We've watched countless product categories get transformed in recent years to reflect the varying tastes and lifestyles of the baby-boom generation, offering a variety of alternatives to the mass-produced, one-size-fits-all approach. Funerals and urns are no exception, as we noted back in 2007, and recently we came across further evidence: Shine on Brightly, a North Carolina company that offers a wide range of artist-made urns and memorials.

The works of 27 artists are currently featured on the Shine on Brightly site, including handmade urns, memorial jewelry, textile art, remains-infused handblown glass and handmade books along with personalized poetry and paintings. Each product is uniquely crafted by the artist, with materials ranging from ceramics, glass, wood and metal to textiles and paper. Items can be designed to incorporate hair or 'cremains', or they can simply memorialize a human or animal's life; both commissioned and non-commissioned pieces are available.

The number of human deaths in the United States each year is expected to increase from about 2.4 million last year to 2.7 million in 2015 and 3.1 million in 2025, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Not too surprising, then, that Shine on Brightly is currently seeking more artists to create works for its line. One to get involved in...? (Related: Motorcycle hearses offer a (life)stylish final ride — Freeze-dried eco-burials — Licensing to the grave — Art after life.)

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

There are ever more fish in the sea of online dating, but still not everyone is willing to take the plunge. Concerns over safety and privacy, as well as a lingering stigma associated with dating services, mean that plenty of potential soulmates continue to float untethered. Now, Thread aims to reel those consumers in by tapping into the trust shared among Facebook friends.

Launched in September, Thread prides itself on saving users from the long questionnaires and registration processes of other dating sites. Rather, because the free service is based on Facebook Connect, users begin by simply logging in to their Facebook account and answering a few quick questions including their gender, city and relationship status. Once connected, they can easily browse a list of their "friends of friends," or second-degree Facebook connections, sortable by gender and relationship status. If they see someone who looks promising, they can ask a mutual friend for an introduction or simply send that person a Facebook message. Alternatively, Thread lets users play matchmaker by forwarding promising profiles to their single friends. In the interests of privacy, Thread stresses that nothing users do on the site will be published to Facebook unless they specifically request it.

Now in beta, Thread is the brain child of California-based SofaLabs, which raised USD 1.2 million in startup capital through Facebook's own fbFund incubator program. The site isn't yet wearing its revenue model on its sleeve, but possibilities include charging users to find out who has viewed their profile or to send virtual gifts, according to VatorNews.

Given how many aspects of life have already benefited from the addition of social networking capabilities—from ride-sharing to real estate—there's little doubt dating should be among them. Facebook's 350 million or so users, meanwhile, make it the perfect match for such applications. Time to think about how your business can leverage the massive but globally interconnected ranks of Facebook friends...? (Related: Dating via Twitter — Online speed dating — Dating cards — DNA-driven dating — Group dating.)

Spotted by: Susan Johnston

Virtue may be its own reward, but that doesn't mean tangible prizes won't make the deal even sweeter. Just as SmartyCard uses gifts from popular vendors and family sites to reward kids for completing educational games, so Switch2Health uses much the same approach to motivate them to exercise.

New Jersey-based Switch2Health now offers the S2H REPLAY, a fun and innovative wrist-worn device aimed at tweens and teens that allows them to quantify their level of physical activity. In addition to displaying the date and time, the device also tracks and registers continuous, moderate-intensity activity, subdividing each hour into 20 three-minute segments. When users complete a full 60 minutes of physical activity over time, the device generates a reward code that can be uploaded and converted into points on the company's website. Those points are redeemable for items such as gift cards or free months of membership at sponsors including Barnes & Noble, GameStop, Best Buy, Webkinz and Club Penguin. Consumers can also set each other specific challenges and reward them for success using S2H REPLAY. No cables or software are required, nor is there any need to recharge the device's battery. Available online for USD 19.95, S2H REPLAY is water-resistant and available in three sizes. The device comes with a blue silicone band, but alternate colours are available for USD 2.99 each. A fully brandable device is also available for use in corporate promotions.

As part of a recently announced partnership with Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce, S2H REPLAY will soon be incorporated into Pierce’s FitClub34 from Harvard Pilgrim. Other fitness organizations around the world: could be a novel way to reward and engage your own customers or members. All others: One to get involved with on the sponsorship end? (Related: Gyms for kids use gaming to keep them hooked — iPhone game gets kids into the (hidden) park.)

Website: www.s2h.com
Contact: amado@s2h.com

Spotted by: Goutham Bhadri

The ink had barely dried on our story about Blippy when one of our spotters alerted us to yet another social shopping venture, this time out of Estonia. Much like Blippy, WhosRich.me gives consumers a way to share their latest purchases and comment on those of their friends.

Now in beta, WhosRich.me is a social utility that aims to make it easy for people to track their friends' shopping habits. Users enter their purchases via a simple interface, including a photo along with the date, time and price; for updates on the go, a mobile iPhone app is also available. From there, other members can view and comment on each other's purchases. The site's search tool also lets consumers sort results by country or keyword for a look at trends of interest to them.

WhosRich.me is free for users. No word yet on its business model, but as with other such ventures, there's clearly the potential not just for advertising but also for referral fees from vendors whose products get highlighted on the site. Next, we wouldn't be surprised to see WhosRich.me add real-time capabilities like Blippy's for an invigorating shot of what our sister site calls nowism. Another one to watch!

Website: www.whosrich.me
Contact: info@whosrich.me

Spotted by: John Greene

There are almost infinite variations on the online dating theme, but one we hadn't seen until recently was a site that puts women in charge. Sure enough, that's just what Bookioo does, giving women complete control as they browse through the profiles of eligible men.

Now in beta, Spanish Bookioo does not give men any way to learn about or contact the female members of the site. Men can join for free, if they have been invited—and if a current Bookioo member can vouch for their information. They can then post a profile for the perusal of the female—and paying—members of the site. It's those paying women, however, who get to call the shots. Female members see all the details in men's profiles—including ratings and comments from other Bookioo members—and it's also up to them to initiate contact with the ones they find interesting. They can request double-dates for added security, if they wish; also available is the option of connecting with other women on the site. Female members are charged EUR 35.90 for three months or EUR 59.90 for six months to keep their profiles private; if, after a free seven-day trial, they decide not to join, they can keep using the site with a public profile.

Bookioo is currently available in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Valencia. Time to spread female fever and bring a like-minded offering to the lonely hearts in your neck of the woods? (Related: DNA-driven dating service — Best Buy launches store for and by women — Work spaces for female entrepreneurs.)

Website: www.bookioo.com
Contact: soporte@bookioo.com

Spotted by: Leticia Pérez Prieto