Thursday, October 16, 2008

Logitech’s MX Air

The MX Air works both on the desk and air. Similar to the way people use a remote to control a television, when holding the MX Air mouse, you can now lean back and relax while navigating the computer and enjoying media content. If you’ve played with Nintendo’s Wii, the technology is near identical. Aesthetically the MX Air is sleek and unlike any other Logitech mice. It’s devoid of intricate curves for thumb rests and the like. Instead, it follows the “less is more” mantra. The aerodynamic slope makes the MX Air appear to fly, which is the point since it contains gyroscopes to work in the air. The top surface is made of shiny plastic; the belly is plated in metal. There’s an on/off switch just above the optical sensor to conserve power and the whole thing is wireless.In use, the MX Air performs like most other Logitech mice. It’s accurate and smooth. It comes with Logitech’s SetPoint software to program a myriad of buttons. It can navigate web pages, launch applications, and control your music player with dedicated play/pause and volume buttons. The left and right mouse buttons are tactile and the scroll bar is touch based.

Perhaps the coolest part is the ability to pick up the mouse and use it like a pointer or remote. It’s not the first gyroscopic mouse on the market but Logitech is hedging its bet on design and multimedia users. My favorite feature are the volume controls. Hold the mouse like a remote, press the volume button and flick your wrist to the right and left to raise or lower the volume.
Specifictions :

* Sleek modern design. Definitely stands out as a show piece.
* Innovative Freespace controls allow the mouse to work off a surface flawlessly.
* Gyroscopes help the mouse work held sideways.
* Pointer cursor is bigger than usual to make using from a distance easy.
* The dedicated music controls make it perfect as a remote for your computer.
* Decent battery life. Atleast 3 days worth before recharge. Comes with an equally sleek base.
* Included SetPoint software is powerful. Easy to customize mouse functions.
* Fully Windows XP/Vista compatible.

via
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5-Disk HDD Tower
Acer Aspire Predator Gaming PC
OWC now offers 320GB portable FireWire hard drives
Making That Notebook Into A Desktop
2 Terabyte Big Disk Extreme + from LaCie
Homestar Planetarium Cell Phone Strap

The Venturi Volage Roadster

Amongst all the incredible vehicles at this year’s Paris Motor Show, one of the biggest head-turners was the Venturi Volage vehicle. A fully electric roadster with serious engine power, the Volage boasts 295 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, propelling it from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. It also features a revolutionary suspension/propulsion system that fits two electric motors within each of its wheels!
MIchelin has outfitted the Venturi Volage with a new breed of in-wheel tech that it calls Active Wheel Technology. The idea is to fit as much as possible within the wheel envelope - in this case the entire active suspension, electric motor and brakes . This frees up enough space for a slim and lightweight carbon-fiber chassis that weighs in at 2,369 pounds. It also means that each wheel will be independently powered, which provides for a significant amount of additional control over the vehicle.

Of course, that is not the only impressive thing about the Volage. It is, after all, a fully electric roadster with a top speed of nearly 160mph and a range of 200 miles. And it is very cool looking. The Venturi Volage is currently planned for production in 2012.

via-Venturi Volage
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NASA Concept Car Can Spin 360 degrees
BMW 2015 Concept by Transportation Design students
2009 Hummer H2 Black Chrome Limited Edition
Audi O: A fusion of Automobiles and Audio!
Becker Antomotive Design Peugeot 908 RC

Rotating UFO-Homes Land in America

One of our favorite finds at this year’s West Coast Green were these other-wordly and eco-friendly dome homes from Solaleya. Imagine a circular loft with plenty of skylights and a solar array on top, gently rotating to orient itself towards the sun, and you have the basic idea. It’s like an eco-friendly update to the Chemosphere in LA. The durable domes are constructed using only FSC-certified wood and have been proven to withstand category 5 hurricanes and earthquakes up to magnitude 8 on the MSK scale.

Solaleya’s dome homes feature a 90% wood construction and are insulated with cork. The roofs feature sky-facing windows which suffuse interior spaces with light. An optional feature is a small mechanical structure in the base that allows the domes to rotate. According to Solaleya, turning the house 360 degrees requires roughly the same amount of energy as vacuuming the house once, and in partially-shaded areas this allows the home to maximize the amount of sun absorbed by solar panels on the roof.

