If you weren't one of the VIP's asked to participate at the seventh annual "VH1 Divas" concert on Sunday, then you won't be getting an exclusive gift bag with a free NETGEAR MP101 in it. That means you'll need buy your own... the NETGEAR MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player allows you to listen to MP3 or Windows Media digital music on your stereo. It's one of the more affordable units available that has a built-in wired and wireless (802.11b/802/11g) network adapter and I believe it's also one of the first to stream RealNetworks' Rhapsody Internet jukebox service (comes with a free 30-day free trail). If you try to keep up with people like Patti Labelle, Jessica Simpson, Ashanti, Eve, Tom Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Gladys Knight or Debbie Harry... then you best drop $149 for this player.

We can thank industrial automation research and development for our trusty home automation systems... so when I read that Timken is releasing the StatusCheck for monitoring industrial machines, I started thinking where we could use that or something like it in the home. StatusCheck is used to identify potential machine malfunctions before catastrophic failures occur. Because it's wireless, it can transmit vibration and temperature data from otherwise hard-to-reach machines. The StatusCheck system includes up to 100 wireless transmitters, a data receiver and a companion software program. Pretty good use of wireless technology, but I still can't think of where I'd use one around the house... anyone?

Does anyone else find it strange that Shell, the oil company, is coming out with a home management solution that will be available off the shelf at your local CompUSA? I like the idea of an inexpensive solution for the masses and maybe this is their way of trying to teach us to conserve energy. Anyways, the starter kit comes with a Motorola Gateway, Programmable Thermostat, wireless camera, and a power switch that lets you conveniently schedule appliances and lights to turn on or off as you wish. You can expand the system to suit your needs but don't expect it to compare with a system that was specifically designed for your home.

I just got word that Slim Devices is lowering prices on their popular network music players-Squeezebox Wired, the ethernet-only player, will retail for $199 and Squeezebox Wireless, with built-in wireless support, will retail for $279. Squeezebox supports many popular digital music formats including MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, and uncompressed audio (AIFF or WAV), making this a great little device to run your whole house audio system.

Tyco Fire & Security has announced the New SAPPHIRE™ Fire Suppression System that utilizes a new sustainable chemical agent that fights fires without causing any damage to electronics, works of art, or your irreplaceable PEZ collection. What makes all this possible is because the use of 3M's NOVEC™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. The stuff looks exactly like water, but does not cause the type of damage associated with water when putting out a fire. The most amazing property about this fluid is that items can be fully immersed in the agent and it will quickly evaporate, safeguarding items - and leaving them unaffected. There is no mention if this stuff taste like water... but I'm guessing not.

Have you been looking for the ultimate surveillance PatrolBot and haven't been able to find it? Here it is... ActivMedia Robotics, PatrolBot, can integrate with buildings' central heating and cooling systems, security systems, air quality controls, wi-fi networks, and even lighting and power systems to provide valuable building services and emergency back-up. PatrolBot can also greet guests, guide them to their destinations or lead building tours. You can order your very own PatrolBot for a starting price of $30,000. Custom paint job extra... oh boy. [via PRNewswire]