Gizmodo: sharper image

First Look at The Sharper Image's New Direction: Cheap iPod Docks

Adam Frucci — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:30:32 EST

We reported last month that The Sharper Image would be rebranding itself as a gadget maker here at CES, and now we have our first hands-on with their cheap iPod docks. Welcome to the future!

Yes, now instead of a store in the mall to buy your stepdad a spatula mixed with a thermometer, The Sharper Image is going to be a line of iPod docks sold at places like department stores and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

What I saw were some decent-looking but uninspiring iPod docks. One model rotates your iPod touch automagically into landscape mode for watching movies. Another has a pair of detachable, wireless speakers.

The goal is to sell iPod docks that are cheaper than what's out there, but with most of the prices hovering well over $100, they really only seem like they'll be cheap when compared to something like Bose. In any case, these things won't be hitting stores your mom shops at until November of this year, so we have a good long while to get excited about piano-black iPod docks again.

Sharper Image Human Touch Massage Chairs Look Familiar

Jason Chen — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Reader Tim points out that this massage chair, seen at Sharper Image, looks really familiar. You know, we think he's right, but we can't quite get a grasp on it. We just hope they keep on selling these things even after their stores close—you know, for the human touch. Seriously, it's like on the tip of our tongue. What is this thing? It's gotta be staring us right in the eye. [Thanks Tim!]

Sharper Image Rises From The Ashes...as a Brand Only

Sean Fallon — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:15:00 EDT

A few days ago we discovered that Sharper Image had "something big coming," but as of today, there has been no official word from the company about their future plans. However, the WSJ is reporting that the company will resurrect itself as a virtual brand. No stores, just a name that retailers can rent to drive up the sales of any number of useless, overpriced gadgets.

There is even talk of major retailers like Target and Best Buy getting involved—but you have to wonder whether or not the moniker of a semi-defunct gadget company is enough to drive sales of vacuums and massage chairs in other stores. Either way, if this is Sharper Image's "big announcement," that is pretty lame. [WSJ]

The Sharper Image Lives, Says "There's Something Big Coming": What Is It?

matt buchanan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:59:00 EDT

The Sharper Image is supposed to be dead. No more overpriced Ionic Breezes or contraptions that simultaneously polishes your shoes and balls to a luxurious, silky shine. Dead. Yet it's alive. Their site is up with a mysterious new message: "SORRY TO KEEP YOU IN THE DARK. BUT THERE'S SOMETHING BIG COMING. SOON." Dear readers, what is it?

[Sharper Image, Thanks Richard]

Sharper Image Clearance Sale: Up to 40% Off Lightsabers, StressErasers and Breathalyzers

Benny Goldman — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:01:00 EDT

After declaring bankruptcy back in February, Sharper Image will put the shutters on its 86 remaining retail outlets. The stores are discounting items 20-40% in an effort to clear inventory—and pay back those pesky creditors. If you've ever wanted a vibrating leather massage chair but didn't want to be the last sucker paying MSRP, here's your chance for a deal. I'm sad to see the classic mall staple go away and I'm scrambling to figure out when and how I'll get my next lungful of negative-ion filtered air. Read the press release after the jump so we can weep together.

Jun 01, 2008 15:00
Sharper Image(R) Store Closing Sale Now Underway at All Locations

20% To 40% Discounts Offered on All Merchandise, Just in Time for Father's Day
NORTHBROOK, Ill. —(Business Wire)— Jun. 1, 2008 Store closing sales have just begun at all 86 Sharper Image(R) stores as part of a major transformation of the Sharper Image brand. Over $50 million of inventory is being sold.

Discounts of 20% to 40% are now being offered on all merchandise in all stores. Consumers will be able to take advantage of deep discounts and important savings on electronics and toys as well as products for the home, personal care, the office and travel.

