electro^plankton

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December 31, 2005

MIT Envisions Stackable Cars

A team headed by William Mitchell, former head of the school of architecture at MIT, has been working for four years on stackable sharable efficient cars of the future. The cars generate zero emissions and will be customizable. Each wheel will essentially be a robot with it's own electric motors and suspension. The team plans to present the final design in a few months to General Motors who has agreed to build a prototype and support the project.

I was watching the powerpoint presentation and it's certainly feasible to do. The way the cars drive up and stack on top of another is pretty cool but its HELLA cool how a car in the middle will unstack itself.

Aside from the stackable cars project, MIT is also working on a number of other prototypes; many having wheels and suspensions that allow for 360º of rotation.

Now I know I need to stay professional but I have a HUGE soft spot for SMART MEN and there are more than a few choice hotties working at MIT.

via THE RAW FEED

MIT hotties after the jump

Posted by tranism at 1:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 30, 2005

Namaste

That's the name of a unique elementary charter school in Chicago, IL. What sets this school apart isn't it's curriculum, but it's focus on each student's health, physical and mental well-being thru the teachings of yoga.

Most schools start with the ring of a bell - students tussling down hallways to get to class. At Namaste, participants start by putting their hands together, bowing their heads and saying the school's name pronounced "namastay". It means "my inner light salutes your inner light".

The charter school opened its doors last fall to 90 kindergartners and first graders anxious to learn in an environment much different from your typical public school. Here, physical education has not been cut and in fact, has been expanded to include not only play, but also breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation.

The philosophy is that children do better when they eat well and move around. Recent studies have proven that kids perform better in the classrooms when they're active and eat nutritious foods. You won't find chips, pizza, or tator-tots here.

Namaste students do the same academic work other children do but who says learning requires you to sit still. When learning the alphabet, students not only say the letter but they move their bodies to look like the letters as well.

Aside from the academic and physical education, reports are coming in that students have taken what they've learned and applied it to everyday life. It is not uncommon to hear Namaste parents claim their children actually reject junk food in preference for an apple or orange. Other instances are parents catching their children going to a quiet corner, breathing and stretching when upset.

The results are in the test scores. Namaste students scored nearly 80% higher than the state average. Obesity (which is running rampant now among young children) is nonexistent, and breakouts of fighting and arguing seem only to exist in the newspapers the children read. In fact, the school is so successful, there is a waiting list.

It goes to show that education is really key to growing kids and their development into successful adults. I just hope more schools like this start popping up around the country.

Posted by tranism at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Who Loves A Robot?

After reading an article in The Economist about why the Japanese love their robots so much, it got me to thinking why the perception of robots in the west is so different.

Japan's population is aging while the number of newborns have sharply dropped. In short, the Japanese are learning how to make robots that can do many jobs to compensate for the lack of "young workers" in the future.

In western cultures, robots are often a threat, destined to take over the world if given too much power. In contrast, Japanese culture view robots as friendly and benign. They have always been enamored and portrayed robots in a positive light, ever since they created their first comic about a robot; Tetsuwan Atomu in 1951.

Some could say their position goes as far back as their approach to religious beliefs. Much of their beliefs rely on spiritual context infused with animism. They make no distinction between animate and inanimate objects. it is not uncommon to see Japanese Shamans bless a car, believing that the car is somehow alive and will act "better" if treated with respect.

Ironically, the Japanese aren't as comfortable around other people. It is impossible to embarrass a robot or be embarrassed. It is the robots predictability that the Japanese respond to. They can be sure that they'll never make a huge mistake on a robot.

A great example is the success of Sony's AIBO (robotic entertainment dog). American consumers tend to be tech geeks who have visions of hacking the dogs software programming. The Japanese consumers like AIBO because it's clean, safe, and predictable.

It will be fascinating to see what kind of robots America builds as they catch up to the Japanese robotics industry. I'm sure the geniuses at M.I.T. will come up with something that will make AIBO jealous. The question is will this robot serve to entertain us as AIBO does, or will it eschew entertainment altogether?

Posted by tranism at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 29, 2005

Nissan + Xbox360 = URGE

Official photos of Nissan's latest concept car dubbed "URGE" are making their rounds on the net. The three-seater is motorcycle inspired (a-bit SMART car too if you ask me), and riders will be able to see thru the vehicle's glass hood to view the displacement engine revving and pumping away. What really sets this vehicle apart are the gadgets and gizmos that pimp it out.

An integrated MP3 player, universal cell phone docking station, and the real big news; a fully integrated Xbox360 using the steering wheel and pedals as controls.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Imaginary Affairs

Bjorn Franke likes to explore basic human emotions by creating tools to elicit them. In his latest work, titled "Traces of an Imaginary Affair", Bjorn explores the emotion of jealousy and how some partners use it as a tool to measure how much they are loved or as a means to boost their self-esteem.

Human relationships are often the battleground for all kinds of psychotic disorders and delusions. One of the strongest feeling between partners is the feeling of jealousy,

"which is born in love and which is produced by the fear that the loved person prefers someone else."
Littré

The kit contains traces of an imaginary affair. These are tools and probes which leave traces on the body such as bite-marks, carpet burns, and kisses.

