The Design blog |
- Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse stands tall in the Apple crowd
- Google brings GPS and mails at millimeters length to your retina
- The uber slick 'PhoneSoap' sanitizes your cellphone while charging
- audioJar gives a steampunkish look to homemade Fab Speakers
- Frog Rana goes green with its second release
- Bus Shelter fashioned from recycled tobacco sticks
- Green crackers sow seeds that shoot out new blossoms
- Table Top Concert Hall turns your iPhone into a retro style gramophone
- Wishbhone makes tangled up earphone cords a relic of the past
- The Dutch make themselves a new flying car to take on American Terrafugia
| Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse stands tall in the Apple crowd Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:26 AM PDT B.Sameer Kumar: When you own an Apple product, you stand out from the crowd. While there will be many who will start a tirade on “Apple Fanboys” and how the products offer nothing amazing, the fact of a matter is that “cool factor” is one of the biggest reasons one buys Apple. Not everyone might admit that in the open, but Apple has built an empire out of the concept. Now, we are not telling you that “styling and profiling” is the only reason for their success, but it adds a whole lot to the power and performance aspect. Well, then those with the iMac would be well aware of the 'Magic Mouse' and here is a new improved version of it.
 Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse The Magic Mousse from Apple stakes the claim to be the world's first multi-touch mouse. Monikers and taglines apart, it is a wireless Bluetooth mouse that connects with you Mac device and offers you one of the best and most comfortable experience when it comes to handling a mouse. (And considering some of our own, it is like a dream come true) The all new Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse revs up the style quotient by adding a carbon fiber surface coating that will distinguish it from others who own an iMac as well.
 Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse Carbon fiber adds a specially crafted textured weave to the Magic Mouse that makes it a lot more accurate and elegant. You have four color options that range from black to white and considering you would want this matching your iMac we strongly suggest you stick to white (or silver at best).
 Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse The Carbon Fiber magic Mouse will cost you $99 and you can send in your own Magic Mouse for a weave for $29. That seems a fair deal both ways and considering how Apple gadgets seem more and more common (maybe more so with smartphones than laptops at this point) this will help you stand apart even in an Apple crowd!
 Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse
Carbon Fiber Magic MouseThe first and only Carbon Fiber Magic Mouse Via: Carbon Fiber Magic
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| Google brings GPS and mails at millimeters length to your retina Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: Fancy posing like Tom Cruise aka Ethan hunt from the famous Mission Impossible series when he wore those glares and read out a message. He threw away those glasses as an automated voice called out - this message will self destruct in five seconds - but you will definitely be keeping this pair brought from Google forever. Dubbed as Project Glass, these hi tech glasses are being developed by a team at Google X. Frequent travelers and globe trotters will be really kicked about this savvy contraption.
 Project Glass
Just put these glasses on to view mails, web search results and also maps on a screen right in front of your eyes. GPS directions will be available whenever you need help to chart your way. Well, you can also video chat with these or even record and share videos with the camera implanted in the glasses. You can access weather forecasts from the world over. Also, all functions can be easily controlled with voice commands. In fact, you can trace friends who went astray while you were shopping together. All visuals will materialize on the small screen located at the top right corner. The glasses actually run on a version of the Android operating system and embed a microphone icon often seen in Google products. Most probably motion sensors as well as 3G or 4G data connection will be included in the package. Google has staged this announcement to obtain customer feedback on these glasses. Though the search giant has not announced a release date yet, the specs will be out by the end of the year. Public testing will be conducted for some time and the goggles will retail for anywhere between $250 to $500. With this break-through Google seems to be a lot closer to its vision of wearable computing.
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| The uber slick 'PhoneSoap' sanitizes your cellphone while charging Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:02 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: It will come as a shocking news to many people that the mobile phones they hold against their face and type with everyday are a breeding ground for bacteria. Anything from flu viruses, MRSA, staph and E.Coli can easily thrive on its surface. Bacteria are essentially attracted to our phones because they exude warmth. Now, after knowing this, who wouldn't want to scrub their phone squeaky clean. Then again, cleaning phones with dripping wipes or dunking them in soapy liquids is totally out of question.
