NoteSlate — Devices and Cases Written by Katie on February 8, 2011. Permalink No, it’s not an iPad wannabe, nor is it a new eReader. It’s got no apps or games or books stored on its memory card. See NoteSlate’s website for specifications and details. Looks like the basic model along with the white and black version will be available June 2011, while the red, green, and blue ones will be available in December 2011. NoteSlate COLOR (price and availability will be announced at a later date) Thanks Stephon!
Rolling Bridge « Heatherwick Studio London, UK The studio was commissioned to design a pedestrian bridge to span an inlet of the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Basin, London, and provide an access route for workers and residents. Crucially, the bridge needed to open to allow access for the boat moored in the inlet. The aim was to make the movement the extraordinary aspect of the bridge. The structure opens using a series of hydraulic rams integrated into the balustrade. The whole structure was constructed at Littlehampton Welding on the Sussex coast and then floated up the Grand Union Canal, before being lifted into position and attached to the hydraulic system which powers its movement. The Rolling Bridge won a number of awards including a Structural Steel Award, and an Emerging Architecture Award. Go to images
Lofted Forest Home: Organic Curves & Natural Materials Good things come to those who wait – particularly in a work of uniquely detailed and highly curved architecture. Nearly a decade in the making, this structure by Robert Harvey Oshatz is much like a tree house – lofted toward the top of the canopy around it – only bigger, grander, more complex and curved than most any tree house in the world. The perimeter of the structure is pushed out into the forest around it, curving in and out to create views as well as a sense of intimacy with the coniferous and deciduous tree cover. The wood and metal detailing is incredible in its variety and customization – each piece designed to fit a particular form and function. Wood and stone carry naturalistic themes from the outside in and even the metal looks naturally rusted. The curved, organic mix of materials continues to the interior of this elevated forest home – a conceptual play on the fluidity and complexity of music (the source of inspiration for the architect and client in the design).
14 Concept Appliances That Need To Be Made | My Bad Pad Concept appliances give us a peek into the future. They are often aesthetically pleasing and offer interesting and unique features; however, it is a rare concept appliance that makes it off of the drawing board and into the showroom. Unrealistic designs, high production costs and lack of consumer demand are often the reason for many ideas to be scrapped. Yet, here are 14 interesting concept appliances that have made it to the model stage and look so good that we hope they go into development soon. The iBasket is a hamper/washer/dryer combo. Why do consumers need the iBasket? The iBasket saves time and energy as you’ll never have to transfer your clothes from the hamper to the washer to the dryer again. Features: Transparent body Built-in air refresh system that removes the smell of dirty clothes Wi-Fi enabled to help you monitor it from your PC or laptop The one drawback to the iBasket is that it is very small. Why do consumers need the FlatShare? Why do consumers need the Coox?
Metamophing Computer Interfaces Metamophing Computer Interfaces Siafu is a PC designed to give people with vision loss or impairment a more intuitive computer experience. It lays flat like a tablet and allows the user to fully interact with it by way of touch. The surface utilizes a conceptual material called magneclay or magnetized liquid. The technology behind Siafu – Magneclay, is an oil based synthetic agent that possesses limitless morphing capabilities. As for why the device is named after an aggressive African ant? Designer: Jonathan Lucas Siafu’s magneclay surface can generate full spread braill layouts, allowing users to enjoy reading digital content in a large book style relief. The surface of Siafu can form a working 9-button braille keyboard. Siaufu also possesses a built-in microphone, which provides an alternative to typing. Siafu has the ability to display screen images such as web pages in a bas relief. Siafu utilizes 2-D to 3-D image conversion technology to process screen images.
X – tape, Hinge Print Tape by Hyoungmin Park & Jeongmin Lee for mmiinn Sealing With A Hinge So far you have been sealing your cartons with either duct tape or normal transparent scotch tape. If you were to have the option of the X-tape, I’m sure you would have used it. Design is not always about problem solving or functionality. Sometimes elements of surprise, like this optical illusion “hinge” tape gives creativity the fun-edge that it requires. Pouring Light Lamp by Yeongwoo Kim Pour Me Some Light Human actions play such a significant role in design; it’s either evident in the form or in the function. In the Pouring Light, the action is evident in the form and is delightfully executed as well! With the motive of giving off “an emotional flow of light”, the lights linger on with a mesmerizing effect thanks to the use of phosphorescence in the “water” part.
