Latest News

Tired of accidentally sitting on your favorite pair of sunglasses? Sick of forking over cash for new shades each summer? Well, designers Azumi & David have a new idea that just might save you money on some stunner shades. Their line of "body tape," with ties you can tape to shirts, bracelets and watches that adhere like stickers, now includes Disposable Sunglasses.

Available to purchase online this spring and summer, these sticky shades are anything but breakable. You can buy different shapes depending on your style and if they plan to sell them like their other body tape items, you'll get about 60 meters worth of sunglasses on a roll. All you have to do is peel and seal before sun exposure.

The roll of sunglasses should last you most of the summer, but will this Scotch tape-like trend stick? Tell us if you think these fun shades are a-peeling to you.

Ever wish you could lighten the textbook load in your backpack? Well, you just might get your wish now that you can get textbooks on the Kindle DX. Five colleges will be the first schools to participate in the textbook offering with the new, larger Kindle DX, which will be shipped to customers this summer.

This alternate version of the 6-inch-screen Kindle 2, has a 9.7-inch screen that will make reading magazines, newspapers and, drum roll, textbooks easier to read. Though the 1/3 inch-thick DX comes with an even heftier price ($489) than the Kindle 2 ($359), the price you spend on textbooks each year quickly adds up -- especially once you hit college. The Kindle is also eco-friendly, saving paper since you download the books to the device. (However, you could just check out textbooks from the library and bear the burden of a heavy backpack.)

The Kindle DX also boasts more memory and a longer battery life than the original, with the ability to hold 3,500 books in black, white and gray text. (Nope, the Kindle does not have color yet.) You can also rotate the view for a wider, horizontal take on whatever you're reading. According to eSchoolNews, 60% of the textbook industry will offer books for this wireless reading device.

So, you can save money on textbooks, go green and give your bookshelves a break, but are you going to be the first to kindle interest for this tool at your school? Tell us below.

Alright, Guitar Hero and Rock Band fans, there's a new guitar in stores that's ready to rock. It may be tiny (it fits in the palm of your hand), but it's modeled after the same guitar played on the popular console games for XBox and Playstation 2. Yet, this little bad boy plugs into a USB drive so you can play a knock off game called Frets on Fire on your PC or Mac, which, currently you can download the game to your computer for free.

The Riff Rockeris sold online for $9.99 and promises to keep Guitar Heroes addicts happy until their next fix. While we don't condone video game addiction, we think this cute number is great for traveling when you can't bring your console gear with you, or if you need a little pick me up, but can't use your TV.

Some reviews say it's too small and makes your hand cramp, but what do you expect, it's a tiny guitar you play with two fingers. Not sold on this miniature music maker? It also comes with decorative stickers like the original if that helps.

Tell us if you think Riff Rocker is the next big star -- or if it's about as interesting as a light up key chain.

Giving someone a high five is so 90's. Today -- a fist bump is much more fun, even if you're President Obama. Now, however, there's a new way to connect. You can keep doing the fist bump, but if you hold your iPhone in your hand at the same time, you'll be able to transfer your contact info. too. Seriously? Yeah, there's a new iTunes application called Bump that was invented by three engineers (David Lieb, Andy Huibers and Jake Mintz) who saw potential in the fist bump gesture and the sensors in phones and have made sharing info easier than a handshake.

How does it work, you ask? It's pretty simple, really. Bump software on your phone senses the vibration of the bump and sends a signal to Bump servers, which then transmit the info to the matching "feeling" from the other phone. There are complicated algorithms that calibrate the location of the two phones with the intensity of the contact, but the idea is pretty basic. If there are one or more phones in an area with similar bumps, no information will be passed and you'll just bump again.

Not convinced? You should know you can also select exactly what information is shared in order to protect the other information you'd like to keep private. Plus, right now, the service is absolutely free. You can download it on iTunes. The drawback? Bump only works between two iPhones and they haven't developed programs for other models. Yet, according to Bump Techonologies, LLC, many phones already have the sensors needed to work with the application. They look forward to bumping up more phones with this fun and useful new way to connect.

