At a recent event in New York, Philips unveiled a number of new products for its "Simplicity" line of user-friendly electronics. Everything from a water purifier to Ambient-friendly MRI screenings were showcased.

Philips is on the leading edge of creating electronics that are designed to replace common household items, and the Simplicity event in New York was all about this philosophy. Some of the products featured include the Aqua Duo, which not only purifies water, it also heats or cools it in no time. Even more interesting is the Chameleon lampshade, which takes Philips's Ambient technology to make the lampshade change colors dynamically to respond to the colors around it.

Philips, which has a strong presence in the medical field, also showed off a few health-related products, like the Air Sensor, which lets you see current air quality at the push of a button, and the Air Tree, an ergonomically designed air purifier. And of course it would not be a Philips event without some snazzy new home entertainment devices. Their line of Illusion System products revolutionizes the five-remote-control living room with a simple "wand" and a self-contained media center.

But arguably the coolest thing shown is the In Touch message center, which has a double function as a mirror and a touch-screen message board. It is literally something out of The Jetsons. Philips never ceases to amaze us with electronics that are so cool and yet so practical.

Entire photo coverage of these products is available here, and you can view a video from the event here.

More information about Philips Simplicity Products is available at their web site.

Report published by: Mark Raby