Posts Tagged ‘gadgets’
Merging The Physical + Digital: The Ceramic Stereo
May 22nd, 2013 – Swedish born industrial designer Victor Johansson’s new Ceramic Stereo seamlessly merges the physical and digital to create interactions with improved sensory richness. Using the Ceramic Stereo is simple; connect your smartphone device via bluetooth, place your phone on the wooden center, then move your phone towards a specific edge of the speaker where the phone will detect a command (play, pause, radio, etc.).
Johansson constructed the Ceramic Stereo during his final year at London’s prestigious Central St. Martins University, to illustrate a cohesive way of human interaction with digital design.
“The Ceramic Stereo is one of three outcomes from my degree-project at Central St. Martins. This means that there is about 6-months worth of research and design work preceding the concept,” Johansson explained. While building the Ceramic Stereo, the designer seemed to breeze through the technicalities of constructing the device, but molding the ceramic was a different story. “What took the longest was to create the ceramic bowl itself, I had no prior knowledge to working with ceramic so this was quite a challenge, luckily the amazing technicians at CSM helped me.”
“The interaction-design paradigm of the moment is being centered around swiping our fingertips on glass. May it be phones, tablets, computers, in-car systems, or even refrigerators.” Johansson wanted to reach further, and create objects that humans can interact with in a less tangible way, such as voice commands and waiving your hands in the air.
More tangible options do exist. These options often offer more natural interactions with greater tolerances and error margins and that stimulate a wider range of human abilities than it’s screen counterpart. However, more often than not these tangible interfaces end up having very few functions and limited in terms of adaptation and customization. The Ceramic Stereo is Johansson first stab at creating an interactive product containing user friendly commands that act upon movement.
‘Swatch’ Ring Watch, Madrid
“It’s signature crown still provides an effective means for changing the hour while its hidden e-ink screen shows off the vivid color bands with exceptional definition, ultimately maintaining an analog aspect while also providing a longer battery life.”
Hinting toward the arrival of more e-ink reading technologies in flexible devices, the ‘Swatch’ Ring Watch concept is cool stepping stone for the wearable technologies industry and will surely be the inspiration for more creative and visually pleasing wearable gadgets.
Photography By JVG
Ella Earbuds by FRENDS
December 30th 2012 – A team of designers based out of the charming little surf town of Encinitas, California think headphones should be as gorgeous as a piece of fine jewelry. Frends, (a suitable name for the creative team who are a tight knit group of comrades) created dainty earbuds that are the audio equivalent to a pair of classic stud earrings transformed into a genius sound machine. The Ella Earbuds are crafted out of materials that are usually reserved for luxury goods and the team has used particular jewelry-making techniques for the construction, causing detailed form to meet function and high quality.
Frends recently released two pairs of headphones; the Taylor, a larger yet feminine pair of headphones, and the Layla, the mini version of Taylor – both designed to be a more feminine solution to clunky headphones. Ella is the third addition to the collection; a meticulously handcrafted metal design that comes in Gold, Rose Gold, or Silver. The soft touch fabric cord comes with an easy three-button mic with volume, music and phone control. We owe a massive thank you to these southern California creatives who are giving the world a stunning alternative to the traditional over-sized chunky headphones!
iPad and iPhone Gramophone
October 12, 2012 – In the late 1800s, Thomas Edison introduced the phonograph, and just like that, life had a soundtrack. The Gramophone, designed by the team at Restoration Hardware, borrowed the iconic speaker horn from those early machines to amplify sound with the power of pure physics, creating the perfect contraption for your modern day devices to fit in with your retro styled space. The Base is handcrafted from solid walnut and the horn is made from iron and brass with the ability to boost its volume by three to four times, with no need for electricity. (Buy Here)
Mini Cinema For Iphone 4/4S
September 24th, 2012 – It might be time to kick your movie watching experience on your mobile into high gear with the new Mini Cinema for iPhone 4/4S. This fully non-powered device will not only magnify the screen, but also has a pair of epic speakers thanks to the cone shaped sound amplifier. You’ll get a much larger display and a louder sound without batteries, cords, power or any constraints! ($68.00)
(Photography: Mini Cinema For iPhone)
Man Meets Gear: The Best of Men’s Fall 2012 Fashion & Gear
August 7th 2012 – It’s almost time to bust out the scarves and windbreakers, as Autumn is fast approaching. To get you into the fall time mood we went on gear patrol and rounded up our top picks for the season’s best fashion & gear for men. Wool socks, indestructible headphones, and a high quality wind breaker all made the list – along with some quirky gadgets to help keep the indoors a little more interesting!
Supermarine Anorak by Outlier ($580)
Men’s Geometry Eco Friendly Wool Socks ($34)
California Silverado Headphones ($230)
Leather Town Gloves By Rapha ($170)
Element’s Emerald Collection: Three Panel Shoe ($TBA)
Men’s Deluxe Toiletry Kit ($325)
Toaster & Egg Poacher ($29)
Crocheted Skull Mask ($75)
Filling Pieces x Flybird Pack: Sneakers and Backpack ($TBA)
Raw Denim Tie by White Horse Trading Co ($82)
Custom BBQ Branding Iron ($41)
Best Made Company: The Gear Bag ($240)
Wooden Bear Slingshot ($15)
Stone drink dispenser By Uncommon Goods ($125)
Leicia Brown Leather Camera Case ($150)
Nike DWR Chambray Vapour Jacket ($148)
Leather Lunch Tote ( DIY )
Palette iPad Case by Nick & Beau ($79)
Moonshine: A Gentleman’s Cologne ($72)
Andrew 2 Boot by J Shoes ($TBA)
Darth Vader Apron ($22)
Wooden Handlebars by F&Y ($80)