Adjustable Heat Hot Sauce Pleases All Tastes Whether you’re a full-on chili head or just want a touch of added flavor, Dave’s Gourmet Adjustable Heat Hot Sauce accommodates all of your hot sauce needs. The specially designed twist top allows you to choose your level of heat. A nozzle mixes your chosen brew, rationing out the correct amount of each sauce to create your perfect spiced condiment. This is perfect for someone like me who’s rather picky about their heat. Link [via] Electronics Electronics deals with electrical circuits that involve active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies. Commonly, electronic devices contain circuitry consisting primarily or exclusively of active semiconductors supplemented with passive elements; such a circuit is described as an electronic circuit. The nonlinear behaviour of active components and their ability to control electron flows makes amplification of weak signals possible and electronics is widely used in information processing, telecommunication, and signal processing. The ability of electronic devices to act as switches makes digital information processing possible. Interconnection technologies such as circuit boards, electronics packaging technology, and other varied forms of communication infrastructure complete circuit functionality and transform the mixed components into a regular working system. Types of circuits[edit]
Well Done: a food company annual report that has to be cooked first Croatian creative agency Bruketa & Zinić have designed an annual report for food company Podravka that has to be baked in an oven before it can be read. Update: this project is included in Dezeen Book of Ideas, which is on sale now for £12. Called Well Done, the report features blank pages printed with thermo-reactive ink that, after being wrapped in foil and cooked for 25 minutes, reveal text and images. Here are details from Bruketa & Zinić: Well Done, the annual report for food company you have to bake before use Empty pages become filled with content after being baked at 100°C for 25 minutes. “Well done” created by Bruketa & Zinić is the new annual report for Podravka, the biggest food company in South-East Europe. a big book containing numbers and a report of an independent auditora small booklet that is inserted inside the big one that contains the very heart of Podravka as a brand: great Podravka’s recipes. To be able to cook like Podravka you need to be a precise cook.
Super Summer Project: Two Young Designers, One Idea A Day All images credit 01Mathery Project After seeing this lovely bike basket made from pine cones on Recyclart, , I learned of O1Mathery, a project subtitled "Two young designers-One idea a day," where from the end of one school year to the start of the second, they really did come up with a clever design every day. Some are clever and some are silly, like this oven. Erika Zorzi and Matteo Sangalli write: My computer reaches high temperature when it' s working! I think there would be a real market for this TV Dinner tray, that has a built-in apron so that you never drop food on your lap again. There are so many interesting, innovative and creative reuse and repurposing ideas, like this key storage system made from RCA jacks.
Building A Custom PC 2011 Part 1: The Assessment I'm building a new PC every 18 months or so and post the progress of selecting the right PC components here on this blog. I actually spend more most of my time on the evaluation of computer hardware, as I have to live with the selection for the next 12 to 18 months. Bad choices in the beginning can have a huge impact on my productivity, that's why I'm extra careful here. I always start with an assessment of my needs. The Assessment I first and foremost need the PC for work which leads to the first batch of requirements: Responsive: I do not like waiting, not for the PC to boot, not for programs to open or for other operations during work.Silent: Noise can easily distract me from work, especially those high-fieping sounds that some PC components can make. But work is not the only activity on that computer. Fast: The components should be as fast as possible without putting a serious dent into the budget or the work requirements. And then there are things that I do not need at all:
Dry-Tech: The 20 Coolest Umbrellas You’ll Ever See Dry-Tech: The 20 Coolest Umbrellas You’ll Ever See The invention of the umbrella can be traced back thousands of years, but never to one absolute source. It's use has been depicted in historical texts, images and carvings dating back millennia-- to ancient Rome, Egypt, China and the Middle East. Today, we may take this handy tool for granted. The Pileus Internet Umbrella Projects the Web Ever noticed that the common texture of your typical umbrella canopy is not unlike a projector screen? The "Umbuster" Brass Knuckles Umbrella Are YOU talking to ME? The LightDrops Rain-Powered Electric Umbrella The LightDrops umbrella does precisely what it's name implies-- it turns drops of rain into light. The Multi-Unit Superbrella Even the largest traditional umbrellas can't keep you dry in rains mixed with heavy winds. The Hydro-Chromatic Umbrella In your closet, this umbrella won't look any different from your standard unit. The Bluetooth Mobile Messenger Umbrella The Senz Smart Umbrella The Gunbrella
Simple Ideas That Are Borderline Genius Looking for more about [term]? Simple Ideas That Are Borderline Genius part 2 Simple Ideas That Are Borderline Genius part 3 Simple Ideas That Are Borderline Genius part 4 Simple Ideas That Are Borderline Genius part 5 Top