Gizmodo: Concepts

Double-Lidded Jar Took Way Too Long To Exist

Mark Wilson — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:20:00 EDT

Why do jars only have one lid? How many mothers have—upon discovering they were running low on peanut butter while readying her three kids from school—smashed the jar against the counter and filled their children's lunches with a deadly mixture of creamed legumes and shrapnel? It's a senseless loss of healthy youth esophagus, and an even more tragic loss of perfectly good eats. In the face of record global food crisis and acid reflux commercials, it looks like the double-lidded jar showed just in time. [Sherwood Forles via DVICE and Yanko]

Memento Memory LifeBook Rocks the Oldies

Mark Wilson — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:52:00 EDT

While much of the world is concerned about baby boomer populations of their own, we finally have the simple technologies to, if not prevent conditions like Alzheimer's, help improve the independence and quality of life for those inflicted. This Memento Memory LifeBook concept is a feasible idea for those who need constant, quick reminders and easy access to information.

A clamshell design, one set of buttons sits on the outside of the device with another set inside. E-Ink drives the displays (for simple reading and power efficiency) and a stethoscope earpiece can issue vocal commands clearly.

While there appear to be a few UI flaws to the device (you make calls on the outside buttons, but the phonebook is on the inside), we really like some of the ideas, like RFID tagging important belongings that could otherwise be easily misplaced, and a "passive" camera that can automatically snag shots of people one talks to (combined with some automatic meta data, this could be pretty darn useful and a nice way to remember the family stopping by).

Hit the comments to talk about what you love/hate about the device. Because sooner or later, we may all need one of our own. [SinguilidDesign via medGadget]

SLR Concept Is Bold, Even If Flawed

Mark Wilson — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:33:00 EDT

With the resurgent popularity of SLRs, it's about time that we see a little form-factor innovation come to the field. This concept by Manuel Prada essentially extends the lens into a telescopic design, removing the clunky SLR back. What's the point? The design brings one-handed use and added shot stability (at least according to my five seconds of paper towel roll testing).

But as Yanko points out, the flash ring around the lens glass would most definitely lead to problematic light (a.k..a lens flare) in the taken image. That's why lens hoods exist.

Those of you who take issue with the lack of interchangable lenses—that's already a new trend we're seeing in dSLRs. And really, the biggest problem to me seems to be the rolling off the table factor. Otherwise, I'm sold. [Perez Prada via Yanko Design]

A REAL Universal Remote Concept

Mark Wilson — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Not so long ago, we ran an "All Giz Wants" about a real universal remote—one that wouldn't just change your channels but change your life. (Marketers, feel free to use that). This concept holds a kinship to our humble dream of turning on our oven with the touch of a button...errr...remotely. Make no mistake, it's just an artist's rendering with ergonomics that are questionable at best. But it's something to keep us trudging through life (hopefully from our couches). [coroflot via DVICE]

Crazy Contraptions From The Biodomotica Secret Underwater Lab

Sean Fallon — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Truth be told, the "Biodomotica Secret Underwater Lab" is not actually secret, or underwater, or even a lab for that matter. The name actually referrers to Italian designer Massimo Marazzo's project website where one can find designs that are as unique as they are baffling. A selection of these concepts are available in the gallery below.
[Biomotica via Gizmowatch via Gearfuse]

reNESED, The Redesigned NES

Mark Wilson — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Let us make something abundantly clear.

We would buy this reNESED concept by Javier Segovia. As an emulator it would be nice. But just for good old cartridges would be fine, too. Here's a bonus shot:

Oh, and as a BitTorrent-wielding media streamer it would be incredible. Nintendo, we know you aren't listening. That's why we have Chinese OEM and eBay. [Javier Segovia via Kotaku]

Next-Gen PC Concepts Include Laser Screens, Tactile Interfaces, Glossiness

Elaine Chow — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The Microsoft-sponsored Next-Gen PC Design Competition asks its contestants to design the next generation of Windows-based PCs and judges the resulting entries on innovation, user experience, aesthetics and whether it can ever be manufactured. This year's contest focused on PC designs that "help people do what they feel passionate about." Public voting is over and the winners will be announced sometime this month, but even if we can't participate in the voting process, a lot of these concepts are worth gawking at. Check out some weird and interesting prototypes after the jump.

[Next-Gen Design Competition]

Rocket-Powered Helicopter Pack is an Aerospace Masterpiece

Adrian Covert — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:44:00 EDT

Jetpacks are great, but never could they reach the levels of ridiculousness this strap-on helicopter provides with its rocket-powered rotor blades. The pack is powered by two hydrogen fuel canisters and the rockets at the end of the blades negate the need for a tail rotor. It's entirely possible this is just a drawing that will never actually get made. But as DVICE points out, Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana, the firm that designed this, made an actual prototype of their last jetpack. So I'm holding my breath for some trial videos to hit YouTube. [Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana via DVICE]

Concept Dishwasher Looks Nice, May Turn Your Kitchen into a Rainforest

Addy Dugdale — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:40:00 EDT

Spring segueing into summer means degree shows, when students show off their, frankly, outtahere-lunatic creations. So, without further ado, let's go to the Centre de Design at the University of Quebec in Montreal, where we have an innovative wall-hung dishwasher, or dishwasheur, as it's probably called.

