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August 28, 2006

Villain Chair

Looking like something out of Star Trek is the aptly named Villain Chair. Made from the finest leather; each tiled cushion turns in towards your body making you feel like the master.

It sorta reminds me of the chair Inspector Gadget's nemesis sat in. It's thousands of dollars but if any of you out there are feeling super generous - feel free to splurge on me.

via uncrate

Posted by tranism at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

Google Maps Flight Simulator

The uses for Google map's API seems endless. Just to add to an already long list of cool innovative uses with Google's framework is a flight simulator that allows you to soar thru the highly detailed satellite maps.

You take control of a plane - pivot, turn, dive, and climb into the skies while exploring your landscape. I managed to find my parent's house in San Francisco, my current apartment in Los Angeles, and my old apartment in New York. Just for sh*ts and giggles, I also flew thru Disneyland. SO COOL!

Posted by tranism at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Freedom of Creation

When there are no bounds set, no rules apply, and only physics dictates what is possible - the end result can be startling. Such is the case with Freedom of Creation's lamps. They are geometric in their uniform structure but there's also something organic about their form, as if you were looking at them thru a microscope. Beautiful and delicate they are.

Posted by tranism at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

August 23, 2006

PS3 Searches for Cure for Cancer

Stanford University and Sony have announced that all PS3's will be able to participate in Cure@PS3, taking advantage of the console's super powerful cell chip in distributed computing. Whenever you leave your PS3 on, it can spend its time decoding information and research in hopes of bringing society one step closer to a cure.

To put that into perspective, lets just say the PS3 sells as many units as the PS2's has sold to date. That's over 60 million PS3's number crunching away, far more powerful than any super computer at any facility.

It sorta makes the $600 price tag easier to swallow (slightly). However, It would be nice to say, "me and my PS3 helped find a cure for cancer".

Posted by tranism at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

August 21, 2006

Onyx Phone

The Onyx concept phone is a window to how we might interact with future mobile devices. It's the first phone to use a touch-screen technology that accurately reads gesture inputs. Aside from your usual drag-and-drop application, the new screen can decipher the difference between one, two, and three fingers touching it. It can even recognize different body parts touching it, say for example the phone rings - just by you placing the phone against your face, the phone will automatically answer the call. The screen is also incredibly thin, almost like paper, allowing for curved surfaces not possible in current touch-screen technology.

What makes this exciting is the technology actually exists, developed by a company called Synaptics, and they've been working with firms around the world to create some very impressive products. The Onyx phone is just the first of what I'm sure is to become many concepts. I can't wait to find out more.

via core77

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 4:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | |

Light Reading

Light Reading is designed to nestle in amongst your books and remain invisible until illuminated. Made from a space age material called Perspex, the lamp is molded into a book shape. Inside the book is a lower energy bulb. When switched on, the light diffuses the material changing its color from black to white at which point you can read the lasered inscribed spine, cleverly titled "Light Reading".

Yeah, I want one. Only $149.00

Posted by tranism at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

Stream Your Music Anywhere

MyTunes is a great free app. that streams your entire iTunes music library for you to listen to anywhere. I currently have it running on my home computer. I simply type in the configured URL in any browser window and a web based HTML page appears with all my music. I can sort by title, artists, albums and stream everything right thru my iTunes player.

A great way for those of us without iPods and those who've already maxed out your iPod's storage capacity. The only requirements are that you have a computer with a broadband internet connection and iTunes installed.

Works on OS X and Windows. CHEERS!

Posted by tranism at 12:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

August 20, 2006

Marcel Wanders' Zeppelin

This is where the old and new meet. The old; classic chandelier, 12 spires made from steel with transparent candle shaped lights. The new; coated in a silk-like resin creating a cocoon. The effect; light perfectly diffused and each pendant lamp different since the random application of resin creates a unique pattern on the shell. Only $2,760.

designed by Marcel Wanders.

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 8:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

The Southern Fashion Connect

There's a fashion movement down south and it has something no other fashion capital in the world can claim, not Paris, not London, Milan, Tokyo, or even New York. Its claim is what I call The Southern Connect.