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Schwetty Balls

Lets keep it real here. Sometimes even your testicles get sweaty. A LOT (too many) of men choose to ignore it which not only is totally gross but can also lead to fungal and bacterial growth that can then open the flood gates for secondary infections.

A handful of men try to do something about it by using talc or baby powder. Both are good but they weren't really designed for that job. Baby powder is too weak since it was designed to be super gentle - thus the "baby" mantra.

What you need is a specialized talc specially designed for clammy sacs. Balla Powder for men is lightly scented and can also be sprinkled between you cheeks, toes, and pits; giving you all day dryness and keeps you fresh.

It's only $15 and it works. Please give it a try.

Posted by tranism at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | |

Mouse Guard

A cool unique online comic by David Petersen called Mouse Guard. In Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world's hard conditions and predators - thus the Mouse Guard was formed. The are not simply soldiers that fight off intruders; rather, they are guides for common mice looking to journey without confrontation from one hidden mouse village to another.

It's very well written and the illustrations are so vibrant and full of life. I've never been a comic reader mainly because all comic content was the same to me. This one seems to have a sweet story wrapped around intelligent themes.

To see the first issue, click here.

Posted by tranism at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Zelda The Twilight Princess

It seems almost an eternity before spring of next year, when the delayed next entry in the Zelda series "The Twilight Princess" makes its debut. Reports are that Nintendo wanted to spend more time on the game, to make it the best Zelda game ever; the best game of this console generation period. Although there are video clips of the game, a nice 30 minute long video of actual in-game video footage from this years E3 conference has surfaced. The video isn't new but it is new to most people so I wanted to show it here.

So if the game doesn't come out until spring of next year, and they've been working with a pretty much completed version since spring of this year; what kind of improvements could they possibly make. Nintendo is notorious for its long development periods but nobody in the industry doubts the company's creative team. To date, they still make some of the most beautiful games.

check this footage out

while you're at it, check there two official game trailers here and here.

Posted by tranism at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 28, 2005

plankton Returns To Sverige

My homie, my bud, my blogmate plankton has returned to his native homeland of Sweden. Don't worry, it's just for a visit. He hasn't been back home in a long time so he's super excited to see his family and all his old friends. Please wish him a safe and fun trip. He'll be back soon.

electro misses plankton :(

Posted by tranism at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Sony's Outsider is a Fat Man

Sony Outsider (by mix media artist Tom Sachs), is a life size replica of Fat Man, the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 1945. The "bomb" is covered in a glossy white plexiglas and sports a Sony logo. Inside the capsule, it's even more perplexing. It's a hotel like room with rich materials like white leather and equipped with the hottest gizmos from Japan's premier electronics company (from 1999 that is - which is when this piece was created).

The purpose? Tom Sachs is fascinated by the seductive power of branding. By slapping the Sony logo all over and in the bomb, the device becomes ironic. What was once a destructive force is now nothing more than a toy; a gadget. It brings to mind the fact that YES the bomb crushed the city but Sony had a hand in rebuilding Japan after the war. In a sense, Japan conquered the bomb years later with its tech wizardry and gadgetry power.

Posted by tranism at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Godspeed the Well-Dressed Man

A company called Godspeed The Well-Dressed Man are making these really beautiful functional scarves for men and women. Made from pure cashmere or lambskin, these scarves provide warmth and protection with a built in hood and a loop to keep the scarf snug around your neck.

A great gift to keep your loved ones warm, or even for yourself. While you're at it, pick us up a pair also. $160 for the cashmere, $180 for the lambskin.

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

December 24, 2005

Happy Holiday Wishes from Electro^Plankton!

Posted by at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | |

Fun Keys

Shrunken two octave keyboards too often play like toys and cramp your style but not the Alesis Photon X25. It's small enough to throw in a decent-size bag. Everything feels great, from the key action, to the high quality pitch and mod wheels to the continuous knobs. As if that weren't enough, Alesis throws in an infrared AXYZ dome to you can control your sound by waving your hand in the air above the keyboard, plus a basic audio interface. Everything is USB powered, so this is the perfect programming synth on the road or just a fun mono/analog/bassline keyboard for the studio.

Only $200. Buy it for me me please!

via Created Digital Music

Posted by tranism at 1:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Think Away The Pain

Pain can be mysterious, untreatable and debilitating, and its causes can be unknown. But if you can see the pain - or at least, your brain's reaction to it - you might be able to master it.

A study from researchers at Stanford University and MRI technology company suggests that's possible. The researchers asked people in pain to try to control a pain-regulating region of the brain by watching activity in that area from inside a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI machine. Initial results showed subjects managed to reduce their pain dramatically and in some cases, completely force the pain to subside.

This type of brain control could be similar to what many Eastern cultures have done for thousands of years - as a form of meditation to control physical pain. As they say, it's all in the mind. Damn, I can almost feel my jedi powers surging thru my mind. This is very very interesting stuff.

via Wired

Posted by tranism at 1:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Damn That's A Nice Looking Factory

Volkswagon may have pulled the ill-fated Phaeton from U.S. shores but the luxury vehicle is still on sale everywhere else. A lucky individual was able to tour the Phaeton factory in Dresden, Germany and it redefines what my idea of a factory looks like. This place looks even better than the Beverly Center (not that any mall is all the great either). Hardwood floors in a factory? It's simple GORGEOUS

Way MORE pictures here

Posted by tranism at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

Synthetic Biology

Work on the world's first human-made species is well under way at a research complex in Rockville, Md., and scientists in Canada have been quietly conducting experiments to help bring such a creature to life.