The store closing program is led by Hilco Merchant Resources, LLC and Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, LLC. Michael Keefe, President of Hilco Merchant Resources stated, "This is an outstanding opportunity for consumers to realize unprecedented savings on a remarkable selection of products not to be found anywhere but in Sharper Image stores. This is sure to be a very popular sale, which will not last very long and comes at a perfect time for making Father's Day gift purchases."

Going forward, transformation of the Sharper Image brand will be led by Hilco Consumer Capital, LLC, Gordon Brothers Brands, LLC and additional joint venture partners. The group, which purchased the iconic brand at a bankruptcy auction on May 29, 2008, has developed a global licensing strategy for wholesale, retail, direct-to-retail (DTR), e-commerce and catalog businesses that will exploit The Sharper Image's heritage of quality, excitement, innovation and fun. The Sharper Image brand will be extended internationally in both existing and new product categories.

Store closing sales are being conducted at all Sharper Image locations: -0-

Store Location Address City St.
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——
The Summit 250 Summit Blvd. Birmingham AL
Chenal Place 12319 Chenal Pkwy. Little Rock AR
Kierland Commons 15054 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale AZ
Chandler Fashion Ctr. 3111 West Chandler Blvd. Chandler AZ
South Bay Galleria 1815 Hawthorne Blvd. 160 Redondo Beach CA
Fashion Island 401 Newport Ctr., A 225 Newport Beach CA
Main Place 2800 N. Main 652 Santa Ana CA
Village @ Corte Madera 1544 Redwood Hwy. Corte Madera CA
Fashion Valley Mall 7007 Friar's Rd. San Diego CA
Valley Fair Mall 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara CA
Stanford Shopping Ctr. 16 Stanford Shopping Ctr. Palo Alto CA
Gardens on El Paseo 73-595 El Paseo Palm Desert CA
Mission Viejo 440 Shops at Miss. Viejo Mission Viejo CA
Hillsdale Ctr. 160 Hillsdale Ctr. San Mateo CA
The Oaks Ctr. 578 West Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks CA
Stoneridge Ctr. 1650 Stoneridge Mall Rd. Pleasanton CA
Victoria Gardens 12434 South Main St. Rancho Cucamonga CA
Santa Anita 400 S. Baldwin Ave. Arcadia CA
Cherry Creek Ctr. Space 163 Denver CO
Aspen Grove 7301 South Santa Fe Dr. Littleton CO
Georgetown Park 3222 M St. NW Washington DC
Town Ctr. Boca Raton 276 Town Ctr. Boca Raton FL
Gardens 3101 PGA Blvd., Sp 125 Palm Bch. Gdns FL
Dadeland Mall 7507 N. Kendall Dr. Miami FL
Sawgrass Mills 12801 W. Sunrise, Sp. 331 Sunrise FL
Aventura Mall Room 1721 Aventura FL
Florida Mall 8001 S. Orange Blossom Tr. Orlando FL
International Plaza 2223 N. West Shore Blvd. Tampa FL
The Mall at Millenia 4200 Conroy Rd., Suite 290 Orlando FL
St. Johns Town Ctr. 4712 River City Dr. Jacksonville FL
North Point Mall 1030 North Point Circle Alpharetta GA
Oglethorpe Mall 7804 Abercorn Extension Savannah GA
Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE Atlanta GA
Ala Moana Ctr. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. 2232 Honolulu HI
Queen Kaahumanu Ctr. 275 W. Kaahumanu Ave. Kahului HI
Woodfield Ctr. L103 Woodfield Schaumburg IL
Oakbrook Ctr. 500 Oakbrook Ctr. Oak Brook IL
Keystone Crossing 8701 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis IN
Oxmoor Ctr. 7900 Shelbyville Rd. Louisville KY
Lakeside Ctr. 3301 Veterans Mem. Blvd. Metairie LA
Natick Collection 1245 Worcester St. Natick MA
Montgomery Mall 7101 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda MD
Somerset Collection W 2801 Big Beaver Rd. Troy MI
Country Club Plaza 333 West 47th St. Kansas City MO
Crabtree Valley Mall 4325 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh NC
SouthPark Mall 4400 Sharon Rd. Charlotte NC
Mall at Short Hills 1200 Morris Turnpike Short Hills NJ
Bridgewater Commons 400 Commons Way, # 159 Bridgewater NJ
Garden State Plaza Routes 4 & 17 Paramus NJ
Marlton Square Ctr. 300 Route 73 South Marlton NJ
Menlo Park Mall 55 Parsonage Rd., Unit 441 Edison NJ
ABQ Uptown 2201 Q St. NE Albuquerque NM
Fashion Show 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas NV
Crossroads Commons 8885 West Charleston Las Vegas NV
Green Valley Ranch 2225 Village Walk Dr. Henderson NV
Galleria at Sunset 1300 West Sunset Rd. Henderson NV
10 West 57th St. 10 West 57th St. New York NY
The Westchester 125 Westchester Ave. 3180 White Plains NY
Roosevelt Field Ctr. Space 2081 Garden City NY
Palisades Ctr. 2562 Palisades Ctr. Dr. West Nyack NY
Smith Haven Mall 138 Smith Haven Mall Lake Grove NY
Eton Chagrin Blvd. 28853 Chagrin Blvd. Woodmere OH
Easton Town Ctr. 4205 The Strand Columbus OH
Penn Square Mall 1901 Northwest Expressway Oklahoma City OK
Woodland Hills Mall 7021 South Memorial Tulsa OK
Washington Square 9348 SW Washington Sq. Rd. Tigard OR
Plaza King of Prussia 160 North Gulph Rd. King of Prussia PA
Village at Sandhill 470-16 Town Ctr. Place Columbia SC
Mall at Green Hills 2126 Abbott Martin Rd. Nashville TN
Preston Ctr. 8411 Preston Rd. 130 Dallas TX
North Star Mall 7400 San Pedro San Antonio TX
Houston Galleria 3 5175 Westheimer Ste 2430 Houston TX
Baybrook Mall 1042 Baybrook Mall Friendswood TX
NorthPark Ctr. 624 Northpark Ctr. Dallas TX
Sugar Land Town Sq. 16165 City Walk Sugar Land TX
Highland Village 4056 Westheimer Houston TX
Market St. - Woodlands 9595 Six Pines Dr. The Woodlands TX
Barton Creek Square 2901 Capital of Texas Hwy. Austin TX
La Plaza Mall 2200 S 10th St, Space P-01 McAllen TX
Shops at La Cantera 15900 La Cantera Pkwy. San Antonio TX
Tysons Galleria 2001 International Dr. McLean VA
Dulles Town Ctr. 21100 Dulles Town Circle Dulles VA
Century Square 116 1501 Fourth Ave. Seattle WA
Bellevue Square 264 Bellevue Square Bellevue WA
Alderwood Mall 3000 184th St. Southwest Lynnwood WA
Mayfair Mall 2500 North Mayfair Rd. Wauwatosa WI

