The company is testing the implementation of their lighting technology alongside their medical technology in Ambient Experience suites across the world.

And luckily, the other nine modes appear far more serene than the “Australia” theme in our lead shot. Patients, in fact, are allowed to choose their own colour palette, along with accompanying sounds and video that will surround them during procedures. In fact, this media environment can be so relaxing (or simply distracting) that it was said to reduce sedation needs by 28 per cent in one Chicago-based study.

Actually, on second thought, that pink freaks me out even more than the red. [Philips via CNET]

I don’t know if they are military-grade or not, but their retrofuturistic blender, food processor, juicer, hand mixer and stab mixer look like they can blend, process, juice, mix and stab giant extraterrestrial cockroaches without getting a scratch. Their prices go from $US210 to $US570, with a five year general guarantee and 15 years guarantee for the motors. In other words: You and your spouse will have to fight for them at one point. [Appliancist, Appliancist and Appliancist via Unplggd]

The headphones themselves have a 40mm speaker driver, a closed design and a 24k gold plated plug. But the point of difference about these cans is the design element – they come with four different designs from Philips, but you can literally create your own, print it out and stick it on the cans. Whether that’s worth the $130 RRP is totally up to you…

[Philips]

Using Philips’ software, you preload your fitness goals (the amount of daily activity you’re aiming for) onto the device. Then, as you go about your day with the monitor in your pocket, its series of opaque dots will begin to glow green.

With each 15 per cent you finish of your daily quota, this makeshift status bar fills that much more.

If you’re as addicted to watching status bars complete while doing mundane tasks like downloading or copying files as I am, the device could lead to straight-up dangerous levels of exercise — especially since the meter leaves space for overflow should you give, say, 115 per cent.

The Activity Monitor currently sells for $80, plus you’ll need to pay a $12.50 fee every month, which also gets you personalised advice from a real person. And Philips tells us that they have a lot of custom algorithms to detect movement much better than a regular accelerometer, like the difference between running and jogging and doing housework and so on. If only Philips also sold a Wallet Monitor that could track their petty nickle and diming that turns us off to an otherwise promising device. [Philips via ubergizmo]

The oddly-named Rationalizer looks like a reasonably simple, if bizarre, product: A bracelet that probably detects clamminess and pulse, and wirelessly sends that data to an LED-laden bowl. The bowl turns red (red is always bad, you guys) when “stress” levels are too high, and the important businessman who’s wearing this contraption knows he needs to stop day-trading or whatever and have a glass of water. It’s still in the conceptual stage right now, but it’s far along enough for Philips to make a hilariously overwrought teaser. Check it out here. [Philips via Engadget]

But this is a dual massager we’re talking about here, so there’s a specially contoured man unit too. Both units store in a handy carrying case, although said case’s lack of an automated cleaning solution—or at the very least some free Purell samples—is disconcerting, to say the least.

Weird aside on my part: Are those bondage straps next to the Philips model in that picture or what?

Another aside: Attend IFA next year. [Philips via CrunchGear]

We’ve been fairly fortunate when it comes to baby gadgets – we recently received one of the Philips Avent DECT baby monitors, which I’ll be setting up this weekend. On top of acting as your stock standard baby monitor, it uses DECT technology for clearer reception, and features a temperature and humidity gauge so you can remotely check on the status of the baby’s room. Sure, it’s not my usual beat of fun gadgets, but I’m still kinda looking forward to it.

I also received the Livespeakr iPod dock today, so I’m going to try and check it out. And if I’m really lucky, I’m going to install Windows 7 on my new Macbook Pro.

What about you guys – any hot dates with cool technology this weekend?

It’s a simple idea, but I like the design: Soft cushion on the bottom, flat hard surface with nice built-in speakers on the top. Girl on spandex not required.

Spandex is never a good idea.

The Philips Notebook Sleeve also has a soft cushion built-in and, what is more important, “an extra HeatProtect layer prevents overheating by allowing good air flow”. Sounds good to me and to my private parts. The design is good too, with a suede-like lining and a rubberised zip, so your notebook doesn’t get scratched.

Each new Aurea will be bundled with this pod-style slider that we’re only telling you about because it’s a bit different than most. When closed, it’s reminiscent of a first-gen iPod. When open, it feels like a mobile phone aimed at tweens. And that ball at the top? No, that’s not a speaker intended for your ear. It’s the power button.

So we’re gonna need a modder to dig into this thing with some Skype hardware or at least our MP3 collection from 2001—shouldn’t be hard, it’s basically a 4-hour loop of Lady Marmalade. [Philips]