I don’t know about you, but I am so tired of all those watches out there with their hands and easy-to-read numbers. I am so over being able to find out what time it is with just a simple glance. I want to be challenged. I want to be able to feel like I accomplished something when someone asks me for the time. The latest watch design from our friends over at NOOKA is called the ZEM and it certainly won’t hold your hand when it comes to giving you the time of day.

NOOKA appears to be a rather diverse company. They not only sell watches but it looks like they also make perfume. Hey, who am I to judge? All I know is that their watch designs are definitely an acquired taste. Their latest creation, the ZEM, is one of those watches. Apparently, they feel like we’ve been coddled for much too long with our watches. The ZEM doesn’t use hands or your typical digital display to provide the time. It uses a series of dots and slashes to indicate the hour and minutes respectively.

Now I really couldn’t tell from the images on their website, but it’s my guess that if there is one gray dot that means one o’clock and since there are 13 graduations on the minute read-out I assume that’s one for every five minutes (including zero, of course). Anyway, at least they’ve provided an AM/PM indicator and what looks like a seconds counter. I think you’ll have to buy your own so you can figure it out. Me? I think I’ll just keep using my cell phone.

The ZEM line consist of NOOKA’s four most popular faces: Zot, ZenV, ZenH, and Zoo. Each of the faces comes in both night (black) and silver and features a weighted case-back. The bands come in black leather and black or silver high-gauge stainless steel. The NOOKA ZEM is available for pre-order only at www.nooka.com and it’ll cost you $375. Expect them to start shipping sometime in early November.

Whilst Bluetooth headsets have come a long way in terms of design and aesthetics they manage, still, in the main, to reside just out of the cool envelope so this designer concept Bluetooth headset, known as the Volution, conceived of by Chinese designer Fandi Meng certainly caught our eye in seemingly fusing the functionality of wireless connectivity with designer jewellery.

Hardly breaking with established tradition, details concerning the Volution Bluetooth headset concept are on the particularly sparse side of almost non-existent but, as can be seen from the mini gallery of imagery below, the Volution appears to consist of a central illuminating button (known as the ‘pearl’) that glows on receipt of an incoming call – not that the end-user will actually be able to see it glowing – which is simply duly depressed to start/stop said call.

There’s no word as to whether Fandi Meng’s Volution Bluetooth Headset concept will ever actually see the light of day as a commercial product – indeed it would appear that a working prototype is not even in evidence – but there’s no doubt that the design offers a tantalising glimpse into the (possible) future of Bluetooth headsets and there (once again, potential) fusion with jewellery design.

[Fandi Meng | via DesignBlog/Gizmodo]

OK, I admit it. I’m a sucker for anything that combines technology and a way to keep my beer cold when I am out and about. I have reviewed similar cooler/radios in the past and it would seem that they all fall just short of providing a product that combines portability, durability, and gadgetry in the right amounts. When I saw the Cooladio from Picnic Plus I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical. The Cooladio is a combination radio, backpack cooler, and solar power charger in one and it just might be the perfect traveling companion.

The Cooladio solar cooler from Picnic Plus is a thermal foil-insulated cooler and a solar-power docking station in one handy little unit. The name, I can only assume, is some lame attempt at combining the words radio and cooler. Let’s try to ignore that for now, shall we? According to the makers of the Cooladio, you can plug in anything that needs charging or power – such as your cell phone or MP3 player – and keep your food and drinks cold at the same time. The Cooladio also sports a set of integrated speakers and a headphone jack.

Corny name aside, the Cooladio seems to be a great multi-function cooler that would make a welcome addition to any campsite or tailgating party. Not only can you listen to your tunes on its integrated speakers but you can also do the environmentally conscious thing and make use of its alternative energy solar panels to keep all of your gadgets juiced up. Oh yeah, and did I mention that it’ll keep your beers cold? You canyou’re your hands on your own Cooladio at www.sportsauthority.com for $84.99.

It seems that Transformer mania has finally pervaded the world of hands-free with the creation of the Orb Bluetooth headset. This nifty little gadget is the result of a collaboration between Hybra Advance Technology Inc. and AbsolutelyNew Inc. and goes from ultra-sleek wireless communication device to high-fashion fingerwear with a simple twist. As far as Bluetooth devices are concerned, this one ranks pretty high on the fashion scale.

But the Orb isn’t just good looks. This high-tech gizmo incorporates NXT technology and provides high quality bone conduction audio without the discomfort of placing a device inside the ear. All units will offer a Class 2 Bluetooth range of 30-ft. It’s both form and function. Rumor has it that there is also a “deluxe edition” in the works that will feature a Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device (FOLED) screen to display caller ID, calendar reminders, and voice-to-text information for communication without taking the ring off the finger.