 PhoneSoap
In fact there are very few effective cleaners in the market that can mop out all the filth on your phone thoroughly. So, what should you do now? Looks like, there is some good news for people who are picky about sanitation levels around them. A team headed by the industrial designer cum engineer Brennan Crellin and a savvy inventor Wesley LaPorte has come out with an ingenious device called the Phonesoap. A list of all its splendid features is provided below for all the ablutomaniacs out there. The smart gadget comprises a small box measuring about 4.95 inches in width and 6.95 inches in length. It works on a principle of electromagnetic radiation applied in most hospitals and cleaning rooms. The box stands 1.9 inches tall and can easily fit any device that has a length of 1.2 inches, breadth of 4.1 inches and height of 6.1 inches. This gizmo scours the phone using UV-C light or electromagnetic radiation, which can penetrate through the cell walls of bacteria due to their short wavelengths. These rays destroy the DNA of bacteria and are about 99.9 percent effective in killing them. They close in on your device from the top as well as bottom, thus cleaning out all the surfaces.
Operating the device will not be a bother. Just plug in the receiver box and place your phone on the UV transparent plastic platform. Also, if you want to charge the phone then just hook it to an Apple 30-pin USB cord or micro USB. Then, close the box to start the automatic cleaning process. The twinkling LED lights outside notify you that the cleaning process is going on. While, the UV lights carrying out the cleaning process inside, stay on for about 5 minutes and then go off on their own. You just have to open the box in the morning to pick up your fully charged and germ free handset. This one of a kind contraption saves time and is very safe to use as it won't harm your phone in any way. Moreover, it is really effectual in exterminating all bacteria and viruses thriving on your phone. Another upside is that you won't be adding another chore in your to do list. With this clever contraption your phone gets cleaned while it is being charged. Furthermore, as no one can do without charging their phone, this contraption eliminates the possibility of anyone forgetting to clean their handsets. Just place the phone inside the box for charging at night and it will come out clean automatically the next morning. People who are particular about hygiene and fussy about sanitation standards around them will be irked to know how dirty their phones are, and then just as glad to learn that their handsets can be scrubbed clean using the PhoneSoap. Also, this device uses absolutely no liquid or heat in its cleaning process, hence is safe to use. So, go ahead and stock this contraption in your pad as prevention is better than cure any day. Via: Kickstarter
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| audioJar gives a steampunkish look to homemade Fab Speakers Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:59 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Made using the Fab Speakers design by David Mellis (that was offered by the designer as an open source project), the audioJar portable speakers by Sarah Pease are a rather unique set that allow craftsy folks to reuse glass jars in the most innovative way possible. The designer has not specified whether the glass actually has any adverse effect on the quality of the sound, but let's face it, when you have a set of speakers that look as good, would you really care if they didn't really deliver the same quality of sound as your more expensive units?
 Audio Jar
The portable speakers used in the audioJar can be easily compiled at home using a few simple and freely available bits of hardware, electronics, and veneer, fabric and laser cut wood pieces. The speakers themselves work with most iPhone and iPod models as well as laptops since they are fitted with a standard audio output jack. The speakers are powered by three AAA batteries and thus can be used without a mess of wires. The jars can be fitted with alternating feet and the customization possibilities for the jars range from colored LED lights, glass paint, stickers and even planters if you are the adventurous kinds. To give the speakers a more steampunky look, you can always fit them with brass tops and decorate them with metallic brass glass paint doodles! Source: Sarah Pease
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| Frog Rana goes green with its second release Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:55 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: Cool, quirky and out of this world - this roadster will have all the bike junkies going ga-ga. When released, this will be the second version in the Frog series crafted by the Apple designer Hartmut Esslinger. The original version of the bike, dubbed as Frog FZ750, was released about 25 years ago. It is also referred to as the Rana motorcycle. Green living enthusiasts and environment conscious drivers will be thrilled to come across another carbon neutral auto.
