Lobster, Multimedia Device

Check out this concept multimedia device from designer Danilo Mangini. It’s composed of an LCD screen that acts as a base for a multitude of media modules. By snapping those modules on, you further extend the Lobster’s features. The cool thing about the segmented design is it makes a perfect arm band, that is if you add enough modules.

There’s an MP3 module, a GPS one, a hard drive, a camera, a mobile phone and a heart rate monitor.


What an interesting design, and maybe a glimpse at some of the multifunctional devices to come in the future.

Brix, Real Multimedia Phone

What if you could combine mobile phones (lego-stylee) to get more screen real estate? Well, then you'd have Seok won Hong's Brix.

First and foremost, Brix is a phone. The entire surface is a touchscreen, even void of a receiver. There is no bezel at all so you really get 100% screen real estate on the front. You have all your personal multimedia functions just like any other phone but here's where it gets interesting. By stringing together multiple Brix, you expand the screen real estate. Suddenly video is bigger. A temporary virtual shared folder is created to merge content between the devices until they're disconnected or one device can be designated as the media hub and interface. The awesome thing is the ability to endlessly string together as many Brix as you want. You can easily go from a small media player to a big screen TV. Throw in an external audio jack, DVR functions, GPS and we have a wonder device - like for real.

BRIX multimedia phone concept aims to bring not only people together, but more importantly, their handsets as well...literally. The 1:2 ratio makes it easy to combine a number of BRIX units to create a much larger screen for all to watch and enjoy. This works out especially awesome for overcrowded sports bars. Get enough BRIX buddies together to snag the best seat in the house!

Tempo, Digital Recycle Bin

Currently just a conceptual design, the TEMPO is an external storage device that’s designed to prevent you from losing files you accidentally delete. The clever thing about it is that it actually looks like a little recycling bin (although it might be mistaken for a cup of really black coffee).

Created by industrial designer Franco Cagnina for Intech, the TEMPO connects via Bluetooth to your Mac or PC and automatically stores backup copies of files as you delete them. As you fill the drive, a series colored LEDs on the side of the device indicates how full the “bin” is.

This is one of those great examples of utility and intuitive interface design coming together. I really hope that Intech does end up producing these.

Client: Intech
Product Type: Storage Device
Design Team: Franco Cagnina

Pano Logic, Virtual Desktop

Silicon Valley-based Pano Logic has announced the industry’s first ever ‘all hardware and no software’ desktop device specifically designed for server-based desktop virtualization. Called the Pano device, it has no CPU, memory, operating system or drivers loaded onto it.

Basically, the Pano device connects the keyboard, mouse, display, audio and USB peripherals over an existing IP network to say Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows XP that is running on a virtualized server.

Thus, the Pano device moves all software off the desktop to the server, making it the first true virtualized desktop. The Pano device reduces desktop TCO by 70% and eliminates desktop as a security risk.

Benefits of using the Pano Logic Virtual Desktop:

• By moving all software off the desktop and onto the server, Pano reduces desktop TCO by 70 percent — saving $3200 per desktop over three years.
• Pano desktop devices have no software, so they require no software updates.
• Physical visits to the desktop endpoint by IT personnel are eliminated.
• Software installations and upgrades are performed centrally.
• Server virtualization efficiently shares hardware across the entire user population.
• Malware on the client is not possible because Pano has no software.
• Pano consumes only 5 watts – 3% of a typical PC – making it the ultimate green alternative.

Configurable buttons on the Pano device include:

• USB security – granular access control can be set easily based on user and type of peripheral. Specific operations can be blocked, allowed, or recorded as needed.
• Information leakage prevention – local storage can be disabled to prevent users from copying information to local devices, including any USB devices.
• Network security – Traffic is protected using 128-bit AES encryption.

About Pano Logic
Pano Logic is a privately held company, backed by two of Silicon Valley's leading venture capital firms, ComVentures and Foundation Capital. Pano Logic develops and markets virtualization-based software and hardware solutions that deliver superior desktop computing.

For more information, please visit http://www.panologic.com/

H-Racer, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toy Car

It may be years before you can buy a Chevy powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Tired of waiting, Shanghai-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies decided to design and market the H-racer, a 6-in.-long toy car that does what Detroit still can't. It runs on hydrogen extracted from plain tap water using the solar-powered Hydrogen Station and can travel more than 300 ft. in a single fuel-up. The car's miniature scale gives it one advantage over full-size prototypes: since it uses only a trace amount of flammable hydrogen, there's no risk of it pulling a Hindenburg in your living room.

PRODUCT : H-Racer
MANUFACTURER : Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies
DESIGNER : Taras Wankewycz
WEB : http://www.horizonfuelcell.com/

The H-racer, is a futuristic toy car that contains one of the most exciting and advanced technologies of the 21st century. This car operates on 100% clean fuel produced by a miniature solar-powered hydrogen refueling station that converts water to hydrogen using energy captured from the sun.

With new advances in technology, hydrogen is on its way to becoming the world’s next fuel. Hydrogen offers many important advantages: it is non-toxic, renewable, clean to use, and the most abundant element in our universe. And by using fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen to electricity without any combustion, the technology is a significant solution to many of our global energy and environmental problems.

No combustion occurs inside a fuel cell. The only exhaust resulting from hydrogen fuel cell cars is pure water. Fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as a fuel are also known as “zero emission vehicles.”

The H-racer is the working miniature version of what is being developed in real-size cars of the future. This palm-size fuel cell car contains an onboard hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell system connected to the car’s electric motor, and a hydrogen refueling system linking the car’s storage tank to an external hydrogen refueling station. Given its small size, the H-racer is also very safe as only tiny quantities of hydrogen are sufficient to power the car.