It seems nowadays that every appliance is getting the same treatment as computers: every three months your computer is outdated. Yes this problem has even come to the vacuum with the Kone, the next step in vacuum design. This vacuum steps out in a different direction with its design because, you guessed it, it’s shaped like a cone. The folks over at Dirt Devil created this vacuum with the help of Karim Rashid so that you could have it near you all the time; they say you can put this cordless piece of “artworkâ€? anywhere in your house, they just fail to mention the part about your friends asking why the hell you have a cone in your living room. The cradle that the vacuum sits is has a soft-glow light so you can find it for those times in the middle of the night where you get the strange urge to vacuum. Dirt Devil took into account you might have different styles in each of your homes, so they came out with 6 different colors; now you have no excuse to show off this beauty in your home. At $50, the Kone Vacuum by Dirt Devil, with its 7.2 volt motor, might be a nice addition to your home if you like showing off your appliances; if not, stick to a normal vacuum like normal people. — Nick Rice

Dirt Devil KONE cordless hand vacuum [via Crave]

Ford is set to unveil a new concept at the North American International Auto Show on January 7^th: the Interceptor. This beast combines the power of the ever popular Mustang and the looks of a truck in a style not seen in Ford cars very often (or never). Even though the Interceptor is based on the Mustang’s chassis, it is a 4-door that looks nothing like a Mustang, something the designers tried to do. In fact, they wanted so badly not for it to look like a Mustang that they based the front end on the front end of the Super Chief Truck concept that was unveiled last year. When it came to making this sedan beefy, Ford didn’t stop there; the engine is a 5.0 liter version of the 4.6 liter Cammer engine that produces 400 ponies. Ford hit it right with this concept, as of right now, because it appeals to the guys out there who can’t decide between the beef of a truck and the speed of a car; this concept may be considered a car, but it sure looks a lot more macho than a Honda or Toyota car. Hopefully Ford decides to build this; right now we can only hope for the best. More pictures after the jump.

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It’s been quite a year in technology. From Google’s continued domination to the expansion of Web 2.0 and social networks. 2006 was Gearfuse’s first year in the industry, and we eagerly await our inevitable release onto 2007. So, from everyone at Gearfuse, Happy New Year, and thank you for visiting.

Come again soon!

– Gearfuse Staff

Developers are gonna love this. The Linux Trolltech Greenphone, complete with SDK tools is really more of a tool or a kit then a “phone” per se. Linux has advertised this phone as a tool for developers to create new software for mobile phones, but on a totally open source spectrum. Its $700 price tag confirms the point that this is more then your “typical” phone. The Greenphone isn’t exactly “user-friendly” either. Featuring hardware giltches and annoyances that would through any non-developer off into a hissy. If the Greenphone is going to be a long-term project, the kinks in the system will eventually be worked out, and might even become the standard for developers to work through. Who knows, maybe Linux might move further into the developer realm then they already are.

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Why someone would think their mouse to be a communication aid into other realms is beyond us, but if you happen to be one of those few, or you’re just maybe looking for an interesting new mouse pad, then check out the Ouija Mouse Mat. The classic spirit provoking game makes its first appearance in mouse pad form and evidently costs £7 in the UK. We don’t know how comfortable we would be watching our daily porn fix while rolling a mouse over a ghost communicator. That’s one thing Grandma might get demonic on our asses about. — Andrew Dobrow

Ouija Mouse Pad [via Coolest Gadgets]

That infamous color pink… it makes guys make sure that they choose a very different color scheme, but it always seems to draw the female crowd in. The leading Web 2.0 instant messaging client Meebo has just added a pink theme to its increasingly popular application. Meebo allows users to make their own Meebo account and tie in each of their AIM, Yahoo, MSN, and Google Talk together and talk to buddies/friends in each protocol all at once. It sounds a bit like the application Trillian, but Meebo is strictly an online client. So who knows, maybe this new pink color scheme will attract more people to Meebo, maybe it won’t, but it will definitely brighten up some user’s boring blue Meebo screens. — Nik Gomez

Pink IM from Meebo [ShinyShiny]

The newest generation of Verizon’s answer to the Sidekick looks like an absolute joy to work with. The LG line of micro SD phones has had their problems in the past, but the VX9900 is looking great compared to the original release of the LG “The V”. The VX9900 now comes with a 2 megapixel camera and additional productivity tools and hardware upgrades since the previous editions. To wet our palettes a little more, Verizon has released two VX9900 commercials. It’s lookin’ slick, LG. Very slick. Jump for the commercial vids.

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The Japanese population has one of the highest savings ratios in the world, and this Jinsei Ginko (human life bank) piggy bank helps reinforce that idea to the next generation. The Jinsei Ginko is not like other big banks you have ever seen before. For one thing, it can only take 500 yen coins ($5). Secondly, the more you save, the wealthier the tamagochi-esque family on the LED screen becomes. Starting with 3 pieces of ghetto tatami floor mats, as you put in more and more 500 yen coins, the home environment will gradually improve as you become more wealthy. The Jinsei Ginko can save up to two hundred 500 yen coins by the time it is full. The company might eventually release an even more advanced piggy bank that takes 10000 yen bank notes, if the 500 version is successful. The Jinsei Ginko is currently selling for $50 in Japan.

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If you live somewhere outside of sunny Southern California you may have to use an umbrella a lot more then, well, never, and one of the worst problems with an umbrella is deciding whether or not there is a good enough chance of rain. If it ends up not raining, then you look stupid for carrying it around everywhere, and if it rains and you don’t have it, then you look stupid and wet. Well now have no fear because your umbrella is getting Accuweather feeds while you’re on the go, and if there is a 60% or more chance of rain, then the handle will pulsate blue. Once the chance of rain gets over 60%, then the blue LED will pulsate that many times per minute. For instance, if you manage to count to 100 pulses in a minute, then you can probably see the rain falling down around, because there is a 100% chance of rain. The Ambient Forecasting Umbrella is perfect for those not in Southern California who can’t seem to figure out when it’s going to rain so they get an umbrella that does all the thinking for them. — Nick Rice

Ambient Forecasting Umbrella [via Crave]

It’s amazing and annoying how many people are germ-freaks these days; they always ruin your fun because they are scared of some “e-coliâ€? germ or something.  Well now you can shut them up once and for all because their lifesaving gadget has arrived: the Handheld Germ Eliminating Light. This cell-phone sized device uses nanotechnology to eliminate nearly 100% (have to say nearly so Hammacher doesn’t get sued) of everyday harmful germs, such as e-coli and salmonella. Just because you zapped your raw egg smoothie with this doesn’t mean you can trust that it removed all of the e-coli. You know you can trust the technology behind this device because hospitals have been using it to sterilize needles and other important equipment. Just hold the UV-C light ¼â€? to 4â€? away from the source for 10 seconds, and poof, the germs are supposedly gone. At only $80, the Handheld Germ Eliminating light might be a great way to shut up that overreacting aunt or grandma that just won’t let boys be boys. — Nick Rice

Handheld Germ Eliminating Light [via Coolest Gadgets]