Weird and wacky: unnecessary gadgets and items that make us question innovation

HAVE you ever seen something and thought to yourself, ‘why does this exist?’ Here’s a list of things that have made me ask myself this question.

The Thync device keeps you awake.

HAVE you ever seen something and thought to yourself, ‘why does this exist?’

I have — many times.

Here’s a list of things that have made me ask myself this very question.

“GEEK” JEANS

These are by far the strangest things I’ve seen in a while, and you’ll see what I mean when you have a look at them as well.

Although they’re not yet a real product (just a concept), the thought of people walking around in these is so weird.

In the growing market of wearable technology, the concept — designed by Nieuwe Heren — is actually no surprise.

They wirelessly connect to your computer and have a keyboard sewn into your lap with a mouse small enough to fit in your back pocket.

AND they also have speakers which are placed at your knees.

Isn’t that great? Instead of using your computer/laptop/tablet, you can now type away at your own groin.

The concept for “Geek” jeans.

THYNC

If you rely on caffeine to keep you going through the day, you may think this gadget is worth the hype.

Thync, which makes you look like a character out of a sci-fi film, administers electric currents to your body to help stimulate certain emotions.

The device claims to energise and calm you when you need the boost and connects to a smartphone app so you can track your dosages.

Not sure about you, but I think I’ll stick to coffee.

FANTASY CASKETS

Love beer? You can be buried in a beer bottle.

Love cars? You can be sent off in a car.

Love aeroplanes? An aeroplane casket can be made just for you!

A Ghana-based organisation, famous for its creations, builds fantasy caskets to send you off to the next life in style.

Although it’s not really a gadget, it’s a weird and wacky idea and it had to go on this list.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Ghana is famous for creating out of the ordinary caskets.

TALKING TOILET PAPER SPINDLE

If you’re into making people poop their pants (literally) then this one’s for you.

This talking toilet paper spindle lets you record your own message for people who will eventually use the toilet paper it carries.

The motion sensor on the gadget detects when someone is pulling the toilet paper and plays out your prerecorded message.

For people who poop at others' screams, you can turn this is to a hilarious prank.

This gadget is also apparently frequently bought with a toilet bowl mug and a farting bank.

SOLAFEET

We’ve all had the awkward thong tan on our feet at one point or another during the summer.

This gadget allows you to fix up your awkward tan lines or simply tan your feet if they never really see the sun.

You can simply pop your feet into a small box-shaped sun-bed-like machine and tan away.

Solafeet can tan your feet at work or at and for only 15 minutes a day for a week or two, your tan will be all fixed up!

Simply pop your feet into this gadget and it’ll even out your awkward tan!

DOG UMBRELLA

This is exactly what it sounds like.

The upside-down umbrella is attached to your dog’s leash and allows them to stay dry while going for a walk.

Obviously, you (the owner) will still need to hold the handle of the umbrella.

The dog umbrella has other upsides: it keeps that wet dog smell away while also keeping your dog healthy and active.

BLADDER FLASK

Yes this exists and yes you can buy it.

It seems like all the other innovative ways to smuggle booze into events have been exhausted and this is what we’re left with: a sack that is to be filled up with your favourite alcoholic beverage and stuffed down your pants.

Obviously this would work easier for men than women.

One can simply hide the pouch down their pants and unzip their fly an inch when pouring themselves a drink.

The bladder flask even has a small nozzle for easy access.

THE BEACH GLASS

This one’s a little practical, but nonetheless strange.

We all know how hard it is to stand any cup or glass while at the beach.

You either need to hold onto it the entire time or put it down and risk it falling over.

This innovative glass allows you to literally dig your drink into the sand to prevent it from falling over.

PUPPOOSE

Here’s another handy (not so technical) gadget to have around if you’re a dog owner.

Instead of carrying a purse around, why not carry your dog?

You can take him shopping and sightseeing without the fear that he’ll be trampled on.

You won’t lose him and you don’t need to bend down to pick him up anymore every time you cross the street.

Handy right? The best part is, if you can crochet, you can probably DIY this one.

Carry your dog around while you go shopping!

ILLUMIBOWL

When you get up in the middle of the night to take a leak, you’re generally groggy and only guessing where things are, right?

Well Illumibowl, which is basically a toilet bowl light, helps you (mostly men) aim in the right direction when you pee in the dark.

The gadget, which sticks to the side of your toilet bowl, even claims to save marriages.

The motion sensor on the device detects when someone is close and lights up the loo, meaning you can pee in the correct place.

WEARABLE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER

This may very well be your next Halloween costume.

Totally unnecessary (in my opinion), this handcrafted mask attracts the small birds and allows them to feed from in between your eyes- pleasant, right?

:-2<:>, apparently pronounced “eye-to-eye” takes bird feeding to a whole new level.

I guess the only upside to this one is that you can get up close and personal to the little birds without scaring them away.

Although, I’m still not convinced the mask won’t do that.

Get up close and personal to hummingbirds with this mask.

Originally published as Weird and wacky: unnecessary gadgets and items that make us question innovation