 Frog Rana 2 electric motorcycle
Picture Gallery  Frog Rana 2 electric motorcycle concept includes augmented reality and swappable batteries Along with its smashing look, its user interface also stands out. The latest Rana installment will work on battery power. The piece slots in three different battery cores. So, you will not be worried about running dry when you are zooming away on long rides as you can replace its batteries easily. Also Frog quotes that these speedsters will be running on a mechanism known as "nanoparticle crystalline copper hexacyanoferrate battery technology,” which is still being tested. Apart from the hi tech technology for whizzing around in style, the product will also integrate other amazing features. There will be a dock to station your smartphone on the roadster. With this setup, it will be possible to deploy augmented reality widgets on your e-bike itself, which will be like the MOD Live goggles. This futuristic speedster will also incorporate functions that allows drivers to be safe on road. The light fitted at the back will serve as lane guides. Also, the vehicle will warn you when another driver is getting close to your automobile. Via: The Verge
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| Bus Shelter fashioned from recycled tobacco sticks Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:14 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Tobacco has made millionaires out of many and even though major tobacco manufacturers are no longer profiteering from their sponsorship of major sports events, they still have contributed in parts to the development of the economies of many smaller urban centers and towns around the world. Lexington-Fayette Urban County in Kentucky is one such town though with the decline of the tobacco economy and mechanization of tobacco farming, a lot of traditional farming equipment is now being repurposed by local artisans into creating handicrafts.
 Bus Stoppable
Tobacco sticks that were produced during the process of drying and curing of harvested tobacco have now been given a new lease of life by designer Madelynn Ringo who proposes to reuse them as vision and sun control mechanism in local bus shelters. The sticks can be easily woven into a mesh that would cover the gap between rafters and provide shade from the sun using a reclaimed material that has strong emotional, cultural and historic significance for the local public. The sticks serve as a cheap and readily available local resource that is otherwise left to rot and is wasted and turns it into a money-saving material that can be put to an artistically and structurally sound use for the creation of public spaces using green technologies. Source: Madelynn Ringo
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| Green crackers sow seeds that shoot out new blossoms Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:55 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: Who doesn't like to have a ball when they are partying? But with global warming looming around, green living enthusiasts are pointing to hazards of partying recklessly. People are realizing that even one day long parties and celebrations can cause a lot of damage to the environment. Firstly, party crackers release carbon emissions into our surroundings. Secondly, most are made from plastic, powder, heavy metals and paper that discharge poisonous emissions into the ecosystem. Additionally, crackers create a lot of trash when they are burnt.
 Green Cracker
However, despite all these perils, doing away with party crackers is not the best way out. After all, celebrations will be lifeless without crackers. So, Incheol Hwnag, has come out with clean and green crackers for eco friendly parties. When this earthy looking papyrus designed by him goes off, celebration petals float in the air and tumble down on spectators. The effect is really beautiful and romantic. Also, no trash is generated in the process.
This green cracker actually contains petals along with seeds, which get blown into the air when the cracker shoots. After this, the seeds fall on the ground and sprout into wild blossoms. The rest of the cracker and even the waste left behind after the celebration are put to good use. The petals that fall on the ground are biodegradable and melt when they come in contact with water. While, the rest of cracker can be planted. Its conical shape gets compressed when it is placed inside the soil. Then, its water soluble film melts away easily releasing seeds amidst the soil. And, after you leave the party location, do come to visit it again, and you will be delighted to see wild buds in the celebration spot. Green crackers are your chance to do a good turn to the environment when you party. Not only do they reduce pollution but also aid with reforestation. The upsides of this product are that they decomposes easily, don't leak out toxic materials in the environment and reduce carbon emissions. So, go ahead and throw that green bash with all the pomp and hoopla. Via: Inggoon
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| Table Top Concert Hall turns your iPhone into a retro style gramophone Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:14 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Combining whimsy, proportion, geometry and an interesting array of materials, designer Seth Ellsworth has created a unique acoustic amplifier that can boost the sound of an iPhone naturally. The device is made without using any electronic parts and does not interfere with the working of your iPhone and doesn't influence its electronics also.
