People are not traveling as much these days, and there's a lot more home cooking and home entertaining as people look for ways to make their home more comfortable, Good Morning America's lifestyles editor Rebecca Kolls said. These products, all found at the 2002 International Housewares Show in Chicago through Wednesday of this week, demonstrate that trend.
 Talk to Me Treatball, by Talk to Me Pet Products. Your dog will never spend another day alone. This is the next generation of pet toys. It allows pet owners to record their own personal messages to their dog as often as they like. It also dispenses treats. As your dog plays with the ball, he hears your message and then gets his favorite treat. The company says it's a perfect cure for separation anxiety. Available at PetsMart, Petco and other pet product retailers.
Robotic Massage Chair, from Interactive Health. This massage chair has massage discs that move three-dimensionally, providing enhanced massage at the cervical and lumbar region. But the greatest new feature is the robotic calf and foot massage system, Kolls said. It literally gives a head to toes massage, right in your own living room. Available at Sharper Image and Brookstone. Cost: $1,799.
Warm Air Percussive Massager, from Warm Air Technology. The only massager with a heat delivery system. A deep muscle massage with a new warm air technology that provides soothing warm air-flow around the muscles. On sale in March at Brookstone and Sharper Image. Cost: $149.
Old Fashioned Movie Time Popcorn Maker, from Nostalgia Electrics. A return to home entertainment with homemade popcorn made the old fashioned way. Cost: $49.95
Bubble Spa. A massaging bath mat in a new smaller, more affordable kit, with a remote control. The two-speed action creates bubbles to help turn your bathtub into a jacuzzi.
Fountain Jet Home Carbonation System, from Soda-Club USA Inc. Make your own soda at home with cola, lemon and orange flavors that you can add along with carbonation. Expected in shopping malls. Estimated cost: $79.99.
Fizz Mo, from Chef 2000 This brand new device keeps soda and other carbonated beverages from getting flat for up to one month. Expected retail cost: $14.99.
Stainless Steel Electric Fondue, from Rival. Lately, fondue is hot, and the stainless steel fondue cooker is great for cooking and elegant for serving. Expected retail cost: $49.99.
Windflame Outdoor Candles, from Larand International. These candles simply won't go out. They burn for up to five hours and even bad weather will not douse the flame. They keep burning through winter snow, summer drizzle and fall winds — almost any weather forecast. Available in gift stores. Cost: $5.
TeleZapper, from Privacy Technologies. Take control of your privacy with the TeleZapper. As much as 80 percent of telemarketer calls are computer-dialed at random. The TeleZapper emits a special tone that tells dialing computers that your number is disconnected, so they remove it from their list. Simply plug it in. It does not interfere with caller ID, call waiting or answering machines. Available at Radio Shack and K-Mart. Cost: $49.95.
Plant Pet. This lets you know when your soil is too dry. Sensors in this "pet" sound off a bark or a chirp when your garden needs watering.
2-in-1 Lopper and Hedge Shears, from DePalma Enterprises. Brand new: shears that convert easily from a lopper to a hedge shear with a simple flip of the handles. The lopper can cut branches up to half an inch in diameter, while the hedge shears can be used for trimming small shrubs and grass. Cost: $14.95 for smaller shears, $29.95 for larger shears.
SpongeBob Spin O Clock. Every hour each number auto rotates and brings you three scenes plus your favorite songs from Nickolodeon's new hit show, SpongeBob Squarepants. Thankfully for parents, it has nighttime sensors for silent operation. Prototype only; expected to retail for $29.95.
Hoover FloorMATE Hard Floor Cleaner from Hoover. This 3-in-1 hard floor cleaner vacuums, washes and dries hard floor surfaces (with the help of Lysol and Old English products). It cleans vinyl, ceramic, stone and sealed hardwood flooring. The brand new answer to consumers' need for convenient, no-fuss hard floor cleaning. It eliminates the need for a mop, bucket, broom or dustpan. Expected retail price: $199; sold on infomercials.
Timeless Treasures Clock, from Feldstein and Associates. This clock plays a recorded message each hour and displays 12 photos of your favorite people. Available in gift stores. Cost: $29.95.
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