The Orb will be available in various sizes and for those who like their Bluetooth headsets on the sparkly side, it will available in a limited edition designer model that features integrated decorative gemstones. The base model Orb is slated for January 2010 availability and will sport a MSRP of $129. The Deluxe edition is due out the following April with a MSRP of $175.

It’s not always easy to find a power outlet when you need one especially when you’re hanging out with nature. And since most of us simply can’t live without our Blackberries and iPods when we commune with the local flora and fauna we need something that will make sure we have enough juice when it matters most. The Maplin Solar-Powered Travel Bag is just the thing for keeping your electronics charged when you’re on the go and it doesn’t look like something you’d be ashamed to carry either.

The Maplin Solar-Powered Travel Bag has an integrated solar panel with plenty of protection to make sure you don’t fry your gadgets. It sports overcharge, discharge and short circuit protection so I’m pretty sure all your bases are covered. The travel bag will charge your typical cell phone in less than five hours. It will also pull charging duty for things like MP3 players and portable gaming consoles.

The Maplin Solar-Powered Travel Bag comes with a USB adaptor as well as three mobile phone adaptors (for Nokia phones, Samsung and Sony-Ericsson models). The 1.35W 245mA premium quality crystalline solar cells seem like they would do the job quite nicely and with a price of only 14.99GBP (about $25) you really can’t go wrong. You can get more information on the Maplin Solar-Powered Travel Bag at www.maplin.com.

Talented artists Jonathan Schipper and Amelia Biewald have joined forces to come up with one of the coolest things to adore your iPhone with, the handcrafted solid metal EXOvault iPhone case. Made from solid aluminum, brass or titanium, the EXOvault iPhone case keeps away from the common plastics we see popping each day on the market, and charms with the unique steampunk look that it lends to the stylish handset.

Although we love the whole design that turns your iPhone into an unique iBrick that gets into your eyes, the new EXOvault iPhone case may have a big drawback – the fact that it’s made from metal could destroy reception. I mean that’s the reason why manufacturers these days keep away from metal cases so that 3G and GPS radios to “break” through. However we’d like to believe that Schipper and Biewald have used paramagnetic metal that won’t affect the aforementioned issues, but since details are scarce we can only speculate.

So far what we know for sure is that the metalic EXOvault iPhone Case sells for $95 and $300 if you’re after the titanium version.

Sleek you say?

[via Geeky-Gadgets]

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty can be found just about everywhere. It’s on cell phones, MP3 players, backpacks, underwear…you get the picture. Well, now there is yet another reason for teenage girls in Japan to go all crazy over this cute little critter. In an effort to help boost sales of its notebooks, Epson have announced the launch of two models of the Endeavor NJ2150 laptop dressed in pearly white and sporting the mug of Hello Kitty.

The latest Endeavor models will be available in two configurations. The standard comes with an Intel Celeron 900 processor at 2.2GHz, 1GB Ram and an 80GB HDD. For those girls with more high-end tastes, the upgraded model is equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor at 2.53GHz, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. Both models feature a 15.4-inch screen, 5 USB 2.0 ports, a 3-in1- card reader, IEEE 1394/IEEE 802.11a/b/g/nWLAN and Windows Vista Home Premium.

As if having a Hello Kitty Epson laptop wasn’t enough, they have also loaded it with a bunch of Hello Kitty SWAG like screensavers and wallpaper. With all of that cuddly cute coating this thing it just might be dripping with sweetness when it arrives in Japan on July 17^th.

Unfortunately for us, the Epson Endeavor NJ2150 Hello Kitty version laptops are only available from Sanrio’s Japanese website and in a couple of Hello Kitty shops in Tokyo. The base model retails for $1,350 and the upgraded model for $1,650. If you absolutely must have one and you live outside of the Land of the Rising Sun, you can contact the www.JapanTrendShop.com or www.GeekStuff4U.com to see about getting one sent to you.

There is certainly no shortage of wearable communications devices on the market. The main problem seems to be that they are either loaded with useless functions or prices that are out of the range of the average consumer. The latest offering from Chinese electronics distributor impart.com, the W968 All-Metal Watch Phone, is hoping to change that.

The W968 All-Metal Watch Phone sports a pretty cool brushed aluminum construction that is a nice departure from the typical black rubber models we are used to seeing. It has a 1.3-in touch screen and it offers support for playing both MP3 and MP4 audio files. Given its size, however, I doubt that it will blow your eardrums away with high-fidelity music. On the positive side, there is also a 1.3 MP camera built-in making it a contender for spy gadget of the year.

