Dienstag, 11. Januar 2005

Autoblog in Detroit. Autoblog is at the Detroit Auto Show this week getting the scoop on the latest and greatest as well as posting some jaw-dropping pictures. This is the Porsche 911 Cabriolet which isn[base ']t exactly breakthrough design but still rather gorgeous. So many pictures, so many cars, the Autoblog guys must be as happy as kids in a candy store this week. [Luxist] 3:05:12 PM    comment []

Luxury 5 Star Hotels in Rome. Need some ideas on top end luxury hotels in Rome? About.com has a guide up you might want to check out. Hotels mentioned in the guide include the Westin Excelsior (pictured at right) and Hotel Residence Barberini. The guide itself is well laid out, with a good round up of the amenities and features available at each of the four hotels listed. The Hotel Residence Barberini, in particular, is described as having a penthouse suite which has amazing views of the Roman skyline. [Luxist] 3:04:17 PM    comment []

Tactile Symphony. The Music Toys, developed by Tod Machover at the MIT Media Lab, are very simple-looking toys that are in fact sophisticated instruments to be played by any person (in particular kids). No skill required. Beatbugs (picture left) are percussive instruments that you hold in one hand and tap with the other to create rhythmic patterns. Their antennae can be bent to transform the pitch and timbre of the rhythm. They are connected to each other so that the rhythm can travel from one to another to form larger scale compositions. Music Shapers (on the right) are soft balls that produce notes when they are squeezed, they come with capacitive sensing and conductive embroidery to measure the squeezing gesture. The effect is that of "conducting" musical phrases and forms in a very tactile, visceral and enjoyable way. HyperScore (can be downloaded for free from the Toy Symphony website) is a computer interface that lets children draw and paint, and then turns the drawing and painting into musical compositions. [we make money not art] 2:55:12 PM    comment []

EcoBlast Rechargeable Signal Horn. The EcoBlast Signal Horn from Goal Sporting is a rechargeable air horn that can be attached to most bike frames and filled up with a standard bike pump. It even has volume control for those times you want to honk but not harm. It's no recycled seltzer water, but at just $20 it's our first step towards environmentally safe clowns. Catalog Page [Amazon via KK] [Gizmodo] 10:26:07 AM    comment []

Kata R-102 Rucksack Reviewed. Although the Kata R-102 Rucksack is designed specifically for photographers and their fragile equipment, there's no reason the $125 bagâo[per thou]developed by the same manufacturer of Israeli body armorâo[per thou]shouldn't be considered for anyone hauling a lot of electronics around. It's tough, configurable, and well-engineeredâo[per thou]I especially like the reversible rain bonnet that flips over to show a shiny, silvery side for reflecting the sun (sweaty backs are the main negative point of a backpack over something like a messenger bag). This review of the R-102 even does my favorite thing in a bag reviewâo[per thou]the whole "pull out all your gear, take a picture, then document packing it all" thing. I like visible insertions. Oh, and it has a built-in tripod holder. I call that slick. Review of the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack [ShutterTalk] [Gizmodo] 10:25:14 AM    comment []

Diamond Studded Bluespoon 5G. Howard Forums' Mark Morrow got his hands on the very first Bluespoon 5G, the absolutely smallest Bluetooth headset in the world. In this picture, you can see it next to a clear AX. I picked up an AX just a couple of days after Christmas and have loved it, in part for its tiny size. The 5G is at least half-again as smallâo[per thou]it's really pretty amazing. This first 5G even has an extra bit of ice: the two LEDs shine through two real diamonds. I've pretty much taken myself out of the review gameâo[per thou]it's just too much hassle for the returnâo[per thou]but I may have to get my hands on one of these handmade, limited edition units. A Bluetooth headset that's too small to even use a half-sized USB plug to charge through is my kind of technology (now I just wish Bluespoon would ditch the annoying 10 second blue LED flash when paired). NextLink's "Special Edition #1" BlueSpoon 5G!! "Mission Invisible" Accomplished [HowardForum] [Gizmodo] 10:24:10 AM    comment []

Sanyo @ CES - Phone pr0n IV, The W22SA Spacephone. There is a serious dearth of coverage about the new W22SA in English, however weâo[dot accent]ve been able to catch the basic details. It has all the same features of the W21SA, including OCR translatation software that lets you take a picture of text in English and display the Japanese word. The 22 forgoes the 21âo[dot accent]s twist and flip screen in favor of a more traditional flip but itâo[dot accent]s still packed full of gadgety goodness. It has stereo speakers (for extra trick ringtones) and this crazy navigation pad that lets you control certain phone features with the lid closed. (those five little dots below Snow White). By using newer chips and giving up on the twist and flip design, the 22 is significantly lighter and smaller than the 21 without sacrificing any features. Just look at how Ryan has to cup the phone gently in his hand (after the break), itâo[dot accent]s so light and small you just have to cradle it. [Engadget] 10:18:49 AM    comment []

Worms activated sculptures. Social Prototypes, by Toronto-based artist Victoria Scott, is a group of five mechanically driven "handtools", which are electronically controlled by the blind underground movements of "Red Wriggler' composting worms. Near the "prototypes", the piles of soil are hosting the worms, decayed organic matter (vegetable scraps, eggshells and coffee grounds) and several sensors. The worm's activities are recorded by the sensors and the resulting minute signals are amplified and modulate the electrical current to each of the motors attached to the tools. These mechanical sculptural objects are in search of a function, and do not perform a useful task, or fulfill a practical need. By inventing and building these sculptures, the artist wanted to question how certain technologies may have been created for our betterment, for constructive purposes, but have been misused or abused, used to abuse ourselves, create distance between each other and our environment. Another installation by Scott, Lay Down can be seen till January 30th as part of the Intimachine exhibition. [we make money not art] 10:15:44 AM    comment []

Costa Rica and other Contenders. The New York Times has an excellent article on Costa Rica (the darling of those few politically correct, eco-hip American tourists) and the other countries who are lining up to lure some of those tourism dollars to their own shores. This is good news for Brits, because as far as I know there are no hideous family-friendly "shall we go to Lanzarote or to Cyprus?" self-catering-with-pool package holidays to Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua or Guatemala. There are, however, some fabulous places to stay, like the Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge in Panama, pictured. Prices in these areas are relatively low; visitors from the UK may spend more on airfare than on hotels, but that's often the case with the most desireable, less-frequented destinations. And at least you won't have to fight for a lounge chair. [Wanda Lust: First Class Travel Blog] 10:13:53 AM    comment []

The Freedom Ship. This is an aft view of the Freedom Ship, and why yes that is a top deck airport upon which to land your Lear jet and a marina in which to berth your yacht. It's the ultimate in luxury living at sea, and cheaper than buying property in London. The ship is not yet built, and may just be a pipe dream, but what a concept: not a cruise ship, but a massive floating city With a design length of 4,500 feet, a width of 750 feet, and a height of 350 feet circling the world every three years. [Wanda Lust: First Class Travel Blog] 10:12:28 AM    comment []