One of the first anti-spam hardware appliances for individuals (and the only one that requires no monthly fee) debuts in two weeks, writes the New York Times. Spam Cube, a plastic cube four inches on a side and available in white, black, silver, pink or yellow, sells for $150 and is installed between an internet connection and router or computer. It intercepts all incoming email and compares it with a constantly evolving database of spam knowledge.

SpamCube developers say unlike anti-spam software or web-based applications, Spam Cube won't slow down PCs, and there's no software to install, troubleshoot or update. Spam Cube's artificial-intelligence circuitry will, over time, allow it to fine-tune its database to counter evolving spammer tactics.

The company says that, at the outset, the Spam Cube ought to achieve 90-95 percent accuracy and over time accuracy will improve to 98 percent.