For something we use so often, the light bulb hasn't changed much over the years. The LIFX ($70) is out to change all that. By packing Wi-Fi into a standard-sized bulb, it lets you control your lights using nothing but your phone. It's also based on LED technology, which allows you to change the color of the light on a whim, and ensures a lifespan of up to 25 years — all you need to do is replace your existing bulbs and enjoy. [Scouted by Perrin]
$399
In 1928, a rocket-powered car called the Opel RAK2 hit a top speed of 142 m.p.h. Nearly a century later, the RAK e concept from General Motors’ Opel division only goes half as fast despite its rocket ship looks. The tandem two-seater’s electric motor provides a 61-mile range, a trip that will cost drivers only $1.36, says GM. The car will be affordably priced to appeal to younger buyers, the company adds, thanks to a body that uses low-cost synthetic material wrapped around a steel frame. gm.com
Rimmed by bluestone coping and a fire pit at one end, the pool Robert Gurney designed is suspended 20 feet above grade by massive concrete buttresses.
Think of the F125 concept car as the Mercedes Benz luxury S-class sedan for the year 2025. But instead of gasoline, the car runs on hydrogen for pollution-free operation. By then, company engineers reckon, the high-pressure cylindrical tanks required to store hydrogen today will be re-jiggered so that they can be integrated into the body of the car as structural components. One thing is for sure: Those gull-wing doors never get old.mbusa.com
by GQ
Yeah, we went there. Not a car at all, but an electric bicycle. Why? Bike sales more than doubled in Germany last year, and Mercedes, through its Smart brand, is keen to get a piece of the action. A 250-watt motor provides the power, and with a 62 mile range, the power assist feature is more than just a gimmick for lazy peddlers. Expect a price premium for the chance to be greener than any car commuter could ever be.
The station wagon isn’t dead—it just looks like a Ferrari. That look is intentional, says Fisker, the California builder of the Surf. The plug-in hybrid uses the existing framework of its Karma sedan to offer a vehicle with much more cargo space. The Surf is due in showrooms in 2013 and will likely be priced around $100,000. Specifications will be similar to the Karma, so drivers should expect a top speed of about 125 m.p.h. fiskerautomotive.com
Some things were just meant to go together, like peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, tea and... robots? Judging by the Robot Tea Infuser ($15), it certainly appears so. This whimsical kitchen gadget holds your favorite leaves inside while using its arms to ensure that it stays below the water.
Finding safe drinking water isn't always as simple as it sounds — so next time you head south of the border, take the SteriPEN Freedom UV Water Purifier ($120) with you. This highly-portable UV water purifier runs off an integrated battery that recharges over micro USB, and can destroy over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in a standard-sized glass in just 48 seconds. As a bonus, it also features instant-on technology, and LED indicators that can double as a flashlight. Unless, of course, you like the idea of drinking nothing but Corona the whole trip.