While dome-living presents certain challenges such as sloped walls and finding the door, the interior shots of several spaces suggest that owners have found some inspired solutions.

Solaleya domes are the brainchild of Patrick Marsilli, who build his first model in France in 1988. Unsurprisingly, his house drew some stares and inquiries, and his company has since built more than 130 elsewhere in France, and more around the world.

via Solaleya

via Domespace

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The Old House and the Sea ICE Hotel
Dead Whale Found With Car-Size Tongue

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Thursday, October 2, 2008

T@B XL

The T@B_XL($TBD) is a luxurious caravan. This T@B_XL install a 23" flat-screen TV, CD-DVD radio with receiver, sound system, and subwoofer. It even includes a electric fireplace and the SkyView window. Of course, It has a toilet.
Via mocoloco
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NASA Concept Car Can Spin 360 degrees
BMW 2015 Concept by Transportation Design students
2009 Hummer H2 Black Chrome Limited Edition
Audi O: A fusion of Automobiles and Audio!
Becker Antomotive Design Carrozzeria Touring A8GCS Berlinetta Touring
MObi
F1 Concept Lawn Mower
New Breed Of Jaguar C-XF

10 Finalist in PEUGEOT Design Contest 2008

The 10 Finalist in PEUGEOT Design Contest 2008.
"Create a Concept Car which is designed to evolve within the cities of the future, whilst retaining the key values of the 21st century. The projects should bear Peugeot's stylistic codes and must contain the following four aspects included in this design competition: environmental awareness, social harmony, interactive mobility and economic efficiency"
The Pics is the Peugeot 888 conecpt by Oskar Johansen. When leaving the city, entering the highway the vehicles requirements alter to "need for speed" Lowering the vehicle to a closed shape, the car gets a long distance between the wheel axis and a low point of gravity which gives the car stability at high speed.

PEUGEOT Design Contest 2008.

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NASA Concept Car Can Spin 360 degrees
BMW 2015 Concept by Transportation Design students
2009 Hummer H2 Black Chrome Limited Edition
Audi O: A fusion of Automobiles and Audio!
Becker Antomotive Design Peugeot 908 RC

Ferrari V4 Superbike Concept

Designed by Israeli industrial designer Amir Glinik. This superbike concept using a modified V12 engine from the Ferrari Enzo supercar(Crazy idea!), chopped down to four cylinders and modified to drive just one wheel in a motorcycle frame. The V4 superbike features hand controls adapted from an F-16 fighter jet and bottons inspired by steering wheel of Ferrari's Formula 1 racecars. This Ferrari V4 Superbike other features included a all weather touch-screen LCD atop the fuel tank(I like this design!).
Via Autoblog
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Flybar Does its Part to Support the Darwin Effect World’s Fastest Police Hummer H2

Bimotrik Conecpt

Eco Factor: This city vehicle of the future is powered by a bio fuel cell and looks like a car’s front fused with a scooter-like rear. Another three-wheely concept zooms in to hitch a green ride. Originally conceived for the Peugeot Design Contest, designer Jonathan Mahieddine has named this vehicle the Bimotrik. This vehicle is a fusion of a bike and a car as it looks like a trike with a roof attached to it. Intended to run on a bio fuel cell, this is a new kind of green fuel concept which derives energy in the form of hydrogen and electricity as the bacteria feed on impure water. This kind of innovative system keeps the vehicle independent of any other source. Jonathan also feels running on this type of energy will help clean water.
Coming to its form, the Bimotrik is ideal for congested metros where normally people resort to two-wheelers to whiz past the city lanes.
Even the wing-like doors open upwards to allow easy hop in and hop out. Users can steer this vehicle with two handles on the front.

Unlike the other two or three wheeled vehicles, this one has its heart on the front like a car.

The Dark Side: There are a few flaws with respect to practicality as well as eco features. The designer could have incorporated a combination of alternative energy sources like slapping solar panels on the roof and doors. Wonder what eco materials will be used to shape up this vehicle. I think some storage space will be welcome.
Via eofriend

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Flybar Does its Part to Support the Darwin Effect Yamaha's Crotch Air Bag