Their goal? To play a key role in the production of the first synthetic life-form - a microbe made from scratch.

The work is an extreme example of a burgeoning new field in science known as synthetic biology. Several scientific groups are trying to make genes that do not exist in nature, in hopes of reconstructing microbes that perform useful tasks such as producing industrial chemicals, clean energy and cheap drugs.

I find this bit of news fascinating. It has become apparent that we as humans have one tool that sets up apart from every other creature on this planet; we can be inventive, learn, and then pass that information on. It would seem our fate might be dictated by our hand after all and the ability to manufacture micro-organisms to solve many of our diseases and energy problems could revolutionize the way we live and improve the quality of life ten-fold.

However, just with any other new science, international security and ethics concerns place valid eyes on this new field. Could this technology be used to cheaply manufacture bio-weapons? Are we attempting to play the role of "God" by creating life on our own?

Currently, opponents have no warranted fear since even our advance science cannot get around the one universal law; you can't create an egg without the chicken. Sure we can put together all the genetic codes to make our microbe but we need that spark of life in order for the microbe to become active. Scientists are attempting to use natural microbes as a vehicle to absorb the artificially composed DNA and manufacture more by synthesis. To continue our example with the egg and chicken, they basically want to use a natural microbe as a surrogate mother.

I can't wait to hear more about this science.

via the global and mail

Posted by tranism at 1:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

SketchFighter

I remember when I was a little kid, I would often draw out whole scenes, usually maps with opposing armies on either side. I would detail locale names and environmental features like mountains and rivers. In my mind I would imagine mighty battles. A whole half hour could pass by and the only thing that would break my concentration is my mom walking in with the look of concern on her face, wondering why her son is sitting on the floor staring at a sketch making "ching ching ching" and "ahhhhhh" sounds.

It's a pity really because when I try to do that now, I can't seem to completely escape reality into my fantasy world. I am easily distracted thus breaking my concentration. I now turn to video games and although the trend seems to be towards more realistic graphics, I yearn for the simplicity of moving imagery, allowing my mind to make all the graphical effects.

Now I have a video game that does just that, and its for the Mac!

SketchFighter 4000 Alpha is a 2D shooter with a unique hand drawn graphics style. Players explore the sketched world in their ship, defeating bosses, gathering upgrades, and finding access to new areas. Although I've seen many indie games that employ unique stylized graphics, SketchFighter sets itself apart because its developers plan on a massive game with lots of innovative features.

The game is currently in beta testing but I'll make sure to keep you all updated!

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 1:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

December 23, 2005

AnyFilms.net

The world appears different from different perspectives and so each event that takes place is just a small node in an ever expanding branch of stories.

Samsung believes the future of visual entertainment lies in that truth; that a viewer must be able to interact with the story, to influence the events that take place and the outcome.

AnyFilms.net is a new kind of entertainment site where you can watch films directed by some of today's up-and-coming filmmakers and interact with the storyline by manipulating a grid. The end result could be any one of the 11,000 outcomes. You create the mystery, you experience, you solve it.

Is this where mobile interactive entertainment is headed? Try it out a few times to really grasp what is happening. It's pretty cool.

Posted by tranism at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Hello Moto!

Photos of the Motorola A1200 Smartphone leaked out onto the internet last week and I must say, it's a gorgeous design. The A1200 is still under development but press leaks from Motorola have confirmed specs. The A1200 is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, a huge 2.4" 240 x 320 pixel QVGA TFT touchscreen, and memory expandable up to 512 MB using T-flash cards (SD micro cards). Not only are the phone's specs pretty nifty but it's a workhouse supporting all 3 major email protocols, browse and edit Microsoft Office documents, and support for 10 audio/video formats for all your entertainment needs.

The three greatest things about this phone is it's business card scanning function, Linux powered operating system, and its a super lightweight coming in at only 95 grams! I believe that's even lighter than the RAZR.

No pricing yet but it comes out in January 2006.

HELLO MOTO!

Posted by tranism at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Motion Activated Feline Frolic

Cats spend anywhere between 12-14 hours a day sleeping. What a life right? Unfortunately, that's why so many of our feline friends are overweight. Just like us, they need exercise to keep trim and fit.

I don't have a cat but this thing is so cool and so cheap at only $19.95, I may just buy one for the hell of it. It's a robotic mouse with a cute little birdie attached to its tail. You can control the mouse-bot using a remote or leave it on auto mode to randomly start up and play with your cat. With its array of onboard sensors, the mouse-bot can avoid stairs and obstacles meanwhile giving your cat a good chance to chase, stalk, and pounce.

Another cool Sharper Image product. Buy it here and buy one for me too!

Posted by tranism at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Blowfly Blow

Sometimes waking up to turn off the alarm clock accomplishes nothing. Most people go right back to sleep. After awhile, the alarm clock becomes a routine which most people don't even remember turning them off.

