AquaVista 500 fish tank

The AquaVista 500 fish tank hangs on your wall like a sleek flat-screen TV. At only 4.5 inches thick, it certainly takes up less space than a traditional fish tank. For $330 you get the tank (with your choice of background and frame), a steel wall mounting bracket, and a few basic aquarium accessories.

But the AquaVista doesn’t just look good. With a built-in LCD control panel, pump, and lighting and heating systems, the AquaVista is completely automated. That means less of a hassle for would-be pet owners. Maintenance takes as little as 15 minutes a month, giving you more time to admire your little underwater friends.

It’s the middle of February, and that means we’re right in the middle of cold and flu season. If you haven’t been knocked flat yet, chances are you know someone who has. Luckily, Germ Guardian has a line of products to help you maintain a first line of defense against sick-making bacteria. Their Pluggable Air Sanitizer (above) retails for $59.99 and sanitizes with the same UV-C light technology found in hospitals. Germ Guardian offers a variety of similar products, from a Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer ($69.99, right) good for sanitizing things like bottle nipples and chew toys to a Personal Air Purifier ($29.99) recommended for wearing in close quarters like buses or trains (if you don’t mind getting a few funny looks).

While it’s not available yet, Microvision’s Show WX pico projector is handy for the corporate climber tired of lugging around a heavy business projector, or anyone (with cash to burn) who doesn’t want to squint at video on a small screen. About the size of a remote control, the WX hooks up to a phone or laptop to project DVD-quality images (including photos, movies, YouTube video and presentations) in wide-screen format onto a wall or screen. The device is expected to go on sale in the second half of the year for $400 to $500.

With Location-Based Technologies’  PocketFinder, you’ll never have to worry about lost pets or luggage again. The GPS device is about the size of a cookie, and is available in several versions: there’s PocketFinder Luggage, which can be slipped into a suitcase before you let it out of your sight. Using the company’s website or automated phone service, you can look up your suitcase’s location in over 100 countries. PetFinder can be hooked to a pet’s collar, offering peace of mind for those who are squeamish about injecting their furry friend with a microchip. The original PocketFinder is a good bet for outdoor enthusiasts or caretakers of the mentally challenged.

PocketFinder is available for $129.99 plus a monthly service fee for the locator service. It runs for seven days on a single charge, alerting you via text message when it’s time to recharge.

USB Coffee Warmer by Lagoon Group

These days, there’s no shortage of stuff you can plug into your USB port. How about a mug warmer? Yes, it’s basically a small hot plate for the cubicle set, but the simplicity of this product is what makes it a great idea. If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, there are models that will keep your favorite drink hot or cold, and one with a four-port hub that displays the warming temperature. There are even mugs available that make the commute with you, plugging into both a car outlet and a USB port. So now you have no good excuse for falling asleep at your desk.

On the left: TurboLash All Effects motion mascara by Estee Lauder. On the right: Lancome’s Oscillation Vibrating Infinite PowerMascara ($31.99). Both claim to do half the work for you, moving the brush in a zigzag motion to produce the best results. Reviews are mixed for both products. Some users have found TurboLash to be mediocre, especially for something at this price point. The response to Oscillation is only slightly better; even those who liked it admitted that putting it on “tickles,” making it difficult to apply. Meanwhile, I can’t help wondering why you’d want to put something doing 7,000 oscillations per minute near your eyes.

Remember when Mom nagged – er, reminded you not to slouch? Good advice, but not just because it looks bad. Over time, the strain poor posture puts on your body can cause serious health problems like muscle spasms, reduced lung capacity and a spine “stuck” in an excessively curved position. (So while your face probably won’t freeze like that, your back just might.) More bad news: maintaining a sitting position for hours at a time (like many of us do at work) makes it difficult to maintain good posture, and puts extra stress on the discs in your spine.

You probably can’t take Mom to work with you, but you can wear the iPosture monitor. This battery operated disc, which can be attached to the skin with included stickers or even hooked to a bra strap, monitors the angle of your chest several times per second. When it senses that you aren’t at your best personal stance (which you get to set, as it varies from person to person), the iPosture vibrates. Ideally, once the iPosture trains you to maintain proper posture, you’ll need it less and less. At $74.95, it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s a lot more attractive than a back brace.