Best Inventions 2005: Live Wires

A Rope That Knows Inventor: Squid Labs Availability: Prototype only To Learn More: squid-labs.com As any fire fighter or rock climber can tell you, a simple rope can save your life--as long as it doesn't fray or break without warning. Because Smart Rope is embedded with electrically conductive metal fibers, it can sense the amount of weight it is bearing and alert users to a load that is too great. A handheld receiver relays any problems to the owner with a warning message. Smart Rope can also be used for mooring boats, securing valuables or in rescue operations. Next Product: Rise and Shine >>

Rise and Shine Inventor: Lee Loree Availability: Now, $149 To Learn More: sleeptracker.com Ever wonder why you feel groggier some mornings than others? It may be because your alarm went off when you were in the middle of a deep sleep. The Sleeptracker watch solves this problem by waking you only when you are in a light sleep. Equipped with a built-in motion sensor, the watch can tell whether you are in a deep or a light slumber. (The more restless you are, the lighter your sleep.) To ensure an optimal waking time, allow a window of 20 minutes or so when it would be O.K. to get up. Then Sleeptracker's alarm will go off when it senses that you are best ready to face the day. Next Product: Power Player >>

Power Player Inventor: Sony Computer Entertainment Availability: Now, $250 for PSP; $15 to $50 for games and movies To Learn More: www.us.playstation.com If you thought portable game systems were just for kids, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) will change your mind. This slick black wonder, about the size of an eyeglasses case, has a gorgeous widescreen display, which is great not only for games--including holiday titles like SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals and NeoPets--but movies too. Some 300 films are available for the Universal Media Disc format. Built-in wi-fi makes multiplayer gaming a breeze. What's more, the PSP (which accepts 1-GB Memory Sticks) can double as a Web browser, photo album, music player and e-mail device. Next: Tasteful Ideas >>