It's the kiss of death for all puny desktop sound systems. Yamaha's YST package includes two stereo speakers and a subwoofer. The result? You won't just hear your multimedia programs, you'll feel them! The YST-MSW10 subwoofer cranks out 25 watts of nondirectional bass response and you can plaec it anywhere in the room to cut down on desk clutter. Accompanied by two YST-M10 10-watt speakers, it's an ideal setup for your computer, portable stereo, or game system.YST-SS1010 system: £119. Yamaha UK: +44 (019008) 366 700.
Oakley's T Wire sunglasses sound like something out of a 1960s Superman comic. The lenses are crafted of pure Plutonite, whcih blocks 100 per cent of the sun's harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. They're coated with a specially formulated titanium iridium to reduce glare. The T Wire frames are made from titanium, one of the lightest and strongest metals on earth. Equally high-tech are the ear rests and nose bridge, made from Oakley's trademarked Unobtanium, a mildly hydrophilic rubber compound that keeps them resting comfortably on your face.T Wire: from £178. Oakley UK: +44 (01462) 815 757.
Your brain is a pretty indispensable tool in this high-speed world we live in. So, the next time you hit the bike paths, insulate your grey matter with the Headlock helmet from Specialized. It uses a rear stabiliser that loks onto your skull for full cranial protection. The specially designed adjustment controls are a key feature, while the soft flexible sun visor and three interior air channels will keep your vision clear and your head cool.Headlock helmet: £59.95 (available in UK from August). Specialized UK: +44 (01372) 740 084; on the Web at www.specialized.com/bikes/.
That gorgeous little islet a couple of miles off St Barthélemy just went on the market. You have a few million stashed in your safe, but you wrote the combination on the back of an envelope you just threw away. Before reaching for the Semtex, get the Safe Dialer from Quark Research Group. Attach the unit to your safe dial and let it go to work - it will speed-dial its way through a million combinations in hours. Understandably, Safe Dialer is a restricted product, so you'll have to call for more details.
Quark Research Group: +1 (212) 889 1808, fax +1 (212) 447 5510.
ISDN terminal adapters often share the same boxy ungainliness as their phone modem counterparts, but not the Unique 640i from Lasat. Designed by Bang and Olufsen's Jacob Jensen, this ute little blue box shifts data at up to 64 kbps over ISDN lines, but has the same width and length as a 3.5" floppy disk and is no more than an inch deep. A wedge-shaped front panel enables easy reading of the indicator lights and easy access to the touch-sensitive controls.
Unique 640i: £399. Lasat UK: +44 (0181) 741 8011.
Belgium-based industrial designer Philippe Swimberghe thought that the boxy, sheet-metal condom dispensers he saw in nightclub lavatories did a lousy job of reminding customers that fun times await. That's why he designed these new condom vending machines - to remind condom purchasers of what lies ahead. The brushed metal dispensers come in two styles - "yoni" and "lingam" - so folks of all genders and persuasions can enjoy using them. Each coin-operated, tube-shaped device holds 120 condoms, and the weatherproof design is perfect for outdoor as well as indoor installation.Call for pricing: +32 (64) 22 20 10.
Typical gyroscope binoculars are romantically steampunk, but it takes a few seconds for the flywheel to spin up before stabilisation kicks in. However, when you press the function button on Canon's 12 x 36 IS binoculars, the effect is instant. How dies it work? Sensors in the binoculars detect movement and transmit the data to a microprocessor, which then sends signals to a prism actuator. The actuator adjusts the prism to compensate for shaky hand movement. Neat huh?The 12 x 36 IS binoculars: £800. Canon UK: +44 (0800) 616 417.
Ever wanted to link several display screens without cables, or maybe run your own low-power TV station? These are just a couple of uses for the incredibly compact (and amazingly low-price) Video Sender unit - just feed it audio, a standard composite video signal and a 12V DC supply, and you'll find yourself broadcasting a perfectly usable television signal to any suitably tuned receivers in the immediate neighbourhood. Sadly, the product is intended "for export only" - UK users risk prosecution under The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.Video Sender: £15. Bull Electrical: +44 (01273) 203 500.