Gadgets & Gizmos - November 2011

A Pat of Soap

A pun gone massively wrong or a feat worthy of applause? It’s hand soap shaped like…. a hand! Those of us with a penchant for word play might think the inventors of this item really put their fingers on something. Others, finding this sort of humor out of their grasp, might be ready to slap them across their faces. Either way, you’ve got to hand it to them…

Price: 63 RMB. Web: www.stupid.com

Getting an Earful

Maybe you’re a musician who wants to fine-tune your hearing, maybe you’re obsessed with aural hygiene, or maybe you’re just an unlucky overproducer of ear cheese. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be interested for sure in the Coden Ear Scope TV, a battery-powered fiber-optic camera that hooks up to your TV or computer, making cleaning out your ears a snap. For the rest of us, apparently this gizmo can be used in all kinds of dark, tight spaces, but we won’t wax too long on the possibilities.

Price: RMB 2,770. Web: www.endoscopeshop.com

Compact Compactor

Don’t let them crush your dreams of becoming the recycling man! You might not have the nerve to quit your job and start riding around on the back of a truck all day long collecting refuse, but you can still live vicariously through German-toymaker Bruder’s Working Recycling Truck. This 1:16 scale replica of the Mack Granite refuse truck actually compacts up to 100 cubic inches of crumpled paper or other small items. Had enough of those TPS reports? Compact ‘em! 

Price: RMB 760. Web: www.hammacher.com

Tough Choices

The perfect online game for those who tire of posting their first-world problems on White Whine, Spent is designed to give you an idea what it’s like to be a single parent hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Want to land a job as a temp? You’ve got to pass a real typing exam. Can’t afford a tutor for your kid? Solve real math problems to help with their homework. Poverty has never been so entertaining!

Price: Free or optional RMB 30 donation. Web: playspent.org