The most obvious use would be as a cheap, smashable/stompable/blendable/microwaveable prop for film of home videos. I would imagine that practical jokers and modders might also find reasons to spend $US20 on a dummy instead of blowing money on the real deal. At any rate, if you have a creative idea for an iPhone shell, you had better get on it before Apple unleashes the hounds. [iPhone Dummy via MobileCrunch]

The auctioneer states that this ball of fur is, indeed, a Tribble from Star Trek: The Original Series. Episode? The Trouble With Tribbles, obviously.

The 42-year-old prop takes two AA batteries, still works, and could be vibrating madly on your desktop in six days if you beat the lofty current purchase price of $US5,000.

A certificate of authenticity signed by Scotty’s son Chris Doohan makes this all legit, but man… for that price I kind of want to buy some cotton balls, colour them, and make my own “rare collectible” for less than a buck. Won’t smell like Kirk though, I know. [eBay - Thanks, Doguez]

Available at Amazon on June 4, this $US50 piece of retro goodness is the tricorder that started it all, and is the perfect gift if you’re the kind of Star Trek fan who thinks Abrams is the devil.

As you fume silently at the screen when Chris Pine tears down years of your life by reinventing Capt. James T. Kirk, press a button or two on the comforting facade of this piece of television history. Then coo softly as the tricorder beeps and boops with sound samples from the original series. Sigh heavily as your fingers catch on its sharp sides. It’s pain, yes, but it’s a good pain!

When Spock and Uhura lock lips in a display of love that’s an affront to the WAY THINGS OUGHT TO BE, simply remove the detachable scanner accessory and go on an extended away mission to the local 7-11. You’ll feel better immediately.

And remember, this is a “role play” replica, meaning it’s convention and cosplay approved!

But seriously folks. As Leonard Nemoy himself said of haters on SNL last night (alongside Pine and Zachary Quinto), “to not like [Star Trek] would make them dickheads.” Fascinating.

[Amazon via Retro Thing viaCoolest Gadgets]

Yup, just a mere $US100,000 to $US150,000 and this one-of-a-kind movie prop could be yours, although we imagine that price tag is going to climb a bit higher before all is said and done at the Auctioneer Profiles in History event beginning April 30.

Other classic movie items up for auction include a ring worn by Bela Lugosi when he played Count Dracula; a monocle used in the Fritz Lang’s 1927 sci-fi movie “Metropolis”; and Rita Hayworth’s dress from 1940’s film noir classic “Gilda.”

It’s truly an eclectic collection of items that, if combined, would have probably confused Harrison Ford’s character even more. [Reuters]

Other props sold at the auction include the head of C-3PO for $US120,000 and Marlon Brando’s costume from Superman for $US72,000. But at least you can wear Brando’s costume and smell his sweaty residue. What can you do with a lightsaber other than look at it and think of all the stuff you could have bought with $US240,000 if you had only done your research? [Breitbart]

The original Luke Skywalker is the property of Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz, and is going to be auctioned along the rest of the movie goodies by Profiles in History on December 11:

• C-3PO face for $83,000 and hands for $30,000.
• Mohawk and Brain Gremlins puppets for about $7,000 each.
• The original Jor-El tunic wore by Marlon Brando in Superman for $51,000.
• His t-shirt in Apocalypse Now for $20,000.
• An original set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, bound in red cloth, signed by Tolkien, and containing a fold-out map of the Middle Earth for $124,000.
• For the same amount you can also snatch an 82-inch flying saucer made of wood, steel and fiberglass from Forbidden Planet.
• First editions of James Bond novels inscribed by Ian Fleming, including one that said “To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity”, which was dedicated to American Ornithologist James Bond.

In total, there will be over 500 objects related to movies, from the silent era to sci-fi classics. Now, can any reader with deep pockets bid for Gizmo and then give it to us. Thank you very much. [Daily Telegraph]

957. Michael J. Fox “Marty Mcfly” hero Mattel hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II & Part III. (Universal Pictures, 1989, 1990) This is one of the hero Mattel Hoverboards used by Michael J. Fox in his most famous role as “Marty McFly” in the Robert Zemeckis classic 80s trilogy, Back to the Future. Two styles of Hoverboard were made for and employed in the film – lightweight boards of styrofoam construction and thick and durable wood-based props – this example is the latter, and is recognised as the best example of all wood Hoverboards to have survived the rigors of filming. The illusion of Michael J. Fox as “Marty McFly” hovering through the air was achieved with practical effects, with actors in rigged harnesses being “flown” via cranes, with special effects taking care of the rest.

Of the two styles of props used in the film, the styrofoam examples in collections today have not held up as well, given the more fragile nature of the material and the abuse they endured in production. Few wood examples have survived, and the collector who obtained this specimen from the prop master chose this for his personal collection as the premiere example of those preserved following the film. It is in used but outstanding condition, and is very rare in that it is entirely complete and intact. Given the wood build and use of metal components, it looks and feels like a “real” prop. This piece has the complete fully functional and rear ballbearing-mounted footpad that rotates 360 degrees, as well as the bottom “magnet plates”. Of the two styles of stickers used for the effects, this prop has the “photoboard”-style sticker affixed. In addition, there is other textured styling and hand painting. This Hoverboard also features the hole in the top, representing where the handlebars were that “Marty” pulled off after borrowing the “toy” from the little girl in the film. $30000 – $50000

Seriously, I know Back to Future forwards and backwards after seeing it too many times to count, but paying $30,000 to $50,000 for this, which is not even one of a kind? I mean, if it were Marilyn Monroe’s used underpants I would understand, but a piece of wood that doesn’t fly? What kind of crazy-bordering-the-retarded fanboy would actually waste such an stupidly high amount of money in a pink non-flying Mattel hoverboard?

OK, I admit it. I don’t have the money. [eBay Live Auctions -- Thanks Michael]