Need Help Finding A Local Record Store? : All Songs Considered Blog. Hide captionThe Vinyl District app's start-up page The Vinyl District The Vinyl District, a new mobile phone app that directs users to nearby record stores, won't be anything new for vinyl veterans who already know the ins and outs of their city's best bins. But for curious individuals wanting to explore a new local record store scene or someone on their lunch break looking for a quick crate dive, this is an app to try. Released in December for the iPhone and Android, the free app, created by contributors to a music blog of the same name, combines the Vinyl District's collective knowledge with online databases and user submissions to find record stores around the country.
For the user, a geo-location system offers a bird's eye view of their neighborhood and points them in the direction of the closest place to buy CDs or vinyl. hide captionTwo trips to Som, three to Red Onion: The Vinyl District app's suggestions for record stores near NPR in D.C. iPhone screen capture. LED Lights Make Augmented Vision a Reality | Elemental LEDucation. LED Lights Make Augmented Vision a Reality Okay, this is just freaky. We know LED lights are versatile enough to be used for practically anything, but LED contact lenses?
Really?! Yes, as it turns out, really. University of Washington researchers have figured out how to implant semitransparent red and blue LED lights in contact lenses, for the purpose of receiving and displaying data in sharp visual images and video. This means wearers will literally be able to watch TV or view photos that are projected directly onto their eyeballs. Once miniature green LEDs are developed (and they’re in the works, as of now), full color displays will be possible. Lead researcher Babak Parvis comments “You won’t necessarily have to shift your focus to see the image generated by the contact lens,” it would just appear in front of you and your view of the real world will be completely unobstructed when the display is turned off.
Ah, the real world. Laser Crosswalk Saves Pedestrians From a Painful Death. When the light turns red, a huge laser wall projecting apparitions of crossing pedestrians spans across the crosswalk. The concept is designed to keep crossing pedestrians safe from any overzealous drivers who otherwise might have ran the red light. Link [via] What is Rolltop? Plug Cup – Single Plugging Cup for Tea and Coffee by Dong Hun Seo, Geun Hyuk Yoo, Ki Sang Yoon & Yune Jae Bang.
Single Cup Special Oh boy, this Plug Cup is going to make me lazybones. Ever since I’ve laid my eyes on it, I have wanted this concept to come to life. It’s perfect for this instant coffee and green tea glutton that I am. A simple 180° rotating 2-pin plug at the base of the cup hooks on to any power source; so imagine this hanging off the powerstrip where my computer plugs are hitched! A tight lid ensures no spills and a clamp lock keeps the cup upright at the base. The good thing is that the heating element detaches so that the cup can be cleaned easily. Coffee mix, tea, water bottle….all will sit right next to my printer! The Light Bulb Effect - Bulb Candles by Helbert Ferreira & Remi Melander - SYSTEM DESIGN STUDIO. The Light Bulb Effect Let me put on my monocle and tell you a story. You see long ago before Swan or Edison invented the lightbulb, people used candles. When lightbulbs became the norm, the candle went the way of the wind.
DUH right? Well I’m feeling a bit nostalgic so I’m keen on The Light Bulb Effect – a wax candle shaped like a bulb. Designers: Helbert Ferreira, Remi Melander – SYSTEM DESIGN STUDIO. Digital Film – Camera Film by Park Hyun Jin. The last time I bought a roll of film was probably in 2002 and quite honestly I don’t really miss the experience of changing rolls and getting photographs developed. What I do miss is the suspense! Suspense in wondering how the pictures will come out. Did we get good shots? Well, that thrilling experience can be duplicated with Digital Film; an analog-styled camera with a digital twist! Designer: Park Hyun Jin. Doggelganger.
Bento Laptop Tablet Hybrid by René Woo-Ram Lee. Bento is quite an exceptional and forward thinking concept by René Woo-Ram Lee. It’s quite a plausible scenario that most of use/own a tablet, a PC, external hard drives and a smartphone. Now combine the power of these to have fully customizable Bento Laptop! The Box accommodates all the gear to work as one whole unit or individually; as you see fit. Features Laptop with 15″ OLED screen11″ tablet and 4″ phone sit in shallow depressionsSolar powered lithium-ion battery1TB SSD drive Designer: René Woo-Ram Lee The Fujitsu branding is evident and rightly so, the concept is a part of the Fujitsu Design Award that is organized by Designboom.
Modular Motorhome: Hybrid Camper Car + Caravan Combo. Campervans are great for the wide-open road, but what happens when you reach your destination and want to travel in something a bit less clunky? This variant concept RV comes with a detachable car to let you cruise city streets once you exit the high-speed freeway. This design challenge was tackled by Christian Susana with great attention to detail, from how each portable portion (car and camper form) looks separately to how they appear as whole when plugged back together.
The tiny two-seat car part is definitely built for short trips, looking like a cross between a golf cart and a Mini Cooper. The larger back-end trailer takes its cues from classic VW-type campers, maximizing space with a lofted sleeping area, flip-down table-and-chairs set as well as compact storage solutions set into any remaining available areas. Curved lines also recall traditional Airstream trailers, which make maximum use of sleek streamlined exterior forms and more spacious-seeming inside spaces. Nextep1.jpg (605×682)