• 1.3-in touch screen
• Support GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz
• Handwritten input
• MP3/MP4 multimedia player
• 1.3MP camera
• FM radio
• GPRS
• Bluetooth function
• Support Multi-Language interfaces

There’s a good chance that this low-priced device may prove to be less than stellar when it comes to performance and durability, but it its current price point there isn’t much room for complaints. The W968 All-Metal Watch Phone can be purchased for $137.70 at www.ipmart.com.

There’s something about the Calvin Klein USB sunglasses that has me both intrigued and rolling my eyes in disgust at the same time. On the one hand, they are pretty cool. They actually don’t look half bad and Calvin Klein has found a rather unique way to work technology into their product line. On the other hand, it is yet another USB flash drive that is disguised as something other than a flash drive. Ugh.

Available October 2009 for around $200, the Calvin Klein USB sunglasses include a built-in USB 4GB flash drive. Apparently, you remove the right arm and viola, instant data storage. I, for one, have had countless experiences of when I’ve been walking on the beach or hiking or just plain looking pimped in my shades, when I wished I could have had some way to conveniently access and store my digital media. How am I expected to look good, shield my eyes from harmful UVA/UVB rays, and transfer my files to my friend’s computer? Maybe Calvin Klein heard me.

There is one small design flaw (besides the flash drive in the sunglasses). You have to take off your shades to get to your data. What happens if you’re outside away from shade or stranded on a deserted island? Are you supposed to risk your eyesight for the sake of sharing a few MP3s with your girlfriend? I think not. Maybe if you get good at working with your eyes closed you can ignore that last warning. And maybe if your friends are truly friends they’ll ignore the fact that you have sunglasses with a USB flash drive built into them.

Watches are definitely a fashion statement. Just like you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear, a watch can certainly be an indicator of cool as well. When I laid eyes upon the latest creation of hyper-chic watchmakers, URWERK, I was floored. The URWERK UR-CCI, or King Cobra as it’s known in the timepiece trade, is every bit the head turner. It was supposedly inspired by some kind of 1960s speedometer and it is the perfect combination of technology and testosterone laden design elements.

URWERK are known for their cutting-edge and in your face designs. They won’t shy away from a challenge and if bucking trends were a hobby they’d certainly be the fan club presidents. The UR-CC1 is certainly playing to their strengths. The UR-CC1 makes use of two horizontal indicators displayed by two retrograde cylinders: one for the hour, the other for the minutes. And like you had any question about the complexity of its inner-workings…the UR-CC1 is the result of more than three years of research, development, production and testing. Most of the time was spent making sure that the rotation and instant fly-back of the large hour and minute cylinders was achieved without screwing with the watch’s accuracy.

For those of you that speak watch – a vertical triple-cam operating a rack (visible through a window in the side of the case) rotates the minute cylinder. From zero to 60 minutes, the minute cylinder rotates through 300-degrees. Upon arriving at the 60-minute mark the cylinder instantly (1/10th of a second) reverses back to its original position thanks to an extra-flat linear spring. The retrograde movement of the minute cylinder triggers the hour cylinder to advance (jump) one complete hour. The triple-cam is crafted from bronze beryllium, a metal selected for its inherently self-lubricating properties and low co-efficient of friction, and takes the form of three small inclines.

Now doesn’t all that watch talk just have you ready to run to the store to pick one up? Just by looking at this thing I’m pretty sure that only sultans and Hollywood celebrities can afford the UR-CC1 so I won’t bother going into details about how I don’t have any information on how much it costs. If you want more you can visit www.URWERK.com. Oh yeah, and if you can afford one, can I be your friend?

If you are up on your geek trivia, you know that back in 2005 scientists discovered the largest known dwarf planet in our solar system, later named Eris. According to Wikipedia, it’s the ninth largest direct solar-orbiting body; it’s approximately 2,500 km (1553-mi) in diameter and 27% more massive than Pluto. So it seems only fitting that designers would be inspired to create a watch that is shaped like a sphere in honor of the discovery of Eris, right? The students at l’Ecole d’Arts Appliques Geneva thought so, too. The result is the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch.

Manufactured by Swiss watchmakers, Pierre Junod, the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch is truly a unique timepiece. It can be worn as a pocket watch, pendant or used as a small desk clock. And at just over an inch in diameter, could do some serious damage in a sling-shot. The unit reports the time with a white hour hand and orange minute hand. The case is constructed of anthracite-anodized aluminum and features laser-engraved figures, mineral glass, and Swiss quartz movement. It also comes complete with a rubber strap just in case you want to wear it around your neck to impress the ladies.

