Some Japenese folks invented the “ear switch,” an in-ear device that uses light to trigger switches based on your facial expressions.

You will be able to turn on room lights or swing your washing machine into action with a quick twitch of your mouth,” said its inventor, Kazuhiro Taniguchi of Osaka University.

“An iPod can start or stop music when the wearer sticks his tongue out, like in the famous Einstein picture. If he opens his eyes wide, the machine skips to the next tune. A wink with the right eye makes it go back.

This could be good for the elderly or paralyzed but don’t expect this to come to an MP3 player near you. We are all ugly enough without pulling faces just to listen to some Kenny G.