Wednesday, August 12, 2009
MILO
Peter Molyneux with Lionhead Studios has created an artificially intelligent thing through project natal that actually communicates back at you. In the Demo of Milo, you can literally talk to and communicate with a little boy they have named Milo. Here you can hold conversations with, complete activities with, and have him see and hold things that you hold up to the camera. You can see your reflection in the water and even swish the water with her hand.You can view the video on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDvHlwNvXaM. This new form of interaction using the camera feature natal is quite advanced, a pretty revolutionary product to be seen soon. They are just testing it now with the x-box 360, but it looks really interesting and somewhat eerie.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Make-up Magic
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Pulse Smartpen by Livescribe
This amazing pen has various features that connect old fashion schoolwork with modern technology. The pen has capabilities beyond that of any other pen. The pen's abilities include taking notes that when plugged in to the computer the notes are already scanned up there. You can also record speeches and and audio notes that go with the written notes. When you push your pen to the notes you took while the audio was recorded you can play back what was recorded through the audio device. There is an infered camera that allows all of the transference of both audio and visual elements composed. There is a speaker that allows playback through the pen. There is a USB connector to connect the pen to the computer to either print the notes or just save them electronically. There is an audio jack that allows for listening through headphones so not to disturb a class with the playback feature. There is a microphone that allows clear audio to be recorded. It can even hold 1 GB worth of information inside the pen.
This smartpen is a revolutionary product that changes everything we knew about old school note taking. This gadget has so many useful features in one is simplifies our lives. We not longer have to type our notes, once the pen is connected it will do it on its own. It is hard to match written notes to audio recordings, but now they will be matched up together. Everything is made easier with this smartpen. The problem is found in paying the price. The pen and started kits start at around 150 dollars. Then there are the 20 dollar ink cartridge refills and 25 for the extra paper notes. However, if you have the bucks, it is truly an investment worth taking.
Sid Dickens Tiles
So each of these tiles comes with a little poem about the meaning of the tile. Each piece has a much deeper meaning then can be seen with the eye. It is a beautiful idea for which each tile is created like a pictograph to resemble. Each of the ideas represented hold more then an idea but rather a moral or quote to live by. I found that each of these tiles is only made in a certain quantity then sold. The artist will the retire that piece so there will be no more of it. This is a good plan, it is as if the artist can only give the pieces of himself to so many people, before he has to make other pieces of himself to give. These tiles are romantic and poetic and the meanings behind them truly shine through.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Venetian Masquerade Masks
Target Kitchenwares
There are some uniquely designed kitchen wares that can be found at target. There is a parakeet garlic press, a shark pizza cutter, a toucan can opener, a mouse cheese grater, and a monkey potato peeler. These are just a few of the many animal kitchen wares you can find there. I would say that this design is intended for mothers who have small children. It probably entertains the children that their parents have such lively tools. However I would say the design targeting children is somewhat dangerous. You really don't want small children playing with these. A pizza cutter is hardly something you want you're four year old to play with. So although designers did intend to entertain people through marketing such animal like fun tools, they probably didn't rightfully consider the damage of if the animals appealed to much to children. If the children see their parents "playing with these" they themselves might want to. The colors and animals look just like their toys to it would be hard to warn against using them. Amusing however too dangerous when you have small children. This product looks as though it should be marketed to children however parents need to consider the vital consequences if they choose in investing in these kinds of tools.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lush - Re-thing Bathtime
Another particularly interesting product is their solid shampoos. They say this is environmentally friendly in that 1 bar saves 3 150 mL shampoo bottles. They have bars made out of different oils, flowers, and nuts. They even have shampoo bars made with plants and fruits that can lighten your hair color.
Yet another uniquely designed product is their massage bars. These are oils kept as a solid until you want to use them. The heat of your hand melts the oil, however if not touching you at room temperature the bar remains solid. These two are made with all natural ingredients with seed and nuts oils that enrich the skin.
Although there are many other uniquely designed products the "bath bomb" will be the last one I talk about. These powdery solid balls come in all kinds of forms. There are ones that make bubble baths, there are moisture ones that leave your skin moisturized, and then there are the fizzy ones that color and strongly scent the entire bathroom. All of them scent your skin and the scent is long lasting.
This company has decided to keep their products organic and hand made to help the environment. Their products come wrapped in recyclable paper instead of plastic. This is just one of the various companies who are trying to help our environment rather then hurt it. It would be worth your time to give their innovative products a try!