Think the Bump will be all the rage? Let us know!

In honor of Earth Day, we thought we'd share a new trend that's high on style and sustainability. Around the world people are purchasing out of commission (and inexpensive) airplanes to turn into houses, hotels, hostels and even a library in Guadalajara made of many different fuselages. Why you ask? These vintage fuselages like the 1965 Boeing 727 (above) provide an unique vacation experience while also helping to reduce waste.

In some cases these jets are used for hotels and in others, people are buying them to build homes. In Costa Rica, the old 727 was bought from a San Jose, California airport and made into an expensive and exclusive hotel suite on the border of a national park near the jungles of Manuel Antonio. As you can see in the picture, they've placed the tree-house-meets-jet house high above the ground and even redecorated the inside with hand-carved teak paneling from Indonesia.

In other countries like Sweden, they've kept it simple. The Jumbo Hostel is fully booked with dorm rooms and a suite -- in keeping with the typical airplane look, but enhanced with a modern Ikea chic. But, would you stay in a luxury refurbished plane, á la Oceanic 6 in the jungle? Or, would you get the ultimate fixer-upper and use a recycled jet for a house? Tell us what you think about this lofty new idea.

Ever sent an email you wish you could take back as soon as you clicked the send button? Well, now you can avoid mistaken emails with a new tool in with Google's email service Gmail. Simply login in to your Gmail account, go to Settings and select Labs. Scroll through the new features and give this new perk, called "Undo Send" a try.

Though "Undo Send" only holds emails for five seconds before being directed to the recipient's inbox, it could be the time it takes you to realize that you've forgotten to attach the document you wanted to send, or you saw a typo you'd like to fix. Whatever the case may be, by activating this new lab and clicking the "Undo" link, your message will go straight back to "Compose."

Will this new feature catch on? Or is "Undo Sent" receiving undue attention?

According to many green blogs and trend websites, fashion biking is so now. But, what's fashion biking, do you ask? With the struggling global economy and spring on the way, some people are ditching their cars for bicycles - while exercising some style too.

For example, the fashion biking scene includes hand-painted bike frames in Amsterdam, buying designer baskets and creating wheel art. Plus, in places like England there's a clothing component. People aren't just rolling up their pant legs to prevent gear smear, they're wearing capes too. Though cape-wearing began with cycling addicts for year-round fun, others are turning to the cape for it's stylish look and comfort. (Seriously, they sell them at American Apparel in the U.S.)

On this side of the pond, companies are customizing and importing bikes from all over the globe - from new and interesting models to vintage rides. Are you into biking, but didn't realize the fashion potential? Why not get creative? Before you head to the art store for supplies, why don't you tell us what you think about fashion biking.

In some states, snow continues to fall despite the official arrival of spring. And scarf-wrapped sledders are taking advantage of the ongoing chill with a new sport called "extreme" or "free sledding." The trend started in Vermont when architect David Sellers invented the new kind of sled for the sport. And now teens are taking to the hills with this less expensive mix between snowboarding, sledding and kneeboarding.

With all the thrill (and only half the skill) of snowboarding, sledders are buying Mad River Rockets online (starting at $95) and strapping themselves into this sled that they control with their knees. What makes the sled so extreme? The straps and negative keel underneath the board allow riders better steering and control over the sled. With this sleek design, riders can perform tricks on jumps and gain more speed. The sled itself is made from recycled dumpster lids, making the Mad River Rocket not only cost-efficient and fun - but eco-friendly too. Who needs a lift ticket to the slopes when you can tear it up on a sled?

Why don't you tell us if free sledding is the next big thing?

OK -- this one is really cool. We've all seen a baseball card or two, and some of us may have even had a collection of our own. But Topps has just launched a new line of cards that takes the flat baseball card to a whole new level -- 3D. Here's the scoop. When you get a 3D live card, you take it to your computer and webcam. When you put the card in front the cam -- the player on your card pops up on the screen -- "Harry Potter" Style -- using a new technology called augmented reality.