 Table top concert hall
Dubbed Table Top Concert Hall, the device comprises of phonograph horn that are salvaged from vintage gramophones and bring classic music alive for people who enjoy the sound of music players from the 19th century and early 20th century. The Table Top Concert Hall Amplifier can be built to fit any device and can boost the sound of a phone's internal speaker by up to 30 percent. Through investigation and experimentation with architectural theory and modern art, the design projects being together the elements of furniture and experimental architecture designs and turns an ordinary iPhone into a great music player that fits in beautifully with most traditional decors.
 Table top concert hall The tabletop amp can also be produced in materials and woods specified by customers and can be engraved and embellished on demand by the developers at the Chicago based Studio Ellsworth. The Table Top Concert Hall retails for $300 with personalization, customizations, shipping and taxes costing extra depending on the location of the buyer. Source: LHooq Design
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| Wishbhone makes tangled up earphone cords a relic of the past Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:13 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Frustrated and stressed out because of tangled up earphones? Join the club! And know that 99 percent of the world cellphone/portable music player using population faces the same trauma several times each day. Unlike the most of us Finnish innovators Markus L, Tappi Honkavaara and Jarkko Tiainen decided to do something about the pesky mess of earphone wires and the team came up with the Wishbhone, a unique cord management system that allows earphone cords to be integrated within the design and help make storing and managing earphone cords easier for people who use their earphones on a more regular basis.
 Wishbhone
Thanks to a clever holder, the Wishbhone can be used to coil your earphones around and you can also integrate it into your earphones thanks to a unique holder channel based on a patent pending design. And in case you find that you're still messing up the cords because they are too long for your comfort. The design of the Wishbhone is beautiful, durable, simple and functional and is designed to fit almost all current portable music players as well as most Apple music player. The project is currently colleting pledges for a large scale production of the prototypes created by the design team though the developers of the Wishbhone are set to start making deliveries of the product sometime in 2012. The makers are also offering a gold-plated version of the cord management system for posher clientele.
WishbhoneWishbhone - the new clever earphone cord manager Source: Wishbone
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| The Dutch make themselves a new flying car to take on American Terrafugia Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:12 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: If you're excited about the showing of the production-ready Terrafugia Transition at the New York Auto Show starting soon, then you're going to be doubly pleased to know that the flying car now has a rival across the pond and from what its makers claim, the new flying vehicle has just completed its maiden test flight rather successfully.
 Flying Dutch Car
Just like the Terrafugia, the Personal Air and Land Vehicle AKA PAL-V One uses a push propeller to gain a forward thrust though it bypasses the Transition's fold out wings for a chopper-like auto-rotating rotor to lift it clean up in the air more like a chopper. The Dutch company behind the endeavor claims that the vehicle/craft complies with almost all road and air vehicle regulations that apply for European streets and air space which means the vehicle would have very little difficulty being accepted in markets across the world. The PAL-V One is created to use a motorcycle-like tilting mechanism to help it steer through curves and bend with ease. The vehicle also has an estimated range of around 1,200 km on the ground and can go a good 350-500 kms up in the air on a tank full of bio-ethanol, biodiesel, or good old gasoline as well. unlike the Transition, the production prototype hasn't been given a set price tag or a showroom launch date just yet though the company is optimistic about having it ready for buyers in a few years from now. Watch this space for more.
Flying Dutch CarFlying Dutch Car Takes to the Sky Via: Engadget
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