So far, I've blogged about smart shoes, smart carpets, smart shirts, smart glasses, ad nauseum. We are living in the era, it seems, of Smart Everything. Still, those smart wall sockets —dubbed U-wall-sockets— managed to surprise me.

U-wall-sockets allows folks who MUST KNOW RIGHT KNOW to check over the internet whether their home appliances are on or off. With or without internet connectivity. Plus, the device's infrared transmitter allows users to actually turn devices on and off.

The system will likely be commercialized around March 2006. In Japan. -RD

U-wall-sockets [Cnet Japan via RFID in Japan]

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