Once you have the card on your screen, you can take batting practice, pitch, and even play catch all right on your desktop using your keyboard

So, does this bring new meaning the phrase fantasy baseball? You tell us.

Everyone's doing their part to save the planet these days, but how can you do yours? Recycling - check. Riding a bike to school instead of driving - check. Weekend park cleanup - check. Now what? Well, there's a new social-networking site that just might do the climate-changing trick. Planet Connect, a website dedicated to connecting teens to eco-ideas and events, was created to better your Earth-friendly forte. Plus, it's as easy to use as Facebook.

All you have to do to get started is add one more item to your environmental check list - join the teen green movement online. On Planet-Connect.org, you'll find out how you can promote environmental education and get in touch with other healthy-planet-minded teens, with the site's host of members, clubs, events and environment-related content. Already have some ideas, but need some funding for your lastest eco-idea? Planet Connect also gives out grants to fund environmental programs and projects designed by teens. Yeah, Planet Connect is the ultimate save the planet hook up.

How do we know it's good? Planet Connect was created by teens for teens with the help of the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and The Weather Channel. It's chock full of fun facts and info that will not only help you fight against pollution, you might even make some new friends. So, if you're tired of protesting at your local coal power plant by yourself, login and tell others about your event or see what else is going on near you.

Feeling Planet Connect? Not? We want to know.

Fashion and science seamlessly bonded in an art exhibit called the Wonderland Project - a series of demonstrations that involved gorgeous dress, water and an empty hanger. Helen Storey, a professor at the London School of Fashion led the exhibition, which began as more of commentary on the disposability of fashion, but may lead to an answer to waste problems in facilities like hospitals.

At the exhibit, chiffon-like dresses were dipped into large fish-bowl-like tanks. As the dress disappeared from the hanger, streaks of brightly-colored ink twisted into the water, leaving the hanger empty. The drama of this exhibit is only matched by the ethos of the project, an attempt to change the way people think about sustainability in a non-threatening way - through art.

Some say the invention of this soluable polymer will help hospitals reduce waste since items like surgical gowns are discarded immediately after use due to contamination. Why don't you tell us what you think? Are dissolvable fabrics the new solution for sustainability?

There's a new car crusing the streets of the world and making headlines - and its not a hot rod or a hybrid. It's tiny taxi that loves the sun.

The Solar Taxi, a solar-powered car developed by scientists at Swiss universities, travels up to 55 MPH and will drive 185 miles on a single battery charge. In fact, the Solar Taxi has already taken a 32,000 mile trip around the globe, showing off its Earth-friendly technology. With zero emissions, this two-seater seems part car and part motorcycle, yet it also pulls a trailer of solar cells to fuel the battery. At the wheel of this sun-fueled journey, Louis Palmer, a Swiss teacher and adventurer, drove the Solar Taxi picking up 1,000 passengers and mapping out his progress online at SolarTaxi.com.

"This is the first time in history that a solar-powered car has traveled all the way around the world without using a single drop of petrol," Palmer said when he reached Poland for a U.N. conference on climate issues. From average citizens, to public officials like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Palmer is hoping the test rides will encourage support and excitement for the Solar Taxi. "I want to show that we can reduce emissions by 100 percent - and that's what we need for the future," said Palmer.

What do you think? Are solar-powered cars what we need for the future? Tell us!

Finding videos on the internet is about as easy as spotting a clown fish in an aquarium with video hosting websites like YouTube and Hulu . However, imagine searching for one specific guppy with a uniquely shaped fin in a tank full of fish. Unless you are watching Finding Nemo, that would probably be a tough task. VideoSurf , a new video search company, is a sophisticated program able to search video by the content within a video clip, instead of searching by the tags or words associated with a video on YouTube or Hulu.

This complex system of "remembering" people's facial features in a video create these "facial recognition algorithms," recognizing their faces automatically for searching purposes. For example, VideoSurf can tell the difference between videos of Tina Fey and Governor Sarah Palin because of their facial measurements.

