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Archive for the ‘Design’ Category

Roman Kriheli’s Nano Phone

24 Oct 2005

It is a concept of a mobile phone developed by Roman Kriheli, based on the most modern technologies. The entire face surface of this phone is a colour sensor display 4.2 in. in diagonal (a TFT-matrix of 700/266 px) protected with a 2-mm transparent plastic shield. Buttons appearing on the display are 13 mm in diameter.

  • virtual control & metal joystick
  • phonemode = vertical, videomode = horizontal view
  • metal on/off buttons
  • supports multiple GSM networks (900, 1800, 1900)
  • supports 3G
  • carries Bluetooth 2
  • pc synchronization friendly
  • fuel cell-based battery
  • wireless charging-pad (!) (SplashPower)
NanoPhone

Check out the [Russian Design Innovation Awards] and
discover a lot of remarkable entries. – via [Textually]

 

Elumens Vision Station

04 Oct 2005
elumens

1. What is it?
The VisionStation by Elumens is a low-cost 3D immersive viewing system with a wide range of applications.

2. Which applications?
The VisionStation can be used with applications from many different areas of endeavor. Simulation and training, oil and gas exploration, product presentation and entertainment applications will all benefit from the use of an Elumens VisionStation visualization system.

3. How do the applications benefit?
Standard flat-screen applications can display a field of view (FOV) of no more than 60°. The Elumens VisionStation allows for a fully immersive display of 160°. The VisionStation’s ultra-wide FOV creates an amazing sense of space and depth, without need for goggles or glasses. The large size of the VisionStation screen (1.5 meters) also helps promote an excellent sense of immersive 3D.

4. How does the VisionStation accomplish these things?
Elumens’ patented TruTheta software enables software applications for use with Elumens Vision series products. TruTheta software comprises a set of software libraries available at no charge from the Elumens website. Elumens’ spherical screens promote an excellent sense of 3D and “presence”.
Elumens’ unique custom optics enables full-screen projection at 180° with perfect spherical projection. Onscreen images have extremely high fidelity to signal.

5. How do I set it up and use it?
The VisionStation is very simple to set up and operate. Once the system is assembled–a fifteen-minute job requiring only ordinary tools–the VGA output from the users’ computer is plugged into the VGA input of the VisionStation and the system is ready to run.

[Check out elumens] – Seeing is believing : QuickTime, 13.1 MB [Watch]

 

Nokia Concept Lounge : Theft Of An Invention

04 Oct 2005

There’s something smelly about the winning entry of this competition. It has a very high degree of deja-vu. Not that I disagree with the jury, for the idea is remarkable. I’m just saying it’s been done before, and not that I don’t want Tamer Nakisci to enjoy his € 5000 and 15 minutes of fame, but I’m pretty damn sure he stole the idea from NEC and just slightly upgraded it with some new fancy gadgets that weren’t around at the time the concept was born. I’ll let you be the judge of that. Here’s a comparison :

The Prize Winning Entry by mister Nakisci :
888
The NEC ‘Tag’ Soft Shell Mobile Phone
888

* Edited.* I’ll put it in another way : if it’s a concept contest, I think you need to think of a new concept, and be original. If the jury says for other concepts that they remind them of an existing design, then what is this? – I think other entries are more original.

Check it out on [the NEC site] and notice this was the 2003-2004 edition.

Nokia 888 via [Engadget] – [Concept Lounge on Coolz0r] – [Nokia Concept Lounge]

 

Free Bluetooth Messaging Service For Text & Images

25 Sep 2005

Mobiluck is offering a free service to allow free short range messaging between bluetooth devices within a 20 m range. The messaging can include text as well as pictures. The short range messaging paradigm has been a recent success in restaurant and public transportation type models where people want to socialize in a more physically restricted environment.

A similar wi-fi based paradigm is widely being deployed in portable gaming consoles (PSP, Nintendo DS) in order to allow adhoc social gaming networks. The software allows detection of devices and messaging for free.Mobiluck already has a current subscriber base of 1 million users, and specializes in transforming your cellphone to what they call a “Proximity Communication device”.

[Mobiluck via PhoneMag - Textually]

On a sidenote : RohDesign has a keyboard for sale !

“I have a Stowaway Universal Bluetooth Keyboard in great condition (barely used) that I wanted to use with my Zire 72. It works well, but having access to Mac Powerbook, the Dana and good old move toward pen and paper, I’m finding I hardly use nor need this very nice keyboard.

stowaway kb

I’d like to sell it to someone who would make better use of this small, light and well-engineered device. If you’re interested, drop me a line with ‘Keyboard’ used in the subject line, and let’s talk.”

