10 Futuristic Technologies for Your Office

When you're working on a computer all day, it's easy to forget to move around and get your blood circulating. That's why I can't wait for the Webble to come out. It's an ergonomic, hard-shell foot rest that promotes "having fun...under your desk." Just place both of your feet on the device and move the Webble with your feet from side to side, kind of how you would move on a surfboard. It even has a spring suspension and self-braking mechanism so that your co-workers don't walk off with it (because I know they would!). The good news is that we won't have to wait too long for this futuristic foot rest: the original Webble and the Webble AIR will ship this fall with a target price of $89 to $99.

Saving the planet is certainly a global responsibility, but all it takes is a few individuals and companies to get the ball rolling. And it looks like artist Gilles Belley is starting with green tech, thanks to his invention of Energy Saving Adapters. He claims that electrical devices in standby mode represent up to 10 percent of the electric consumption of a house. The device is a set of adapters that will automatically turn off office equipment that are left on when not in use. Each module corresponds to a different device, monitoring that device's power supply. The modules will begin to glow to indicate wasted energy, and if the user doesn't respond, it turns your devices off automatically.

I'm counting on some future computer desk to help with clutter and organization. Perhaps the Puzzle Table will be it? Designed by Hsien Chang, the sliding dividers within the top of the desk can store various items. The baskets inside each divider can also be removed. Knowing me, I'd forget which divider held what!

Okay, so maybe we won't rid of the computer mouse altogether; maybe we'll just have a mouse that's smaller and more finger-friendly? The MagicMouse, invented by students at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, is described as a 3-D computer mouse "designed to permit a computer user to control and manipulate items on a computer screen just by pointing at the monitor," and is worn like a ring. It's great for photo editing; just move your hand nearer to the screen to zoom in on an image. It's even viewed as a way to teach students how to conduct an orchestra or make music with simple hand movements. It took just $155 to build the mouse, and the students plan on developing it even further.

Here's another ring-like concept, except this one is meant to secure your computer and data from nosy co-workers while you're taking a bathroom break. Yang Hai's Security Ring is placed on your finger. The base unit rests next to your computer. When you move more than the designated distance from your desk while wearing the ring, the computer will automatically go into lock mode. Come back from lunch knowing that your computer was saved from your office mate's "how to stop bad breath" Google searches.

Imagine if you could check the weather, news headlines, and your contacts all in one device? Oh wait, we can already do that with the BlackBerry. But this prototype goes one step further. The GLOOO by Igor Polyakov is a spherical-shaped, wireless world browser and communicator that's meant to act as a visual device, similar to the Ambient Orb. It's capable of showing users the current state of the planet (global warming, anyone?), weather, news headlines, and contacts from around the world using a technology like Philips' e-paper. The touch-sensitive globe also sports a built-in camera, speaker, and microphone for video-chatting. I wonder if it will come pre-programmed with a "We Are the World" MP3?

I bet we won't even remember what the iPhone or RAZR is come 2030, thanks to the Quartz Tele. Tao Ma designed a telephony system that uses quartz crystals for each number on a dial pad. Yanko Design explains that below each crystal is an embedded LED. "Pressing each crystal illuminates it like a transformer's energon cube. They all sit on a base with a sharp LED screen that displays pertinent information like incoming calls, dates, and contacts." The future looks crystal clear…

Hopefully the future office will consist of unusually designed gadgets, such as this Bubble Head Webcam by Eric Zhang. According to OhGizmo, the webcam is mounted into the head, and the body is made from copper and covered in durable Thermoplastic Polyurethane to "reconfigure the little guy any which way you want, and integrate him into your environment...hang him on your screen, sit him on your books or make him climb the included ladder." Aimed at the younger crowd and students, the Bubble Head may also be offered in various color schemes.

If you're anything like me, you probably slouch while typing away at the computer, and you hate your uncomfortable office chair. Well, I'm placing my bets on the Stokke Gravity balans chair to redefine our office spaces. When you're ready to take a break from reading all those gadget blogs, just put the chair in the reclining position, lay back, and rest your legs on the built-in cushions. Kudos to designers Peter Opsvik and Hans Chr.

There has to be more wireless-capable computer peripherals to look forward to, right? Right? This Wall-Mountable, Wireless Printer is designed to provide a more direct visual articulation, says artists Leon Ransmeier and Gwendolyn Floyd. It looks more like a photo frame than a printer to me, but I suppose that's the look they were going for.