The Love Handles chair from Nunoerin features “an interactive finish” that changes color as a response to change in body temperature when you sit on it. You can call it thermo-sensitive if you like. Neat-o.
[Via DesignBoom; Gizmodo]
This giant tree house dubbed “The Wilkinson Residence” is located in Portland, Oregon. It is made entirely of natural wood and contains modern archetectural designs such as curved edges and round windows. Take a peek into the gallery below for some detailed exterior and interior shots of the home. Just imagine living in this thing!
[Via Gizmodo]
The Lenovo Skylight is being billed as a “smartbook,” positioning itself in the yet to be exploited niche between a netbook and a laptop. The internals are the most intriguing, so let’s start there. It’s the first ARM-based smartbook based on Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor and it packs a 10.1 inch (1,280 x 720) display, 20GB of Flash storage, 2GB of cloud storage, an 8GB miniSD card, a 3.1 megapixel webcam, WiFi, and two USB ports. It also features an AT&T WWAN module, allowing you to connect to AT&T’s 3G service for internet access on the go. Keep in mind you must purchase an AT&T DataConnect plan in order to enable this feature. The impressive internal battery lasts up to ten hours on one charge. The Skylight has a very sleek, minimal design; it weighs under two pounds and it’s about the same thickness as a standard smartphone. When you open the no-frills clamshell lid you find the HD display, a full-sized keyboard, and an integrated USB stick. There’s a designated slot where the included USB stick can be stored when it’s not in use. On the software end, the Skylight runs a customized version of Linux that is based around “live web gadgets.” These gadgets include customizable windows for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and YouTube that are constantly updating in front of you. You maybe changing your Facebook status as your live Twitter feed and Gmail account updates themselveswith a YouTube video running in the background. There’s no need to continually log in or refresh. And don’t fret–there’s a standard web browser to surf the Internet the way you’re used to doing it. The OS comes with over 18 pre-installed web gadgets including Amazon MP3 and Roxio CinemaNow, to purchase and download music and movies, respectively. The Skylight will be available for purchase this April for $499 at Lenovo, AT&T, and AT&T stores. There’s no word as to whether or not AT&T will sell it at a subsidized price if you were to purchase their two-year Data Connect plan at time of purchase. Look after the break for a Lenovo product tour video.
Next up is the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid. Lenovo is marketing it as the industry’s “first hybrid notebook” giving users the ability to switch from a normal laptop setup to a slate tablet. Allow me to explain. The Hybrid contains two PC form factors in a single device. What’s interesting here is that each form factor has its own processor, operating system, and storage. At first glance, the Hybrid is a 3.8 pound traditional clamshell laptop an 11.6 inch LED (1366 x 768) screen, a full-sized keyboard, runs Windows 7, and is powered by a CULV Intel Core 2 Duo processor. You guessed it–the second form factor is the detachabledisplay. The display doubles as a 1.6 pound multitouch slate tablet with its own Snapdragon processor and customized “Skylight operating system” as found in the Skylight smartbook. Other specs include up to 4GB of RAM (512MB in tablet mode), two USB ports, eSATA, VGA, HDMI, 4-in-1 memory card reader, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. The laptop can be equipped with a 128GB solid-state drive, with 16GB allotted to the tablet. Like the Skylight it also includes WiFi + 3G Internet connectivity. The battery can support up to five hours of 3G web browsing and six hours when 3G is switched off and in tablet mode. Also neat is that the two form factors are always synchronized; for example, if you are browsing the Internet in laptop mode and detach the display your content seamlessly transfers to the Skylight OS without interuption. The two also share “battery power, 3G wireless, data and documents.” The Skylight software features a “Me Centric” user interface with a four or six section screen display option allowing you to easily access websites, calenders, and other apps while in landscape or portrait mode. Lenovo plans to release the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid on June 1 for $999. Again, no word on a 3G carrier subsidy price.
Normally I do not report on every PC/laptop/netbook release that comes my way. I deemed it poignant to share Lenovo’s smartbook and laptop/tablet hybrid machines because they radiate innovation. The Skylight has a distinctly small, light, and no-frills design and packs impressive internal specs and battery life. It’s customized operating system is unique in that it’s optimized for the web experience from top to bottom. The IdeaPad U1 Hybrid is a fresh concept that I’m frankly surprised to see actually coming to the market. Though it poses as a sleek and lightweight notebook, its detachable multitouch screen that runs the Skylight OS is very intriguing. Such a wild idea may result in the long sought solution to helping the slate tablet find its niche in PC market. No matter how these new entrants in the young smartbook and new hybrid categories sell once they’re released I have a strong feeling their unique form factors and intentions will reverberate throughout the industry as effective product designs.
