The "sunrise orange" bottle represents the Bottle Container Recycling cause, the "sawgrass green" is for the Watershed Protection, the money from the "ice blue" goes towards Ocean Protection, and the "orchid pink" helps out the Global Water Crisis. Pricey, yes, but they're effortlessly stylish and you can't turn your nose up at charity for too long. [KOR Water via Tuvie]

The University of Tokyo student's creation uses clear cubes which glow brightly when stacked next to another cube, with the color changing dependent on the transmitted data. The Bloxels won't change the landscape of science or anything, but it sure does look like fun to play with. [Jinha Lee via DesignBoom]

The main focus of this new design is the App Button, a space-saving touch which will feel familiar to Windows 7 users. In essence, it "provides a unified location for menu items" and cuts down on all the toolbar clutter.

You can check out Horlander's site for plenty of details about the design and explanations behind some of the new elements, but before you go, tell me: Do you prefer this App Button sort of element? Or do you prefer the plain ol' menus we're used to? [Stephen Horlander via Neowin]

The Fleximus, designed to take photos and video, features a bendable body that can be used with a built-in viewfinder or with an attachable 3" display. The camera's simplified controls and flexible body let you shoot at "angles never imaginable before": snaked under a door, curved around a corner, or, as the man below is attempting, sighted directly up your anus.

Sadly, like many of Lebedev's designs, the Fleximus will likely be a bit too cool for any company to put into production. [artlebedev.com]

Dynamic Ground is a kinetic floor developed by Adam Lassy and Adi Marom for NYU's ITP Winter Show. Each interconnected hexagon is operated by a central motor connected to a light censor. When someone walks on the platform and covers the sensor, the design underneath either expands or contracts, depending on its resting state. It's not walking on sunshine so much as stepping on snowflakes. [ITP Winter Show]

[BGM project via Design Boom]

Human Wind Chime is a light and sound sculpture by Mindy Tchieu, Patricia Adler and Saul Kessler that comprises 25 four-inch polypropylene balls, each of which is outfitted with an LED and arranged in a descending spiral. When touched, each ball lights up and emits a sound, with each ball's pitch corresponding to its height. The result, as you can see in the video above, is an ethereal blend of art, instrument, and toy. Now if only someone could figure out how to play "Chopsticks" on it. [ITP Winter Show]

Says designer Burak Kaynak, the 'can was conjoured up after seeing all the Share buttons that populate the Internet these days. Why not apply it trash? And so he did:

Sharing content on social networking sites is as simple as stepping on a foot pedal to open the lid and toss your trash. Share//Trash Can is a smart step-on trash can which includes a LED - live counter that counts the amount of steps that are stepped on the foot pedal.

I guess in the end I really don't see the point. Is it to shame you into wasting less, in this particular trashcan, so that you'll just go down the hall and use the next one? [Burak Kaynak - Thanks, Camila]

Stunning, isn't it? Apparently every single of the itty-bitty windows in the model can be lit up and there are effects to simulate day and night time. I guess that it's not surprising that the electricity costs alone are making mini-Moscow enough of an expense to get pushed onto the auction block.

Oh, if only I had the space and money to spare. I could be a Russian Godzilla. [Atlas Obscura]

It filters water through a double activated charcoal filter in less than ten minutes, and can produce up to six cups of tea or coffee. The Coffee + Tea Maker just became available in the UK here, though there's no word yet on if or when it will come to the US. Hurry up, people that make these decisions! My Dunkin' Donuts grounds might not taste great, but with this they can at least look it. [Design Museum Shop via Unplggd]

Researchers found that "a conventional small clamshell laptop is most comfortably used lying down in bed with the device on the thigh when the knees are kept up."

I spent months working in that very position after a bad motorcycle wreck in my twenties, and I concur that the best ergos I ever experienced, were in this position. (Could have been the vicadins, though.) I miss this working stance; I need a desk chair that somehow emulates a bed. Or a bed that emulates a desk.