• Diameter: 33.2-mm (1.3-in)
• Weight: 36-g (0.08-lb)
• Battery Ref: Renata Swiss-made 364

The two pointers report the correct time as they float around the equator of this mini-planet with the minutes in the northern hemisphere and the hours in the southern. It actually looks pretty sleek, but I don’t think I’d be confident enough to actually wear it around my neck. The Eris Planetary Sphere Watch will be available for sale late July 2009. You can pre-order yours at www.watchismo.com for $450.

For those living in Britain who don’t appreciate the hassle of having both a mobile phone and a wristwatch, mobile carrier Orange is bringing you LG’s GD910 watch phone on an exclusive offer coming this summer, in August.

Available from Orange for a limited time period with a pay as you go option, the “wrist-held” touchscreen GD910 features a 1.43-inch touch-sensitive LCD, provides 3G HSDPA and comes equipped with Text to Speech functions to listen to any incoming text messages.

A gadget that hints to the future, LG GD910 boasts a rather large display to actually distinguish the person you’re video calling, will have MP3 playback support and comes complete with a Bluetooth headset. As for its staggering expensive price tag, rumors have it that you’ll be taking 1,000 GBP (some $1,600) from your child’s school tuition to adorn your wrist in simple elegance with the new Orange LG GD910 watch phone.

We’ll let you decide if it’s worth it … or not!

We’ve all seen the little gadgets that you can carry around that let you know when you’re near a Wi-Fi signal. They normally take the form of a small handheld device that you can fit in your pocket or put on your keychain. Not a bad idea, really. So why don’t we see too many wearable gizmos that do the same thing? Probably because they don’t seem to make much sense and most people wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them. The makers of the WiFi Cap certainly got it right when they called their latest invention “geeky” and I’m sure they won’t be winning any fashion awards anytime soon.

Marketed by ThumbsUp, the WiFi Cap is basically a ballcap that doubles as a signal-detecting device. It let’s you know that you are in the wireless zone by lighting up a little display on the front of the cap. There are several other reviews of this technology floating around out there and I have to say that they are spot on when they point out the seemingly obvious flaw of this new design. How are you supposed to see the signal if you are wearing the cap? I guess if you have a friend with you (who shouldn’t have let you put on the damn thing to begin with) they can let you know when your head starts to blink.

According to the ThumbsUp website, The WiFi Detecting Cap can locate either 802.11b or 802.11g signals and runs on CR2032 batteries that are housed in a small battery pack that tucks neatly inside the lining of the cap. If you are measuring the success of the device by its ability to find wireless signals, you might have a winner. If you are using fashion and practicality as your yardsticks, it might fall a bit short. You can purchase your very own nerd cap at www.thumbsupuk.com for 12.99GBP/$21.00.

I don’t think I’d get much argument when I say that most electronics are not designed with women in mind. With their boring blacks and gloomy grays it’s no surprise that most women aren’t drawn to the latest in gadgetry. The designers at Juicy Couture have decided that it’s time to change all that. Their latest girl-centric product offering, the Juicy Couture “Back to School” Flexi Keyboard, will have tech-tweens swooning.

The Juicy Couture ‘Back to School’ Flexi Keyboard is nothing new when it comes to technology. It’s your basic flexible silicone USB keyboard. But where it differentiates itself from amongst the masses is in its bright bubblegum pink color and fancy Old English lettering gracing its keys. I would think that this overly artistic script would prove difficult to ready, but who am I to judge? The device is compatible with both Mac and PC and as its name suggests, you can roll it up to take it with you

Juicy Couture might not be known for its great advances in electronics, but when it comes to having its thumb on the pulse of their target demographic, few would disagree that they are on top of things. Their version of the portable USB keyboard seems to offer both prerequisites in this category, it’s portable and it’s a keyboard. Will their pink keyboard make them the next iPhone? I hardly think so. Will it give guys just a bit more of a chance when it comes to getting their girlfriends something they might actually use? Quite possibly. You can pick one up for $45 at www.nordstrom.com.

If you are anything like me, and I know you are, you spend too much time fending off photogs hoping to get a glimpse of your famous face. OK, so maybe that’s just wishful thinking, but a guy can dream, right? The bottom-line, it seems like most celebs want to be famous and private at the same time, but those pesky paparazzi have ideas of their own. Talk about your conflicts of interest. What’s a star to do if they simply don’t want their 2am face flashed across the front page? Designer Adam Harvey has created a handbag that just might prove to be Kodak kryptonite.

