Ginger causes Amazon to lose the plot

Ginger - also known as IT - is the brainchild of Dean Kamen, a 49-year-old scientist. Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs are both reported to have seen prototypes, and are excited at its potential. It is likely to cost in the region of $2,000.

But beyond that, details are thin on the ground. Kamen isn't prepared to make the invention public, and has played down the hype since the story first broke. He has registered a patent which fits the leaked description of Ginger (http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/WO00075001A1 ), but will not confirm that this is the device in question.

Amazon says it is simply having a bit of fun with this. Its site carries the message: "Price information not available. You can still order this item, and we will request approval of the price via email prior to shipment."

If you're not put off by the likely price tag - or the fact that you'd be buying a product which doesn't even exist yet - see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000059MSD/103-8385390-5591808 .