Sharper Image Puts Itself On the Market Like a Cheap Floozy

Jason Chen — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:50:00 EDT

Two months after Sharper Image declared bankruptcy, they've gone and put themselves on sale, saying it would "preserve values and yield the best recovery to the company." They're as serious about selling themselves off as they are about selling you laser instruments and brushed metal meat thermometers. Sharper Image wants to finish the sale by the end of May, meaning hopefully the gift cards you've got stored away will be valid again and you'll be able to get that motion-sensing soap dispenser you've always wanted. HOW DID YOU WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE THIS?! [Reuters]

Lightning Review: iWavecube Ultra-Mini Microwave

Sean Fallon — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

The Gadget: The iWavecube microwave from iCube Designs and Sharper Image is billed as the "world's first and only personal portable microwave." A Ramen-ready space-saver that is perfect for a foodaholic that lacks the time or the skills to cook a proper meal.

Price:$129.95

Verdict: It works, but with only 600 watts of power, you are going to need a little patience. It is going to take about 4 minutes and 30 seconds to cook something as substantial as a Hot Pocket or popcorn, which is significantly longer than most standard microwaves. Still, it gets the job done—and despite its diminutive size (10.5"x12"x10" with an oven capacity of 8.5"x 8.0"x 5" and a total weight of 12 pounds) it can handle most normal microwave food with no problems. I was also surprised to find that it was whisper quiet when running. All in all it is a solid device, but there is no doubt that the price is a bit steep. But, if space is limited and you have a thing for gadgets with handles, the iWavecube is a viable option—and I wouldn't wait around too long if you know what I mean. [Shaper Image]

Beamz Synthesizer Uses Lasers as Strings, Has Plenty of Cowbell (Literally)

Jack Loftus — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT

In the future we'll probably play music with our minds, but for now the Beamz Laser Music System uses a series of six lasers which you can break with your hands to play instruments like guitars, violin and (YES!) even a cowbell. There are also 30 preloaded songs and musical genres that can play alongside your flapping arms as background tracks. Add some speakers and you'll be ready to rock like Jean Michel Jarre when Beamz goes on sale on April 15. [The Sharper Image via Geek Alerts]

Sharper Image Accepting Gift Cards Again, With a Catch

matt buchanan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:30:41 EST

Good news, fans of overpriced ionic massage chairs that refresh your feet, atmosphere and mind simultaneously, Sharper Image is accepting gift cards again! But you have to buy something worth twice as much as the card, and you have to use it all at once. They're not screwing around here. Our advice? Dispose of your invisible Sharper Image monies as fast as you can before it turns into vapor again. [BW via Consumerist]

What Went Wrong With Sharper Image

Jason Chen — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:45:52 EST

Now that Sharper Image declared bankruptcy and plans to close down 90 out of its 180 stores, us (vibrating) armchair quarterbacks are all trying to figure out why the store shut down. The Washington Post explores, and says that the chain's downfall came because it remained the same—stainless steel tools that streamlined "your life by .002 percent"—while the rest of the world changed.

That, and this:

The company also made a bunch of strategic missteps. It relied too heavily on blockbuster products, like the Razor scooter. It sold a ton of Ionic Breeze air purifiers, which Consumer Reports panned so viciously in 2002 that a class action lawsuit was filed against Sharper Image for refunds. (A judge's rejection of a settlement to that lawsuit—she didn't like the $19 store coupon proposed for each Ionic owner—seemed to precipitate the Chapter 11 filing.)

So are we going to only be left with Brookstone, which is privately held by some Asian company that makes high-end massage chairs? Perhaps. None of us can really tell the difference between the two companies anyway. When's the last time we went there when we weren't trying to pass the time while our wives/girlfriends shopped? As the post says, "If you want to stoke your gadget lust, you head to Gizmodo or Engadget, two of roughly 74 million gadget blogs. Or you head to the Apple Store, or Circuit City." [Washington Post]

Brookstone Accepts Your Temporarily Worthless Sharper Image Cards For 25% Discount

Jason Chen — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:00:20 EST

You know that $100 Sharper Image gift certificate you got for Christmas? The one that's now not being accepted while the company's going through bankruptcy proceedings? Turns out you can head to Brookstone, the other purveyor of fairly useless light-up gadgets that you stick up your nose to generate ozone, and get 25% off any purchase. What's even better is that you can take any gift card there, regardless of value, so feel free to trade in a $10 gift card for a quarter off a vibrating jacuzzi submarine with built-in alarm clock and personal organizer. [Yahoo]

Sharper Image Suspends Gift Card Redemption

Jason Chen — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:50:40 EST

As a result of Sharper Image's bankruptcy filing earlier this week, the company's decided to stop accepting gift cards until they can get their finances in order. That really sucks for you if you just received a Sharper Image gift card for Christmas '07, but it really sucks for people who returned merchandise and could only get store credit in the form of a card. What's even more unfortunate is the banner at the top of Sharper Image's press release site. Ouch. [Sharper Image via Consumerist]

Sharper Image Files for Bankruptcy; You'll Need to Go Elsewhere to Try Out a Massage Recliner

Adam Frucci — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:03:11 EST

When I was a kid and would get dragged to the mall by my parents, I would always gravitate to stores like Sharper Image. These gadget-stuffed stores probably never actually got a sale out of me, but they were stuffed to the gills with impractical and expensive gadgets for me to ogle, and there was generally an expensive, ultimately-uncomfortable massage chair near the entrance that lured me in every time. Sadly (I guess), it's now the end of an era: Sharper Image has filed for bankruptcy.

Due to lousy sales and getting the pants sued off it due to its useless Ionic Breeze "air purifiers," these are tough days for the retailer. With the internet offering more useless gadgets than any brick-and-mortar store could compete with, it's not a real shocker that stores like Sharper Image are finding it impossible to stay afloat, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for a store that's based around selling barbeque forks with built-in thermometers, foot massagers and overly-complicated personal organizers. You've gotta wonder how long it'll be before Brookstone suffers the same fate. [Reuters]

Afternoon News: Sharper Image Cellphones, Cancer-Detecting Mouthwash and More

Benny Goldman — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:59:00 EST

• Sharper Image is now selling four unlocked Windows Mobile cellphones. The top of the line model has a 2MP camera, touchscreen, Bluetooth, tri-band, and GPRS, but sadly no ionic air-purifier or back massager. [Uber Phones]
• A new smart plug from the UK will reduce energy consumption by turning off gadgets that are turned on but not in use. [Daily Mail]
• Qualcomm has completed new chipsets that do not infringe on Broadcom patents. [Phone Scoop]
• Wikia, an open-source search engine by Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, will launch on January 7. [Slashdot]
• A mouthwash-like solution in development at Johns Hopkins can diagnose head and neck cancer from your spit. [Locker Gnome]
• Ex-Palm CEO, Carl Yankowski, is taking over as CEO of Ambient Devices, which you might remember as the maker of the Ambient Forecasting Umbrella. [News]

Waterdrop Weather Station Has New Shape, Mostly Old Features

Charlie White — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:15:05 EDT

Weather stations come in all shapes and sizes, and here's another one to add to that collection, the Waterdrop Weather Station from Sharper Image. While it's supposed to be shaped like a water drop, we think it looks more like a red egg, or worse, a drop of blood. Besides its unusual look, it has the usual features of weather stations of this ilk, including an iconized forecast (this one's color-coded, though), indoor temperature and outdoor temperature and humidity, an alarm clock that's regulated by the atomic clock, and then a graph that shows you 24 hours' worth of barometric pressure readings. We especially like the hands-free infrared sensor that lets you magically wave your hand to turn off its alarm. You'll pay extra for that and its eggcellent shape—it's $119.95. [Sharper Image, via Weather Snob]

Outdoor Monophonic Speaker System Goes Wire Free Wild

Haroon Malik — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:25:00 EDT

The summer may be dwindling, but are you going to let the elements dictate when you can take your tunes outdoors? No, you are not. Sharper Image's Wireless Outdoor Monophonic One-Speaker System—besides having a ridiculously long name—is here to help. The stylish speaker will allow you to pump your beats, via the included 2.4GHz transmitter, from MP3 player to glorified outdoor speaker. If the sun refuses to shine on your party in the park, the soft blue lighting will bring illumination to your festivities—is there nothing the Sharper Image people have not thought of?