[Via Engadget, here & here; LaptopMag]
Continue reading Lenovo shows off Skylight & Hybrid innovations
Victoria’s Secret topless bikini may just be the best invention ever. VS wants you to “go as bare as your dare in a sleek and sexy suit” with their latest spandex swimsuit. It comes with a removable bandeau to cover up, but then what’s the point? Also, I’m guessing that VS assumes all US women visit the beach with long golden locks of hair. Watch model Lindsay Ellingson show it off in the video below.
[Via FabSugar]
Check out the latest photo-op from The Island and get aquainted with Jin, Miles, Illana and Mr. Frank Lapidus.
And don’t you just love the Da Vinci style “Lost Supper” image pasted above? Don’t blink, you’re eyes aren’t deceiving you–they are all looking at (not-Locke) Locke.
[Via IGN]
How to Make It In America comes from writer Ian Edelman and executive producers Mark Wahlberg (Entourage), Rob Weiss (Entourage), and Stephen Levinson. It stars Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (Dean), Bryan Greenberg (Ben), Victor Rasuk (Cam), Luis Guzman (Rene), Lake Bell (Rachel), and Shannyn Sossamon (Gingy). The premise is as follows:
How to Make It in America follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (“Kid Cudi”), the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.
With HBO’s Entourage likely coming to a close after next season, this show looks like a worthy replacement. In fact, I feel like it’s Entouage set in New York. Plus Mark Wahlberg and Rob Weiss are feeding their talent into the production of it.
How To Make It In America premieres February 14 at 10PM on HBO. It will air in a similar syle to Entourage; every Sunday, half an hour in length, 8-12 episodes per season. If you missed the teaser trailer look after the break. The gallery below contains some stills from the first batch of episodes.
[Via DatNewCudi]
Continue reading HBO’s How to Make It In America is coming soon, get prepped
Glass concept home. Designed by Santambrogiomilano.
This home constructed from “extraclear” glass is a very modern beautiful residence that would make me feel relaxed and worried at the same time. On one hand a completely transparent home can provide for a great viewing of the night’s starry sky; on the other, I would constantly be worried about breaking a piece of glass that could potentially shatter the entire structure into pieces. Any way you look at it, this is one fine design by architectural group, Santambrogiomilano.
[Via ApartmentTherapy; Gizmodo]
After a flurry of rumors and leaks, Google has finally stepped into the light and shared with the world the Nexus One “superphone,” a collaborative device with HTC. Let’s jump straight to the facts, shall we?
The Nexus One sports a 3.7-inch AMOLED display (480×800), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, compass, GPS, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, stereo Bluetooth, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an LED light source under the trackball for notifications. It also comes with two mics (one on the bottom, the other on the back) for noise cancellation purposes. It packs a 1400mAH battery that promises 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time. When you order the device you have the option to engrave a custom two-line message on the back, just like Apple lets you do with the iPod classic, touch, and iPhone.
For now, the Nexus One is teamed with T-Mobile and sells for $179 with a new two year contract. You also have the option to purchase it unlockedfor $529. It will work on AT&T but without their 3G service because it only supports T-Mobile’s 3G in the US. It is available today for purchase straight from Google. Big news is that it’s coming to Verizon Wireless (and Vodafone) this spring.
Obviously the Nexus One runs Google’ Android mobile OS. What’s so special about it is that it’s the first phone to run version 2.1, a much more polished version of Android 2.0. 2.1 includes live wallpapers, home screen panels, 3D photo galleries, Voice-enabled text fields, and a zippier and more handsome experience. Unfortunately like the Droid, the Nexus One software does not include multitouch, though it definitely could handle it. On a different note, Google promises that a future update will allow users to save apps on external storage devices like SD cards.