Designed by Marie-Christine Lacasse and Marie Claude Savard, I almost like it. Almost. Big thumbs-up to the elongated rack—but I'm just not sure about that "autonomous" dishwasher unit that moves across the rack, rather like the printer head on an old dot matrix printer. And ladies, where was the spirit level in the making of your dishwasheur? Attention to detail, that's Giz all over, innit? [MoCo Loco]

Transparent Display Concept Proves There's a Use for Anything

Haroon Malik — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The clip shows a completely transparent screen, which actually functions as the laptop's display panel. It's a cool idea, and one we have seen before, but don't you think it is ultimately pointless? If the concept ever saw the light of day, the technology would be distracting and counter-productive in a home setting. Talking of daylight, that would prove quite a problem, shining right through and blinding your dumb ass while you were trying to read a PDF or something similar. Mind you, if you're a soldier in war situation, it probably helps to see what's going on behind your screen. Apparently, there's a use for anything. [Youtube]

F1/Carbon Watch has Expensive Looks, Like Real Formula 1

Kit Eaton — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:43:31 EDT

Designer John Pszeniczny was trying to combine elements of Formula 1 racing with gems and crystals, and we think he's done well with his F1/Carbon GMT watch. It's even got a stopwatch and laptimer built in, and has the time in each of the cities on the F1 calendar. The red-lit display looks kinda mean, and the 18 identical embedded rubies sure are in the spirit of the huge cost of F1. The bracelet style would make it look like a high-tech tyre wrapped round your wrist— though we can't help but wonder about chafing. Just a concept. [Yanko]

Porta Party Mixes iPod and Bathroom With No Stinkiness

Adrian Covert — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EDT

In the outside world, we all know the iPod can take a one-man dance party from 0-60 in under 3 songs. But ever wonder what it's like on the inside? The Porta Party adopts its shape from the similarly named Porta Potty, but has the skin of an iPod. Insidethe Porta Party is an iPod dock and disco ball that will also take the one man party from 0-60 in under 3 songs — if you provide the tunes. And when you're finished inhabiting the iPod, it's kind enough NOT to spit you out on the New Jersey Turnpike. [Nick Rodrigues via LAist via Gadget Lab]

DARPA Developing Weapon Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke Idea From 1955

Sean Fallon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Those of you who are familiar with Arthur C. Clarke's 1955 novel Earthlight may recognize a new weapon from DARPA dubbed the Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition (MAHEM). In the novel, a commander unleashes "The Stiletto"—a weapon consisting of a jet of molten metal hurled through space by an electro-magnet. The MAHEM concept works in much the same way, using a magnetic field to propel a chunk of molten metal that will morph into an aerodynamic slug in flight.

Other weapons, like the High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) round have utilized similar technology for years using an explosive charge instead of a magnetic field as the propellant. According to DARPA "MAHEM could be packaged into a missile, projectile or other platform and delivered close to target for final engagement and kill"—and it would undoubtedly whup some serious ass. Whether the 53 year old idea actually comes to fruition remains to be seen. [DARPA via NewScientist]

Button Remote: A Neat Controller On Your Shirt

Jason Chen — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:22:29 EDT

I like this concept of a stylish remote control that clasps over the button on a piece of clothing. The idea doesn't account for the rise of this little invention called the zipper. But it appeals to me for the subtlety of integration with clothing, and well, because I like to fiddle with buttons. Always have. [Yanko]

Body-Laptop Wooly Jumper Offers Privacy, Warmth and a Big Bucket of Ridicule

Sean Fallon — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:10:00 EDT

A couple of years ago we introduced you to the privacy scarf, which was based on the same principle as this body-laptop wooly jumper, but lacked its homemade, knitted style. The idea is intended to provide "privacy, warmth, and concentration in public spaces," but in the end it just makes you look like an epic douche. And if you think this thing is useless, get a load of the keyboard jumper/glove after the break.

Thankfully, these designs are only concepts at this point. [Flickr and Sternlab via Mr. Gadget via Gearfuse]

Digital Office Assistant Keeps You in Order, Won't Bare Cleavage

Haroon Malik — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT

This Digital Office Assistant, a concept by Michael Kritzer, actually looks rather useful, and is designed with open plan offices in mind. The device sits on four wheels, houses a collapsable workspace, seating area, notebook slot, auxiliary power outlets, in-built external HDD and general storage compartments.