Apparently not, since the system also has a 50m range. Mind you, that is hard to believe, even with the 2.4GHz transmitting goodness. Getting your music into the great urban jungle, for all to hear, shall set you back $199.95. [Coolest Gadgets]

New, Discounted Sharper Image iPod-Ready Speaker Docks

Travis Hudson — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:00:28 EDT

Sharper Image, the company made famous for selling everyone else's iPod-ready crap, is joining the fray themselves. They have released a plethora of iPod-ready speaker systems ready to suck up your dollars, and have discounted some of their other models. There are so many I am even going to do a bulleted list—a list I tell you! Here she comes...

• iBeam Stereo with AM/FM & Universal Dock for iPod
• Dual CD Stereo with universal Dock for iPod (pictured)
• Metro Stereo/Tuner for CD, iPod & MP3
• Bedside Phone Center with Universal Dock for iPod
• Solo CD, iPod & MP3 Stereo
• Big Screen Clock/Radio with Sound Soother 20 and Stereo ZipConnect for iPod and MP3
• AudioClear CD Stereo with Universal Dock for iPod

Wow, Sharper Image. You guys really go balls to the wall with this iPod speaker dock craziness. –Travis Hudson

Sharper Image offers new iPod-ready speaker systems [iLounge]

The New York Times Exposes "iSilly" iPod Accessories; iSigh

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:00:32 EST

The NYT has a rundown today on the supposedly new trend of iPod accessories where "cute or irreverent often trumps wow." While I wouldn't exactly call the piece bleeding edge in its discovery, the trend it points at is definitely real, and most of the products it highlights are interesting or amusing, my favorite being the i-Bratz iPetz Piggy (pictured). I also hate it with a passion.

Along with "iPal," "iPulse," and "MiFlower." Oh, and the NYT cutely and innovatively blesses us with "iSilly." Please stop. My head hurts. A lot. Where are the Apple lawyers when you need them?

Most disturbing though, is that in the narrative this article paints, coming up with a great word to slap "i" onto is apparently the most important part of the process of making these accessories, since it predates the creation of the products themselves:

Mr. Schneider said that he and his executives had asked themselves a single question: "What can we do to make something that could be utilized with iPod?"
First, he said, the company came up with a name that would tie its prospective line of products to iPod (my emphasis). The result was iPals, which Commonwealth quickly registered and trademarked. Next, the company moved to define the personality of an iPal.

The first iPal, released last year, was a shaggy, plush creature resembling a teardrop-shaped extraterrestrial with stereo speakers for eyes positioned on long, flexible stalks. The shaggy iPal plugs into any audio player with a standard headphone jack, avoiding the need for an Apple license.

The best part is that they totally skip that whole pesky licensing thing. Why go for the official Apple seal of approval when you can just swipe its branding for free?

In conclusion, new rule: for the love of God, no more "i" anything, unless it is made by Apple, Inc., and it may be time for them to move on to a new branding scheme too. There has to be another way to tell the world that your accessory is for the iPod. And yes, I realize that the headline of this post is iRonic. – Matt Buchanan

IPod's Groovy Factor [NYT]

Dealzmodo: Sharper Image Half-Yearly Sale, Up to 70-Percent Off

Travis Hudson — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:43:07 EST

Sharper Image, the king of all crazy gadgets, is having their half-yearly sale with 100 items or so with up to 70-percent off discounts. I would say half or so of the items are actually fairly cool and could be useful, the other half is garbage, more or less. Just go check it out for yourself. – Travis Hudson

Product Pages [Via Bargainist]

USB Device Charging Desk Lamp

Travis Hudson — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:17:12 EST

In the category of awesome-ness comes this lamp that includes USB ports for charging of USB devices. With a large chunk of portable electronic devices being capable of USB charging, this is the perfect desk lamp. This lamp, the SI561, just recently received FCC pound-me-in-the-ass clearance, so it should be available sometime in 2007 from Sharper Image. And because it is from Sharper Image, expect to shell out quite a few c-notes for this one. – Travis Hudson

Sharper Image integrates USB charger into desk lamp [MobileMag]