Digital Home Working Group includes everyone from Nokia to Kenwood, and even Microsoft is there. Let’s hear it once more for the net connected toaster. ‘Industry standards alone do not always ensure interoperability. The interoperability framework and technical design guidelines established by the DHWG will provide the baseline for development of multi-branded products and solutions…

Forget about robot vacuum cleaners – trendy trash. I’d rather just have a Westinghouse Unplugged cordless bag-less upright. Now who’s sad?

The Gathering Club. ‘The Gathering celebrates our evolving lifestyles at the turn of a new century for 30+ adults through socialising, networking and entertaining at home. This is NOT a dating club!’ Sign o’ the times. Sad but true.

What’s stranger, that Philippe Starck has designed an electronic toothbrush, or that they now make them with ultrasonic technology? Or an ultrasonic flosser? ‘You’ll get naturally whiter teeth and healthier gums in 28 days – guaranteed.’ Really?

It’s approaching the 5th November and I just watched a fabbo fireworks display out of the back window. Where better to browse then, than the Pyro Universe site, choc full of pyrotechnical goodness. Or indeed the great Howstuffworks entry on fireworks. Oooh!

The Bag Bed. Or how to recycle waste plastic bags responsibly.

Had an interesting evening in town this week, a round table with some mobile phone industry execs from Nokia, Vodafone, O2 and content developers. Some fascinating facts came out of the discussion as well as a few encounters with some interesting products. Caveat: I haven’t been able to verify or cross check any of these facts as yet, so do bear that in mind. Update: The very cool JBenchmark Java benchmarking site gives relative performance figures for mobile handsets. Thanks…