All posts by Scott Meisner

Fring brings video calling to iPhone and iPod touch

News, Technology, Video, , , , ,

Fring, a popular VoIP  application in the Apple App Store, now allows its users to put their cameras to work by enabling video calls with other cell phone/computer users.  But alas, the iPhone lacks a front-facing camera and so Fring is forced to limit the video calling to a one-way show.  Fring developers are ready to incorporate two-way video conferencing once “a front camera is placed on these.”  The one-way video calls work over Wi-Fi, between Fring-Fring and Fring-Skype callers.  Remember, though, you must have the iPhone 3GS in order for the video calling to work.  (I mistakingly tested it out on iPhone 3G and was quickly disappointed.)  Anyway, this is cool stuff.  Granted, video conferencing capability has been around for some time with Nokia devices, but now it’ll start hitting the mainstream folk with iPhones and iPods touch.

Be sure to look after the break to find a Fring commercial that shows all this in action.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo; Fring Blog]

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Door with a simple, elegant design hides “complex machinery” within

Architecture, Design, Images

Created by Matharoo Associates (for a diamond merchant in India).

…the door is a whopping 17 feet high and five-and-a-half feet wide, and comprises 40 sections of Burmese teak, each of them nearly a foot thick. Each section revolves around some pretty complex machinery: The door’s single pivot hides a counterweight, 80 ball bearings, and 160 pulleys.  But they all work together invisibly. Push on any one plank, and all 40 sections reconfigure themselves into a sinusoidal curve, revealing an opening into the house.

That’s just freakin’ awesome.

[Via Gizmodo; Fast Company]

The Burj Dubai struck by lightning provides a spectacular gallery of photos, video

Architecture, Design, Images, Video, , ,

The Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building and most brilliant architectural feat, still stands tall after getting hit by severe lightning strikes every now and then. Check out some more images below and look after the break for some lightning striking the building in real time and in slo-mo.

[Via Gizmodo]

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Concept: Customized Band-Aid machine

Images, Technology, Video,

Long and Short Plaster, designed by Miyeon Kim & Hoyoung Lee.

Kids these days, running around and scraping themselves.  It forces big people to run to CVS and buy various sizes and assortments of Band-Aids.  This concept Band-Aid machine will rid of this routinized shopping spree by allowing you to cut customized sizes of Band-Aids.  Think of it like a tape dispenser, but for Band-Aids.  Neat-o.

Animated video of the machine at work after the break.  Concept images below.

[Via Gizmodo; Yanko Design]

Continue reading Concept: Customized Band-Aid machine →