Best Of The Rest

(5 of 5)

Toss the Squeegee
Wouldn't it be great if you never had to clean the windows in your house again? That's the promise of SunClean glass, which is lined with a transparent coating that breaks down dirt (and bird droppings) in the sun. When it rains or you spray the windows with a hose, the remaining residue is supposed to wash away without streaking. Available on a variety of window types for the home, the SunClean technology also works on insulated glass that blocks ultraviolet light.

--INVENTOR PPG Industries
--AVAILABILITY In 2002
--TO LEARN MORE Visit ppgsunclean.com

Stress Buster
There are plenty of massage chairs that will vibrate energetically up and down your weary body, but the new H.9 Inada Chair from Japan puts some brains behind the brawn. When you sit in it, infrared sensors scan your body to detect some 350 acupressure points. Once oriented, the leather chair begins a customized, Shiatsu-style massage accompanied by synchronized music meant to melt your tension away. If the synthesizer music drives you nuts, you can always pop in a CD of your own.

--INVENTOR Family Inada
--AVAILABILITY In December, for $3,500
--TO LEARN MORE Call 877-224-6232

Sunlight in a Light-Blue Bulb
Ever notice how ordinary light bulbs cast a yellowish glow around your rooms? The new GE Reveal bulbs produce a crisper, whiter light that is much closer to natural sunlight and makes colors look brighter. Ideal for kitchens or work areas around the home, the powder-blue bulbs are no more expensive than regular ones. The secret ingredient is neodymium, a rare earth element that is baked into the glass to help filter out the usual yellow hue.

--INVENTOR General Electric Lighting
--AVAILABILITY Now, for $3 to $4 for a four-pack
--TO LEARN MORE Visit gereveal.com