Kiwis craft first iPod-integrating bed

What do you give the iPod owner who has everything? An opportunity to listen to their favourite digital music player while they sleep with none of that tangled-in-the-duvet earphone misery, that's what. And now you can, courtesy of New Zealand bed maker Design Mobel. The company's Pause bed incorporates not only an iPod dock, but a pair of Bose speakers and - just for the truly media obsessive - a built-in LCD TV.

The bed is sprung in two sections to ensure what's called "minimal partner disturbance" and fabricated using "non-toxic natural manufacturing processes" from "crafted from sustainable New Zealand Rimu with aluminium detailing". Design Mobel will also fit "minimalist side lamps and aluminium storage trays" if you fancy.

Just so you know where these folk are coming from, here's what the Pause's designer, Dan Gillingham, has to say about it: "In designing Pause we explored the notion of ‘rest’ (whether it be while awake or through sleep) and how we choose to create our own personal bedroom space. In doing so, the conceptual design of Pause aimed to challenge the conventional definition of the bedroom environment."

The Pause is available through the local Bedpost chain and a number of independent stores, and in Australia through Capt'n Snooze. Design Mobel said folk overseas should get in touch directly for pricing and shipping costs. Rimu wood doesn't come cheap, mind, Vulture Central's antipodes correspondent points out, and with the LCD TV integrated into the foot, you'll need a large room to put it in, too. ®

Thanks to Reg Hardware reader Brendan for the tip.