ZMote will soon release a variety of related products, such as a separate switch, a dimmable switch, as well as a lamp and upright lights. ZMote is going to make home automation – and pranks – a lot easier and cheaper.

They say the Smart Cord will go on sale later this month for $40 (USD). I hope by that time they’ve worked on their website – which looks sort of like something out of 1994.

[via TUAW]

There’s even a handy spare power outlet on the back if you need to plug in another device. The light it emits is diffused, making it a nice ambient light source.

The lamp is definitely unusual, but it’s not just made for fun. It was also meant as a critique of the homogenized nature of construction materials in the U.S. It’s true that most light switches and outlets do look similar, especially in older homes. Hopefully, it will inspire people to use less ordinary materials and light switches when designing their homes.

[via core77]

I’m not sure exactly how the switch works, but Light does mention that it’s a modified pull chain switch. Place it in between a book, secure the string and then connect the plug of any electrical device into the switch’s own socket. When you pull the book outward, the string is pulled with it, toggling the switch.

The Secret Passageway Switch was sold at Vespoe for $50 (USD), but unfortunately it’s sold out as of this writing. Hopefully Light will make some more. Although I’m sure the tinkerers among you can cobble your own version without spending a penny.

[B.Light Design via Uncrate]

These cool Click watches not only incorporate DIP or turn switches into their faces, the switches actually serve a purpose. Each one of the mechanical switches on the watch activates various watch functions and display modes.

Flipping the switches to the proper positions will display time in 12 or 24-hour modes, show the date, day of week, or even flip into a special bar graph time mode if digits aren’t geeky enough for you.

Each CLICK watch is crafted from stainless steel, and also offers a backlight (yet again activated by a dip switch). I suppose you’ll need tiny fingers or the tip of a small screwdriver to really get the best use out of the switches, although I seem to remember getting pretty good with flipping them even with my fat digits after dealing with my fair share of misconfigured SCSI drive terminations.

As an added bonus, each CLICK watch ships in an awesome package made from a circuit board. I wonder what it’s a circuit for? It seems to have spots for USB, display and serial connectors, but I’m betting even if you soldered a bunch of parts to it, you wouldn’t get anything functional. Or I could be wrong.

CLICK watches are available in a variety of face and switch color, as well as black or silver stainless metal finishes. Each comes with either a band reminiscent of an old ribbon cable or with a stainless band. The ribbon strap version goes for $149.99(USD), while the stainless band model sells for $169.99. All models of the CLICK watch are available now over at Watchismo.

It used to be a lot of work, trying to think of the place that she would most likely spot my note. But something that helps take the guesswork out of the entire process? Light switch sticky notes!

Light switches might not be the first thing a person notices when he or she steps into a room, but it’s definitely something that a person is bound to see sooner or later.

I mean, take me for example. I don’t really look at the light switch, but when I go to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, it’s the first thing my hand gravitates to. When I enter the kitchen to fix some breakfast, out goes my hand to flick the light switch on.

And when it grazes that small sheet of paper by the switch, then bingo! Message transmission successful!

The brainchild of the Light Switch Sticky Notes is Jihyang Lee and they’re currently available for £7.50 (~$12) from Suck UK. (I know, weird name to call a store.)

[via Craziest Gadgets]

However, in one fell swoop, the Switch Plug solves all of these problems by adding a–wait for it–switch to the plug. Genius?

It might not be the most novel idea there is, since I’ve already seen some adapters on sale in some hardware stores with switches on them. But I haven’t seen plugs with embedded switches–until today, that is.

It’s a smart solution, especially for people who can’t be bothered with unplugging stuff but who can be bothered with switching a switch off instead.

The Switch Plug is actually a design by Gonglue Jiang and it’s still a concept for now. I think it’s pretty practical and would make a fine addition to the way plugs are made today. It will eliminate my fear of sparks, that’s for sure, because there’s no more need to keep on plugging and unplugging all the plugs we have at home. What do you think?

[via Yanko Design]

The display features a dot-matrix of illuminated rocker switches spelling out the classic programming test phrase “Hello World.” It’s is supposed to speak to the beginnings of modern technology and the visual language of minimalism. I like how even old technology like light-up switches can be hacked together to form a screen of sorts.

The switches can still be turned on and off, but I want to know if they let people flip the switches to show other stuff, or if they’ve got it locked down. It would definitely be more fun if it were interactive.

It’s part of an exhibition called Fünf Räume at The Austrian Cultural Forum in New York City, where you can view it until September 5th.

[via Triangulation via Colossal Art + Design and Make:]

What you’re looking at here is a custom replacement light switch made from arcade push buttons. I’m not quite sure how the guys at AlephDesign managed to make these work, since arcade buttons are springy and don’t lock into place, but they say that they’re fully functional.

I like the idea of these for sure, although I’m not a big fan of the yellow and blue color combo shown here. Thankfully, you can request buttons in your choice of colors. Personally, I’d just like red and white. Or even better, I’d love to get those ones with the one player and two player icons on them but I’m not sure if they can get those for you. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

To order yours, head on over to AlephDesign’s Etsy shop, where they’re selling these for $25 (USD) each. I don’t recommend that you try and do any combo moves on these buttons unless you want to blow through a whole mess of lightbulbs.