One thing that sometimes wakes you up at night and prevents you from getting your beauty rest is a mosquito or fly; annoyingly buzzing around your bedroom. You can't and won't go back to sleep until you've properly disposed of the intruder. This produces adrenalin and requires movements.

Product Designer Ena Macana has taken that bit of science and designed an alarm clock that encourages your body to create adrenalin so you'll wake up faster. The alarm clock blowfly works like a "blowfly" that at preset time, it escapes from it's pod, lifting off like a little helicopter, flying around meanwhile buzzing to wake you up. The only way to turn it off is to get up, catch it and place it back on it's pod.

BRILLIANT!

Reminds me of a Harry Potter match of quidditch
another picture after the jump

via Yanko Design

Posted by tranism at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | |

What's That Fuckin' Song Title?!?!

How many times have you said that after hearing a nice long mix set on the radio? You sit and wait and listen to the VJ as he/she spouts off something you could care less about, hoping they'll mention the title of the song you just heard. You wait and wait and just when that big moment comes . . . NOTHING, they cut to a fuckin' commercial.

ARGH! It drives me crazy. No more worries, there's a little app. out there called Tunatic. If you want some info on the song, just launch the application (on your computer) and put the microphone by the speakers. Tunatic then searches its massive library of songs and tells you the song title along with some relevant web links.

COOL HUH? For now, the app. only runs on your computer but at only 600 KB, there's no reason why a mobile version couldn't be created. Oh, did I forget to mention that its FREE?

Go ahead, give it a try. It's pretty accurate, even being able to differentiate between different mixes of the same song. Download the Mac or Windows versions.

Posted by tranism at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Snoopy Rocks The iPod nano

I want this badly. Snoopy reminds me of myself. He's intelligent, a little mischievous, persistent, and care-free.

Runat Corp of Japan has launched a limited edition Snoopy iPod nano set. Only 1000 units will be manufactured with a Snoopy engraved on the back of the nano. The pack includes a white 2 GB iPod nano, neckband, and 3 Snoopy skins all packaged in a gorgeous box with relief lettering and paw prints.

Somebody buy for us, it's only $285.

Posted by tranism at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 20, 2005

Killing Polar Bears

plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again.

Approx. 62.5 Miles is how far the polar bear has to swim to find food. Researchers have now found proof that the bears are dying due to global warming.

They are all great swimmers but the distance they need to travel has gotten too far. They simply drown along the way in the icy waters. Several bears have been found along the northern coast of Alaska last month.

Even though the temperature has only shifted a few degrees it has done enough damage to the areas where the polar bears dwell. Large ice caps have melted away leaving many bears stranded with no option but to swim.

This will naturally push the bears even further north where ice shelfs are still intact. There are about 20,000 polar bears today in the arctic parts of the world, all soon will compete for the same foods in less space.

And NO, there are no polar bears in Sweden...not for the last 12,000 years.

Posted by tranism at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 16, 2005

Softwall

plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again.

Created by Vancouver design studio Molo, the paper softwall is a flexible and temporal way to create your walls. Softwall can be compressed and stored away if one wants a larger open space or it can be expanded to make smaller private spaces within the larger space. Made of 400 honeycombed layers of fire-retardant translucent paper, it dampens sound, absorbs and transmits light and is modularly expandable, folding out from only 3 centimeters to 7.5 meters.

It's now part of MoMA's permanent collection
more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

Gmail MOBILE

The Gods over at Google have announced Gmail Mobile. No, you don't have to sign up for another Gmail account. You can now check your Gmail from your mobile phone. Only requirements are that your phone can browse the web.

Gmail Mobile is much more powerful than most of those crappy email systems that come with your mobile data plan. It automatically resizes the interface for your phone. It can open and save attachments like images, word, pdf documents. It also lets your call any numbers right in the email and in your Gmail contacts list.

Soooo Cool!

Posted by tranism at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

ASIMO vs. QRIO

No less than a week after Honda's announcement of their new robot ASIMO - Sony today announces their new and improved QRIO robot.

So the Robot wars between the two Japanese giants are officially on!. Let's recap;

This is Honda's ASIMO, with its increased brain power and improved mobility, ASIMO can now work in a real environment serving up drinks and cleaning up. ASIMO is known the world over to be first compact robot with a full range of human like movement, including running and balancing itself - something really hard for roboticists to simulate.

This is Sony's new and improved QRIO. The bot has a received a major overhaul in software allowing it to react faster and to control it's new arms which allow it to pick up things much heavier than itself. The real improvement here is QRIO's new third eye that allows it to see 180º around him. The third eye also improves QRIO's ability to multitask by allowing it to keep an "eye" on multiple projects at the same time. Sony QRIO is known as the first true bipedal entertainment bot with its uncanny ability to keep rhythm and dance! Not only that, but QRIO can talk and translate almost anything you throw at it!

So there you have it, you got the Honda ASIMO geared towards work and Sony's QRIO geared towards entertainment and knowledge. Which do you prefer?

Posted by tranism at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

WARNING, SHOCK!

