When I was a kid, I was almost grounded for life by my parents for nearly breaking a large hanging lamp...while playing with a remote-controlled helicopter. Finally, a flying toy safe to play with in the house. WowWee's latest addition to its Flytech line of remote-controlled ...

Everyone's had the experience of toiling away on a project, only to have the hard work go unrecognized. For those times when co-workers or family members fail to acknowledge your genius, there's the Applause Machine from Laikingland.

Designed by U.K. artist Martin Smith, the Applause Machine is ...

If you're any kind of Internet viral video junkie--you know who you are--then last week you smirked at the Bike Hero video. In case you somehow missed it, Bike Hero is a video of a guy on a bike playing Guitar Hero with markers left on the pavement. Sadly, ...

Lone travelers, vain photographers, or anyone too shy to ask someone to take their picture finally have a convenient way to include themselves in their photographs, thanks to Charles & Marie's bottle cap tripod.

The $10 "gadget," and I use the term loosely, fits (not screws) onto almost any bottle top and a universal tripod adapter on the opposite end holds your digicam in place while you sneak into the shot.

Captain Obvious says: depending on the size of your camera, be sure that the bottle you use is at least half full (or empty), or you'll find yourself waving goodbye to both gadgets at the same time.

More images after the jump.

(Credit: Fred Flare)

Inside all of us, there lives an inner creep just itching to get out and secretly take photos of unsuspecting members of the opposite sex. The secret book camera, offered here by Keith Carollo and Chris Bick of Fred Flare, definitely confirms that theory. The camera uses inexpensive 110 film and is the perfect size to stick in your backpack or Miley Cyrus-approved clutch purse.

You know what this camera reminds me of? That one scene in Troop Beverly Hills where shevillain Velda Plendor hides a camera inside the Girl Scouts book so Herman can spy on the tragically affluent Girl Scouts of Beverly Hills. Wait, what? You're not as self-deprecating as I am? OK, well I loved TBH and now I can finally live out my cinematic fantasies. Never mind that it's seafoam green and made to look like an antique toy for children--I just so happen to have $55 burning a hole in my apron. Patches?! We don't need no stinkin' patches!

Check out more pictures of the camera after the jump.

(Credit: Mobigrips)

Technology might be the only medium where smaller is always better, but it's starting to get ridiculous. I'm worried that my next cell phone is going to be the size of a sunflower seed. There's got to be a point where we finally decide that ...

My showgirl Muppet

(Credit: Jennifer Guevin/CNET Networks; FAO Schwarz)

It might not be as technically challenging as modding a PC out of a humidor, but FAO Schwarz's make-your-own-Muppet tool is still a kick for cubicle dwellers with a few minutes to kill.

With the Muppet Whatnot designer, you get to pick from three bodies, choose eyes, a nose, hair, and an outfit, and you've got yourself a custom-made Muppet faster than you can say: Gersh gurndy morn-dee burn-dee.

But for 90 bucks a pop, you'd better be sure you really like that round red nose better than the pointy yellow.

A press representative says it takes four to six weeks to receive your creation--enough time for the holidays if you start now.

But beginning November 13, the Muppets will take Manhattan--again. Customers at the Fifth Avenue store will be able to design their Muppets in-store and walk out with their new toy about 20 minutes later. Also note that, though we don't have one to look at in person (stuffed animals don't quite cut it on the CNET expense account), we suspect these are actual puppets, not full-bodied stuffed animals.

Yes, I had way too much fun with this.

(Credit: Jennifer Guevin/CNET Networks; FAO Schwarz)

If Muppets aren't your thing, the famed toy store has another do-it-yourself toy-making service. With the Make-My-Own-Monster Custom Design Kit, you can send in your own drawing of the creatures that haunt you in the night, and a few weeks and $250 later, they'll mail you back a stuffed animal fashioned after your design.

Seskimo...sounds dirty.

(Credit: Seskimo)

Last week, I reported on how to make your own iPhone stand using a simple binder clip. I'm still a huge fan of all things free, but if you watch a lot of videos on your iPhone and suffer from a disease that forces you to spend money, get your stand from the folks at Seskimo.

Their foldable "Bat Rest" is roughly the same size as a credit card and is easily adjustable for different viewing angles. It's also very useful for disarming criminals if thrown with trained precision. It comes in three colors (black, white, and translucent) and only costs $3.99, which is pretty darn close to free. Heck, buy two from the Web site and they'll throw in shipping for free! And if for some reason you harbor prejudice against our bat-friends, Seskimo also makes a different stand shaped like a set of bullhorns.

More pictures after the jump, thanks to Barrier Bloor for the link.

(Credit: Geek and Hype)

The Yubz telephone makes the argument that even iPhones can't escape irony's tacky, far-reaching arm. For $50 and the cost of shipping from France, you can own this ridiculous handset that plugs into your iPhone and lets you pretend you're Donald Trump in ...

(Credit: Swann)

I don't remember any scene where James Bond has to secretly record anything, but if you do, the MovieStick camcorder that Swann announced on Thursday would come in handy.

Slightly larger than a pack of gum and weighing less than 7 ounces, the MovieStick easily fits into ...