We've already seen partially enclosed pods used to offer naps at airports, haircuts on the go and multisensory break spaces in busy corporate environments. A new, completely private pod from The Oculas Group, however, now provides total immersion in a wide array of multimedia tools.

Similar to Yamaha's EntertainmentMyRoom, Ovei is actually a redesigned version of Oculas's original, namesake capsule, reengineered with new materials, finishes and customisation options through a partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies. Measuring 170cm high by 95cm wide by 190cm long, the unit can be opened and closed via an automatically sliding door. Inside is a climate-controlled space with controllable LED colour-changing lighting, leather seating, a retractable and adjustable, flat-screen 26-inch TV and JBL 5.1 surround sound. Everything is controlled via a Crestron tablet, and the Ovei's technologies can also be integrated into other audio/visual installations. Users can customise many details of the unit's interior, such as paint and trim, lighting and type of screen. Available in white, black, silver and gunmetal grey beginning next year, each Ovei is hand-assembled over a 10-week period and then numbered and signed by designer Lee McCormack. Only 500 Ovei capsules will be produced worldwide, UK-based Oculas says, priced starting at GBP 50,000 each.

Besides the bespoke pricing and planned scarcity, both of which will surely increase its appeal for the wealthiest elite, the Ovei also promises to offer a highly immersive experience that provides a strong dose of "me time," far removed from the demands of others. Don't look now, but the youniverse just got a little bigger! ;-)

Website: www.ovei.co.uk
Contact: sales@oculas.com

Spotted by: Robert Kreff

Back in July 2006, we wrote about a Belgian company that offers its clients the opportunity to hold dinners in the sky--lofty events held on a platform suspended from a crane. Over the past two years, Events in the Sky has organised over 500 events in about 25 countries, and works with partners in over 15 markets to help expand the concept. Recently, the company added a new service to its line-up: Marriage in the Sky.

Marriage in the Sky is hosted on a platform, where 20 guests are strapped into aircraft-like seats and suspended at a height of 50 meters. As befits an exclusive venue, Marriage in the Sky can be customised to every couple's wishes, including spectacular elements like bungee jumping off of the platform after vows have been exchanged. A second crane can be used to suspend another platform at the same height, making room for entertainment or more guests.

The platform used for Marriage in the Sky differs from those used for the company's Dinner in the Sky events, and is actually a modification of a Meeting in the Sky platform, which seats up to 30 guests in theatre-style seating. The concept is undeniably rooted in the experience economy. Up, up and away...? ;-)

Website: www.eventsinthesky.com
Contact: info@dinnerinthesky.com

Earlier this year, we covered WooMe, an initiative that attempted to move online dating away from written profiles and communication, instead offering instant speed dates conducted via webcam. As of September 2008, the San Francisco-based company has upped its game, by inviting the world to watch. Billing itself as 'real reality TV', anyone brave enough to share their flirting with the world can do so, leading to thousands of hours of unedited video clips being uploaded every week for the pleasure of WooMe TV viewers.

Pricing is geared to the site's worldwide target market of 18-24 year-olds: online chat is free, with users paying USD1/GBP1/EUR1 to swap contact details if they both sense a match. Video clips are also free to watch, financed by ads that play while videos load and while daters' scores are calculated at the end of each clip. According to an AFP newswire, testing has shown that practically 100% of users watch the videos and ads to the very end.

With other sites such as SideTaker and checkyourimage.com popping up recently, it seems social voyeurism is being taken to a whole new level. Which begs the question: which social activities previously kept private can now be turned into business opportunities?

Website: www.woome.com/video
Contact: info@woome.com

Spotted by: Bjarke Svendsen

We've written about workout gyms and even being spaces aimed at kids, but it wasn't until just recently that we heard of a sport being completely resized for child players. Sure enough, though, a new outfit in Colorado now offers miniaturized tennis just for kids.

Founded by Dorm2Dorm cofounder Matt Nelsen, Drop Shots Tennis is a new tennis facility geared specifically to children ages 2 to 10 years old. Whereas typical tennis courts can be very large and intimidating from a kid's perspective, Drop Shots provides a miniaturized and safe indoor tennis facility comprising small courts on a carpeted surface equipped with smaller nets, rackets and balls. Using many of the programs developed by QuickStart Tennis, Drop Shots focuses each class on one or two specific tennis shots while also incorporating activities for coordination, agility and fun. Pricing is USD 120 for a series of eight weekly lessons, or USD 200 for eight weeks of two lessons per week. Birthday parties, private lessons and tennis supplies are also available.

In this era of childhood obesity in the industrialized world, it's a safe bet that parents around the globe will embrace with open arms anything that enhances activity. So far, though, Drop Shots is the only one we've heard of providing anything like this. Who will bring kid-sized sports to the rest of the country and the world....? (Related: Gyms for kids use gaming to keep them hooked.)

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

Demonstrating that it's possible to profit from any human desire, Sarah's Smash Shack was conceived to relieve people who are stressed-out. Customers in San Diego can choose fragile tableware from the Smash Shack Menu--for example a set of three glass flowers for USD 10, or the House Special, which consists of 15 plates at a cost of USD 45. They're also welcome to bring in their own breakables to pulverise for a 'corkage fee' that starts at USD 20. After donning protective gear, smashers are escorted to one of the break rooms, where they stand behind a waist-high barrier and hurl their arsenal at a stainless steel wall. To make the process more personalised, customers are encouraged to bring their own soundtrack on MP3, and to write messages on whatever they're about to throw. There's also the option of flinging objects at a photo or mantra of choice. A VIP room is available for group smashes.

Since August 2008, the shack has helped quite a few customers vent their frustration and release their tension. Or just plain enjoy the process of harmless destruction without having to clean up after themselves. It's hard to tell whether the credit crunch has benefited or hindered the business's success, making customers thriftier but also more stressed and up for smashing... Aware that it's not cool not to care about the environment, the shack donates its broken glass and ceramic to mosaic art programs throughout the United States.

While the whole concept might sound a bit nutty, this could be a lucrative small business to set up elsewhere, especially for entrepreneurs who can get their hands on cheap vacant retail space for a year or two. Entry costs are relatively low and, well, that human urge to smash stuff is universal ;-)

Website: www.smashshack.com
Contact: www.smashshack.com/Contact_Us.html

Spotted by: Colleen Ma