The site also finds specific sections of a video, freeing users from watching a whole video clip. So, if you wanted to see the scene in Finding Nemo where Dori experiences memory loss, it will take you to every clip she forgets something. You can even navigate with a timeline above the clip by time increments within that video segment. To date, VideoSurf is using a beta site, or test site, you can use at VideoSurf.com . Why don't you ride the video wave and tell us what you think about this new video search engine.

Gossip Girl would love this. Google Latitude, designed to locate people through Google Maps via your computer and cell phone -- in real time -- shares where you, your friends and family are on the map in seconds. Latitude is easy to use, plus, it finds your location in a variety of ways. Don't have GPS on your phone? That's OK, it will still triangulate your location with land based Wi-Fi and cellular towers (in addition to GPS if you have it).

How does it work? You and a friend must both sign up to see each other on your computers or phones, afterward you'll be able to see each other's location and status messages in seconds. You can also upload a photo that will become a cute icon of you on any map. Not into being tracked all the time? Members can hide or change their settings whenever they want. To use Google Latitude on your computer you only need an internet connection, but for your phone, you'll need a current version of Google Maps for Mobile v3.0 and above.

Why is this new Google feature creating such a stir? Some think it could be an invasion of privacy. A privacy organization in London, dubbed it "the gift to stalkers" in Computer World. However, others believe it's a good way to keep track of their friends and find directions to them if they need to meet up. Plus, since you have to opt into it, people cannot be searched unless they want to be.

Tell us what you think about Google Latitude below.

It's a bird, it's a plane -- it's a -- car? Next month the world's first car-plane hybrid, the Transition Roadable Aircraft by Terrafugia, will take flight. And, by 2010 the first customer will receive this latest venture in high-tech travel. So, why have 40 people already placed orders for this $194,000 new gadget? It's a car that can turn into an airplane in 15 seconds flat. That's right, one minute you could be driving on the road and in the next, the 27-foot wingspan unfolds and you could soar up to 25,000 feet in the air. However, that's not the only fly thing about this travel transformer.

Created by the privately funded company, Terrafugia, a company founded by MIT-educated aeronautical engineers, The Transition was made to bring the convenience of personal flying to a higher level of weather safety. Meaning, if you are out flying and the weather goes South, you can land and drive home. Another bonus: it has front-wheel drive on the road with a cargo area perfect for skis, fishing poles and other sports equipment. Plus, you don't need a hangar to store this Jetson-like vehicle - it will fit in a garage. Even though it's only legal to take off from roadways in Alaska, surely there will be even more people ready to take off in The Transition.

With all of its road and air-worthy features, why don't you tell us what you think about this new personal plane?

Given the current state of the economy, finding extra money to donate to your favorite charity might be tough. And, if you've never donated to a non-profit organization, you might not be searching for one due to your starving piggy bank. However, SocialVibe.com has developed a new way to satisfy your hunger to give-back, without costing you any cash. All it takes is adding a badge, which you get to design, to your Facebook or MySpace profile. Since you are already adding the latest Facebook app. anyway, why not add something to your page that could save an endangered species or help fund research for cancer?

Socialvibe.com has partnered with many different companies and charities, to help you do just that. Not only will the website give money to the charity or cause of your choice, they will also hook you up with cool perks. With sponsors like Converse and Billabong, you could get some awesome prizes the more you help your foundation. SocialVibe.com has 40 charities - like the Surfrider Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer - to choose from. Once you choose a sponsor you can start earning money for your cause simply by having the sponsored badge you created on your profile. All you have to do is sign up, choose your sponsor and charity and create a badge for your profile.

Did we mention it's free? Yeah, it's that easy, but are sponsored profile badges that donate money to charities the next big thing? Tell us what YOU think and vote below.

For centuries, riding bikes has been a favorite past time of many. When you're young, there's nothing you want more. When you're Lance Armstrong, it's a career. And, when you want to work out, the stationary bike spins you towards good health, but what about the evolution of bikes over time? Bicycles come from a long history of innovations from the "penny-farthing" bikes of the past with a giant front wheel, to the modern mountain bikes we have today. Bikes not only take us places, the original concept has come along way. Keeping with this tradition of innovation, there's a new stationary bike with an electric following.

