Friday, September 12, 2008

Toshiba's LED Pico Projector does its thing on video

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/390891686/

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We've waited ages for a real-deal pico projector from Toshiba (or anyone reputable, quite frankly), and it's looking all the more likely that we'll be absolutely bombarded with them come CES 2009. At any rate, Toshiba is apparently close to putting the finishing touches on its LED Pico Projector, which weighs in at 100-grams and measures 10- x 4.5- x 1.7-centimeters in size. Outside of that, specifications are few and far between, but you can catch a video of its powers in the link below.

[Thanks, Jan]
Read - Toshiba's LED Pico Projector
Read - In-action video
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Lenovo's ThinkPad X301 gets reviewed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/390957680/

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We all know the X300 was fairly widely praised, though that price tag was mighty prohibitive. Still, if you've got the coin to play around with ultrathin ultraportables, the X301 is a welcome upgrade. According to Laptop Mag, the Centrino 2 platform and built-in DisplayPort made an "already excellent machine even better." Most of the basics from the X300 are still here, but critics couldn't help but swoon over the new inclusions. Regrettably, the battery life was said to be an hour or two short for their liking, so it sounds as if you'll want to factor in an extra pack if you're the type who strays from power outlets. Hit the read link for the full rundown, just don't expect anything out of the ordinary.
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avatars, chat, buddy-surf

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Appreciate Water

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/388541691/

Many of us take water for granted. It’s difficult to appreciate something when in its purest form has no color, odor, or shape. Designer Hyun Ko promotes awareness and the significance of water by giving us a sweet juicy drink called Blooming Water. When your straw pierces a thin barrier holding the colored juice concentrate, it spills into the water forming clouds of color. For a brief moment, what looks still is actually always moving. Appreciate it.

Designer: Hyun-a Ko

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iShow, Micro Projection for Your i-memes

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/388555583/

During his studies at H.I.T., Moti Barzilay had to design something iconic in the realm of Apple products - something he felt was missing from their lineup. He came up with the iShow. Yes another “i” meme. It’s a portable projector designed for Apple’s line of iPods, iPhones, and MacBooks. The clam inspired body turns on when you pull the two discs apart to expose a pico projector and ports. He doesn’t mention pixel resolution but the projection system is LED based and no you can’t use it as a Yo-Yo.

Designer: Moti Barzilay

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Loop Concept is all Solar Panels and Touchscreen Windows

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/389498143/

Loop explores the relationships between the present and the future. Loop is Peugeot's green thinking for tomorrow’s megatropolis. It signifies the use of green thinking – how we use our resources today determines what we will receive in return in the future.

The roof spreads along the entire length of the body maximizing space for a solar panel which acts as a secondary power source for this family car. It also creates an interesting visual pattern. The primary energy source is a rechargeable lithium battery located at the rear of the vehicle. Materials proposed for the vehicle are eco-friendly tho the designer doesn’t specify what exactly.

A gangway feel is provided between two rows of seats. Semi-circular bags are located along this gangway. They come with customized options for storage, entertainment, interaction, etc, providing the user with greater flexibility and ease of use.

Space is also provided for a small indoor plant. This brings the outdoors into the interior and gives a sense of the natural surroundings beyond the gull-wing doors.

Another feature is a Hi-tech concept camera, embedded within the passenger windows. Whenever anything interesting is seen on the road, passengers touch their window to capture a snapshot.

Designer: Abhinav Dapke

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Edit Video on Video, Confused?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/389513394/

Okay so recording video is pretty simple nowadays. Companies have pretty much aced usability and made it super easy for even the most tech-challenged. Problem is a lot of video stays in memory, unedited and uninteresting because editing is a little harder than pushing a button. Of course people with Macs know iMovie does a great job editing video (OMG did I just plug Apple?) but what about the rest of us? Maybe you need the Video concept.

It consists of 2 components, the video recorder and a docking station connected to a TV. The recorder stores everything digitally. When docked, you make edits and add music and special effects via a touchscreen interface on the recorder. Once all is said and done, your work can be burned to DVD to share.