So what’s the verdict? After having read many reviews it looks like the Google-HTC Nexus One is the phone to get if you’re all about Android. It is not an iPhone killer, and Google is quick to point out that that is not the phone’s intention. Google supports a large ecosystem of different phones, and they welcome the heavy competition the iPhone brings to the table. So, if you are all for the Android OS, I’d take the Droid on VZ or the Nexus One on T-Mobile. Of course you could always wait for the latter to make its way to VZ this spring, can’t you?
On January 9, 2010 the broadcast team and I hit up the CES show floor again to capture more pictures and video from the most exciting booths. This go around includes the following companies: Sony, NovelQuest, Marvell, Toshiba, MSI, BlackBerry, NVIDIA, and TASER. Day Two coverage adds to the amazingness that was Day One in a way you can only see to believe. Again, please watch the introduction video embedded above and then jump after the break to watch new video interviews.
Don’t forget to check out the numerous galleries below that contain pictures from all around the convention floor.
BlueAnt, BlackBerry, MSI, TASER, NVIDIA, Asus, Toshiba, Sharp, and more
Sony
*Jump after the break to watch new video interviews.*
Continue reading CES :: Day Two (includes more photo galleries & video interviews)
The date is January 8, 2009. The place is Las Vegas, Nevada. The time is now. Coverage from Day One at the Consumer Electronics Show is here.
Please get aquainted with what you’re about to witness with the introduction video embedded above. Once that’s done, jump after the break to watch a bunch of video interviews. Topics range from computers to cell phones to TVs. We checked out the following booths: Haier, Intel, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Panasonic, and Sling Media. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. (Oh, and FYI–this is my first time playing the “interviewer” so please bare with me.)
Also be sure to check out the numerous galleries below that contain pictures from all around the convention floor.
Intel
Microsoft
Samsung
Panasonic
Haier
Sling Media
*Jump after the break to watch a bunch of video interviews.*
Continue reading CES :: Day One (includes photo galleries & video interviews)
Today we travelled to the Venetian hotel to check out the pro audio section at CES.
The gallery below contains photos from the following pro audio companies: pARTicular, Anthony Gallo Acoustics, PS Audio, Acoustic Technologies, LLC, Halcro Audio, AudioQuest, MBL of America, Scaena, and J-CORDER.
Out of all the speaker systems we saw, just a couple stood out from the pack. Though I do not consider myself an audiophile (videophile, yes!), I do have a keen eye for industrial design and an ear for “good sound.” What is considered “good sound”? You know when you hear it.
The first company that had us bobbing our heads to the insanely good sound of their equipment was Anthony Gallo Acoustics. Their funky looking carbon fiber speakers blasted Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” with heavy bass and a crisp sound.
PS Audio has created an advanced system that is controlled by touch screens and iPhones/iPod touches.
Acoustic Technologies, LCC speaker set is the first of its kind. It features a single 3” full range driver and it does not require a “sweet spot.” This means that no matter where you stand in the room you can hear the sound emitted from the speakers without distortion. For example, you can even stand behind the speakers in the corner of a room and the sound will sound the same as if you were sitting right in front of them. Very neat.
This is what $7,200 RCA cables look like:
The Scaena speakers feature “stackable subwoofers” and they each output the same frequency.
Our last stop was at J-CORDER and their pro audio equipment proved to be the best looking yet. Their booth featured custom analog Technics reels and McIntosh amplifiers. They claimed to be “true audiophiles” because they believe analog technology reproduces a higher quality sound than digital production.
All in all pro audio is continuing to advance in sound quality and design, as is most technology. Soak in the gallery the below and hit up the company’s links if you’re interested in their products.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the (not live) live blog of the Microsoft keynote and the pro audio coverage thus far. Today we are storming the convention show floor and will be reporting back here with the latest tech goodness in the days to come. Videos, pictures, and impressions straight from the CES show floor are coming soon. Stay tuned.
This year the gorgeous Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will be handed one of the most prestrigious design awards, the “iF product design award.” The 24-member jury chose 778 entries from around 2500 candidates in 16 categories. The SLS AMG took the top crown in the “Transportation Design” category. Prof. Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz: “This sought-after award for the new SLS AMG is a great honour for us. It also reflects the extremely positive feedback on the design of the SLS that we have been receiving since the September world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main.” The SLS AMG is the first Mercedes vehicle to be built in-house by AMG. It’s expected to ship in Europe mid-2010 and later in the US for less than $200,000. Additional shots after the break.
[Via KanyeBlog; InfiBeam; Wiki]
