Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets

So you’ve got a spare Microsoft Surface and Wii Balance Board laying around, whaddya do? Well, you could try stacking them on top of each other and hope that big-ass table doesn’t crush your little plastic Nintendo toy, and with some code slapped on what you’d end up with is pressure-sensitive surface computing. This clever little concept was cooked up by Josh Santangelo from “Stimulant.” In his demo, featured after the break, he rocks Surface from side to side while colored spots roll back and forth, using a physics engine he developed for MS Silverlight. It’s a great start and we would love to see this resourceful hack put to good use — beyond that of a totally awesome yet ridiculously expensive tilt-a-maze game, minus the maze.

Continue reading Microsoft Surface made pressure-sensitive with Wii Balance Board

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Filed under: Wearables

Oh sure, we’ve already seen solar jackets, backpacks and all manners of like-minded creations, but having an energized trinket around your neck just seems so much more useful. Dreamed up for Samsung’s Young Design contest, the Prometeo is an admittedly large box that could be worn around one’s neck or arm and used to suck in energy from the beaming sun; once it’s juiced, wearers can simply plug a couple USB devices in there and let the good times roll. Additionally, there’s an integrated power meter to let you know just how full / drained the thing is, though we don’t see any sort of AC plug in order to power it up in a pinch. We know, you’re balking at the size of this thing, but don’t you think folks looked at Mr. T funny back in the day? Trendsetting ain’t easy, people.

[Via DesignLaunches]

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Filed under: Cellphones

DoCoMo and Fujitsu are showing off some interesting phone tech in Japan at this year’s CEATEC, particularly a concept device which can be split into two pieces. The gadget features a separate screen and keyboard segment, and the pieces can be configured in a standard flip-phone-like arrangement, or snapped together to form an X1 or Touch Pro-esque landscape QWERTY variation. The two halves are held together by magnets and communicate via Bluetooth. Of course, right now this is very much in the concept phase, and honestly — aren’t we trying to minimize the amount of electronic components we’re carting around? Still, it’s a fairly slick design, and certainly a new way of thinking about phones. Take another look after the break, and hit the read link for a slew of pics.

Continue reading DoCoMo and Fujitsu show off splitting phone at CEATEC

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Never one to settle, Art Lebedev’s design shop is trying its hand at handset design, and we like the looks of it. Art is teaming up with Scartel, a Russian carrier which just launched a WiMax network in Moscow and St. Petersburg, for a flagship handset of sorts, and has left no spec unturned — at least in the wishful-thinking conceptual stage. In addition to a WiMax radio, the device has WiFi, tri-band GSM, microSD, dual cameras, 3.5mm audio, an A/V plug and a gargantuan 850 x 480 screen. There are minimal buttons at the base: a five-way joystick and call / end, and no keypad, so we’re going to assume that we’re looking at a touchscreen device. Now all that’s left is to pick an OS — would Android be too much to ask? Another shot is after the fold.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Art Lebedev’s Scartel WiMax handset concept: we’re moving to Russia

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Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Displays, Wireless

After personally trying out Sprint’s AIRAVE, we’re confident that femtocells have a place in this world. Thankfully, Motorola’s already trying to make them less of an eyesore by integrating a CDMA femtocell into something we wouldn’t mind showing off in the den: an inconspicuous digital photo frame. The “3-in-1″ concept also includes a VoIP soft phone that would theoretically enable calls to be made right from the frame. Of course, Moto’s not handing out any sort of release time frame, but let us be the first to say that this thing needs to hit store shelves on the double — just make sure it’s not carrier specific, and toss in a GSM version while you’re at it, okay Moto? Check out the demonstration vid after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Motorola shows off femtocell-in-a-digiframe concept

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

As the announcements continue to flow from Cologne, Fujifilm is vying for some time in the limelight with two introductions of its own. The FinePix Real 3D system is built around a “newly-developed 3D processor and a twin-lens camera concept” which enables 3D capture and even 3D printing. As of now, no actual products have been revealed to take advantage of the technology, but it’s evidently just a matter of time before your images are literally hanging off of your future digital photo frame. Moving on, we’ve got the Super CCD EXR, a “three-in-one” sensor that supposedly provides high resolution, high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. Essentially, this could lead to ultracompact cameras that provide stunning image quality without injecting high levels of noise in low-light scenarios, but sadly, there’s no actual Super CCD EXR-infused camera to swoon over just yet. Check out every last detail in the links below.