Ummm, if women the world over start rockin' the No-Contact jacket, I fear for all the men at clubs that have "grabby" hands. At some point, I'm sure some gay man will find a way to wear it but then again, doesn't that defeat the purpose? A gay man that doesn't like to be touched by those "grabby" hands? Anyways, that's another discussion.

Just what is the No-Contact Jacket? It's a jacket designed to intervene into the social condition of violence against women. I would file this under the category of "smart clothing" but this jacket goes one step further. Moving entirely in a different direction, where most smart clothes encourage, assist, and enhance tactile touch, the No-Contact jacket delivers up to 80,000 volts of electricity into anyone engaged in unauthorized contact with the wearer.

The electricity pulses beneath the shell of the entire jacket and can be deactivated by the wearer. As an added safety benefit, the entire surface is coated with a waterproof nylon to protect it from rain.

you gotta go to their site and check out the videos

Posted by tranism at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Visionaire

Visionaire is a groundbreaking collaboration with International Flavors & Fragrances combining scientific and creative talents of the worlds leading flavorists, contemporary artists, chefs, and photographers. Together, they've created works of art that stretch sensual boundaries of imagination by simultaneously engaging the viewer's eyes and tongue.

Visionaire 47 TASTE (as the project is referred to) uses taste-film technology, much like the popular breath films on the market - to deliver completely unprecedented flavors to the mouth. Each taste, such as Orgasm, Guilty, and Mother are accompanied by an image interpreting the concept. Some tastes are easy to identify while others are highly conceptual. This is considered to be the first time taste and flavor are used as a pure art medium, totally disconnected from food.

mmmm sounds soooo TASTY!

Posted by tranism at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Come, Have A Seat With Me

Three guys set out to study the isolation of humans in terms of being Earth-bound. They see the cosmos as the next step but all we have managed to do is send astronauts, cosmonauts and tyconauts up as reconnaissance and space walks. They want to usher in the age of Cosmosapiens.

What makes Cosmosapiens different from homosapiens? Homosapiens lack understanding of the cosmos, of order. To gain this knowledge, the experience of weightlessness is a basic condition. Therefore humanity, for its future development, urgently needs a Cosmic University to function in zero gravity where critical minds work together.

So in light of their research, they created the isle lounge; an oversized three-legged space to be sat, slept, laid and played in. The isle lounge can be used indoors or out and they come in varying sizes ranging from 45k - 51k.

The large disk does actually dwarf every other object around you and I can totally see what the guys are saying. To sit in it, you feel separated, almost weightless, unbound by distractions. In such an environment, your mind could potentially "work" better.

If all this cosmo speak ain't your cup of tea, then at least you have to admit, one of these things would look awesome in your living room. Just imagine the things one could do in it. :)

if you're interested in purchasing one, email Gorazd Malacic.
more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Got 1k? Buy The XDC-1

Anyone who shops at Neiman Marcus regularly needn't worry about blowing off 1K. That's chump change right? Mr. Marcus is currently selling a high end desktop audio system called the XDC-1. It sounds great connected to your computer and of course your iPod.

Features something the company (Xhifi) calls Low Mass Radial Ribbon technology which delivers smooth detailed sound in a 360º. The binding posts are gold plated and offer superior connectivity. All this technology is housed within European cherry wood.

If you got cash, go here

Posted by tranism at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

December 15, 2005

Hotel Volkswagen Fox

So this is one hell of a story!

Volkswagen plans to reveal its new Volkswagen Fox in the spring of this year in Copenhagen, Denmark. Multiple auto-journalist crews that are covering the event were brought into this hotel! Rather then letting them stay in your everyday hotel, Volkswagen took over a old hotel downtown and built Hotel Fox! They brought in 21 designers, illustrators and urban artists to completely redo the Hotel. Needless to say, each room is a unique art piece worthy of its own exhibition!

You haven't seen anything like it. check it out!

Posted by at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

ibeat

Ibeat's self-powered illuminated headphones can either flash or blink to the beat of your music or provide a constant color flow of neon. The versatile ibeat works with all mp3 players including all the iPods off course. The ibeat is now available in 6 colors in major electronic stores and the suggested price is $29.95

I've ordered 2 already, one for me and one as a gift!

Posted by at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Stridelite

Stridelite jackets address the safety needs of runners and walkers at night. Each jacket features 24-micron-thin electroluminescent lamps that are completely flexible, virtually weightless and highly durable. Schoeller Dryskin Extreme offers the best water + wind resistance with superior active wicking technology, and the garment is also "streetable" for everyday wear.

• 360° Blue Strobe-Light
• visible from 1/4 mile
• 300+ hrs before changing
• 2 “AAA” Batteries
• 3M Scotchlite
• Protective Accents
• Lightweight + Activity-specific Tailoring
• Durable + Weatherproof
• ttery Casings
• 4-Way Stretch Fabric

Posted by at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Kenguru

The Kenguru surrounds the driver sitting in his manual wheelchair. It has soft lines on the outside. The inside space is friendly, operating controls can be easily reached. The driver feels secure even in city traffic.

