Computers might be the greatest tool since the stone ax but unlike that early technological breakthrough they have done nothing for improving the human physique. Adding injury to declining muscles, contorting our body to allow us to chain ourselves to the desk leaves us with a lot of dull aches. The obvious solution is to hit the off button and get some exercise. But that isn't going to happen. Luckily the whizzes at Thanko have come up with a gadget to address the problems our old ones give us. The USB Muscle Mouse uses electrical stimulation to tone your muscles while you keep working away on the next pain in the back. You attach a pair of electricity-inducing patches, powered via the USB-connected optical mouse, to your ailing muscles and the patches ease the muscular tension. You can switch between three different modes and 20 levels of stimulation via controls on the mouse, allowing you to fit the "workout" to how much tension you need to relieve. Those who are pregnant or have a pace maker are included on a list of those are advised not to use the system.

Details on the gadget are available at www.thanko.jp

Mickey iPod: Exclusivity is one of the few adjectives the iPod Nano doesn't warrant. But Runat is doing its bit to fence off that piece of the land of iPod with its limited edition Mickey Mouse/iPod Nano set. A 2-gigabyte incarnation of The ubiquitous sound machine comes in a specially branded box with its own leather case. Both box and case are liberally decorated with images of the famed Disney mascot from his appearance in the 1940 animated epic "Fantasia." Costing 33,600 yen the sets went on sale March 14 with just 500 of them available.