It is meant to stimulate the clitoris or nipples, not for vaginal insertion.
The curve is designed to stimulate the G-spot.
Although proper cleaning is required for any sex toy, having fewer places for bacteria to grow reduces the chance of infection. Some luxury brand vibrators are also completely covered in medical grade silicone with no exposed control panels or seams. Modern versions of old musical vibrators synchronize the vibrations to music from a music player or a cell phone. There is also a vibrator that uses the flow of air from a vacuum cleaner to stimulate the clitoris.
Some vibrators run on batteries while others have a power cord that plugs into a wall socket. Some vibrators are marketed as "body massagers"-although they still may be used, like the ones sold as adult sex toys, for autoeroticism. Vibrators very often generate their vibrations using eccentric weights driven by a conventional electric motor, but some use electromagnet coils.