The design enables the driver to get in and out of the vehicle with a manual wheelchair without changing his seat. The wheelchair locks automatically in place. It can be also used without the vehicle. The vehicle is driven and controlled by a joystick and its connecting panels from the wheelchair. Pretty damn hot! I wonder if Kenguru speaks too, it has that little cute mouth in the front

Designed by Zsolt Varga, Hungary

Posted by at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

December 14, 2005

magenn Floating Wind Turbines

Want free electricity? Here's how. The magenn flying wind turbine is held up by helium generating 4Kw, enough to power your needs. Cost is about 10k, but it pays for itself in about 6 years depending on usage.

It's anchored by a tether that can extend up to 1,000 feet above ground. Generally, 400 feet is enough to catch the minimum 3 meters/sec wind speed needed to sustain a nice supply of electricity. The turbine spins in the air turning the generators. The rotation also stabilizes the turbine while energy is transfered down the tether which also acts as the transfer system.

If you're seriously interested, read more about it here and if you're REALLY interested, order one. :)

another picture after the jump
via treehugger

Posted by tranism at 2:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Cricket Holodeck

If they could choose, where would domesticated crickets choose to be? Living outdoors in the midwest winters is not a good option for the common house cricket, especially ones there were born and raised to be used as live feed. But perhaps they still yearn for the pastoral grasslands and woodlands occupied by their wild relatives.

Mix media artist Amy Young's latest project, Holodeck for House Crickets, explores the possibility of creating a more comforting environment for crickets raised in climate controlled tanks. The enclosure provides an artificial landscape and provides a simulation of motion though it. Through the use of a computer and sensors, the crickets are able to interact with their projected environment by chirping. Each chirp advances the panoramic video footage of outdoor scenery.

Way cool Amy!

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 1:41 AM | Permalink | |

Sharp > Sony Ericsson > Samsung > Nokia > Motorola

When people flaunt their Sony Ericsson's around, proclaiming their awesome design, the amazing screen, the camera, the functionality; I can't help but scoff a little. On the other side of the world, you have the Europeans flaunting their Nokia's and I just want to tell them how inferior their phones are compared to Japanese and Korean phones, but again - I keep that inside. (I'm being mean, I know).

But really, its not about which phone is superior. It's about which phones do what you need best. It's different for me only because I'm a technophile and tech elitist. I need the latest, otherwise I feel backwards and outdated and that's REALLY easy to feel living in the tech-challenged USA.

So my next phone purchase is the awesome and powerful Sharp WX-T91. The beauty of this phone is its 3 megapixel camera and how it operates. The camera is activated simply by folding the clamshell back and then using it like a normal digital camera with the giant sized screen as your view finder. On top of that, the top half of the phone that houses the screen can rotate 180º. But here's the real standout feature. With its massive 1GB storage capacity (can expand even further via mini SD cards), you can store your favorite Tivo-To-Go programs and watch it on the go. Got something you wanna show your coworkers or friends? No problem, the phone is equipped with a USB and TV out port.

So there you have it. I can't decide between the white or red model but its high time I upgraded. Although my Sharp GX-32 is still way ahead of almost all phones available in the U.S., I feel the Tivo-To-Go option and the amazing screen and camera optics are enough to warrant a purchase. It's just a shame that there will be some features I won't be able to use because of our backwards cellular network and it's disheartening to think that even tho this phone outclasses everything else here, there's still a breed of phones in Japan and South Korea that makes this phone look like yesterday's news.

Rambling on here, so just check out more picture after the jump

via phonedaily

Posted by tranism at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | |

December 12, 2005

env

env is a product of the vision and optimism of a combined team of technologists, designers and entrepreneurs determined to face the challenges of the future with courage and resourcefulness.

The env fuel cell bike is for all of us who share a vision of a bright, clean, world based upon a hydrogen economy and it's finally here.

env is not part of a distant utopia, it's a fully-functioning and truly revolutionary machine that works and integrates seamlessly into your everyday life.

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Kung Fu Kids

Already I've been sent numerous emails asking where my own Holiday Gift Guide is. I haven't had time as I keep all that info spread about on post-it notes, scraps of paper, my cell and in my head.

But here's one handy gift(s) that is sure to make anyone happy. The Kung Fu Kids home accessories line takes a cute step forward at bringing in Tai Chi into your home. Solid ceramic and wood pieces bring positive "chi" to your clock, bookend, letter organizer, tape dispensing and pen holder needs.

Each piece is about $30 and definitely a wonderful gift for friends.

more picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

KiteGen

So it's another alternative way to harness the power of wind but there's more than meets the eye. This is no crazy looking windmill turned on its side. No, this is a giant KITE FLYING MACHINE.

Yes just imagine, giant sized kites attached to a generator as they fly around in a carousel potentially generating 1 gigawatt of power!

Invented by scientist Massimo Ippolito, he believes in a future of clean energy. He envisions multiple KiteGen machines that could produce more power than a nuclear plant. He's also a realist, pointing out that NO human activity is "clean" but he believes we should strive to move towards an era where efficiency is achieved from a balance between new and renewable. You can read his full interview here.

It's a shame that more high profile projects like this aren't taken seriously or even have a launch pad to start from here in the States. I fear the U.S. is slipping further and further behind.

Posted by tranism at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Damn You're Packin!

The Play iBox boxer is an ideal knit boxer for trendy, gadget-savvy music lovers. Made from a cotton/spandex blend, this button fly boxer has a discrete front pocket which is perfect for holding your iPod (or some other mp3 player if you really wanna go there, pssshhh).

