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Latest Gear Live Videos
Designer Yuko Taguchi has created a lamp that looks like a joke, but in fact serves a purpose. Her Wind Up Lamp does just that as the key is both a switch and a timer. It runs by a spring-driven generator which produces enough power to turn on the bulb. Once it winds down, the light goes out. Although only a prototype, Yuko says that this would be a terrific device for those who read in bed but fall asleep before switching their lamps off. We also think this would definitely be a viable green alternative to current electric night lights.
Read More 
| hulgerisation
Gallery: Wind Up Lamp Has Working Key
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How do you top a Prada cell phone? That would be the Giorgio Armani Samsung. Unveiled at this week’s Milan Fashion event, the slender phone will become available in Europe in November and other markets next year. They also planning to release an LCD TV in their partnership with Samsung next January. We know that you just can’t wait to get your hands on one of these babies even with the € 650 (~$900.00) price tag.
Read More | Trendhunter
Gallery: Armani Gets His Own Phone
Skitch: Micro-review 5 minutes in
Posted by Sparky Categories: Design, Internet, Product Reviews, Software,
The geniuses over at Plasq have created another application, and while it hasn’t won any awards yet (it’s still in beta) but it’s certain to do so shortly. Skitch allows you to show the world something on your Mac effortlessly rather than try tell them about it in writing or sending massive and unmanageable screenshots. I’m 5 minutes into my experimentation with it and I already can tell this is one of the coolest applications I’ve played with in a while. It makes image capture and annotation a breeze, and does it all with a highly polished elegance.
Skitch allows you to capture screenshots, windows, webcam images, and all sorts of other media into its editing window. Once you have a base image it’s easy to annotate and edit the image with text, handwriting, or other shapes then one click saves it up to the Skitch site on the web for easy sharing. If you don’t want to go the upload route it’s easy to drag your creation into any other application on your Mac, or just save the finished file to disk.
Stay tuned for a much more in-depth review over the next couple of days so stay tuned and check back for more info on this delicious little software treat.
UPDATE:As amazing as the Skitch application is that’s not everything Plasq is throwing on the table with Skitch. Now that I’ve spent a few more minutes with it the service side of Skitch is starting to shine. The ability to save and upload one of your creations (skitches?) to the Skitch service with a single click is wonderfully simple and well implemented. Once the upload is complete you are taken to a webpage for that creation where you can share it with friends as simply as pasting a link into an IM, e-mail, or forum and you can instantly share what you just created. Check out the Skitch page for the photo above.
UPDATED UPDATE: Gear Live’s in-depth review of Skitch has posted - check it out!
Read More | Skitch by Plasq
Gallery: Skitch: Micro-review 5 minutes in
iPhone crushes HTC Touch and Nokia N95 in usability tests
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Design, Handhelds, Software,
Computerworld just published its in-depth usability test of the Apple iPhone, the HTC Touch running Windows Mobile 6 Professional, and the Nokia N95 running the Symbian operating system. The tests involved a number of participants who had never used any of the three devices, and had measurable results (i.e. the time it took to accomplish various actions). Apple’s famed information architecture and interface design skills seem to have paid off as the iPhone bested it competitors by a factor of two in some of the tests.
The study praises the iPhones information architecture and consistent user experience as a strong benefit to any user be it someone new to the iPhone or a power user. At Gear Live we have noticed several inconsistencies in the user interface, for instance, the new message button being in different locations in the mail and SMS clients for instance. We do however agree with the general consensus of the study that overall the user experience with the iPhone is far more unified that it’s competitors.
Things were not entirely positive for Apple - some users found the lack of tactile feedback a little disorienting, however all users were able to finish each of the tasks with the iPhone. The also iPhone fell behind it’s competitors in the sheer count of features. The N95 managed to edge out the iPhone in this category with GPS, voice activation and the ability to record movies with it’s camera. Considering that the Nokia is $100-300 more expensive in the United States than the iPhone many users have elected to splurge for Apple’s $400 easy to use wonder device.
Read More | Computerworld
Gallery: iPhone crushes HTC Touch and Nokia N95 in usability tests
No More Sticky Situations with Clean Gum
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science,
Scientists have finally created a water-soluble gum that won’t stick to the inside of your stomach or the bottom of your shoe. Revolymer’s Terence Cosgrove claims that Clean Gum tastes great, won’t adhere to hair or clothing, and is biodegradable. The gum is created with the addition of a polymer making it less gooey. It will become available commercially in 2008. We wonder if we will still be able to blow bubbles that won’t stick to our faces when they pop. Check Revolymer’s site to watch the gum in action.
Read More | Live Science
Gallery: No More Sticky Situations with Clean Gum
We rarely write anything longhand anymore, at least since spellcheck was invented. But for those of you who still do, the Inkless Pen features a metal alloy nib that will show up on printer or photocopy paper. Think of it as an a no-sharpen pencil that can’t erase. No more refills, no more smudges for left-handers. The pen is guaranteed for at least 25 years, so we think that the MSRP of $29.98 is definitely fair. Find it at Grand Illusions in its very own metal case.
Read More | Grand Illusions
Gallery: Inkless Pen is Pencil in Disguise
Toilet Tattoos Cheer Up Old Bathrooms
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
We are not really into bathroom accessories, but these Toilet Tattoos made by designer Celeste Massullo attracted our eye for their originality. Made from electrostatic vinyl film, you just peel and stick. They won’t hurt the seat and are reusable. There are many varieties, from classic designs to seasonal ones, but it was the “Twinkle” seat that amused us the most. Available with 30 glittery stickers, it is intended to assist in potty training, lid lowering, and hand-eye coordination. Each of the covers are available for $9.95. We wonder if it will work on adults as well.
(Thanks, Todd)
Read More | Toilet Tattoo
Gallery: Toilet Tattoos Cheer Up Old Bathrooms
You can think of this either as a throwback to the old RCA mascot or as a work of art. Two porcelain dogs contain a co-axial speaker system. Designed by Buro Vormkrijgers, the Woofers (pun intended,) are each 20 x 11.5 x 17-inches and made of polyester. Available in black or white, they will deliver 60 to 180 watt RMS with 4 ohm impedance and can be yours for $900.00 for the pair, if you really want a pair of decapitated canines hanging around the house.
Read More | Generate
Gallery: Headless Pups House Sound
Biometric Watch Tracks Your Health
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Wireless / WiFi,
Hitachi has developed a Biometric Wristwatch. While working 24 hours a day for 10 consecutive days, it will analyze your pulse, your sleeping habits, and your exercise routine. Based on a prototype they developed two years ago, the watch now has a lighter weight of 40 grams and is half the size at 43 x 35 x 15 mm. You only need to connect to your PC (wirelessly) to read the data. We think that we are already nervous about a device that tells us that we eat too much and exercise too little. Expect it to hit the market in 2008.
Read More | Industry Watch
Gallery: Biometric Watch Tracks Your Health
Electric Ciggy Prevents Second-Hand Smoke
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
Crown 7 is someone’s idea of an electric cigarette that prevents second-hand smoke. Nicotine cartridges and water create “smoke” that is supposed to be equal to a regular cigarette in its effect. It is also available in a cigar and pipe model and comes with a recharger, 2 lithium batteries, and 2 replacement filters. Additional cartridges cost $10.00 each. For $99.95 and no explanation of the equivalency to a normal cig, we offer another alternative to keeping away second-hand smoke. We call it opening a window.
Read More | Crown 7
