Outside the Box

Bored with the cold, silver minimalism of today's TVs? Taiwanese TV maker Hannspree offers models designed to appeal "on an emotional level." The 100 or so LCD sets, priced from $450 to $1,400, come in three lines.

The Style range, an eclectic collection of TVs in such shapes as cellos, flowers and pearl oysters, are clad in wood, rubber or bright plastic. For sportier couch potatoes there is a TV in the shape of a leather soccer ball, one dressed as a New York Yankees baseball and another with a golf-ball texture. The Fantasy range, designed for kids, includes Bugs Bunny and Disney themes. But it's the cuddly sets that really boggle the eye, with a menagerie of soft (and washable) animals, including a sheep, a teddy bear and a dog. And why not? No one ever said TVs should be seen and not furred. www.hannspree.com