The ON/OFF Paint will still work even when it’s painted over or covered by a wallpaper, so you don’t have to get stuck with whatever color it comes in. APCI also reported that the ON/OFF Paint can be used not just to toggle devices on or off, they can also be used in conjunction with a timer or dimmer. The possibilities for this invention are endless, and should prove useful for elderly, disabled and drunk people.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

I sure would feel strange if I pulled a plate off a light fixture in my house and found a printed time capsule on the back. One geek has typed up a short page about his life and the house he was moving out of and then left it behind as a sort of time capsule. That’s weird to me and honestly I don’t want to know that you lived somewhere before me.

The DIY project would be easy enough to pull off if you are so inclined to leave something behind for someone else to find in the distant future. The only cool thing I ever found in a house we moved into was some Christmas decorations left in the attic.

That last little bit about beware of the ghost is just plain mean, though.

[via Make:]

According to a study by researchers at UC Berkeley, when the proper trans-cranial magnetic stimulation is applied to the brain of a righty, you get a lefty. The techinque disrupts the brain’s parietal cortex, changing the brain’s decision on which hand to prefer. This has helped in the research to fight learned limb disuse, which is when victims of stroke and other brain injuries start favoring the arm or leg they can more easily control. This magnet could help force these patients to use the other limbs again, restoring full limb movement.Sounds like science-fiction, but it’s happening right now. Kind of cool, if you don’t mind me saying so.

[via io9 via DVice]

These new Tactile Pro 3 keyboards are built from the same technology used in the original Apple Extended and Extended II keyboards, complete with lovely, long-throw, clicky ALPS mechanical switches. While the key switches may be decidedly old school, the design of the Tactile Pro 3 has been updated to be more ergonomically friendly than retro Apple keyboards. It’s got a sleek, curvy form factor, and is built for durability. The keys are each laser etched, and the case is designed to keep crumbs and dirt from getting in-between the keys. And Matias has included a special technology that prevents missed key-presses if you’re a smokin’ fast typist. There’s also a built-in 3 port USB 2.0 hub, and it’s even compatible with PCs if you don’t have a Mac lying around.

While $149.95 (USD) might sound like a lot for a keyboard, it seems like a worthwhile investment if you spend all day sitting at your keyboard like I do, and want to type at the highest speed and accuracy. Want one? The Tactile Pro 3 starts shipping in January 2010, and Matias is accepting pre-orders here.

[thanks for the tip, Kenny P!]

The BLAZE 3-in-1 game selector has triple cartridge bays, and a single ribbon connector that plugs into your DS’ cartridge slot. Sure, it adds a little bulk to your once svelte DS Lite, but it sure is nice being able to choose from multiple games without having to carry around an additional case. Once snapped onto the case of your DS Lite, you can flip between games by moving the switch on the top of the case. One of 3 green LEDs lights up to indicate which game is currently active.

It’s not clear if the 3-in-1 selector will work on the DSi too, but it’s definitely says it’s designed for the DS Lite. You can grab one over at SuperUFO for about $13 (USD). Now if only they made one that held 50 games, I’d be set. Of course, my DS Lite would end about as thick as the latest Harry Potter book – in hardcover.

Designer Tobias Wong’s On/Off light switch will remotely control anything you can plug into an outlet. It’ll work up to 100 feet away from whatever you’ve plugged into the remote receiver.

When you want to turn your lamp on or off, open the magnetized lid on this clear Lucite box and flip the switch. And while it’s perfect for turning lamps on and off, it’s also nifty as a control for launching your nuclear arsenal.

Priced at $150 (USD) for the standard chrome version, and $250 for the limited-edition 14-karat gold version, they’re definitely not cheap. But if you happen to have been smart enough to take the deal from the banker, you can pick one up over at the A+R Store now.

The gang over at Charles & Marie listened to your feedback, and have worked with Dutch designer Damien O’Sullivan to produce a new version of the minimal black-and-white mug that says “cold” when it’s cold, and “hot” when it’s hot. It’s amazing how one small text change can really make such a difference. Heck, just the utility of knowing when that coffee that’s been sitting in there all day long is cold as ice should be enough to merit the $25 price tag.

Charles & Marie is now offering the Hot/Cold mug on a pre-order basis now, so if you want one, you’d better head on over and place your order. They should start shipping in about three weeks.

Lazy Man’s Holiday Lights include a special controller box which let you decide the colors you want illuminated on your string of lights. Since the colored lights are all LEDs, you never have to worry about bulbs burning out either.

They’re not cheap, though. A 50-foot strand (with 25-feet of lead-in cord) will set you back $79.99, including the controller box. On the other hand, a single set will have you all ready for Valentines Day, St. Patty’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, and even can show off your team colors when the Bears win the Superbowl (next year).

[via Gizmos for Geeks via OhGizmo!]

In its dormant state, the mug offers a black “OFF” display, but once your hot coffee or tea hits the inside, it gradually transforms to read “ON”. A heat sensitive pigment changes the color of the mug from black to white.

While it may be designed for coffee, the $25 mug is Charles & Marie’s “Soupe du Jour” offer of the day. So if you want one in time for the holidays, you better grab yours now.