The study is part of an entire class taught by Malouf, sponsored by Freescale, investigating the form factor of the netbook in its entirety. [core 77]

I know I can't be the only one thinking that this device, dubbed Sense, would be used in combination with some not-so-safe-for-work websites, but it's absolutely brilliant even if you skip those applications.

Basically the device would recreate temperature, roughness, softness, hardness, and pressure in order to let you "touch" whatever's on your screen, while a special "smell and flavor-ink micro-printer" would print out lil' wax strips which melt on your tongue for a flavor and scent-filled finish.

I don't think I could see myself using this thing on a regular basis, if it ever gets made, but there would definitely be some potential for a few hours of amusement and virtual boob-squeezing. And maybe something less productive, too. [Design Blog]

Using this interactive app, you can virtually explore the sleigh and learn more about the gadgetry GE has built-in. They have thought of everything—including a wireless medical sensor that keeps tabs on the old man's breathing and heartrate. I mean he is like 200 years old. You never know when he will have a heart attack, fall from the sleigh and crash land in some kids living room. Haha...traumatic. [GE]

Designed by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects for T. Bailey, these offices will integrate giant steel pipes, the type used for wind turbines. The pipes aren't just for looks though, because they'll also serve to control how air flows through the building, reducing cooling costs in the process.

I rather like this design and its post-Apocalyptic-looking mock ups, because it'll fit perfectly with the industrial surroundings of the factory. Let's just hope it really gets built. [Dezeen]

The books move loosely through the 20th century—though they also contain some objects that were devised in the 19th century, and others that a certain Mr. Ive and Mr. Jobs cooked up since the year 2000. We skipped over all the Apple stuff, and much of the classic Braun and Bang & Olufsen objets de tech that you commonly encounter in gadget retrospectives. We looked deeper into the list, to find unexpectedly wondrous objects of great design. (We also skipped about a million different chairs—according to these books, designers spend more time thinking about where to park their keisters than any other dilemma in human history.)

Needless to say, the books are unbelievably gorgeous and informative, and the juxtaposition of so many varied products gives you new insight into what designers think about.

All three books are published this year by Phaidon as a series. They list for $40 each, but thankfully Amazon is selling them for a lot less (see below). While it makes sense to maybe buy just one, it's tough to pick just one, and not just because the products are numbered from 1 to 999, with each volume covering one third. To simplify things perhaps too much, Pioneers covers archetypal designs we now take for granted, Mass Production includes all of the smartly conceived products we grew up with, and New Technologies brings design up to date with contributions from the consumer electronics and computer businesses. As much as the third volume best fits our readership, it's almost more exciting to see how the legacies of the earlier product design movements informed the new tech.

• Pioneers on Amazon for $26.37

• Mass Production on Amazon for $26.37

• New Technologies on Amazon for $29.16

The paper walker is inspired by Theo Jansen's "Strandbeest" series, which comprises several giant wind-powered sculptures. It's given a helping hand in this video, but apparently can also walk without an actuator. But not too far or too fast or in a threatening manner, or it's headed straight for the shredder. [MAKE via BoingBoing]

Measuring 8 x 8 foot, three words are always lit up on the board, symbolizing the hour, minute and second. I've still got no idea how it works exactly, but it's like a big, arty version of a Tokyo Flash watch, isn't it. [Miss Moun via Moco Loco]

My personal choice for the deadliest staircase has to go to the Samlot. It can kill or maim you in two ways: either you fall off it completely or you over-step and catch your leg in the open gap between each stair. But, again, that is just my opinion. Check out the rest of the list to determine which design you think best sacrifices safety for aesthetics. I also humbly submit lucky number 13th your consideration. [Oddee via Fark]

Created by the team at 5.5 designers for Hennessey cognac, the Eternal Ice Drop is basically a spherical piece of glass with frozen water inside. The spherical shape takes up less surface area, the ice doesn't melt into the drink, and it chills at a rate that will give you plenty of time before severe cold masks the flavor. I'm not sure how this will do a better job than other artificial ice cube designs, but I am sure the Ice Drop will be far more expensive when it is released this April. [5.5 Designers via Designboom]