Here’s how to make ‘smart’ socks that’ll pause Netflix when you nod off

What do you get the guy who has everything this Christmas? This. This is exactly what you get him.

Not just content with taking up permanent residence in our eyes, streaming behemoths Netflix want to ‘smarten’ up the way we dress too, in the very techy sense of the word.

They’ve released detailed plans on how to make your very own ‘Netflix socks’ – a pair of woolly feet-huggers that - get this - will wake you up if you fall asleep while streaming your favourite telly show.

Now, here’s the thing. A powerful, ever-present, super-clever organisation that now has the power to control your life beyond the telly screen? The power to disrupt your God-given right to sleep if you shut out their broadcasts for any period of time? Sounds a whole lot like George Orwell’s troubling classic novel 1984 to us. On the other hand, it sounds a whole lot like an easy way to watch the whole of Narcos again before sunrise, and we’re pretty cool with that.

The DIY project is spelled out in 8 ‘simple’ steps here, with instructions including ‘do a little programming’ and ‘set up your IR signals’. Yep, it’s not quite as simple as running to the newsagents and buying your has-it-all buddy a £10 iTunes voucher, but even if you make a complete pig’s ear of the programming and they end up giving him minor electric shocks every time he speaks, remember: it’s the thought that counts.