TPMC-4X Handheld Touchpanel Control is the smart and hi-tech version of the universal remote. The futuristic-looking device provides a powerful wireless control solution that's "easy to hold and intuitive to use." When Crestron, its manufacturer, said it's a smarter and hi-tech version of the universal remote, they really meant it. It provides true-feedback for every connected device such as audio, video, satellite radio, lighting, security, or climate control.

It has a 3.5" active-matrix color touchscreen display capable of producing 16-bit graphics with 3D effects, high-res images, dynamic graphics and text, translucency, and full-motion animation for viewing video content from sources. But it also doubles as a wireless security video monitor. The TPMC-4X has a built-in support for wireless streaming video from a variety of 3rd-party Web cameras and servers using motion-JPEG format.

Its integrated 802.11b Wi-Fi technology delivers secure, high-speed 2-way wireless communication with computers, and media servers on existing wireless LAN. You can use the TPMC-4X to search tracks and titles on your music server with the cover art graphics. Besides the touchpanel, it has a 5-way thumbpad controller, side-mounted toggle wheel, and 13 additional programmable push buttons. Every button can be set to for volume control, channel selection, on-screen menu navigation, and even pan/tilt camera control.

It is powered by a fast-charging, long-lasting Lithium Ion battery pack without the "memory" issues typical of other rechargeable batteries. The TPMC-4X adjustable standby mode preserves the battery for up to a week without recharging but if you need to juice up the batts, the included docking station provides charging convenience with an elegant appearance. As far as we know, the only thing that trumps the TPMC-4X is that universal remote Adam Sandler had in the movie Click.

NEC seems to want to go head to head with its contemporaries in the world of electronics business. After Samsung has unveiled what they claim to be the most colorful LCD around, NEC has answered back with two new LCDs - the MultiSync LCD1990FX and LCD1990FXp displays. Unlike the Samsung variant whose main selling point is its colorful LCD, these two boasts the world's thinnest side bezel at just under 7-mm thick - 42% thinner than the company's current ultra-thin-bezels. Can't beat Samsung in color, beat them somewhere else.

Aside from being thin, both have 150-mm height-adjustable stands, pivot for either portrait or landscape mode, and contain ultra-thin borders around the screen to save space, it also claims to provide the widest viewing angle - 178 degrees - which you can use in audience-filled trading room floors and offices when multiple users are situated around one display.

They also claim to be energy advocates - both displays deliver Intelligent Power Management (IPM), which draws just 40 watts during use, and AmbiBright technology, which automatically adjusts the display backlight depending on the brightness of ambient lighting conditions. Too bad that they can't beat the enemy from South Korea in the price category.

The NEC MultiSync LCD1990FXp/ LCD1990FX / measures 392.2 (W) x 408.9 ~ 558.9 (H) x 247.3 (D) mm,weighs approximately 8.0kg with stand. Model LCD1990FXp is available from July31st for 102,900 Japanese Yen or roughly $880 - more than double the price of the Samsung SyncMaster CX930B which will go for $430.

The "Do Not Disturb" sign is so motel-ish to be used within the comforts of your home if you want some alone time with yourself or with someone. So to remedy the scenario in a hip, not to mention expensive, manner, why don't you install The Lighting Door Handle by Bim Bam Banana? Yes, the same company that brought you the Equalizer t-shirt that could make you the life of a uber-boring party, has come up with something that could preserve your friendship with your roommate.

Install this lighted door handle and your roommate will know when the coast is clear: the handle glows red or green -- green means it's all good, red means take a long walk. A small lever underneath controls the light.

I mentioned expensive. Yes. In this case, privacy comes at a very high price. It will cost you $440 bucks, so this thingamajig will never grace the doors of striving twenty-somethings. You'd have to wait four days max to get this one upon ordering.

This interesting lamp might be the future of modern yet practical fittings for the house. Designed by Hector Serrano, of Droog Design, it is a coat hanger that doubles as a lamp. What makes this further interesting though is how you can change the colours by the mood you are in, simply by changing the shirt on the hanger. Since there's a cloth outer, what this means is that the light is diffused, and hence you dont get the high intensity glare as you do with other fittings.

The Droog Design group are famous for creating unique creations using their own wit. The lamp is available for purchase from the studio in Amsterdam, as well as small retailers throughout Europe.