Gizmodo: curtains

Solar Curtains Turn Unwanted Sunlight Into Energy

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:20:00 EDT

Solar energy for household use is a pretty genius idea and one that we think will become more and more commonplace in the next few years. These curtains are semi-transparent and flexible, turning sunlight into electricity whenever you're blocking out light to keep the home cool. These, along with having solar panels on the roof that power your air conditioning when it's a hot day, are an easy way to use renewable energy without having to think about it. Because we're lazy. [Inhabitat via psfk]

Wiimote Curtain Controller Project is Like Resident Evil: Drapes

Jason Chen — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:30:02 EST

Standing up and manually closing curtains is for old people and Luddites. What we roll with is of the mechanical variety, preferably hooked up to something like a Wiimote to give it that extra bit of nerdiness. This Wiimote curtain project is exactly what we mean. Sure, it's not 1:1 arm to curtain movement, but that's exactly the point of not wanting to close the curtain with your arm, manually. Isn't it? [Hasse.nl]

Magnetic Curtains Retain Whatever Shape You Put Them In

Adam Frucci — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:00:06 EST

I can't say that I've seen too many great innovations in the world of curtains lately, but these Magnetic Curtains actually get me excited about something I previously thought only moms cared about. They're big ol' curtains, but they have small magnets embedded throughout, allowing them to be bunched up and stay together. If I had gigantic windows in a hip loft like the example above, I would be all about these. I somehow don't think they'd be as cool on normal-sized windows though. Oh well, they seem to just be a concept design anyways. [Product Page via MoCo Loco]

Expected Curtain Gives the Lonely Friends to Come Home to

AddyDugdale — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:13:36 EST

Designed by Mino Kodama, the Expected Curtain is a sort of instant virtual posse, aimed individuals who either have no friends, or who are plagued by stalkers*. Hang the curtain in your window and, while the three shadowy "friends" won't show up during the day (thus making your neighbors fear you are a work-shy fop and endeavor to have you thrown out of your co-op) but appear once the lights go on and making you look like a truly popular person. The creator has a website, but it's still under construction. [Designspotter via MAKE]
*I suppose that if you are the sort of person who has no chums, then a stalker could well become a "friend," could they not?