Nice stocking stuffer. Almost pointless but hey, its kinda hot. Get a man stripped down to his skivvies, one hand on an electronic device, the other on his . . . I won't go there.

Only $22 and still trying to figure out where and how to order.

via wired *Cult of Mac

Posted by tranism at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Hopping Robots on Mars

Penelope Boston and Steven Dubowsky have received a grant from NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts to work on tiny hopping robots. An array of the micro-bots could be deployed on Mars, coordinating with one another like a swarm of insects to search for life below the surface of the planet.

The spheres would store up muscle energy, and then "boink" themselves off in various directions.

The researchers have calculated that about a thousand of the robots could be packed into a payload mass the size of one of the current Mars Exploration Rovers. That would give them the flexibility so suffer the loss of a large percentage of the units and still have a network that could be doing recon, sensing, imaging and perhaps even some other science functions.

A fleet of these little spheres would be sent to some promising landing site, exiting from the lander and then making their way over to some subsurface or hazardous terrain, where they deploy themselves as a living robotic network working independently and together. They create a cellular communication network, on a nodal basis.

Some of the units could be fitted with magnification capability, so one could look at the textures of the materials that they are landing on. Some would also have chemical sensors to sniff and sense the chemical environment.

So freakin cool but it reminds me of that one Futurama episode where humans had to do battle with these super intelligent bouncing balls. Hummmmm. . .

via we make money not art

Posted by tranism at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

USB Glyphs

There's something beautiful about some of the glyphs we use in electronics to denote different functions. For example the firewire symbol created by Apple(?), or the universal icon that means power on/off. There's elegance in their simplicity but 1000 years from now, if our records or lost to time, what will future sentients see? How will they interpret our iconography.

Furthermore, perhaps our own interpretations of ancient glyphs are completely incorrect. For all of our complex explanations, perhaps it was the simplest one that was correct. Maybe the classic "eye of ra" glyph in ancient Egyptian history literally is just an eye.

Take a lookie at the USB symbol now universally recognized as the symbol of data transfer and power. It is an extension of our electronic devices thereby bridging them together so they can communicate.

BUT, in 1000 years, a human who has no idea what USB means may interpret this as what - an ancient map? Perhaps to lost cities that once scaled the planet in width and height? From different perspectives, it could mean a lot of things.

Posted by tranism at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Carve The Slopes In Style

For those of us that actually wear helmets when we snowboard, here are 6 cute ways to accessorize while staying safe. Who would do this? Asians of course, we have to make everything look cute. Helmets anyone?

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

iDJ Mixing Console

plankton here, hi-jacking electro's blog account because I can't get to mine. I had to post this;

The iDJ mixing console an accessory(?), an extension for the iPod as part of a two-channel mixer that accepts all iPod models with the standard bottom port and breaks out their controls onto its dedicated interface. Both channels sport a 3-band EQ and gain control and the units have dedicated mic and phono/line inputs for bringing in additional signals. It's also rocking some USB connectivity, enabling it to converse with your portable rig as a music-loading base.

I have yet to find any reviews on this console. Please let me know, if you hear of anything. . . I'm curious to whether the functionality really works.

Posted by tranism at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 10, 2005

Merry Christmas America

Since USA invaded Iraq in March 2003 a total of 2142 American soldiers are dead.

Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/10/03) 2005

Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03) 1675

Since Handover (6/29/04) 1276

Since Election (1/31/05) 704

Iraqi Civilian casualties are estimated to be 30,000

The war in Iraq has cost the american tax payers $225,523,142,304 as of Dec 10th 2005 (View calculator)

Terrorpilot has put together this little symbolic Christmas animation. One next to the other, like Christmas trees, the dead soldiers form a giant forest, recognizable only by their name, rank, (usually) very young age, and personal history.

Posted by at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Hatches Are Hot

One of the selling points of a new vehicle purchase (at least for me) is utility. That combined with fuel economy and a car like ride means only one thing. . . HATCHES. Hatchbacks are hot! They ride like cars, can fit in any compact spot but they offer the utility a man like me needs, whether it be crap from Ikea, or my dog, or groceries. . . hatches are like refined wagons and I love them.

I generally don't like German cars because there's just something about Japanese techness that I don't find in German vehicles, but the resurrected VW Scirocco due in 2008 may just change my mind. Similar to the original, its a sport hatchback but wearing the new corporate VW face. Lookin Japanese from the side and the rear, but its all German in the front and inside. I love it! Make a hybrid version and I'm sooooo there, rippin' up the streets of Burbank!

Posted by tranism at 1:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

It's A Super Prius

Solatec offers a new modification to 2004-2006 Toyota Prius'. The rooftop mounted solar panel kits consist of two flexible panels that self adhere to the car's roof and charge the hybrid's auxiliary battery through a system located behind the interior trim panels. The "Solaprius" gets a 10% boost in fuel economy bringing it's average up from 55 miles per gallon to 62 miles per gallon.

The kit sells for $2,195 and I have to say, I have the same color Prius pictured here and I think those solar panels look like racing stripes. Looks great. I'm game! Are you?

