A nice AnandTech thread listing freeware programs to replace commercial varieties. Outlook Express Freebie Backup looks cool, although it’s clearly a whole heap less powerful than the most fabulous Express Assist.

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that these fake LCD windows could herald the start of a whole new interior design fad. Depends on who picks up on the commercial application and how good the resolution is, but why not add audio too (the sound of seagulls etc) and stick an ionizer/fan in there somewhere too. Let’s face it basement dwellers in damp, rainy December London would love ’em.

The Gamepod chair. Could’ve been worse, the GameiPod chair or something I suppose. $699.00. ‘Gamepod heightens the sensual experience of video games through high quality speakers and tactile sound technology embedded in the chair. Plug the chair into your game console, computer (or stereo or TV). High quality sound and sensation envelopes you. Feel the explosions, the hits, the crashes.’

Geneva Hip Hop Batman Bling Mens Watch. Mere words alone cannot express…. $14.95. ‘-Rolex Styled Watch with Bezel Laced Stones and Stainless steel back – Water Resistant – Precise Japanese Quartz Movement’

Remember that huge Finnish bucket wheel excavator pic that’s been doing the rounds? Well someone’s replicated it in Lego. Not only that, but they’ve recreated the story about the Greenpeace protests too. A real Lego coal-ition.

Take one vanilla Hitachi TRK-8200HR ghetto blaster, rip out the guts and add in a Fujitsu Stylistic 1200 Tablet PC running Windows 98. Mimic the controls completely in software and you have a totally funky mod which deserves geek praise all round. Nice one!

eBeam Interactive. Turn any flat surface into a giant, interactive touch screen. Bluetooth – $999.95, USB – $649.95. My screen’s bigger than yours… ‘With eBeam Interactive, you can control your computer from the front of the classroom or meeting room. Simply attach the receiver to any flat surface, aim your projector and away you go.’

Camgoo [Babel]. Is this the world’s first Windows PC webcam game (to rival the EyeToy)? �19.99. ‘In the crazy world of Camgoo, players are captured via webcam and their body movements then brought vividly to life, at the heart of various challenging on-screen scenarios. As the first title to present such a truly active and social approach to gaming on the PC, Camgoo promises to be the hit family and post-pub party game for Christmas 2004’

Well it had to come eventually. Alien Camel. An email service with unlimited storage space and a funky logo. $15.99 for 6 months. [Via Gizmodo]

The International CXT. I simply cannot believe that people are going to pay $100,000 to drive around in a 6 ton truck. With leather seats, sure, but a truck nonetheless. Sheesh!

The Fingerprint Lab. For those times when you’re sure that someone’s pilfering yer peanuts. Good luck with fingerprinting the family though, eh? $29.95. ‘Someone’s been snooping in your room�you think you know who it is�and now, you have actual proof! With this hands-on lab, you can dust for fingerprints just like a real detective…Have fun lifting and recording fingerprints�and matching them to your records. Make sure you fingerprint your whole family, so you know who’s been touching what.’

The CD Player Belt Pack. The Jetson’s Jet Pack ain’t never going to happen, so get over it with an ever-so-elegant CD and mobile phone holder. Don’t want to ruin the cut of the dinner jacket, do we? $17.99. ‘CD Sport Belt holds CD player and 2 CDs in soft, protective slots External headphone jack allows easy Plug-and-Play access to CD player Convenient view window to monitor CD player controls Quick Draw cell phone pocket provides easy access to phones…

The Air Freshener Lamp. Complete with waterfall effect, Fog Humidifier and color changing rainbow lamp. Nowadays even lamps have to multi-task? Tsk! $69.95. ‘So we combined a revolutionary ultrasonic water atomizer and humidifier. The result? An inviting and mysterious fog effect that cleans and humidifies the air. You can even add potpourri to the water to scent the air. Then we added a water fountain to simulate the soothing sounds of a babbling brook. Finally, a multi colored light was…

This week is Bling week. So how better to start than with a pair of golden, diamonte encrusted dice? True rock n’roll.

Ken Hurst builds small internal combustion engines. Beautifully. Check out the gallery. Apparently he is president of the Bay Area Engine Modelling club. Wow!