Witid concept monitor rethinks the dual screen

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

Having more than one monitor is undoubtedly cool, but, if you play video games or watch movies, then you know that the gap between displays — formed by the casing that borders each monitor — can really take you out of what you’re watching, as there’s an inch or two of nothing between the pictures.

Thought up by design firm Witid out of Beijing, China, this monitor eliminates that unsightly gap between two displays by extending the screens all the way to the edges. “But DVICE,” you cry, “isn’t that just a widescreen?” Why yes, but an extra wide one. Also, the second half of the monitor can be swung around the back of the unit, so two people on opposite sides of the display can view images from one computer — kind of like a cubicle buddy system.

The monitor is still just a concept at this time, and may stay that way if it tries to use traditional LCD technology, which might have some shielding issues without a proper enclosure.

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Rhodes Car merges Fred Flintstone with Thurston Howell III

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

For those of us propelling ourselves courtesy of our two feet, the Rhodes Car is the fancy way to get around. This four-wheeled human powered-vehicle is about as luxurious as it gets. You can make it even more versatile with a surry-like roof attachment.

It’s built like a bicycle, but since it has four wheels, let’s call it a quadracycle. Got a family? You can even get a four-seater. Sure, the neighbors might laugh now, but when the oil runs out, you’ll be sitting pretty while they hoof it.

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Microsoft Surface coming to AT&T stores this month

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

You may recall Surface, the interactive-table thingie that Microsoft showed off last year. Surface is basically a table-size computer with a 30-inch touchscreen as a tabletop. The screen actually does some cool stuff when you put certain things on it, like wirelessly downloading pictures from phones put on top of it or creating virtual coasters for drinks.

Awesome? Amusing? Useless? You’ll be able to judge for yourself come April 17 if you live in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio or San Francisco. That’s when some AT&T stores will begin showing off Surface, letting customers experience Microsoft’s monolithic table PC for themselves, which will do things like download ringtones to customers’ phones and giving info on AT&T phones put on top of it. If response is positive, Surface may spread to all of AT&T’s stores. Although we think this Surface spoof video really pegged Surface, we’re looking forward to playing with the real thing and hoping (believe it or not) it blows us away.

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XO Move scooter looks inspired by the Transformers

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

This XO Movie scooter looks like an extra from the Transformers movie, able to fold down and lock itself up when not in use and featuring all of the curves and angles of our favorite robots in disguise. It can carry one or two people and has a variable wheel base to make it more stable while you’re cruising down the highway.

I’d like to see more products inspired by the Transformers. I mean, why can’t my cellphone transform? Or my MP3 player? Sure, you could just build a camera into a phone, but wouldn’t it be more fun to have your phone transform into a camera? Let’s make this happen, designers.

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Ultima Tower is two crazy miles high, wants to be green

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

How tall is too tall? I guess we’ll know once one of these crazy building concepts ends up getting built — if it subsequently falls down, that is.

The Ultima Tower is a conceptualization by designer Eugene Tsui and it’s built around alleviating city congestion in this increasingly congested world. It’s debatably attractive shape is inspired by termite mounds and, instead of trying to brave the winds as your ordinary block-like skyscraper, it slopes gracefully to a point from a 7,000-foot-in-diameter base. The Ultima Tower is designed to provide good ol’ self contained arcology living, takes advantage of renewable wind energy, has its own water supply at its base and throughout the tower, and uses reflecting mirrors to boost the amount of natural light throughout.

I wonder what construction firms think when they look at concepts like this? At least Tsui made it aerodynamic — it’d be a pain if it created some drag against the Earth’s orbit.

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Samsung Luce is a touch sensitive … door handle?

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

Samsung has decided to boldly go where no other touch-sensitive phone manufacturer has dared to go: doors. During the ISC West show in Las Vegas, Samsung unveiled Luce, a touch-sensitive door security system. The big seller here is that the Luce has replaced the traditional security keypad with a touch-sensitive display.

The touch-sensitive nature of Luce also makes it the most slim door security product available at 2.1 cm thick. The Luce just shows a glossy black finish when the door security is not in use, which can slightly minimize security problems. Also included in the system is a fire detector. If it sense temperatures above 131 degree Fahrenheit, it will automatically unlock so all individuals can escape.

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UFO Cap keeps you dry, stupid looking

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

Show your school pride with ion etched hair

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

We’ve seen some pretty wierd places to print things before, but this one is new to me. A team headed by Dr Ray LaPierre at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, used a focus ion beam microscope to etch the school’s crest into a human hair. Apart from the little matter of needing your own Gallium Ion shooting device, I can see tons of future fashion trend possibilities with this one. And the best thing is, unlike with ink tattoos, your loyalty can be ended with a quick trip to the nearest hair salon for a trim.

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A nanotech gel to heal spinal injuries under development

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

Spinal injuries that leave people paralyzed are currently incurable, one of the most feared and rehabilitating things that can happen to you. But researchers at Northwestern University are looking to change that for good, as they’re hard at work on a new nanotechnology that could enable us to completely heal cut and severed spinal cords, allowing the previously paralyzed to walk again.

The tech takes the form of a gel that, when injected into mice with spinal cord injuries, allowed them use of their hind legs again after a mere 6 weeks. The procedure hasn’t been tested on humans yet, but it’s certainly a promising step forward towards a time where spinal cord injuries won’t necessarily mean a life confined to a wheelchair.

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Kid Kustoms Roddlers: a hit with the babes

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

Ladies and babies alike should be able to appreciate a fine set of wheels with strollers like these. Each Roddler is styled with old-school lead-sled flourish, with sleek over-the-wheel fenders and customization options including various shapes, colors, classic trims, decals and paint jobs (including flames, of course).

Really, it’s probably a lot more than any baby needs, especially since it’ll set you back $2,000 to $3,500 depending on how much you deck it out. Only the best for , right?

Check out the gallery below for more posh shots of Kid Kustoms strollers.

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SAS man says Mark Thatcher was involved in Guinea coup

Posted on April 7, 2008 by Zathur

The former SAS officer accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea says Sir Mark Thatcher was involved in the plan.

Simon Mann was arrested along with 67 others in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2004, charged with conspiring to depose the government of president Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

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