Posted by tranism at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

December 7, 2005

Mobile Living?

If GMC's vision is correct, mobile homes may move away from large bus formats to a more functional unit that rely on versatility, customization, convenience and luxury. But get this, the GMC PAD concept it targeted towards urban youth in Los Angeles as opposed to the typical 40+ something year old we normally associate with mobile homes.

Although the housing market in L.A. fluctuates (no time like the present to buy a home), the median price range of a decent home is still out of reach for most young people. GMC's solution is to take what young people like best about their homes and have placed it all in a luxurious "mobile urban loft".

The GMC PAD is easily the most fashionable way to live in your car. The vehicle can operate in diesel-electric hybrid mode when on the go but also can generate power for its house features while parked.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | |

December 3, 2005

Trexi

The creator of this cute little guy is Tiziana Haug, she proclaims that design can't be "wrong" or "right" but definitely "appropriate" or "inappropriate." I'd say that this little fella is definitely appropriate. His name is Trexi and he is a 3-inch tall action figure with a rotating head and articulated limbs.

As a trexi user you can either spin its head to match your current state of mind or Trexi can act as a good luck charm, telling you that what mood you will be in.

Im ordering trexi, one for me and one for electro! ;)

Posted by at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Compact Cars Making A Comeback

And it's about f*cking time too. Now, let me preface by saying I am not anti-SUV or some crazy oatmeal eating green-card touting environmentalist. What I am is a person that recognizes we are outstripping the resources of this planet and in our haste to grow, we have caused irreversible damage to our home. We have the smarts, the know-how, and motivation waiting on the table for us to bring about an revolution. And in these times - as the tide turns back to using what is only necessary instead of what is wanted, we can begin that transition to existing in harmony with the environment.

Nobody can expect this to happen suddenly and as with all major historical technological shifts in our society, what is often dismissed are the "transitional" technologies that make revolution possible.

The Citroen C-Airplay concept car is one of those transitional pieces of technologies. No, it's not a fuel cell vehicle nor is it even a hybrid. What it is - is a super efficient 110-hp car with start and stop technology making it a gas sipper.

This isn't just a study in environmentism, this is an exercise meant to bring back driving pleasure based on physical and visual perceptions. With windows wrapping around, above, and on the doors, you can see the world fly by as you zip around town. 110-hp may not sound like much to today's norm but considering how small this car is, it's more than enough power.

So you see, we can make things that satisfy both sides of the argument. We can make cars to help ease us into a resource preserving culture meanwhile satisfying all of those road enthusiasts who'd rather live life to the fullest. We just all need to make an effort in supporting technologies like these.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Shiira, Princess of Power?

I use Safari and Firefox extensively and between the two, there doesn't seem to be a need for another. However there are features in other browsers I wish I had. For instance, I love Omniweb's "workspaces" feature. I often open dozens of urls all at once and sometimes I can't get to all of them right away. Workspaces allows me to save every single tabbed url into a group that appears in a drawer. I can always go back and with one click, open all the urls in that group. It's a more efficient and organized way of doing group bookmarks.

I recently came across another browser for Mac OS X called Shiira (He-man's sister?). It's based off the same web kit Apple's Safari was built on but has some more innovative features yet to be found in Safari. It's basically an open source Safari developed in the land of the rising sun and just like Firefox, has a large community constantly contributing to future builds. It goes one step beyond Safari by allowing you to customize the browser via themes - similar to what Firefox already offers.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Posted by tranism at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

December 1, 2005

How China Will Surpass The U.S.A.

Chinese culture is much older. Anything they build has to be grand and big (Great Wall and 3 Gorges Dam). They have a massive work force with massive resources. Their economy is stronger than ever and exports exceed that of the United States. They are on the cusp of newer, more efficient and green-centric technology that will set them apart as a world power to be admired. One area they still lag behind is in urban development but that is all about to change.

The Beijing Boom Tower project presents a model showing of 6 hectares of the Chinese capital in 2020. The design of the block underlines the conflicting desires of the modern metropolis and its demand for urban space. The project presents extreme towers with an intricate network of bridges, escalators, highways and pedestrian walkways. The Chinese aim to transform Beijing into a society of vertical neighborhoods. It is only a matter of time people . . . only a matter of time.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

Roomba Companion?

So lets see, I got a Roomba doin my floors, but sometimes he needs a little assistance. Why not compliment him with Bandai's Swifter robot?

No he doesn't slice or dice but he's ultra-compact and sweeps after you. Just stick a swifter pad on his cleaning stick. On top of that, he can keep track of your emails, act as a home security system notifying you and authorities in case of emergencies and/or burglaries. Of course you know Asians designed it because it's cute and has eyes.

check it out in action

Posted by tranism at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Seiko Spectrum SVRD001

It's finally available for pre-order and it's mad expensive; over 2k; the Seiko Spectrum SVRD001. It's saving grace is that only 500 will be made and it's the first device that uses that crazy new e-paper technology, sharper than any screen today and paper thin. The design of the watch is similar to a bracelet and the body is made of stainless steel and a black & white e-paper. Shipping starts January 2006.

Posted by tranism at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Shar Pei Towel

plankton sent me this. I thought it was just too cute.

Posted by tranism at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |