Housewares Get Hip
The newest products to help you cook your meals, clean your home and clear your clutter are getting their annual audition at this year's International Home and Housewares Trade Show at McCormick Place in Chicago.
This trade event is the ultimate showcase of home gadgets, where retail buyers from your favorite stores scrutinize the newest product offerings promising to deliver a better cup of coffee, cleaner carpets and the quintessential kitchen widget. Beststuff.com's Senior Editor David Gregg, is in Chicago and provided The Early Show with a sneak peek at some show stoppers!
"The International Home and Housewares Show is a little different this year, they have a very strong theme," Gregg told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "It's not about practical, it's not about functional, it's about putting it all together with cool design."
Here are some of the products at the show that caught Gregg's eye:
TrackVac is a robotic vacuum that is officially licensed by NASCAR. It automatically cleans using five pre-set patterns to ensure every inch of your floor is free of debris. It has a large dust bin capacity. It can clean by itself or you can use the remote to clean or "race" around the house. Its low profile allows users to clean where traditional vacuums can't. Pit road charging station with die cast appeal. Special infrared sensors detect stairs and will not let the vacuum fall off. Driver Models Available - #24 Jeff Gordon, #48 Jimmie Johnson, #3 Dale Earnhardt. MSRP: $249 www.vesture.com
At a first glance, the new Hoover "Constellation" Canister Vacuum looks a little cosmic with its sphere-shape and stainless steel exterior. But when switched on the Constellation floats so easily from room-to-room that it truly becomes a vacuum that is out of this world. Unlike with conventional wheeled canisters, the Constellation hovers over carpet and hard floors, so there is no need to tug and pull the vacuum around furniture. In addition to its ability to float on a cushion of air over multiple surfaces, the Constellation makes quick work of vacuuming with maximum suction. Equipped with a 12-amp motor that is powerful yet quiet and a TurboPower Nozzle, the Constellation provides superior agitation capable of thorough cleaning. The TurboPower Nozzle also automatically adjusts to varying carpet thickness so users don't have to fiddle with settings while moving around the house. Something like this sold in the mid portion of the last century and it is back with a big blast of air! MSRP: $199.99 - White, $279.99 - Stainless Steel www.hoover.com
The Lotus Sanitizing System infuses water with ozone, in the all-purpose sanitizing bowl included with the system, to neutralize up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and pesticides on foods. You can also use Lotus to infuse water in the included spray bottle attachment and sanitize surfaces with one of the lotus microfiber cleaning cloths also included with the system. Among many other things, lotus activated water also removes stains, removes mold and mildew and deodorizes. The Lotus Sanitizing System comes with the base unit, all-purpose sanitizing bowl, spray bottle, Booster Cartridge and two - pack microfiber cloth. MSRP: $149.99 www.tersano.com
Utilizing infrared sensor technology, pre-measured volume settings and a built-in light timer, the new Sensor Soap Pump from simplehuman utilizes state of the art technology to dispense soap quickly and easily. Simply place your hand underneath the spout to automatically dispense soap. The sensor soap pump has a clear soap chamber so it's easy to see the soap level and a twist-off lid for easy refills. The top of the soap pump is chrome-plated for a rustproof finish, and a stainless steel backsplash provides added durability. The entire process is touch-free, preventing cross-contamination from dirty or wet hands during daily use in the kitchen or the bathroom. MSRP: $39.99 www.simplehuman.com
The iTouchless Towel-Matic automatic paper towel dispenser works on all perforated paper towel brands and sizes. A sensor activated control guarantees one hand operation without touching the unused sheets or the dispenser and the towels don't unravel. Therefore preventing contamination and saving paper. The Towel-Matic can dispense one sheet, two sheets, or the new half page sheet on demand with just the approach of your hand. It is powered by four D size batteries (not included) or an optional AC adaptor. Batteries can last up to one year or 200 rolls of standard 80-sheet towels. Designed for table top, wall mount or under cabinet mounting. Mounting brackets available separately (available April 2007). MSRP: $59.99 www.itouchless.com
A hot beverage industry first, the BEVEO Coffee & Tea Maker incorporates the flexibility and quality demanded by today's coffee and tea drinker. The BEVEO Coffee & Tea Maker involves no brew time, nor messy grounds. For single-cup or carafe-sized servings, the unique BEVEO Coffee & Tea Maker instantaneously dispenses coffee or tea, giving hot beverage drinkers of all types immediate satisfaction. The revolutionary new technology used in the BEVEO combines flexible packaging and a proprietary disposable pump with an innovative dispensing system for precisely reconstituting extracts or concentrated liquids. Includes temperature and strength control as well as a digital programmable clock. There are no pods. The BEVEO will be supported by a line of BEVEO Coffee and BEVEO Teas at retail and online (available May 2007). Estimated MSRP $179.99 www.beveo.com
Great for a variety of dry foods (cereal, granola, nuts, beans, candy and
more!). Each twist of the knob dispenses one ounce of dry food, consistent portion control - designed to preserve food's freshness for up to 45 days. The powder-coated steel design ensures a durable, stain-resistant surface -holds 17.5 ounces of dry food (about the size of a medium-sized box of
cereal). Suggested retail price $39.99 www.zevro.com
Nothing ruins a romantic or celebratory moment more than a flying cork. But worry no more thanks to the innovative Cork Catcher. Enjoy the anticipation and traditional "Pop!" without the rocket-powered cork and overflowing champagne. Just a few simple twists, the cork rockets from the champagne bottle safely into the Cork Catcher. The Cork Catcher is made of durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate plastic. MSRP: $20 www.lecreuset.com