Best Of Designlaunches- November
As we step into the last month of this year, it's time to retrospect and pick out the few designs that left a lasting impression on Designlaunches, in the month of November. The pick ranges from everyday things to concepts that we wish were true.
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Fold&Hold Bike is the best seat for your butt
Nokia concept takes the shimmy route
Drag your finger to turn off the lights
Vanity prolonged with the help of a cosmetic fridge
When I didn't know my mascara from my liner, I used to laugh at my older sister when she used to store her lipsticks in the fridge. Now that I'm wiser I know all the benefits of storing them there. Korean company IDOCI has gone a step further in managing our vanity by announcing dedicated cosmetic fridges to store all our lipsticks and gels. The fridge allows you to store all your cosmetics at the ideal 8 - 12 degree Celsius range. Besides maintaining the ideal temperature you can even keep a track of the expiry dates of your items, given that most cosmetics last for around two years from date of manufacture.
The Natural, a two-handled tennis racquet to take on Williams sisters
Lousy backhand and damp forehand may be soon become a thing of the past. Designer Lionel Burt has developed the Two-handled tennis racquet, which is match-legal and may even aid you in disposing Federer! Called The Natural, this Two-handled tennis racquet took 18 years to develop, and was inspired by Lionel's permanent back problems caused by always playing on one side. However, it is not the first time a racket of this type has been used and there are rumors linking 'The Natural' to a racket designed by a Florida-based mechanical engineer and over-50s player called Elie Boukheir.
Altec Lansing Sound Circles and Diamond Speakers encrusted with bling
No matter how geeky a woman may get, there are some basic instincts (no pun intended) that you just can't take away from her. Many manufacturers understand this, which is why they give us hot pink colors to pep up the collection, however very few bling the designs, in spite of reminders from material girls, Madonna and Marilyn Monroe. Designer David Veldkamp understands the need to bling consumer electronic, perhaps because of his better half Rachael. I totally agree with her perception that most speakers and headset are extremely masculine. We women constitute a fair share in the music and cell phone industry, therefore why are we ignored? Addressing this issue, David has come up with these ingenious designs that will really make us girls happy.
Samsung Lavender concept phone
Young Andrew Kim has designed a very ambitious phone. All of 16 years of age, the lad has put his thinking cap and come out with the amazing Samsung Lavender concept phone. The design basically includes a perfume dispenser integrated into the phone plus a USB connector to hook on accessories directly to the phone. The innovative UI sees a liquid representation of the perfume, which actually displays the battery life of the phone. A heady mixture of deep violet and warm pink, the front of the device houses the speakers and the home button that resembles a ruby. The back of the device mounts the camera and the flash. Also speckles of LED stars called "Starlight LEDs" shimmer when used in dark places.
Cybertek Wings cast an eerie spell
Strictly for those who indulge in fantasy play, the Cybertek Wings look like they're out of a fiction comic book. Giving wings to you imagination, this prop can be used for your next fashion shoot or fancy dress party. Created from carbon fiber and extruded aluminum, these wings extending or retract at the flick of a switch. The motion can be repeated about 7 times before you need to recharge the air pressure. The glowing blue colored wingtips give an ethereal look to the model and will look classy in a dim lit room. However choices of red, green, yellow, purple or white are also available.
Sega plays for women DS fans with Project Beauty
Nintendo is always coming up with something innovative. This time it is the new Nintendo DS game called Project Beauty. And as you might have guessed what it offers is make over advice. All you need to do is load scanned images of yourself into the DS and the software then assigns each face based on shape and position of features to one of four categories, cool, active, cute or feminine. After this comes the suggest make over face lined up next to the original face to help you compare. Also you can ask for specific looks related to work or dating or informal setting. Besides this, beauty tips are handed out in the game on how to apple make up, etc. Project beauty will cost $55 but that is a small price for looking beautiful huh? Project Beauty is developed by Sega and Shiseido. Beauty now lies in the hands of the DS holder.
Super Mario Bros Dot Design Mat spruce up your floor
Hardcore Mario fans have another reason to rejoice, they can now get their hands on these awesome plush mats that can be laid down on their bedroom (or whichever room) floor. Featuring the icons from the Mario game, there are five options to play around with. If you have the space (and the money), then call for all five else opt for your fav icon. Each squishy floor tile measures 40cm x 40cm (15.74 x 15.74″), and come in Mario, Shroom, Goomba, Question Mark Block and Brick patterns.
