No word on pricing - but this elegant, designer fire solution will most likely take a decent sized bite out of your wallet. Still, if you're looking to buy a Safretti fireplace, price is most likely not one your main considerations.

More Resources
- Safretti Website @safretti.com

The Pileus Umbrella comes fully equipped with GPS, PHS / Wi-Fi / HSDPA Connection, a digital compass, a 3D Accelerometer (motion sensor), and a camera - which can be used to take photos at the snap of your wrist. A mobile projector is fitted to the bottom of the umbrella adjacent to the handle, providing a large screen on the underside of the umbrella, which can be used to stream flickr photos, or display a 3d navigational map, courtesy of google earth. There's no information on the hardware running the umbrella's system, but given that it performs with google earth, one can assume that it's at least 500mhz with 128mb RAM - plenty of spec for hacking and modding your umbrella - and with the attached hardware, the possibilities are not only limitless, they're actually more exciting than the future-retail version of the umbrella itself.

The 3rd generation prototype unit is fairly bulky, but as it's a prototype, that can be forgiven. With advances in projector and embedded systems technology, there's already appropriate hardware solutions to ensure that the Pileus remains as sleek as any other 'regular' umbrella. This may drive the price up, but this isn't really a concern since it's likely to be on the expensive side regardless.

The future is here - but who really thought it would be in the form of internet-enabled digital umbrellas?

Check out the development website for loads more pictures, information and tech specs. No word on the release or price, but this is definitely one worth keeping an eye on - especially if you live in a city such as Vancouver BC, where it rains for 9 months of the year.

More Resources
- Project Page @pileus.net
- Retail Soon @thesharpedge.co.uk

You can pick up your standard Silver ring for a mere $205. However, if you really want to show your colours, you'll be looking at $2,200 for Gold and a handsome $6,500 for Platinum. Each ring features the element's name, Atomic mass, number, and it's english name - in case you forget.

More Resources
- ITSNONAME @itsno.name
- Purchase Rings @itsno.name

And the best part is - because they are individually made, you can probably have them customized to your heart's desire (at a cost). Zana's USB keys will set you back between $60 (1GB version) and $110 (8GB version), and can be ordered now from Zana Design's website.

More Resources
- Zana Design @zanadesign.eu

The Snug Blanket is a "tentacled cuddle blanket", designed "to play, to snuggle, alone or together". Whether the designer, Patricia Yasmine Graf, realized that the Snug Blanket efficiently solves all of the logistical problems associated with using technology (laptops, desktops, etc) and blankets at the same time we may never know. But the fact of the matter is, it does.

The Snug Blanket is a unique piece, so if you want one, you'll have to get it commissioned (as seems to be the case with most of the items in The Shiny Report), and is made of wool, fleece, and measures 150cm x 170cm.

You can't put a price in this kind of comfort and efficiency.

More Resources
- The Designer @pyg-design.de
- Found @trucdesign.com

The EP20 is rumoured to ship with a 2.5" HDD, and an Intel Dualcore 1.8Ghz under the hood. Visuals are also entrusted to Intel, meaning the EP20 will likely include one of Intel's standard-affair graphics chipsets commonly found in most intel-based laptops. This in mind, the EP20 would make a very nice HTPC system, or a tuned-down desktop appropriate for a study or reference room.

Asus' EP20 runs a Linux OS - release date is currently unknown, but is expected to set you back between $250 and $300. A fine price for such a system.

The wonderful thing about Ripserver is that it not only automatically rips content from CDs into MP3 or FLAC, it also fetches Meta-Data and corresponding artwork to store with the files.

Ripserver comes in 500GB/1TB versions, and is available now in White or Black from Ripfactory's online store for $1,190 (£599) and $1,390 (£699) respectively. At that price, you have to work out how much your time is worth to you and whether it might not be cheaper to do it by hand.

Specs
- Ripserver Specsheet @ripfactory.com

More Resources
- About Ripfactory @ripfactory.com

Click here to go to see their first impressions.