In a community in Southwestern China, elderly residents are using Electrobikes to stay in shape and to provide electricity for their household appliances. While in use, the bikes are connected to a 180-watt battery that can later be used to power a television for up to 10 hours. Reports say that this neighborhood in China is the first to combine clean energy with an outdoor gym, but what do you think? Please tell us if whether you think these new energy producing exercise machines with be the next big thing.

There's no doubt that robots are an epic source of fascination for humans. From fictional robots like Wall-E and EVE, to others like Rosie from "The Jetsons" -- these helpful and more often than not hard-working inventions appeal to kids and adults alike. Maybe it's because we're lazy, or we just want a little help in the kitchen every now and then, but the idea of having a mechanical being to help with the less glamorous tasks in life is nothing new -- and up until now it's been mired in fantasy land.

However, with recent technology, we've begun to see real robots available online and in stores for anyone to buy. There are many robots used in factories and tons of robot toys on the market, but Japanese engineers recently crafted a new kind of humanoid robot that could be helping you in your home soon. The K.A.R., or "Kitchen Assistant Robot," with 18 sensors and a funny trot, can pour tea, wash dishes and do the laundry. Though the robot is slow and makes slightly jerky movements, engineers are working to create a model that is lighter, faster and may be on the market in five years. Do you think Kitchen Assistant Robots are the next big thing? Vote below and tell us what you think.

Students are continually looking for ways to fund education. A new website called GradeFund has come up with a way to help them out a little - or a lot - depending on how generous a sponsor they find and how hard they study. If your parents or grandparents have ever slipped you a little extra cash when you brought home a stellar report card, you already understand how GradeFund works.

Needy students register for an account, post their classes and grades, then get matched with sponsors who pay cash for each grade. People or corporations can choose to sponsor students with a particular major or from a specific university, as well as decide how good a student's grades have to be, and the site takes care of getting students the money.

So, when you're ready for college, will you sign up? Or is earning and paying cash for grades online a little too far-fetched for you? Tell us what you think below!

For most people, the spirit of the holiday involves giving. Whether you shop for gifts or simply spend time with family, generosity warms the heart when the weather turns cold. Companies like Gap are also embracing the nature of the holidays with their Product (RED) campaign. For each (RED) product costumers purchase, part of the proceeds go to help people suffering from HIV. Clothes, accessories and even coffees at Starbucks are branded with the logo and participate in this twist on gift giving - not only are you buying a gift, you are contributing towards a charity that can save someone's life.

According to the Product (RED) website, the campaign has earned enough funds for more than 660,000 people with HIV a year's worth of anti-retroviral therapy. Will buying gifts that help charities - become the Next Big Thing? Why don't you tell us?

Unique sneakers are a must-have of kids in the know around the globe. Aficionados are willing to go to the ends of the earth, or to whatever sketchy neighborhood and dark alley, it takes to find the perfect pair. And as things seem to get more and more the same, people continue to look for things more and more custom. The latest iteration of this is in t-shirts - and we're not just talking airbrushing here. Companies like Urban Rabbit hole are making the coolest of the cool kids stand out by creating a tangible token of city and neighborhood identity you can wear.

Urban Rabbit Hole in particular makes the experience a unique one. You go to their website, www.404251n.com, and type in a password (you can use newyorkoct#11 to check it out) and then you wait to hear from them about your shirt - all of which makes you feel as though you're in on something no one else is and we'll also admit - pretty cool. So, will expressing yourself by sharing where you live with the world - on a t-shirt - become the Next Big Thing? Why don't you tell us? Bonus: Check out the complete interview with founder of Urban Rabbit Hole.

Trading cards have long been a staple of athletic achievement and more recently, collectible card games like Magic: The Gathering. From the early days when kids collected baseball cards in packs of gum, to the glossy and modern graphics of today, trading cards honor and describe people's abilities - whether they are real or fantasy. Yet, at Penn State University, they have a new tradition in the works. The Penn State Alumni Association financed two collections of glossy and colorful trading cards. What's different? The cards feature professors.