Bill Reid is just one of the few fashion houses based in Alabama that reminds us of an era when women knew how to make cotton look as opulent as silk, and men rivaled the women in their sense of fashion. Billy Reid is one of those designers that sees a unique American aesthetic long left behind for what most of us today associate as American fashion - the clean sportswear of New York.

Beautifully hand-tailored suits complete the look, often composed of 3-pieces. The cut is modernized but the look harkens back to an era when men were rugged, slick, and gentlemanly all at the same time. In the south, there's nothing wrong with a man-bag. It's gotta be big enough to carry a day's worth of work and a hammer. Unlike New York's minimal clean details, the Southern Connect is all about hand-crafting the finest details our of its abundant supply of cotton, wool, and satin all accented with exotic materials native to the area like reptile skins.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

The Abandoned City San Zhi (part 2)

I got a lot of emails regarding a recent post about an abandoned site in Taiwan consisting of podular housing off the northern coast of the country. It took me awhile but I've found more pictures (in color) of the site and more info.

The area is called San Zhi. There are no named architects since the whole site was commissioned by the government and several local firms. They were trying to create a posh luxurious vacation spot for the affluent and rich streaming out of Taipei. Now this is where things get weird. The local papers say there were numerous accidents during its construction, and as news spread to the urbanites of the island state, nobody wanted to vacation there, much less visit. Locals say the area is now haunted by those who died in vain and because they are not remembered, they linger there unable to pass on.

This explains why the area was abandoned. If the site is haunted, no amount of redevelopment is going to bring the masses to that spot. Even demolishing it is out of the question because destroying the homes of spirits and lost souls is a HUGE no-no in Asian culture.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (34) | |

Harry Potter Year 5

Shocked, surprised, thrilled and wanting to sit down and start the next book immediately. It's now 5:30 AM and I've just finished the 5th book in the Harry Potter series; Order Of The Phoenix. I know I'm quite behind compared to other Harry Potter fans but I made an effort to read it his weekend and I'm so glad I did.

Leaving off from the events of the 4th book, it's now the 5th year at Hogwarts and Harry Potter is trying to figure out what will happen in the Wizarding community now that the Dark Lord Voldermort had returned. Unfortunately he faces ridicule from people who don't believe him and a Wizard government falsely misguided and attempting to squish Harry's story with asinine bureaucracy.

If you thought the last book (and movie) were dark and action packed, just wait until you read and see this one. The story-line is top notch. There are so many twists and turns, I'm sure even M. Knight Shalaman would be envious. Here is where we finally see the line drawn, between the forces of evil and those who oppose it. Harry is growing up, dealing with adolescence and his own identity. We see his best friend Ron become more self-confident and reprise his role as the "lazy dorky friend", and of course Hermione - who really is the brightest witch of her age. I found myself reading with my mouth gaped open at times, trying to read fast and faster. I'm not gonna give anything away but I already know, there's just no way the movie version (July 2007) can suck. There are times when content is so good, even Hollywood would have to try really hard to botch it up.

It is in this book, we finally learn of Harry's past in full detail, and what is destined. It perfectly sets up for the 6th book; The Half-Blood Prince and I can't wait to start on it!

Posted by tranism at 5:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

August 18, 2006

Aibo's Playroom

Despite what some of you may think of the French, remember we can't generalize a whole group of people based off the actions of the few. With that being said, I wanna back up that statement by saying I love the French for their infatuation with all things Aibo. I mean, Sony has been clear they are not bringing it back, and yet I see so much stuff coming out of France for the robotic pooch.

Aibo's Playroom is an installation and research project - to explore and extend the abilities of Aibo. The above picture is Aibo turned turtle.

lots of pics after the jump (56k beware)

Aibo lightswitch


Aibo gripper

Aibo frogger


Aibo draws

Aibo scooter


Learn to speak Aibo's language

Aibo tunnels


Aibo carriage

Aibo babybo


Aibo clothes

Aibo slipper


Aibo's playbox

Aibo helmut


Aibo dream reader

Aibo rocker

Posted by tranism at 3:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

Firefox Crop Circle

Some geeks are sooo geeky, they actually transcend to geekdom-nirvana. In the case of the Oregon State University Linux Group, they showed off their geek-prowess by making a giant 220 ft. crop circle.

