…That’s often the mantra of many consumer product companies. It’s not just about finding an unfulfilled need in the marketplace, but creating a new need in the market. As devious as it sounds, the reality is that if you break down “need” to its most simplistic form, our lives would only be able survival on the bare minimum of food and water. For example, television was a “created need”, and for the most part, is it now an ingrained part of our daily lives.

However, for every created need, there are a dozen of “WTF were you thinking?” I think this qualifies as one of them:

iCarta: Stereo Dock for iPod® with Bath Tissue Holder

I realize the product is a bit on the old side. I ran across a picture while browsing TUAW, and couldn’t resist posting it here. Since the product has been released for almost a year now, I’d like to see how many of these they’ve actually sold.

This is a really old ad from MacAddict way back when (btw, the magazine was recently renamed as well). Time is quite unkind…

The Original Apple Vs. PC Guy Ad

OMG.. I have no idea how I missed this post. Mainstream publications should publish more of the bizarre & useless gadgets (or malfunctioning demos) that happens at these events. I’m tired of the same ol’ oh-my-god-can-you-see-how-big-that-screen-is. Anyway, here’s the very belated w00tables:

CES 2007: The Wootable Awards

This has always been one of my favorite annual tradition, when Wired recounts exactly what great promises were made to us, the consumers, and just didn’t quite deliver. Have fun, read it here:

Vaporware ‘06: Return of the King

I swear I’ve been dreaming about getting these shoes since I was like.. 8 years old or something. No power lace yet, but at least we’re… hrm… half-way there?

Via my favorite gadget blog.. Engadget:

Smart sole, adjustment shoe.. etc…