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May 30, 2008
Dior's Black Diamonds
When it comes to mobile phones there are 3 classes. You have your mass market which is the largest segment. It's what most people have. Then you have your tech market with devices like the HTC Diamond and iPhone. This class tends to innovate and push technology forward. Finally you have your luxe class, such as the case with the new Dior Black Diamond phone. It's no longer about market segment, it's no longer about tech. It's all about the cache that comes with a $5,000 phone.
Money man, so much money.
Posted by tranism at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Lifesaver, Clean Water For All
The LIFESAVER is the world's first all in one ultra filtration water bottle. It can remove both chemicals and microbiological pathogens without using iodine or chlorine. This is quite possibly the most revolutionary invention, more so than OLED TVs, iPhones, or multi-touch screens. The LIFESAVER has the potential to become a key player in disaster relief and to provide clean drinking water for the nearly 1 billion people who are still without access.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
May 23, 2008
Steampunk Tunnel Connects London To New York
Hardly anyone knows that a secret tunnel runs deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean. In May 2008, more than a century after it was begun, the tunnel will finally be completed. Immediately afterwards, an extraordinary optical device called a Telectroscope will be installed at both ends which will miraculously allow people to see right through the Earth from London to New York and vice versa.
Of course artist Paul St. George doesn't mention you can't physically enter these Telectroscopes because they're only connected via fiber optic cables letting one side view the other side by way of live video. Cheeky!
Both ends will be open to the public 24/7 this May so get your cosplay gear ready and I'll meet you there with my optomatrized monocle and sprocket walking stick.
via Tiscali
Posted by tranism at 5:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Shredder Surfboard
I live in L.A. and work 2 blocks from the beach so I should be up on my p's and q's about surfing. Sadly I'm not but this surfboard has my interests peeked. See my ears perking up like a kitty?
To all my surfer readers out there. Would you surf on a board made of cardboard? No? We'll here me out. This may be way better than your typical foam core fiberglass composites. The interior of the Shredder is built like a honeycomb, one of nature's most efficient and strongest geometric properties. The board’s frame contains nearly 400 corrugated-paper slats precisely cut by a computer-controlled saw. The slats intersect at interlocking notches, forming a pattern of triangles and hexagons that provides strength by evenly dispersing force throughout the board. Designer Mike Sheldrake makes it watertight by wrapping it in fiberglass cloth hardened with epoxy resin (similar to traditional boards).
Sheldrake has already sold one to a pro-surfer so lets hope he moves into full scale production like soonish.
via PopSci
Posted by tranism at 5:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 17, 2008
Digital Escapism
Imagine seeing the world at its most beautiful, peaceful, and greatest regardless of what "reality" is. With increasing pollution, devastating wars, poverty, and climate change, human society may be turning for the worse. Although nobody suggests ditching any last efforts to fix our problems, no one can argue with the need to escape every now and then.
Frog Design's "A Digital Escape" is a mask that augments reality into a more serene place. You could look at a pile a rubble surrounded by death and see nothing but glorious sunshine; beautiful architecture set amongst a bed of dandelions. This virtual escapism provides a sort of virtual drug to make the world appear a better place even if just for a moment.
Posted by tranism at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Clutter Free Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most common rooms where clutter seems to build up fast. Modern kitchens have become more than cook work horses. They're also a gathering place and for some, a working place. Imagine having everything within arm's reach, where tools are neatly stored away in a pantry, the cook and work top exists as a bench, and organization is an integral part of the system's design. That's the Balthaup B2 kitchen. It's minimalist, glorious, and most important it works.
Posted by tranism at 2:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 9, 2008
Giant Cobras or Solar Shades?
The greenest form of energy is still the sun. It's free and it's everywhere. Australian design firm Buro North in partnership with the Victorian Eco Innovation Lab show off their VEIL Solar Shades installation. Photovoltaics aren't new but these cobras as I like to call them do more than collect solar energy, they also provide shade. Sun's great and all but I can't stand the heat. These cobras are right up my alley. Just don't bite me.
via Josh Spear
Posted by tranism at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 7, 2008
A Really Blingy Watch
Made of pure white ceramic, covered in 200 square cut topaz gemstones, and created by a designer with a very blingy name himself; Vlad Icobet - it's no wonder this concept Shine watch could potentially be the next big hit with celebs and socialites if it were real. Time is displayed digitally using a proprietary laser projection system. The gemstones only help to amplify the light which essentially "shines" thru.
Do want! via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
May 6, 2008
Who Designed The HTC Touch Diamond?
So with all the press the HTC Touch Diamond is getting, no one's really discussing its origins. Sure it's HTC branded but the smartphone is actually a collaboration between HTC in Taiwan and One & Co. in San Francisco. HTC has the hardware chops but One & Co. knows how to meld the minimalist with the meaningful. Hit the jump for more beauty shots.
Posted by tranism at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)