Toys galore for the busy professional

The Life: Forget the functional. Sometimes weird and wacky gadgets are what busy working professionals want.

Logitech's Couch Mouse M515 is a handy tool.

Q&A: Massage machines

How do they work? Different models tend to tackle different problem areas. The Merlin Eye Massager Classic targets the eyes and claims it can help prevent bags, wrinkles and all sorts of discomforts from nasal congestion to tension and fatigue. It retails for US$50 (Dh183.65).

What areas of the body do other massagers target? The feet are always popular. Amazon.com and a host of other online retailers sell Dr Scholl's Hot and Cold Foot Massager for about $45. It's not always the most convenient, since it requires a cord, but claims to have been the first massaging machine that can change temperatures.

Are claims about massage machines accurate? Trustworthy companies normally include a few notes about research they cite, and whether it was independently conducted and funded.

Whether it's a new laptop for commuting or a business smartphone, many gadgets these days are being pitched at the overworked professional.

But there are also plenty of unique offerings in the market aimed at those who are looking to add a bit of quirk to their workplace - or home, for that matter, in order to relax after a long day at the office.

When it comes to gadgets for the job, some desk jockeys have turned to innovative charging devices to keep their arsenal of electronics powered. Kikkerland's charging stations, which retail from about US$16 (Dh58.75) to $25, hide tangles of cords at the base of what looks like a potted patch of grassy lawn. But green thumbs shouldn't get too excited: the products are artificial.

Those who work from home might find Logitech's Couch Mouse M515 a handy tool. The $40 device is wireless and can glide over a desk, couch cushions, carpets and even blankets. Logitech also has a wireless keyboard that is just a third of an inch thick but can be recharged via light from either the sun or indoor lamps. Known as the K750, the $72 device includes an app that shows how much power a person can get from specific sources of light.

As for relaxing in the home after a hard day's work, the local online retailer EmiratesAvenue.com offers a number of strange innovations.

For Dh79, tired workers can soak in the tub with spa bath LED "candles". Each floating device require two batteries and changes colours smoothly, "giving you a relaxing bath and a perfect ambiance", the retailer claims.

Those who prefer taking a shower may want to consider another weird invention if it doesn't make a spouse cringe: "light your shower". This digital shower head switches on LED lights to make the water look like different colours, and changes hues depending on temperature. If nothing else, maybe it would make for a fun addition in a child's bathroom.

Top 5: weird products this year

1 Recom TV Outfits

1 I Am T-Pain Mic

1 Karotz Smart Rabbit

1 Paro Therapeutic Robot

1 Krave Electronic Cigar

Source: Huffington Post

The Quote: A new gadget that lasts only five minutes is worth more than an immortal work that bores everyone. Francis Picabia, the French painter and typographist