Chumby is a breakthrough Internet device that constantly streams your favourite parts of the Internet to its 3.5 inch colour touchscreen. Little software programs, called widgets, stream anything from weather forecasts and sports scores to eBay bids and your favourite online radio stations. Launched in Australia by Internode last November, chumby needs only a power outlet and Wi-Fi coverage to provide touchscreen-based access to Internet content in the kitchen, lounge, backyard, or even a bedside table.

Wired magazine dubbed chumby one of the cool gadgets of 2008, praising it for bringing "the friendlier face of the Internet into our homes… it did it while disguised as a teddy bear for the 21st century."

Australian widgets for chumby are available covering topics as diverse as weather, music, travel, cooking, childcare, and how many days to go until Australia Day. View the current range of Oz-flavoured widgets at http://www.chumby.com/guide/category/Australian.

With a distinctive leather case, the 2009 chumby offers new colours, more responsive touchscreen, screen brightness controls, and automatic reboot after power outages. The new model is available in three new colour combinations: White/pearl, white/latte, and white/varsity (blue). The 2009 chumby costs $349—this is $50 more than the launch model due to the drop in the Australian dollar. (Update June 2009: Pricing for the 2009 chumby is now $299)

However, while stocks last, Internode is offering the 2008 model chumby for just $199. (Update June 2009: 2008 chumby is now sold out)