Gizmodo: knob

Smart Drive System Takes Big Knobs in Cars To Its Logical Conclusion [Design]

Jason Chen — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:50:05 EDT

With big knobs in cars that control the audio system being all the rage these days, designer Hao-Chun Huang wants to take the knob joke all the way to its logical conclusion and make a super, all-purpose metallic knob to control everything in your vehicle.

Not only does this smart drive concept tilt, turn, and swirl, but there's volume buttons, menu buttons, input controls, output controls, and just about everything you could want in a big knob sitting next to the driver's seat. Of course, all that stylish design is wasted since it's next to your seat and not where you can see it. We're glad this thing is just a design and not actually for sale, because the last time we were fiddling with our knob on the freeway we got pulled over by a moustachioed highway patrolman. Let's just say that we got out of that ticket, but it wasn't pretty. No sir. [Yanko Design]

iRiver M10 and D5 Players Bring Glossy Black Back in Fashion [Portable Media]

Jason Chen — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:30:31 EDT

Set to be revealed at SEK in Korea, the iRiver M10 and D5 both have a glossy black look found in other players like the iRiver Clix 2 (but not in the MPlayer). The M10 will be a navigation-centric device, with a gigantic knob on the right and a DMB tuner, which probably means it's going to stay put in Korean waters for now.

The iRiver D5, on the other hand, is a Nintendo DS-Lite-like flip device that works as an electronic dictionary as well as a music player. Somehow we don't see electronic dictionaries taking off as music players over here in the US like they did in Korea, so we'll have to chalk both these up to Korean envy. – Jason Chen

iRiverfans [via Dapreview]

German Shift Knob LCD Makes Gadget Fans Happy [The Knob]

Jason Chen — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:30:14 EDT

Although people who drive stick know what gear they're in by feel, this German shift knob is something we think they can get behind. It's a learning shifter, which you assign gear numbers to depending on your car's specific position. When you switch to that gear, the LCD display on the top shows you correct gear in easy-to-read numbers. Very sweet.

Although our cars are automatics (some of us, anyway), this thing's too cool to pass up. Plus, it's only $169—not too expensive at all. – Jason Chen

Product Page [TMTuning via Auto Blog]

allTunes MP3 Knob [Peripherals]

Jason Chen — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:30:57 EST

Despite being more than little bit similarity to the Griffin PowerMate knob (I have one sitting on my desk), the allTunes MP3 knob is made for MP3 playback, unlike the PowerMate's general purpose volume adjusting. Press down to play/pause, twist the outer knob for track forward/back and twist the inner knob for volume adjustment.

We think the knob uses USB, but there's nothing in the press materials that says anything about how it connects. Nor are there any release dates or pricing info. If you are looking for a knob to use for your computer, the Griffin Powermate is pretty fun. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Plus Minus via Red Ferret]

PowerMate Product Page [Griffin]