Kodak EasyShare Camera Accessories
It's hip enough that you have a brand new Kodak EasyShare but when the makers are offering cool accessories to match the cam, it's hard to ignore. Kodak introduced its new M-series EasyShare cameras recently and is offering hip stuff like fashion wrist and neckstraps for its cameras. There are a variety of bead shapes and colors for the straps, including red, pink, silver and black. Each bag includes a compartment that will house the camera, plus slide-in holders for SD cards. The larger ones also sport a pocket for mobile phones. Apparently Kodak is hoping to capture the tweens for their accessories market.
Cathay PK-24 desktop stereo
Cathay PK-24 desktop stereo is so out there to confuse you with its high-tech name. Leading you to believe that it’s some sort of disco-tech stereo, it’s actually a CD player in the guise of a miniature grand piano. Load in the CD and switch on the music by hitting the piano keys as the Playback controls have been cleverly disguised as them. The speakers are hiding in the sides plus there is FM radio built in too.
CDA PC 85 is an American style side-by-side fridge with pull out Freezer Drawers
The new CDA PC 85 resembles in exterior design with the GE Profile double drawer bottom freezer refrigerator. However the CDA PC85 features pull-out drawers. Its features are quite similar to the PC 65, but the main differences lie in its two drawer freezer cabinets, two humidity regulated fruit compartments, special temperature drawer which maintain it between -2°C and 2°C, Super Cooling feature and 2 lidded compartments. A bit larger and a bit quieter environment is exuded with the PC 85; with 433 liter fridge and 174 liters freezer capacities, while the noise is limited at 45dBA. Samsung QuatroCooling Convertible refrigerator started the trend of splitting the freezer into two and offers a unique vertically split freezer. But the horizontal split gives a sleeker look.
Japanese cell phones play messages to ward off gropers
Getting groped at is something we women have to just deal with. There are all kinds of perverts in this world and some of them get sadistic pleasure by groping women. To fend off such kind of people Japanese women commuters are arming their cell phone with messages like “Did you just grope me?” or “Shall we head to the police?” The "Anti-Groping Appli" was released in late 2005 by games developer Takahashi, but it has recently gained popularity rankings and has reached No. 7 in this week's top 10 lists of cell phone applications, compiled by Web-based publisher Spicy Soft Corp. Some of the messages flashed onto the cell phone screen (that can be shown to the offender) include "Excuse me, did you just grope me?" "Groping is a crime," and finally, "Shall we head to the police?" The application, which can be downloaded for free on Web-enabled phones, is for women who want to scare away perverts with minimum hassle and without attracting attention, according to Takahashi's Web site.
Whirlpool Espresso refrigerator, Iced Coffee anyone
Talk about becoming complacent in the kitchen and maybe Whirlpool will creep up to your mind. With their innovative products and ideas they tend to pamper you and maybe go overboard at times. But Whirlpool knows how to strike the perfect balance. Their latest offering is the side-by-side fridge-freezer, which has a coffee maker and an integrated water filter. So basically you are looking at a fridge that makes your coffee as well as ice (for the Whiskey) side by side. The 6th Sense Technology ensures that the food is fresher for longer in more hygienic conditions. The unique In-Door-Ice system offers up to 25% more usable freezer space than other models with icemakers. The Espresso maker can dispense hot water for the beverages. The fridge houses an Internal water filter for dispensing pure, clean water.
Shoprider’s Flagship, new sporty style to zip around
Looking for a sporty, not- so zippy alternative to commute? Hit on the Shoprider’s Flagship that gives marrying styles a new look. It neither a golf cart nor a car, but it’s a four-wheeled scooter. How hybrid can you get! The Shoprider Flagship is a four-wheeled electric scooter merged with doors and windows to give it that fusion look. It has front and rear suspension and hits up to 10 miles per hour. The canopy ensures that it remains an all-weather friend but incase you feel a bit stifled in it you can un-hook the doors for the convertible, airy look.
SanDisk's Sansa Clip, Petit and Colorful
I like it when players offer a choice in colors. I mean it’s drab and boring to see those same blacks, whites and silvers. Take a hue out of Vibgyor for chissakes! Adding a mint of freshness to MP3 players is SanDisk's Sansa Clip. Petit and available in different colors, the player looks yummy enough to stun the Shuffle and the Zen Stone. It boasts of a tiny OLED screen, 15 hours of battery life, FM and voice recorders, MP3 and WMA support and a choice of colors.