Read - Super CCD EXR
Read - FinePix Real 3D System

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Filed under: Peripherals, Storage

Is this a bottle opener that also functions as a flash drive, or is this a USB stick that just so happens to double as a bottle opener? While pundits debate that one, we’ll step in to tell you that this brilliant creation from the minds of TrekStor includes a solid, brushed aluminum housing, USB 2.0 connectivity and the ability to play nice with any major operating system. Regrettably, it looks as if this one will launch in Europe alone next month for anywhere between €6.99 ($10) and €49.99 $71) depending on size (1/2/4/8/16GB capacities). Please, upload responsibly.

[Via CNET]

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Continue reading Commodore impresses with prototypes at IFA, really

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Filed under: Cellphones

We’ve seen some bizarre — bizarre — handsets in our day, but this one is just too darn cute to call weird. The conceptual Kuma Phone was recently shown off in Japan by Willcom, and according to local reports, the audience in attendance absolutely adored it. The GSM teddy bear, er, mobile can hold up to four speed dial numbers, boasts a built-in vibration function and allows users to answer / terminate calls by “pressing the tail.” An accompanying pamphlet suggested that it would run around $500 should it ever hit mass production, which leads us to wonder if they plan on using Boyds / Vermont Teddies or something.

[Via textually]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Next up is iriver’s latest take on the Unit2, the UNIT2-S, a simpler multimedia communications device for the home. Remember, it’s just a concept, but as envisioned, the working prototype functions as a video phone, digital photo frame, web browser, FM radio, flash gaming rig, SMS/MMS receiver, and audio / video player with DMB television tuner. The specs list a 4.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, 30GB hard drive and 2GB of flash (presumably in the base unit and handset, respectively), mic, stereo speaker, and Li-Polymer battery all packed into a 185.4 x 117 x 19.8-mm tower.

Last up is the R1 DAB radio concept (pictured bottom). Again, the prototype is fully functional and capable of playing back internet, DAB, and FM radio or audio streaming from PC or local storage through a pair of 2W stereo speakers. They also included an alarm clock to remind you that these concepts are just part of an iriver dream — for now.

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Filed under: Portable Audio

Ah, concepts. They make us laugh, they make us weep. And in this instance, they make us proud of the human imagination. Designer Yoonsang Kim has provided an oh-so-subtle tweak to the common earbud, leaving each earpiece in the shape of a question mark. Besides looking fairly attractive in-ear, they can also loop together to make carrying them much simpler. For the clean freaks, the design also keeps bacterial growth to a minimum by removing those dark, damp corners so prevalent in traditional ‘buds. Seriously, how can these not see mass commercialization?

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops, Tablet PCs

We’re still having a tough time labeling Intel’s uniquely designed UrbanMax concept, but according to a company representative on hand at IDF, it was designed primarily to be used as a touch device. The gigantic touch panel machine (slate PC?) includes an 11-inch (1,366 x 768) display, a slide out QWERTY keyboard, a minuscule optical mousing device and Windows Vista behind the scenes. Feel free to check out the video waiting after the jump, and by the way, we dare you to tell us this isn’t totally an HTC Advantage X7510 on steroids.

