The 100% eco-friendly sex toy hit our markets and eyebrows were definitely raised. With the plethora of cheap sex toys hailing from far away shores in their abundance the question really was whether there was sufficient demand for a 100% Eco sex toy. The recession has focused the consumer very firmly on price and sex toy shops are offering cut price deals never seen before, the competition is tough in the adult marketplace and since the recession kicked in a difficult stomping ground got hostile.We have seen a few big hitters go under and I imagine numerous online sex shops and adult stores close their doors. So launching a mid-high priced sex toy in the previous years economic climate was going to be tough and if you were concentrating and financially relying upon the one project, stress levels would be  running high.

The Earth Angel in concept was a fantastic vibrator, completely king to the Earth and to our bodies and avoided the build up of batteries in local landfill by pleasure seekers the country over, and who doesn’t care about the planet or ourselves? Well unfortunately we only tend to care when it suits us and if it takes just 4 minutes of manually cranking away at the handle of your vibrator for 30 minutes of vibration then we think twice before parting with ur hard earned. 4 minutes? we don’t have time for such basic exertion and what if we run out juice before the orgasm has arrived! The Earth Angel was a gallant attempt at cleaning up our sex toy consumption but I think we could see that it was somewhat premature. Well its up for sale and anyone who wishes to purchase the rights should contact the brave people at Caden Enterprises with their offers.

I note with interest today that the case brought against Ann Summers the behemoth of sex aid retailers has been dismissed after just a two day hearing. The case was brought about by a group called Large Cause who argued that the Brewer Street store should be required to apply for a sex shop license based on its ratio of adult goods. On the face of it  clarification of the boundaries separating a ‘high street chain’ with a smattering of adult product and a licensed premises would be welcome. The current laws leave much to the discretion of local authorities and indeed the amount of sex toys on your shelves will be down to your authorities guidelines.

The problem with the Ann Summers case was not in the questions raised but in the motivation of the prosecution when it became apparent that ‘Large Cause’ was indeed a body formed by Tim Hemming and David Boothby. Who are these guys? Well Tim owns ABS Holdings a prominent sex toy wholesaler and  Simply Pleasure an online sex shop and  David owns pulse and cocktails a sex toy retail outfit. The Judge’s opposition to the case by day two was primarily based on the conflict of interest and indeed commercial gain these two fellows had by prosecuting Ann Summers, they were direct competition in the online sex aid and sex shop toy business.

The whole case becomes farcical in the extreme and ended with a delighted Vanessa Gold outside the court house and expected claim for costs touching £100,000 expected to be heard today!

Did you know that In Japan many of the dual action vibrators available feature the head of a geisha or woodland animal. Reportedly the Japanese are not allowed to produce a sex toy which is shaped like a cock ans so disguise the clitoral stimulator of a rabbit vibrator as a dolphin or beaver. On first glance the head of a vibe may look to be the tip of a penis but when taking out the magnifying glass it actually has a girly bob, eyes and  big smile. It is unclear where the law originated although speculation is that the United States implemented this quirky adult  rule after World War II.It hasn’t lessened the popularity of sex toys in Japan but spawned generations of females that consider bunnies erotic and Samurai faces a real turn on. Its funny to think that nowadays sex toys are produced for an adult market whereby creatures and dolls are considered a discreet way to practise toy play without your favourite vibrator being discovered. Big Tease Toys produce a massive range of novelty sex toys that can be left on the side of the bath or dresser drawer without fear of discovery. The kokeshi vibrator is the latest sex toy in its range and resembles an oriental lady in its entirety delivering amazing vibration at the press of a button. We are all used to seeing novelty sex toy designs in todays modern adult market place and its all thanks to the Japanese!

Lovehoney and Love it magazine launched a Best of British Sex Toy Test to find the best vibrators as voted by some readers of Love it. The lucky few were each sent 12 vibrators to test and after a testing session with each the verdicts were given on the sex toys.

In the category ’singles’ voted number one was the Lovehoney Jessica Rabbit 2.0 Rabbit Vibrator with its capacity to bring on huge orgasms at the flick of a button. Second place was given to the erotic rocket 10 function mini vibrator whilst third was the Tracey Cox supersex power vibe. Its no surprise that the rabbit vibrator took the sex toy for singles prize as the Jessica Rabbit has long been replacing sex in the city. The mini ‘pocket rocket’ vibrator is queen of masturbation though and with many a girl wanting to pack their sex toy is the right proportion for handbag or suitcase.

The couples sex toys category had a clear winner in the Tracey Cox Supersex clitoral massager vibrator, a waterproof quiet vibe for masturbation or foreplay. Second came the Buzz Tingler finger vibrator and third was the Love Bunny Vibrating Bullet. It all goes to show that the powerful clitoral vibrators are popular for partner pleasure where clitoral stimulation is important  for female orgasm.

Best Sex Toy for fun is the iBuzz two vibrator music activated sex toy, second is the vibraexciter mobile phone vibe and third is the 10 function remote control dream egg.

Best budget buy in these times of recession is the Lovehoney bang bang bullet vibrator, second is the Ladyfinger mini vibrator and third the vibrating cock ring. All three of these bargain sex toys are sure to please without putting you in the red.