Turn Your iPod Into an Expensive Flashlight

Some gadgets have the magical ability to turn their users into Homer Simpson -- at least, I'm pretty sure if I tried the Blinkit I'd be saying "Oooooo, shiny."

The $29.95 Blinkit snaps into any iPod's dock connector, and can provide a steady stream of light from its two LEDs -- or, if you fiddle with its buttons, the lights can pulse at different frequencies. You can also control the direction of the lights, and add tinted caps to change colours. (You can try its features out on the Blinkit site.)

I can see some of the practical uses of the Blinkit -- sometimes it's handy to have a flashlight nearby -- but most of the uses I think of are pleasantly frivolous, like making your own lightshows at parties, creating funky films, or signaling for help from a desert island. However, the Blinkit press release and site also suggest using it to find your seat in a dark theater (thus irritating everyone else), while hiking (for what purpose?) and while riding your bike (though the cyclist has got sponsorship logos all over himself, which suggests he's in a race -- so why does he need the light, exactly?). Guys, it's a cheap, fun device -- there's no need to try so hard.