Continue reading Intel’s UrbanMax concept device demonstrated on video

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Intel appears to be firing on all cylinders at IDF. Besides whatever surprised they have planned for tomorrow, the chip-maker rolled out a prototype of a convertible laptop / tablet / MID / UMPC / netbook / super-gadget called the UrbanMax. There’s not much in the way of specs on the device, but as you can see from the photos, it utilizes a combination sliding / tilting screen to transform into any variety of configurations. The display is a resisitive touchscreen, though it’s not clear what the guts are made up of here. The whole thing reminds us of a giant Tilt, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. One more pic after the break.

[Via jkkmobile]

Continue reading Intel’s UrbanMax slider laptop concept unvieled at IDF

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Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Intel appears to be firing on all cylinders at IDF. Besides whatever surprised they have planned for tomorrow, the chip-maker rolled out a prototype of a convertible laptop / tablet / MID / UMPC / netbook / super-gadget called the UrbanMax. There’s not much in the way of specs on the device, but as you can see from the photos, it utilizes a combination sliding / tilting screen to transform into any variety of configurations. The display is a resistive touchscreen, though it’s not clear what the guts are made up of here. The whole thing reminds us of a giant Tilt, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. One more pic after the break.

[Via jkkmobile]

Continue reading Intel’s UrbanMax slider laptop concept unveiled at IDF

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Filed under: Household

For those out there who’ve already doused their grille in platinum, Fabio Dabori’s sponge-loaded toothbrush could double as the ultimate wax machine. For everyone else still rockin’ the pearly off-whites, surely this thing is more comfortable than those stiff bristles found on the vast majority of brushes today. The Giro Sponge concept is an electric teeth cleaner that features a soft, round head that’s particularly kind to babies and grown-ups with sensitive gums. Word has it that Mr. Dabori has patents on the idea and is hoping to get it on store shelves soon, and we can already see that those cutesy replaceable heads will be a huge hit with the kiddos.

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Filed under: Laptops

Perhaps it’s just that nostalgia for the ThinkPad 701 but there’s something about this dual-display reference design that’s causing optical interrupts all over Engadget editorial. It’s certainly not as elegant as some other dual-display laptops we’ve seen, but what it gives up in looks, the Electronic Keyboards, Inc. design makes up for in practicality. They’re currently pitching it to OEMs and will gladly sell you the related US patents if interested. Though given our choice, we’d be more interested in patents related to an elongated trackpad which doubles as a secondary glass display or e-Ink informational widget. Hey, a boy can dream can’t he?

[Via The Raw Feed]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Mmm, touchscreens. Expansive, gorgeous touchscreens. That pretty much sums up our initial impressions after taking one hard look at James Piatt’s Plica concept. As you can tell, this foldable cellie opens up to reveal a pair of touchscreens just begging to be used for web browsing, texting and photo viewing. There’s also a mini-USB port and a headphone jack, though we’d certainly be interested to see how he plans on slipping a battery in there that lasts more than a hour or two. Can we get a major handset manufacturer to look in this direction — pretty please?

[Via gadgetell]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

DJ MoCAP, master of time and white space, has developed a camera-based controller for the TRAKTOR Scratch DJ System. Just sketch the deck onto a piece of white paper and turn any high contrast surface into a mixing table. There seems to be a bit of latency but overall the system looks fairly responsive. Why? Why not, we say. Video demonstration after the break.

[Thanks, Brian]

Continue reading Video: Camera-based concept turns any surface into a DJ deck

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Filed under: Storage

Not that Samsung is actually looking to pump this out into beauty salons worldwide, but there stands at least a mild chance that sophisticated females shopping for new compacts would also spring for some storage. Joongoo Lee’s Costume is a sleek, deliberately styled 2.5-inch external hard drive that looks entirely at home mixed in with various makeup components. Additionally, the bundled dock is equally sexy, though we can only hope there’s a USB 2.0 port somewhere on this thing. Though this is just a concept, we wouldn’t put it past Samsung to turn into a reality — after all, it did just produce pink and blue BlackJack IIs. Your soft side is showing, Sammy.

[Via PCLaunches]

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Filed under: Peripherals

[Via Wired]

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