The college faculty's stats are described in detail along with a photo. School president Graham Spanier told the Associated Press, "We hope the cards will remind people of the important work being done by our leading scholars." Interesting bits of information like scientific discoveries and swanky awards replace batting averages and RBI totals. Could this be a way to get to know college professors and honor their achievements? Sure. Will the trend catch on at other schools? Why don't you tell us?

If taking Vitamin C and drinking Echinacea tea aren't your thing, but you still want to lower your chances of getting the flu, the Google Flu Tracker may be your ticket to avoiding the virus this year. Google is playing detective this season by partnering with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and tracking searches for flu remedies geographically to predict where the next flu outbreak will hit.

What does that mean? When people in a city like San Francisco look for flu cures online, Google tracks how many people in that area are searching for those remedies. High searches indicate that more people may be sick in San Francisco, or whatever area Google is tracking. So, if you go to Google Flu Tracker and search your area, you'll know if you are at risk of getting the flu. What you do to protect yourself - a flu shot, drinking lots of water, avoiding sharing your drinks with friends, taking vitamins, washing your hands with warm soapy water, etc. - is up to you. Could tracking illness through the web be the next big thing?

If you've ever wanted to say, "Beam me up, Scottie!," and have something actually happen -- you may soon get the chance. During the presidential election coverage on CNN, Wolf Blitzer interviewed reporter Jessica Yellin from New York while she was in Chicago. Yet, while they looked like they were talking face-to-face on screen they were actually 1,000 miles apart. With CNN's holographic interviews, many news networks are drooling over the new technology. And they should be. It takes 44 HD cameras, 20 computers, a satellite, infrared and mechanical tracking, and a 37-inch plasma screen to make it all work.

"It's like I follow in the tradition of Princess Leia," Yellin joked. Seems pretty Star Wars, right? Well, there is one drawback. Blitzer couldn't see the holographic image of Yellin projected on the floor of the studio because all the "magic" happened on screen. Despite this limitation, virtual interviews still created a noteworthy buzz in the midst of the election.

"Kids, don't forget your sunscreen. And watch out for the craters." Forget the beach, someday you could be vacationing on the moon. The first space tourist was Dennis Tito, a California based multi-millionaire, who lifted off in a Russian Soyuz capsule in April 2001. Since then a handful have journeyed to the International Space Station and the race is on to commercialize space flight. Aviation mogul Richard Branson has reportedly sold 200 seats on his Virgin Galactic spaceship, scheduled to launch next year. The company Space Adventures is already booking flights (for anyone who has $100 million to spare) to the moon and International Space Station. If the price of space travel came down to earth, would you hop on board?

Fixed-gear bikes-- "fixies" for short-- just may be the next big thing in extreme biking. As the name implies, these bikes have only one gear and the rear cog is "fixed" to the hub. That means the pedals move with the rear wheel so the rider can't coast or brake like a regular bike. Imagine darting through traffic in Manhattan without brakes, now that's extreme! Bike messengers have done it for years and now the fixie trend is spreading, especially to other cities. The bikes are mostly home-grown concoctions, but also increasingly being manufactured. Are you up to the challenge?

To the delight of state fair attendees across the country, a trend of deep-frying everyday food has popped up. This week, we present Fried Oreos. It's nearly impossible to trace this battered-then-dipped delicacy to its original roots. Maybe somebody mistook a vat of oil for a glass of cold milk? However it began, the Fried Oreo, along with its cousin Fried Twinkie, has cut a culinary swath across the state fair scene and is creeping into restaurants. What do you think? Gross or inspired?

This idea was sent in by Kaylee in Mo. Learn how to make Fried Oreos here.

With all this talk of going green, car companies are developing electric solutions like the GM Volt and Tesla Roadster (above). Unlike gasoline powered cars, these vehicles release no emissions. The cars are powered by a bunch of batteries inside the car which need to be recharged every 100 miles or so. For now, electric cars aren't practical for long commutes but could represent the future of transportation. What do you think? Will the whole country be electric in ten years? Or should we just abandon our cars for bikes, scooters and subways?