I’m not really sure who this Harvey guy is, but he sure seems to be getting a lot of press lately. The tech blogs are abuzz about his anti-paparazzi bag and all of this exposure might have him in need of his own invention in no time. The technology is pretty simple. A light-sensing photovoltaic cell sewn into the bag is set to trigger at any sudden bright light. Basically, if it sees a flash it flashes back. The result is an obscuring burst of super-luminosity sure to blind even the most ardent star stalkers. I don’t know how it will perform during the day, but it is said to have settings that make it ideal for reaction to the slower shutter speeds used at night.

I know that the idea of making a celebrity’s life easier is pretty low on most of our priority lists. After all, it goes with the territory, right? But there is also a line between press coverage and down right invasion of privacy. Adam Harvey might soon become the celebrity poster child for the rights of the super-famous with his anti-paparazzi bag. Then again, it might just be a flash in the pan. There are rumors that the anti-flash technology might find its way into ties and smaller wearables in the near future. No price has been set (that we know of) but it’s my guess that if you are in a position to need it, you can afford it.

Although not a gadget in its true meaning, the cold beer flavor from Timbuk2’s Dolores Chiller (named after San Francisco’s Dolores Park) definitely managed to get our attention. Shaped like a messenger bag and perfect for the summer months to come, the Dolores Chiller is a fully insulated cooler that can cleverly disguise up to 24 precious cans of your favorite beer — depending on the amount of ice you use.

Half cooler, half stylish, the new Dolores Chiller is made from an extremely durable ballistic nylon exterior with a zip-top closure, and features a waterproof TPU lining that keeps the cold and the condensation inside. It comes complete with a built-in red metal bottle opener and a quick-adjust shoulder for a snug cooler fit.

A perfect party accompaniment for any summer activity, the new Dolores Chiller is going to be produced in a very limited quantity (better hurry) and should cost $110 — a well deserved sum if you consider that you’ll be able to taste some cold beer when you need it the most. No?

If you are having trouble with excess popularity, good looks, and general coolness, and the pocket protector isn’t doing it for you, I think I have just the thing. I believe I may have stumbled upon the quintessential geek garment. This thing enables you to accomplish two things. You can harness the power of the sun to charge electronics and look like a complete idiot at the same time.

I wasn’t able to track down the source of this brilliant combination of haut couture and eco-friendly charging, but I think it’s safe to say that it was born in the land of the Great Wall. The CVFR-S09 Solar Vest combines the hideously bad look of a tan fisherman’s vest with the equally bad look of four solar panels strewn across the back. I can’t be sure what really sets this one apart from the rest. Maybe it’s the fact that anyone wearing it is almost guaranteed to remain alone. Maybe it’s the words “Solar Vest” embroidered across the back. Either way, I’m pretty sure that even Napoleon Dynamite would be embarrassed to wear this thing. This pic says it all -

This vest is equipped with four solar panels that can be used to charge your gadgets. The panels are even removable so that you can set them in the window to recharge while you’re inside. That makes it all OK, doesn’t it? The fact that someone can hold up to eight gadgets in their vest and recharge each of them – one at a time – is somehow both sad and weird. At $140, you just can’t go right. Now drop that quantum mechanics textbook and head over to www.chinavision.com before they’re all gone.

Renowned for their luxury streetwear, the Parisian folks from Hoon (together with young French audio firm — The Perfect Unison) came up with a new set of python skin headphones that not only rock for their exquisite looks but also for featuring the newest innovation in acoustic.

A perfect mix of high technology and stylish design, the new line of headphones are packaged in traditional French craftsmanship with nine layers of birch wood which are then covered in supple goat skin on the inside for comfort and python skin on the exterior for looks. With ear pieces crafted from polished carbon fiber that have been strictly varnished by hand, the new headphones make for a quality professional product.

The new collection will be released on Collete in Paris, starting June 23rd.

While those buying a yacht aren’t considering any green alternatives but rather a wave tearer that will impress the ladies, there’s a new toy around. Dubbed Code X, this hybrid yacht is a cleaner option for those who won’t sacrifice luxury and comfort for greener technologies. And the great part is they are not going to …

With a pair of Ilmor Formula One engines that can throw 710 hp into the sea to propel it at 80 knots, Code X is quite a speedboat that knows how to relax from time to time. Because that luxurious 47? 7� catamaran also features a set of two electric engines that draw power from the on-board solar panels, great for a leisure trip at a 9 knots speed while enjoying the sun.