Ironically, when I consulted my crystal ball, I see fox like aliens overtaking this planet and enslaving the human race. Didn't anybody see The Signs??? Crop circles are mapping points for an invading army! Humans just never learn.

Posted by tranism at 3:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

Comfy Comfy Odu

It's a rollie-pollie cocoon like chair big enough to assume fetal style and cat nap away all your stresses. Just looking at it makes me sleepy. It's called the Odu, made by a German design group called Confused Direction.

Look, there's no confusion to this here, wouldn't you wanna nap in one?

Posted by tranism at 3:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

August 17, 2006

Origami While You Bus

Other than listening to your iPod, looking out the window, pretending not to stare at other riders; you can now use that 'oh so useless' bus transfer and make some origami.

REZ DESIGN slapped on stickers across Liverpool buses to give riders something constructive to do. Why not make an origami french fries holder? Hey, you never know when you need something like that. The design is water tight too. I bet if some of the Survivor contestants knew how to make it, they would have had a hell-of-an easier time transporting fresh water.

via wooster collection

Posted by tranism at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

August 15, 2006

Retro Pulsar Watch

I want this for my B-day! I love the retro pulsar look, wish it came in black too. Based off the original look from the 70's but built with latest-gen technology.

via Nova68

Posted by diverseawareness at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | |

Old Rags Are Hip Furniture

Make use of all the cloths, rags and other textiles you normally throw away; build some furniture?! This chair may not have the smell of new but it sure has originality - 100% made out of old rags and steel strips look.

Designed by Tejo Remy

buy it at Unica

Posted by diverseawareness at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

August 12, 2006

Roll Rampant And Free

Muralist Maya Hayuk adds her skills to a new skate park project in Philly called Roll Rampant and Free - giving the city's skaters a bright, colorful, and vibrant place to do all their wanna-be and not so wanna-be Tony Hawk moves. I will also point out one of the guys in this photo is HOT, but I won't say who.

more pictures after the jump

via core77

Posted by tranism at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | |

August 8, 2006

The Human Hamster Wheel

This street-ready grass-lined wheel was built by a group of students from the Dalhousie School of Architecture.
The wheel is their summer project but more importantly a social statement "not enough grass in the city of Halifax". Their contraption, "take the park with you."

Talk about getting lost in the park, or walking in circles. I would have liked to hear the brainstorm that gave birth to this idea. Go Canada!

via Inhabitat

Posted by diverseawareness at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | |

August 6, 2006

MSN Messenger for Nintendo DS

First it was TV, then it was a browser and pretty soon, a homebrew MSN chat messenger called Beup. The DS is becoming the must have gaming, communications, and entertainment device - even more so than the Sony PSP, which is ironic since the PSP was hailed as the portable entertainment console.

If you check out this video, you can clearly see it's all real. It even carries the Windows Vista interface. It looks to be a free download so if any of you have access to a flash cart, let me know how it works!

via hight3ch

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

August 3, 2006

Godspeed the Well-Dressed Man Fall 2006

Godspeed the Well-Dressed Man, don't you just love the name? The moment I heard of it, I knew I had to know more. I originally blogged about their amazing lambskin and cashmere scarves; some with integrated loops, pockets, and hoodies. It's the one accessory any man can wear without feeling "accessorized."

So when I saw the new Fall 2006 line, I was doubly impressed. Godspeed isn't just an accessory line, it's also shirtings and jackets. I was in possession of these photos for awhile, even before they were up on the website (per the designer's permission). By the way, YOU'RE AWESOME GREG! I wrote and re-wrote this entry many times kept going back to the site to pull more photos. I couldn't decide what I wanted to focus on. There were so many pieces I wanted, items that made me wish it were cold enough here in Los Angeles to wear. For instance, the above photo clearly defines Godspeed's aesthetic - a tailored canvas jacket with their signature lamskin scarf hoodie. That sh*t is HOT.

more after the jump

In no order of preference, here are some of my other choice picks. These are clean tailored looks but there's an edgy sense of sophistication with the use of leather, metallics, and the humorous (i.e. knit cap with squirrel foot tassels).

Everything you see here and on the website are available for purchase. Just hit them up. On a side note, I just wanted to thank the designer Greg for all this hotness. Hook me up Greg? ;)

Posted by tranism at 1:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | |