If SEGA's Hako Robo (Robots in A Cube) aren’t realistic enough gadgets to take residence on your desktop, then you might want to consider Brando's latest buddy-buddy office companions, the USB Virtual Friends.

They're a pretty frightening invention, if we're honest - a pair of physical dolls that you can name, choose a personality type for, and even program to act as boyfriend and girlfriend. In addition, there are over 100 pre-saved samples of dialogues for you to engineer communication between the virtual couple.

For an added touch of realism, photos can also be slid inside the head frames of both the male and female versions of the doll, perhaps to remind users of how much their partner annoys them... even when they're at work. Or maybe not.

Features include:

* Personality editor

* Knowledge base editor

* 100 pre-programmed sayings

* Personality type: Naughty or Nice

* Name your own boyfriend / girlfriend

* Create your own boyfriend / girlfriend

* Infrared motion sensor

At $30 USD for a set of two, or $17 USD each, we'll pass, thank you very much... though doubtless some won't.