The Mogo SIM Card Backup device. £9.95. ‘Simply remove the SIM card from your mobile, insert it into slot one and press the button. A red LED will light up, and when it goes out, your numbers are saved. It’s that simple. To transfer this data to a new SIM, just insert the blank card into slot two and press the button. Transfer takes less than a minute either way.’

Achieve-it. Software for winners, eh? ‘Are you getting all you want out of life? May be you would like more money, to enjoy better relationships, or to purchase a new house, car or boat…Achieve-IT! Is a new goal-setting program for Pocket PC that takes you step by step through goal setting right in the palm of your hand! It explains the ins and outs of brainstorming, goal refinement and planning that put you on the fast track to achieving your…

These kids are possibly the most frightening (and yet strangely comforting) children I have ever read about. So clever so young. ‘Qilei Hang, 18…used mathematical modeling to develop new equations and built miniature stockpiles to test their validity. Her equations, increasing efficiency by about 20%, are already being used in the field, and her work has been recognized by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

Softwide is a new type of software store. It stocks over 1500 software programs in virtual form. You search and browse, select a title and then the software is burned to disk on the spot. The future or the past? ‘…the unique SoftWide system securely manufactures full colour CDs, prints product specific, full colour, high quality inlays and up to 32 page manuals within a few minutes of request to deliver a full package in an industry standard DVD-style box.’

A blog survey. MIT Media Lab – ‘83% of respondents characterized their entries as personal ramblings whereas 20% said they mostly publish lists of useful/interesting links (respondents could check multiple options for this answer).’ A blog article. Blogs as a marketing avenue – ‘Here is what they do: they insinuate themselves into a blogging or chat community. They hang out in the community until they become trusted contributors and likeable personalities with some expertise. And then they ‘mention’ a product…

Microsoft has released an early technical preview of the next Windows XP service pack to catch any late breaking bugs. Warning: you install this XP SP2 Tech Preview at your own risk. Very large file.

Human Descent. Some rather bizarre Photoshopped photos, depicting something or other that I can’t understand. Interesting though.

Genius. What better place to stick a Windows XP computer than inside a Windows XP box? This is art, not science kiddies!

This chap is operating a remote Surgical Cockpit System. [Warning: messy, cached Google PDF in Japanese!] Apparently this is what surgeons in the future will use to cut us open and fix things. Yeah right!

The £499.00 PenCam and Handheld Monitor is just right for spying on your friends, family and neighbours. Sleazetech at its finest! ‘This ‘pen’ actually conceals a self-contained, wireless pinhole video camera with audio. And now you as you secretly record you can watch the footage live on a handheld, wireless monitor! ..The monitor’s colour footage and sound are top quality, and thanks to a high sensitivity microphone, you won’t miss so much as a whisper.’

The Hakugen smelly alarm clock [Babel] gently wakes you up with the smell of eucalyptus mint before thumping you out of bed with an alarm bell sound and a cup of ice cold water. OK, so we made the last bit up, but the smelly bit is kosher.

The Allways BT Adapter transforms your old mobile phone handset into a Bluetooth enabled gizmoideran. You’ll need a handset with a 2.5mm audio jack input though.

Dottocomu is reporting that the Japanese are experimenting with installing wireless networking in the famous bullet trains. Whoa, high speed net connections at 150 mph plus? Scary thought. ‘NEC claims the system doesn’t drop connections 99% of the time and gives up to 1.5 Mbps throughput. They’re aiming to get it into service in 2005.’

InfocomBot. Play Zork, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and other zany text adventure games via your AOL Instant Messenger. Well it’s as good a way of wasting time as any, eh?

Fancy learning about or getting involved in radio? Transom.org is – ‘an experiment in channeling new work and voices to public radio through the Internet, and for discussing that work, and encouraging more…We’re looking for great radio — things that are less heard, different angles, new voices, new ways of telling, and any other good pieces that haven’t found another way onto public radio…’