An amazing amalgamation of style and state-of-the art technologies, the new Code X yacht features an interesting GPS-controlled “Virtual Anchor” system that is supposed to keep it stationary when windy or when the sea is harsh. It also introduces touchscreen controls and a Kevlar/carbon shell with phototropic-shaded screens and windows to his filthy rich owner …

Quite a boat, isn’t it?

I read once that girl geeks are on the rise. Apparently there are a lot of ladies who love gadgets and actually made a passion for the little devices. Hence why some people decided to come up with tech-inspired underwear. Probably the best iPhone accessories for men and worn by women, we present you the iPanties.

Made from high-quality cotton and comfy, yet solid elastic trim throughout, the iPanties have a regular rise and thong coverage and are supposed to be extremely comfortable. Available in small, medium and large, if you’d like to “slide to unlock” the iPanties will cost you a cheap $12 for each pair. They’re available in both black and white, just like the iPhone.

The iPanties are definitely unique. They looks like the perfect gift for her birthday, right?

[via Walyou]

Now if the Handcrafted Gold & Diamond iPhone Case from CaseMate is way below your spending budget for an iPhone case, how about turning your head to the Russian designers from GnG. Specialized in turning your Apple device into an amazing piece of jewelry that stands out from the crowd, their latest Golden Delicious is a piece of art that “sets the point on the i“.

Some serious pimping only meant for the filthy rich, the Golden Delicious is probably the most expensive iPhone shell you’ll ever see. Made from a special high-tech carbon fiber and covered with 140g of 18-carat gold, the 1-mm thick case packs nothing less than 600 diamonds (out of which 400 are only for the logo– which is customizable upon request).

Priced at 77,777 Euros (some $108,000 at today’s rate) you wouldn’t have to worry about grabbing “some” attention your way when answering a call, but I’d be really careful with thieves trying to get their hands on a golden iPhone.

[via BornRich]

In a first for this blog, we bring to you a sewing machine so advanced that… ummm it lets you stitch and mend clothes faster with more options for patterns and types of stitches. Now, know that sewing machines are gadgets too and there are men out there who are as enthused about their Jukis and Singers as others amongst us are about our iPods and BlackBerrys.

The Quattro 6000D is a feature-packed sewing machine which takes a little more than 4 feet of space (which is actually a lot of space). In my opinion as an ex-textiles engineer a small garments job-working business could be comfortably run from home if you have two of these monsters to work with.

A 4.5 x 7-inch Sharp HD LCD display gives you a clear view of the patterns you are creating. The display is made possible by the InnovEye and Up-Close Viewer technology which places a camera close to the needle. Embedded lighting on the runway lets you view the stitch area with greater clarity. The machine has three USB ports so that you can download embroidery instructions and patterns from the net, plug them to the machine and create designs based on them.

The Quattro 6000D is not yet out in the market and there is no information on price but it appears that only garment houses and fashion designers will be able to absorb the cost of this baby, at least during the first few rounds of selling.

Yes – what would my week be without another one of John Nouanesing’s crazy and amazing concepts? This time its the Fenêtres (Windows) 3.1 shades.

Yup, this ironic piece for your “real” windows will bring joy to those around you who are witty enough to get it (The irony that is)! The Fenêtres 3.1 is a concept design “blind/curtain” for a real window complete with “code” shades.

Home decor enthusiasts might be gagging at the thought of these entering one of their designer homes but i’ll tell you something, i reckon these would rock in my study/office! My whole life revolves around my pc … I may as well introduce my home to the prospect of being geeky too!

[source]

In keeping with all things either being retro or iPod inspired, this new gadget happens to fulfill both criteria in a very stylish and useful way. The Retro Cassette Tape iPod Nano Case brings 1980’s hip into the 21st century!

The Retro Cassette Tape iPod Nano Case will fit first or second generation iPod nanos and allows for various jacks and controls to be easily accessible through its ingenious design.

The iPod Nano fits snugly into the hollowed out centre of the Cassette Tape and is further protected by the original Tape box! It’s like you have been transported back in time (think back to the future!) while you listen to music from your pseudo cassette tape player.

Totally Rad!

Of course we all know it’s just a Nano in disguise but imagine the cool factor when all your friends see the retro design of your new iPod cover? At $37 you might find this gadget pricey but then again, this tape is much more than an 80’s relic … it’s a state of the art iPod Nano cover in retro cool style.

[source]

Wacky tech is always fun to review and these new All-in-one glasses launched by Thanko are so funky that I can’t wait to babble on about them.

These bizarre all-in-one glasses will allow the user to not only listen to music but also be able to watch movies while looking like an X man superhero in your new designer-looking specs!