With a retractable wand, the Digital Office Assistant can be pulled around to your heart's content, following you to meetings, lunches and bathroom appointments. It probably won't be as handy as conventional assistants in the latter meetings, but at least your lappie will be safe and accessible. What more could you ask for? [Michael Kritzer via BornRich]

Will You Be Using One of These Phones in 2010?

Sean Fallon — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EDT

What phone will you be using in the far off age of 2010? Along with our flying cars and robot slaves, you could be sporting one of these concept phone designs born out of a partnership between phone company Pantech (Sky Premium) and Korean university students. Pantech has a reputation for wacky concepts that were never intended for production, but these designs seem to be a little out there—even for them. Still, would you trade in your current cellphone for one of these "phones of the future?" [Akihabara News via DVICE]

Silbervogel Gravity Car Has No Muscle, Still Makes the Mark

Haroon Malik — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:45:00 EDT

The Silbervogel Gravity Car concept, by Jakob Hirzel from the Pforzheim University Of Applied Sciences in Germany, has no engine, but still wants to grow up and be a real racing vehicle. The racer relies solely on, you guessed it, gravity to pick up speed. We're thinking the whole exempt engine thing is going to give the Gravity Car a little handicap in conventional races, but as a play thing, it would be pretty great. [Jakob Hirzel via Tuvie]

Coffee Spoons Make Getting a Cup of Joe a Little Faster, More Wasteful

Adam Frucci — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Apparently, pouring a cup of coffee is too much work. That's why these Coffee Spoons were invented. They have powdered coffee, creamer, and sugar inside, and when you pour it all into hot water you can use the container as a spoon. In addition to saving perhaps 4 seconds of your precious time, it lets you use something disposable rather than a spoon which you can wash and reuse. Design at its finest right here. [Yanko Design]

Armari eXtreme Concept Prototype is Liquid Nitrogen Cooled PC Beast

Haroon Malik — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:59:59 EDT

Armari's eXtreme Concept Prototype (XCP) super computer is made of some 100 uniquely designed parts, is either cooled by liquid nitrogen, liquid flurocarbon immersion or thermoelectric cooling and phase change, depending on the model's configuration and has the ability to run 24/7 without needing to shutdown. The XCP will happily function through a temperature range of -110°C to 90°C and being built on Intel's Skulltrail platform, the XCP happily packs quite some power under its Lost in Space-esque hood.

Currently, the XCP is at concept stage, but the final production model is expected to house two quad-core CPUs (3.2GHz) on a motherboard that supports four graphics cards. Nice. We understand that the uber geeks among us are probably sweating profusely in eager anticipation of the XCP. Well, you can stop now, as an expected price tag of $20,000 says this will remain a thing of geek utopia. Yes, elf sex remains therein, too. Sorry. [HEXUS]

USBee Flash Drive has Bendable Neck, Heat Ventilation, Vague Resemblance to a Bee

Adrian Covert — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:25:56 EDT

The USBee flash drive is attention-grabbing, not only because of its bee-themed appearance, but also because of its bendable neck and curvaceous shape. The USBee also features heat ventilation around the circuit board so that you don't fry your precious content. This would be a good thumb drive solution for the Macbook Air and its unfortunate USB situation. [Yanko Design]

Hi-Tech Desk Concept Includes Integrated Laptop Dock

Adrian Covert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:00:23 EDT

This concept desk looks like standard Ikea fare upon first glance, but a closer examination reveals a recessed middle that's contoured for a custom Samsung laptop to dock into. Once locked in, the laptop keyboard sits flush with the rest of the desk, bringing new meaning to the term desktop PC. A novel idea, but I'd be more sold on the idea if it included connections to external accessories, like hard drives and speakers, when you docked the computer into the desk. [Yanko Design]

Seven Alarm Clock Won't Take "No" For an Answer

Sean Fallon — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:40:14 EDT

There are plenty of alarm clocks out there that attempt to "shock" you awake with loud noises or groggily impossible feats of hand-eye coordination—but I think we can all agree that waking up to that would suck really hard. The Seven Alarm clock concept takes a different approach by playing your favorite MP3 (like Shatner's "Common People"—a true classic), then gradually increases the volume if its motion sensor does not detect activity.

The Seven clock was unique enough to earn designer Joel Escalona a Volvo for Life Design Award—which is certainly well deserved. However, could it be turned down by simple movements like waving your hand in the air? If so, the motion feature wouldn't be much more effective than a snooze button—and we all know how well those work. [Joel Escalona via New Launches via DVICE]

iView Concept Gives iMac a Curvaceous Bod and Second Screen on Backside

Addy Dugdale — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:56:01 EST

Designer Nuno Teixeira has redesigned the iMac, giving it a curved screen, second display at the back (not sure what that's good for—educating the mice who live behind the skirting board in the office, perhaps?) and a second webcam. Apparently, he was inspired by the wraparound Cinerama screens from the '50s. [Yanko]