 

The Coolest Keyboard Ever, Signed Art.Lebedev

22 Jul 2005

Every key of the Optimus keyboard is stand-alone display showing exactly what it is controlling at this very moment. The Enter key is big in size and nearly square in form. The additional block of keys on the left is meant for switching between programs or modes. You can set up the control keys for a game, and the keyboard will change it’s lay-out when you start to game. Way too cool to overlook !

Art.Lebedev.Studio presents the Optimus Keyboard :

Keyb

Check it out at [Art.Lebedev.Studio]

Hat tip : [Jelle]

 

Subtle Futuristic Design : Motorized Speakers

10 Jul 2005

KEF seems to offer an ideal solution for someone who wants their audio system to stand out through its sound rather than its looks. For a home theatre to transform movies into an immersive viewer experience, all of its highly variable elements must converge to seamlessly engage the senses. In-ceiling and in-wall speaks are less visually intrusive. They totally pimp your house, and it’s the best audio show-off ever.

Speakers

About the In-Wall speakers, the one on the left :

“In-wall surround speakers are the perfect solution for many décor-conscious homeowners because they virtually disappear within any interior style, but often there’s a sacrifice in accuracy due to their static position,” said Alec Chanin, president of KEF America. “While the Ci FDT resembles other in-wall speakers at first glance, when activated, it becomes clear that this speaker’s look and sound is unlike any other on the market. Because our proprietary flat-panel driver fully extends from the wall, it is able to envelope the entire audience with uniform surround sound effects. This results in a deep and stable soundstage that heightens the movie’s realism for each listener, and makes the home theater’s performance truly breathtaking.”

“When the audio system is turned on, the high-frequency driver automatically moves to stand perpendicular to the wall. Its natural-dipole design further broadens the exceptional sound dispersion achieved by this position, filling the entire room with lifelike surround effects, including seats outside of the typical ’sweet spot’. Balancing the high-frequency driver’s performance is a 5″ bass/midrange cone that brings warmth and richness to the entire ambient soundfield. When the system is turned off, the flat-panel driver automatically returns to its flush-to-the-wall position.”

More about this on [GizMag]

About the In-Ceiling speakers, those on the right :

“The Ci 3-80QT is the only in-ceiling speaker that automatically extends down from its flush-mounted position to directly project sound toward listeners. In addition to motorized positioning, the speaker uses KEF’s own Uni-Q driver to create a widely dispersed and lifelike soundstage.”

“With the introduction of the Ci 3-80QT, KEF gives home entertainment system installers the power to design a virtually invisible home theater that truly rivals the performance of free-standing speakers.”

More about this on [GizMag]
Order Your Goodies chez [KEF]
via [Engadget]

 

Living Life The Nooka Way

23 Jun 2005

Matthew Waldman is a creative director with over 15 years experience crafting corporate identities and design systems for a wide array of clients. His design studio, New York Zoom, created award winning videos and web work for clients in the U.S., Japan, and the UK. Now, with Berrymatch L.L.C., he turns his talents to develop products and character designs for licensing projects. Nooka is such a product.

Nooka 2 

Nooka 1

Watch specs :

Stainless steel with leather band and water resistant.
Price : $ 250.00

Limited edition of 1000 (un-numbered) items.

Check out the Nooka way to look at time [Nooka]

via [dLounge]

 

Berlage Institute Goes 4D

19 Jun 2005

The Berlage Institute is an international postgraduate laboratory for education, research and development in the field of architecture, urban planning and landscape design. The institute aims to provide a critical environment where spatial planning issues are studied into depth. Social and cultural phenomena relevant to the metropolis of tomorrow are the central focus.

4D Pixel, the exhibition by Daan Roosegaarde is really state of the art.

4d pixel is a smart surface which physically reacts to your voice, music and can write relievo letters. The dynamics of the moving wall is caused by an ingenius collaboration with the human interaction, magnet-technology and intelligent software. The 4d pixels are connected to the human activity and functions as an interface. In this way an active, physical relation is made with the space and the visitor. Currently 4d pixel is further developed as a large façade for a public building.

4d pixel is about how to create a direct human intervention in architecture, not about electronic circuits or mechanisms, ¦ , how can space be adaptive to the needs of its users.

DR

Daan Roosegaarde

Berlage Institute – Postgraduate laboratory of Architecture

via [Engadget]