Designer: Jonas Buck

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SENZ Umbrella Review. Marry Poppins Watch Out!

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/389536445/

The SENZ Umbrella is the most unique umbrella I’ve ever seen and used and that’s saying a lot because how “designed” can an umbrella be? What makes the SENZ different is its aerodynamic shape which keeps rain off your back and withstands up to 70 mph winds. I tried it out and found a couple other unique features that make this umbrella a must have for any rain drenched area.

It’s solid but still lightweight - the first two things I look for in any umbrella. The handle is foamed and rubberized to keep your grip from slipping which leads me to the next unique feature. To open the umbrella, you pull down. Yes the mechanism is reversed but it makes sense. The mechanism you’re pulling on actually becomes a part of your grip. As long as you hold steadfast, the umbrella refuses to invert.

At first glance the shape looks odd but again makes so much sense; I’m amazed no one’s thought of it before. The cab forward aerodynamic shape does two things. Firstly it keeps rain off your back, an issue I find prevalent with traditional umbrellas. This shape also channels high winds across the surface and behind you. I’m almost positive the drag coefficient is significantly less which helps in resisting gale force winds.

At almost 3-4x the cost of a traditional umbrella, you better live in an area where rain is more than a seasonal visitor. Unlike me, conducting this review was difficult since I live in L.A. but I’m resourceful enough to see how well it holds up against a hose and beach winds. I’m happy to report it aced both events.

The SENZ Umbrella comes in 3 sizes. The one is the review is the XL.

[ Buy It Here ]

(Left to Right: Senz Mini, Original & XL)

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Holy Driver

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/389924241/

You’ve been down too long in the lost-bits sea! Tom Murray’s Ring Driver’s got all the bits you need attached. See what I mean? Superb simplicity for college students or people on the move; people who only need the bits necessary for those easy-to-contstruct furniture pieces who’d love to have it all in one solid hand-held tool.

With a simple “innovation of the screwdriver” goal in mind, Tom Murray took time to explore many different drafts of new and “memorable” screwdriver models. What he came up with was what it often turns out to be in these situations; that is, the most simple-seeming concept.

While the long-skinny aspect of a normal screwdriver is gone, this Ring Driver has no more blunt a nose than a power-screwdriver has. Some of the drafts show the handle being detachable, allowing for more bits to be added or subtracted from the ring, allowing for different sets for different jobs.

Barring the inability to choose which color I can get: on my belt it would go.

Designer: Tom Murray

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MessageSling Moves Your Plain Phone's Voicemail to the Web [Voicemail]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/388612783/messagesling-moves-your-plain-phones-voicemail-to-the-web

Newly-launched voicemail service MessageSling takes over your standard cell phone's voicemail and replaces it with one you can control from the web. Once you've signed up and typed in a single forwarding string to activate your MessageSling mail, you can see your voicemails in a Gmail-style inbox, listen to them in an embedded player, and label, archive, and search them later. The service promises voice-to-text translation in the near future, and can get emails with MP3 messages or SMS alerts about new voicemails (useful if you're the type to leave your phone on silent). Right now, it's a lower-level counterpoint to GrandCentral, but one that doesn't require a number switch and can be easily turned on or off. MessageSling is free to use, with (seemingly) unlimited storage.


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VirtualBox 2.0 Adds 64-bit Support, Updated Interface [Featured Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/388673467/virtualbox-20-adds-64+bit-support-updated-interface

Windows/Mac/Linux (All platforms): Free and open-source virtualization tool VirtualBox recently released a 2.0 version that includes a few major upgrades. Most importantly, 2.0 supports running 64-bit operating systems, like Windows Vista and certain Linux distributions, on a 64-bit computer. Windows, Mac, and Linux clients have all gotten an upgrade in the looks department, and networking support has been boosted for Macs (improving its standing as a free alternative to Parallels and VMWare). Performance improvements for AMD chips is also baked in, so most users can find a good reason to upgrade. VirtualBox is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.


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