(Check out more cool electric cars: Electric Speed.)

A farmer in Japan was really thinking inside the box when he thought of this one. Claiming they'll fit better in your fridge, he grows cube-shaped watermelons inside a plastic mold. The trend has caught on and the box-y fruit is available, for a steep price (up to $82), in high-end stores across Japan. You can even buy your own plastic cases to grow cubic fruit. What's next? Square oranges? Square ice cream scoops?

Is square the new round?

(Don't forget, you can submit your idea for the next big thing here.)

A Columbia University professor has developed a new direction to grow food, up! Vertical farming will save space, money and energy, according to Dickson Despommier, who developed the idea with his graduate students.

Despommier suggests it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build one of the 30-story towers that he says could feed 50,000 people. However, like a lot of burgeoning eco-concepts, he hopes the price will go down as the idea catches on. More research is needed to make sure bugs don't invade the crops and to figure out how to keep the food climate-controlled.

Do you think farming up in urban areas is a good idea? Or, should we encourage regular farms instead? Cast your vote now.

_{Video courtesy Popular Mechanics}

Now there's a coffee table that can play a movie, video games, check your e-mail, share photos, and chat with your friends. No, it's not alive. We discovered an interactive surface that responds to your fingertips. You don't even need a mouse or keyboard. Products like the Microsoft Surface, above, and the Hitachi Starboard are making their way to into hotels, casinos and businesses around the country. The touch-sensitive tables cost $5000-10,000 each. Do you think the idea will catch on?

(This idea was sent in by Sarah from Brittany Hill Middle School in Blue Springs, Mo.)

_{Video courtesy Airventure Multimedia}

The Martin Jetpack was recently demonstrated to an excited crowd of earthlings in Wisconsin. This guy only got a few feet off the ground but you get the idea. For now the jetpack sounds like a leaf blower and doesn't go very high but unlike its predecessors it runs on regular gasoline and has definite potential. Will we all abandon our cars for jetpacks some day and travel to school feeling like James Bond?

This magicmirror at Throttleman, one of Portugal's trendiest clothing stores, can read the details in special tags attached to all garments, including the style, color, size and general description of the clothing. The magic mirror can even acts as your personal shopper-- all you have to do is tap a digital button on the mirror and it can display all coordinating clothing options that are in the store and in the shopper's size. So...do you think the magicmirror will catch on?

Above: Bamboo clothing from Chopper Couture, Juzd.com and Beau Soleil.

Designers have hopped on the Eco-friendly bandwagon to create clothing that's both stylish and good for the environment. Many retailers and customers are drawn to the green benefits of bamboo, organic cotton, and soy products. Bamboo, for example, is completely biodegradable and naturally antibacterial.

But critics argue that organic clothing is much too expensive for the average consumer (a t-shirt from juzd.com will cost you $100), and green shoppers are better off going to thrift stores to reduce waste.

Concocted in Italy, pizza cones are the latest food trend across Europe, South Korea and Japan. The cones are just like pizza, only cheesier, easier to hold and less messy than a slice. Crispy Cones and Konopizza are trying to bring the wrapped-up pies, complete with toppings, to the United States. Both companies plan to expand to cones filled with salad, chili, or other foods. Will you be first in line or sticking to your deep dish?

Straight from Paris comes Tektonik, a new dance craze. The dance looks like a hybrid of the robot and popping and requires crazy arm movements, coordination and a LOT of energy. Teens across France are bouncing to electro and techno beats trying to learn this dance. Take a look and tell us if you think Tektonik will make its way over the pond.

Many companies, including Philips Lumalive, integrate multicolor LEDs (light-emitting diodes) into fabrics. The lights are mounted on a thin, flexible surface and can store up to 10 minutes of unique designs. Once it's on, the rechargeable battery lasts 3-4 hours. Do you think light-emitting fabrics will be a new, cool way to personalize your clothing or is the idea not-so-bright?