Similar to Hamburg's Language Lounge, which we covered back in 2008, Spanish restaurant chain Fresc Co now provides a way for customers to practice their English while they eat. But while Language Lounge charges a monthly fee for its lessons, Fresc Co's initiative is free.

Fresc Co operates some 40 restaurants in 11 Spanish cities, focusing on fresh ingredients and Mediterranean dishes. Starting last month, two of its Barcelona locations have teamed up with local instruction firm English Metas to help patrons improve their English skills while also doing a little networking. Targeting professional workers, English Metas' native speaking teachers focus primarily on everyday language and work situations in the relaxed, two-hour sessions.

Corporate generosity is always good, but when it can help your target customers through tough economic times—and drum up a little extra business along the way—it's a win-win for everyone. Other restaurants, bars and cafes around the globe: time to give out a little free love of your own? (Related: English lessons and eyelash extensions.)

Website: www.frescco.com

Spotted by: Leticia Pérez Prieto

Planned scarcity is a well-known tactic for increasing a product's appeal, and a new Australian venture is taking full advantage of that strategy with its collection of strictly limited-edition designer laptop sleeves. Launched in July 2009, Melbourne-based Tropical Howie caters for consumers seeking a more creative protective covering for their laptop over the bland offerings that dominate the market.

Each eye-catching Tropical Howie design is limited to 750 sleeves; and Tropical Howie's website displays the numbers remaining. Adding to their uniqueness, the designs feature an accompanying story—some of them quite risqué—printed on the inside of the sleeve.

There are currently six designs on offer, available for 13in, 15in or 17in laptops. Made from high quality 5mm neoprene, the sleeves are priced at AUD 69.95 and worldwide shipping is available.

There's nothing like a dose of scarcity to capture the attention of exclusivity-hungry consumers worldwide. Keen to help satisfy the laptop-owning masses? Tropical Howie welcomes distribution enquiries. Or is this one to emulate—perhaps enhanced with a dash of consumer-defined content for stories or designs? (Related: Sticky car art: now for laptops and walls, too.)

Website: www.tropicalhowie.com
Contact: chris@tropicalhowie.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Long-distance relationships are difficult enough to maintain among adults, but when young kids are involved, the chances of achieving a meaningful conversation from afar tend to diminish. That's where Readeo comes in, with a newly launched platform that lets families share bedtime stories through the web.

The Chicago-based company's patent-pending application integrates digitised picture books with webcam communication, allowing adults and children to share stories while seeing and interacting with each other. A diverse library is available on the site, including titles from publishers such as Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Candlewick Press, Blue Apple Books and Chronicle Books. The library is fully searchable, and families can create personalised virtual bookshelves of their favourites. A Book of the Month is available to all users for free, but unlimited use of the site costs USD 9.95 per month or USD 49.95 per year.

With its focus on stories, Readeo promises a new point of connection for families separated by travel, divorce, military service or just geographic dispersion. Currently, however, the site serves only United States users—other languages and countries, anyone? (Related: Narrate-your-own storybook videos.)

Website: www.readeo.com
Contact: info@readeo.com

Spotted by: Claudia Allwood

The best-laid plans to give clothing as a gift can be foiled in an instant for lack of the recipient's correct size. Aiming to banish such disappointments once and for all, Belgian OrgaSizer offers an online place to check the sizes and preferences of loved ones and friends.

Users of OrgaSizer begin by registering with their age, location and gender, among other information. They can then enter all their sizes and preferences for a variety of different types of clothing. Along the way, users can decide what information they'd like to share with others, and exactly whom they'd like to share it with. Nothing is ever publicly shared, OrgaSizer stresses. Users can also create wish lists and request reminders about important gift-giving dates. Ultimately, the idea is that shoppers hoping to purchase a gift can then check the site from wherever they happen to be to see what the recipient wants, and in what sizes or variations.

OrgaSizer is still smoothing out the edges on its site, which at present is available only in English. More languages are coming soon, along with advertising support, it's hoped. Clothing brands and retailers around the globe: one to sponsor, partner with or otherwise get involved in? (Related: Gift-giving simplified through a prepaid plan — Never forget to send a birthday card.)

Website: www.orgasizer.com
Contact: www.orgasizer.com/Contact.aspx

Aesthetically pleasing as they may be, windows are typically a drain on a building's energy efficiency. Enter Smart Energy Glass, a new innovation from Dutch Peer+ that turns windows into solar energy collectors with a customisable appearance.

Not only are Smart Energy Glass windows available in several colours, but they can switch between three modes: dark, bright and privacy, which scatters the light passing through. Even better, the glass serves to collect solar energy, which can then be used directly or fed back to the grid.

Users can control the darkness mode of the windows at will, depending on light conditions and energy concerns. Privacy mode generates the most energy, while bright mode is the least productive. Corporate logos can even be incorporated into the glass, Peer+ says.

Peer+ is currently working on its first pilots in the Netherlands, and is seeking further projects for testing. One to get in on early for a little eco-bounty of your own...? (Related: Thin, flexible solar paneling — Solar panels shaped like clay roof tiles.)

Website: www.peerplus.nl
Contact: t.wagenaar@peerplus.nl

Spotted by: Simonn Jagers