Everyone likes a cool gadget. And everyone likes pets. Import Japan’s incredibly lifelike, white robotic cat and voilà, customers will line up for Lucy (that’s what they call her).

So far so good for the newly opened AC Gears, Manhattan’s new gadget and cool toy emporium. Located in prime NYU territory in the East Village, the store’s artful pieces range from Japanese MP3 players to high-end Humanoid Robot Kits.

We asked store owner Kohn Liu to tell us what’s hot:

SEGATOYS DREAM CAT SMILE ROBOT. It purrs. It’s sensitive to touch. And it doesn’t shed on your designer coat. Currently the store’s best seller, the Dream Cat is another fine example of Japanese design. Makes a nice Valentine’s Day gift too.

BANPRESTO AQUAPICT LED JELLYFISH AQUARIUM. Sometimes you need a diversion at the office. Thankfully, the life-like jellyfishes swimming around in Banpresto’s little aquarium provides exactly that. Hey, those TPS reports can wait.

BANPRESTO FACEBANK. What the heck is that you’re asking? Well, it’s the Banpresto Facebank, a bank that will slowly “eat” your quarters and dimes. Should make an excellent conversation piece.


All items are available exclusively in the U.S. at AC Gears.


AC Gears, 69 East 8th Street (off Broadway), (212) 260-2269, acgears.com

So, when the occasion arrives to celebrate and order that vintage bottle of 1996 Krug Clos du Mesnil Champagne, insist on a temperature check before you uncork.

From the brains behind Prologix International comes the VinTemp Infrared Corkscrew, the only patented infrared thermometer capable of telling you the precise temperature of your fave wine or Champagne without popping the cork.

Simply hold the tip of the VinTemp against the center of the bottle, press the button, and voilà, the temperature revealed. There’s even a recommended serving temperature chart printed on the side with temperature readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius (for your French girlfriend).

Technology 1, Humans 0.


Learn more about the VinTemp Infrared Corkscrew at vintemp.com.

Your summer play schedule is time-sensitive.

Well, we’ve got a chic way for you to keep track of the hour without breaking a sweat. Toy Watches are playfully hip, designed to echo ‘80s flare, and your childhood wristwear (think Swatch).

Made of plastics and acrylic bands and stylishly designed, Toy Watches have popped up on the arms of everyone from Michael Jordan to Mario Batali to the Entourage crew (Vince, Turtle). And, while celebs have happily sported them, prices run on the low end (starting as low as $150). Plus, with the watches’ somewhat underground status, they aren’t likely to become ubiquitous.

So, as Summer “officially” begins next week, make sure you’re counting down the minutes with panache and precision.


Toy Watch retailers and online ordering available at toywatchusa.com.

And, then there are Kidrobot-style renovations!

Picture the launch party for their pop-up Pirate Store. Thousands of people attend, including Jenna Jameson, Heatherette, and more than one hundred artists show off their custom toys. Now, picture Jenna Jameson, again.

Oh yeah, back to the article. In honor of their relocated Los Angeles store and renovated New York store, the crew behind Dunny and FatCap have launched a temporary showcase for all their limited-edition, ugly-sexy art toys and mini-figures.

The best part is that proceeds from the store help support “Rewrite the Future”, a Save the Children Global Education Initiative.

So, go ahead, bid on a badass toy bunny.

You might just save the world.



Kidrobot Paintball Store
281 Lafayette Street (near Prince Street) | View Google Map
New York, NY 10012
www.kidrobot.com/paintball

2. Best Pencil
Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 (Available on eBay)
Artists, designers, and writers swear by this legendary soft lead. And why not? With its handsome looks, smooth-as-silk stroke on paper, and extremely limited supply, this pencil commands prices north of $20 each. Yes, each. Truman Capote used it for editing - save yours for the kids.

3. Best New Vodka
Jean-Marc XO Vodka (Available at Astor Wines & Spirits and other fine liquor stores)
Handmade and distilled nine times then micro-oxygenated, this spirit goes down easier than a long holiday weekend. But at $50 a pop, you might want to save it from that bowl of Jungle Juice.

4. Best Fois Gras Delivered
D’Artagnan’s Duck Fois Gras Terrine
On the pyramid of perfect foods, few things rank higher than foie gras. Sauté yours at home with the help of D’Artagnan, purveyors of really, really fine foods. There’s even a recipe for a fois gras burger polished with Armagnac. Now, you know.

5. Best Food Experience
The Gourmet Institute (October 21-23)
For epicureans across the country, the pinnacle of food celebrations is Gourmet magazine’s Gourmet Institute weekend extravaganza in October. Get pointers from Nobu Matsuhisa and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, mix it with up Mario Batali and Daniel Boulud. Then rave about it to all your friends.

Not bad, considering you secretly hate going to the gym.

Your run might be worth running to if you took home the ultra luxe Demso S treadmill. Preferred by professional athletes and investment bankers alike, Woodway’s line of premium running machines are the Porsches of the category. With the introduction of the fully-loaded model S, expect a LCD screen to watch cable TV, DVDs, and even surf the Net on.

At around $17,000, however, don’t expect to dump your local sweatshop right away.

Available online at www.woodway.com.

From left: Smorkin’ Hate Dunny, $29.95, www.kidrobot.com, Bathing Ape Vinyl Set, $750, www.toytokyo.com, American Psycho Patrick Bateman, debuting in April, www.necaonline.com.

And with the new Ascent Collection, it’s easier than ever to take one home.

Vertu is the supermodel of cell phones. The one you take out of its luxurious case just to feel its Rolex-like weight in your hands. It’s the mobile of choice for models and celebs. And not just for its own stunning looks. Combining premium-grade materials, global talk coverage, and one-touch access to Vertu Concierge, this mobile phone screams “Best in Class”!

Now you know what to do with your next bonus.

View more Vertu at www.vertu.com or acquire your own Ascent mobile phone, $3,850, at (866)448-3788.

They are Tan Delta Force Fins, designed by Bob Evans.

We thought we would feature the world’s best diving fins because it feels like summer again. And because we know you want to make a statement at your Winter vacation spot.

Tan Delta Force Fins are the super premium class in the Force Fins family. They give new and experienced divers strong movement while minimizing energy. So well engineered they are also the fin of choice for Navy SEALs.

And as for the look and feel, let’s just say they headlined a MoMA exhibit on contemporary design in plastics.

Available at forcefin.com.