The All-In-One glasses support a wide variety of formats including MP3 and WMV audio files, MP4/MPG/AVI (Divx3/4/5&xVid)/ASF video files and obviously JPEG pictures. It is compatible with the miniSD card too to ensure lots of space and storage for your media.

It features a USB 2.0 port for data transfer and you’ll be able to utilise the 4 EQ presets namely Rock, Classic, Normal and Bass to guarantee your sound perfection everytime!

The Lithium ion battery (750 mAh) will keep your glasses running for hours at a time and this is good news for those wanting to watch movies on their 50 inch QVGA 432 x 240 resolution display.

So now you have to decide if 270 Euros are worth your new super powers

[source]

Ok I may be geeky and I may be somewhat of a tomboy at heart but every now and again I feel that little girl peek her head through and say, “Yeah! I like features but is it pretty?” Most of the time I like to shove her out of sight but this time she’s out to play and she is playing with the latest HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook.

You may remember the MP3 Player design well … The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook is anything but boring and if we could compare it to people, then this is the ramp model of the notebooks! In fact, it was debuted at New York Fashion Week on the ramp!!!

When HP approached Vivienne Tam to design a notebook she says she had to consider the modern women; one who was feminine and fashionable but still cared about technology.

The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook will be launched in October but what could be seen from the ramp was a gorgeous purse-like design (approx. 8 – 10 inches) and a complementary designer embroidered storage sleeve.

Although not much else is known, sources say that it resembles the HP 2133 Mini-Note, has a 10-inch screen and the keyboard also appears the same as the Mini-Notes, as do the position of the trackpad and mouse keys.

So the “little girl” inside is happy and now I can’t wait for the specs to be announced! At least a part of me is adamant to own this stunning fashionable piece of technology.

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Another pretty offering for us geeky gals out there. Paris Hilton eat your heart out! Introducing the Rhinestone USB flash drive, complete with sparkly goodness!

These Rhinestone USB Flash Drives are the standard 1GB offering (seems like most of these “cute” offerings are nowadays) and is made of stainless steel and obviously embellished in hundreds of iridescent rhinestones in either pink, blue or crystal.

You’ll love the fact that it’s “pretty” for lack of any other word, because they really are just pretty. The price tag of $125 may seem exorbitant to those only interested in features over looks (I’ll be one of those girls I’m afraid; would rather have a brand new 8GB flash drive in plain black for the same price). However, I still happen to think it’s nifty that we can express ourselves even more now with the modern designs that are taking over the USB market.

I recommend this sweet offering to all those feminine girls who need that latest piece of attractive gadgetry to keep them not only tech savvy, but also in-style!

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Hmmm … That’s what I have to say so far with regards to the new Zip Light, mainly because I have a bad past with zips in general (and I have the scar to prove it! Something About Mary – Eat your heart out!)

This so called Zip Light is said to take the monotony of switching lights on and off using a switch, by letting you zip it on and off. This interesting design by Shannon South makes lighting similar to handbag use – where one would have to zip their bag open.

I’m not entirely sold on the idea … yes, it’s interesting and well, different, but is it easy? I quite like having a switch here and there without having to walk to my light continuosly to zip it on and off. Then again, this would take the hassle out of wiring your house AND it has a low energy fluorescent bulb which means you’ll be saving on electricity.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m still undecided. Guess I’ll have to try one out to decide properly.

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Gone are the days of big cumbersome earphones or the boom box of the 80’s when now all you need is one of these awesome hats. The Beat Box Beanie is the new way to listen to your music while chilling anywhere anytime.

All one has to do is pop the beanie on your noggin and bob’s your uncle – instant gratification for music on the go.

Features included in this snug black beanie are a set of inbuilt speakers comfortably resting over the ears, fleecy interior for warmth (in those cold areas), a 98cm wire with a 3.5mm jack tucked into this fleecy lining, fully hand washable (once unit has been removed) and is 27 x 18 x 2cm when flat so it is easily stored.

The wire and jack are unraveled and plugged into your iPod or similar Mp3 player of choice and due to its length can comfortably fit in your bag, pocket or anywhere else you feel content wearing your player.

What I quite like about the design is that it takes into consideration the uncomfortable aspect of earbuds and replaces them with inbuilt speakers within the fabric which I’m sure gives the impression of wearing proper headphones.

Well, I’m off to buy my hat … see you bopping down the road soon!

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Man oh man, what I would give to have this in a human-sized offering. I think I’m in love with this plush pink Beetle Pet Sofa.

I’ve never thought of myself as the jealous kind but now I can imagine myself getting rather “catty” with my pets when they snuggle up on this gorgeous fluffy offering.

