iBasket, futuristic washing machine: Doesn’t need a human touch

Failing to manage laundry and piles of dirty clothes is one of the many daily chores that are left unattended by so many busy people, whose jobs doesn’t leave them with time to take care of them. So with a view to offer a little help to such souls Guopeng Liang brings iBasket – an automated washing machine.

By making it to the top nine Electrolux Design Lab ’08 finalists, iBasket is sure to catch some fancy with the laundry maniacs.

With a transparent cylindrical body made of acrylic glass, engineered plastic and recycled aluminum, the washing machine is pre-programmed to start off the washing spree only after collecting a specific weight of clothes. Once done. It washes the dirty lot for a selected duration, while the built-in air refresh system gets of the smelly odors. And once the washing is over, the LEDs fixed at the bottom flashes out to give you the signal. Not just this, it will also give you a ‘work done’ message on your cell phone and computer via a wireless so that the busy bee that you are, don’t forget that your cleaning business is done! We hope the concept gets real too soon!

Via: Alienhome

The LG KC610 the 8.0-megapixel camera phone

The Samsung INNOV8 competitor is here, LG has released the LG KC910 successor to its LG KU990 Viewty. This LG KC910 comes with a large 3-inch touch screen with 256k colors and a 240 x 400 resolution.

The back design is not provided at the press photos yet, but it is confirm to have an 8-megapixel camera module behind support auto focus plus Xenon flash module. It support video recording with 30 fps in VGA resolution or 120 fps in QVGA resolution.

The extra great features of this phone will be the built in WiFi, GPS, bluetooth and the supports of Xvid and DivX video playing, This 14mm thick KC910 is expected to be available in October this year. There’s no info on those three buttons at the front, it’s maybe the “call”, “home” and “end call” buttons.

[via Slashphone]

Microsoft SideWinder X6 keyboard

Microsoft has taken the opportunity to announce the SideWinder X6 keyboard at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, adding yet another member to the venerable SideWinder line of gaming peripherals from the software giant. It seems as though Microsoft Hardware laid low for quite some time, and the SideWinder name has not exactly lighted up the gaming world for some time already, so hopefully the X6’s debut will change all that. This is touted to be the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market thanks to the pioneering switchable key pad which can be attached to either the left or right side of the keyboard, catering for both left- and right-handers.

The switchable keypad itself is useful for ordinary, everyday tasks, depending on which hand the user is more prone to using. When used for gaming, however, it’s value cannot be undermined. The switchable keypad enables gamers to record up to 90 macros PER game, thanks to a set of dedicated macro keys that accompanies the fully programmable keypad. Instant mode switching allows gamers to move between an Excel spreadsheet and their favorite game in a snap, and the modes are differentiated through the LEDs displayed. The inclusion of automatic profile switching makes it possible to detect the current application, applying the custom profile in an instant.

Some of the features found on the SideWinder X6 keyboard are :-

• New Cruise Control feature continues an action without having to hold down the key or keys assigned to the action. Gamers can use Cruise Control with up to four keys at a time.
• In-game macro record button lets gamers record any sequence of keystrokes - even standard chat messages. Macros are stored on the PC hard drive and can be easily shared.
• WASD gaming keys, the most commonly used keys for gamers, have front-face lighting for enhanced visibility.
• Quick-Launch key gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, allowing gamers to

The SideWinder X6 Keyboard will hit retail shelves this September for $79.95. Image courtesy of Engadget.

Press Release

Gadget watch - headphones with a difference

There’s no need to worry about being music-less when you’re on the move again. These solar powered headphones with FM radio will run for up to 20 hours when fully charged. And one hour of sunlight will provide one-three hours listening. There are no wires to get in the way of walking, running, or whatever you fancy doing. Just music. The radio has a powerful internal antenna and extended base so you can keep everyone else entertained at the same time – sure to be popular on trains. And it recharges itself even when you’re listening to it, as long as you’re in the company of sun.

Heads big and small will love these headphones because the adjustable headband will accommodate all sizes. Plus you’re doing your bit for the environment at the same time. You can pick up a pair here for £19.95 with global shipping.

The iRing - Making the Coolest Gadget Ever Even More Fashionable

Without doubt, the gadget that has set the benchmark for style, technology and popularity is the Apple iPod. It wasn’t going to be long then before new gadgetry was designed around the deity of the techy world, to make the already usable iPod even easier to live with. Introducing the iRing, a Bluetooth ring concept that you wear on your finger to control the playback functionality of your iPod… and to show everyone around you just how tech-savvy you are!

Its wireless connectivity means that skipping that one song that you hate on your favourite CD no longer warrants you rummaging through your handbag, or risking cracking a vertebrae as you twist around for your iPod in your back pocket. You no longer even need to jostle the people around you on the ever-crowded bus, just subtly press on your ring and be in total control of what you listen to.

The iRing’s functionality is every bit as cool as the iPod’s. To adjust the volume, you simply need to slide your finger across the touch sensitive surface of the ring. To play or pause songs, just tap the apple icon on the ring and to skip tracks you need only touch on either side of the icon depending on which direction you want to go.

The initial question with this gadget now rises: with a touch sensitive face, isn’t there a chance of constantly tapping the ring by accident? Well this worry has been taken into account with a lock function incorporated into the design. Simply bend the finger that the ring is on to squeeze two rubber pads on the underside of the ring, and you can listen to Sarah Blasko all the way home without interruption.

The iRing is USB powered and comes with an equally stylish cradle for you to keep the ring safe or (as I would!) display it proudly on your coffee table. The cradle is also used to recharge the iRing through a USB connection.

Some people may think that while the the ring looks good, it wouldn’t match every outfit. All I have to say is that I never thought white earphone wires would take-off in the fashion world either and yet you see them everywhere. People dressed in business attire, sportswear, clubbing outfits all have these same white wires running from their ears to their pockets. It has become a statement in itself, of being cool and being up to date with technology. It won’t be long then for sleek white or black rings to be adorning the fingers of everyone in the street.

From: BehanceNetwork

Sony Xross Fade

Sony Xross Fade coming this September at $500. Featuring dual iPod docks, CD player, and an AM/FM tuner which you can do a remix from these sources. 450 watts of total power output, pump it out via two-way bass reflex speakers and a dual 7-inch subwoofer enclosure.

Other features include, a simplified cross-fader with monitor cue, built-in two-channel mixer, USB recording features (saves mixing sessions to a USB device in MP3 format) and a converter for CDs and AM/FM radio to MP3s.

Become a DJ at home.

[via Uncrate]

Wibrain’s Atom-based UMPC ‘i1′

Wibrain has announced its new UMPC ‘i1’ which is powered by Silverthorne Atom processor and features a built-in HSDPA module. It is planned to be launched on Menlow platform in two versions, one with 1.1GHz CPU and the other one with 1.3GHz version.

The unit will be running Windows XP or Linux and comes with 30GB/60GB HDD, an optional 64GB SSD is also available.

The i1 is expected to be available in Global market on the October. I want UMPC.
[via Aving]

Digital Phone Set makes your home phone all “i-phoney”

It’s kinda hard for Ma Bell landlines to compete with the uber coolness and mobility that is the iPhone. A simple phone at home just rings and maybe has voicemail built in. So how can that compete with a million iPhone apps, built in camera, video player and wifi access? It doesn’t have a chance. Unless, of course, the landline you have is powered by the OpenFrame Home Phone Communication System by OpenPeak.

The $250 communications hub will come with two extension handsets and a base tablet with touch screen LCD screen and OpenPeak doesn’t make any bones about it - it seeks to not only copy the sleek elegance of the iPhone, but to bring all that functionality to a landline world as well. The OpenFrame Home Phone Communication System has applications built in like both standard phone and VOIP access, Intenet access, Satellite Radio, and even a personal calendar/organizer. In addition, there are applications for watching youtube videos, search for cooking recipes, catching up on news and getting the latest weather. All hidden behind those familiar and colorful icons hovering in a jet black background. In fact, OpenPeak hopes to develop third party applications for their base set much like Apple enjoys with their iTunes Application Store.

The designers hope the OpenFrame will do for landlines what the iPhone did for cellphones – make them cool and sexy again.

Source – Gear Crave

Freestyle Dirtsurfer

The Freestyle Dirtsurfer is believed to be faster than a skateboard. It’s more towards like balancing a bike without pedals. There’s a simple lever-activated disk brake mounted on the rear wheel for you to control the speed.

Just nudge the brake bar with your leg by leaning towards the rear for progressive, powerful braking

The Freestyle Dirtsurfer is available for $450.
[via Like Cool]

Romain Jerome watch made from bits of the Titanic

If you’d like a limited edition one of a kind watch that will likely cost you a fortune, well then the designer Romain Jerome has one for you. Actually they specialize in overly expensive watches, however, this one is uniquely expensive. It’s actually made from rusty old parts pulled directly from the Titanic. Which means these watches are by no means of a petite nature, they actually are a bit chunky.

They could have easily had an almost steampunk look, but for some reason I don’t really see them fitting into that genre perfectly. If the watch face had been done a bit differently, it might have easily found its way into that category. The set had nine different watches and each at an outrageous price. Likely more due to the origins of the parts than anything else. Each watch varies a little from the rest, and likely by now they have been snatched up. If they haven’t though you’ll likely have to jump through a few hoops to get ahold of it.

Source: bornrich

Chococlock dispenses chocolate every hour

If you have a serious love for chocolate and need a way to make the time pass a bit faster while you’re stuck in this office, you might pick up one of these. Every single hour it will present a chocolaty treat to you and you have to snatch it off of the tray before it closes back up again. Which means you’ll have to watch the clock a bit closer, as if you weren’t watching it closely enough before. Sadly watching the clock never seems to make it move any faster, in fact it seems to go slower. Luckily if you need an extra boost you can hit the cheat button.

The cheat button will then dispense a chocolate for you even though it’s not time for the hourly sweets. Hopefully the compartment you fill with chocolate stays cool enough that they won’t melt together. You’ll also have to be mindful and make sure the room itself doesn’t get too warm. It will hold about 30 pieces of chocolates, giving you about 30 hours of chocolate. That is unless you’re too anxious and hit the cheat button a lot. You can pick it up for about $40, sadly it’s sold out of the US right now. The UK site has it in stock though.

Source: OhGizmo

Universities now luring students with iPods and iPhones

First it was free internet. Then, some universities were offering free laptops to students. And now, the Gray Old Lady reports that colleges are taking advantage of the popularity of both the iPod and iPhone by offering incoming students one of each.

The idea is to take advantage of our rapidly evolving mobile culture and giving students a means to stay connected while attending class. Acting way too much like “Big Brother,” Universities like the ability to track students through the built in GPS chip, but they also like the ability to be able to contact students with schedule changes. Universities can send emails, IMs or even “tweats” to inform students about canceled classes, campus crises or updates in what the commissary is serving for lunch.

However, the ability to use the iPod/iPhone’s wifi access for the Internet means that students can have mobile research at the touch of a virtual button. But there’s also the nifty ability to record lectures using applications through the ITunes apps store. The options for students is nearly endless.

From the Times article:

We think this is the way the future is going to work,” said Kyle Dickson, co-director of research and the mobile learning initiative at Abilene Christian University in Texas, which has bought more than 600 iPhones and 300 iPods for students entering this fall.

Source – DIGG