On top of it’s appeal, it is also cleverly designed with a slipcover which is machine washable in cold water. It is available in pink and black and makes your pets feel as though they have just stepped of f the “cat” walk …
(Yes, for your information, I am loving the puns! Mainly to keep me from saying horrible things about my pets using this sofa, instead of me!)

It’s unfortunately designed for cats and small dogs so I can’t even pretend that it’s mine. Could you imagine a 5ft2inch girl perched on a bright pink sofa which is only 26” x 12” x 14”? Let’s put it this way; the image is amusing to say the least.

This stunning polyester, foam and wood sofa is a definite must for any adored pet or for those, without pets, who want hot mini sofas just for kicks (Me! Me! Me!)

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I know I’m a girl but it doesn’t make me love Hello Kitty paraphernalia more than the next guy, to be honest with you. Seeing however that I’m on the lookout for a new camera (Yay! how I love to be robbed!) I stumbled upon this Hello Kitty Digital Camera offering.

So, firstly, let’s take Hello Kitty out of the equation. Pretend we have a plain white camera (a canvas so to speak). So, what does this standard camera have to offer the aspiring photographer?

Well, this version is one of the CasioExilim line of digital cameras and has an impressive 8.1 megapixel capability to offer. It also includes a 3x optical zoom and a delightful 2.6 inch LCD screen so you can see your beautiful light artworks. So far so good, right?

Right!

Now for the bad news … it’s Hello Kitty Damn Nabbit!!! So, if you are one of the throngs of people who happen to LOVE this “design” (I say this gritting my teeth) then this is most definitely the camera for you. I myself am not a Hello Kitty admirer, but that being said, I love the new idea of making themed items because I’m all for individualism. I think that’s why I’m not fond of the Hello Kitty Fad … it just seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry is too. Of course this means more sales – so good on the guy who decided to brand it such!

All in all … this spec-filled camera is available for the modest price of $538.70 which I happen to think is a bargain for the features it offers.

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Now here’s a nifty little gizmo I can’t wait for – The Virtual Mirror is set to make life that in the mall that much easier by taking out the pain of trying on tons of clothes while looking for that perfect garment.

Personally I think this will be the best invention of the century seeing as though I’m more a virtual shopper than one of those girls who LOVES testing everything from make-up to dresses to who knows what. I find it a waste of time queuing in front of change rooms only to be disappointed by the impending image of yourself in the 360 degree mirrors (accentuating each and every flaw of your body) so that you end up rushing out and trying on another 50 garments in your quest to look good.

This Virtual Mirror will change all of that by projecting the items of clothes picked onto you – without you having to even undress! Bonus! No wasting time, no cold floors, no fuss! My kind of clothes shopping experience.

Although it isn’t known when this gem will hit our stores, we do know that extensive testing is being performed in order to make the clothes more realistic (and one wonders how sizing will work?) … all I know though is that I’ll finally look forward to clothes shopping when my Virtual mirrors are installed.

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What does one geeky hot chick need, other than a fabulous USB drive to hold all her valuable information? Why, gorgeous jewellery of course! So if you’re one of these girls, you’re sure to adore the stunning USB Jewellery on offer now!

Choose from a USB necklace or cellphone attachment made from iridescent colourful crystals in green, blue or red (to match your mood and/or outfit of course!)

These fashionable jewel USB drives are 16g and approximately 52 x 15 x 10mm, so they’re fashionable without being gaudy or too kitsch for the eyes. Of course those are just the facade features. Don’t believe people when they say the prettiest vases make the emptiest vessels because this baby defies that theory altogether.

The USB Jewellery supports Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS while being fully USB 2.0 compliant. It is also handy by offering plug and play capability in its portable and easily functional design.

Now if none of this was good enough to reel you in, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that this gorgeous necklace is available at $39.00 and that includes 4GB of internal memory!

INSANE!!! One would normally pay that price for the jewel itself.

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Ok, so maybe it is just because I am of the fairer sex but I am all for keeping a diary (despite blogging half my life away on Facebook and Livejournal) and also, keeping it safe and secret, so when I stumbled upon the USB secret Diary I was somewhat euphoric!

The USB Secret Diary allows you to put fingers to keyboard and type away your most secret feelings and desires without ever worrying about lock, key, pencil and book again! Though I’ll admit to missing the pen and paper bit, this little baby has so much to offer, I reckon I’ll get over it quickly enough!

The USB Secret Diary has a numeric pad in order to enter your own specially chosen 4 digit pin which means you’re already safe to start with. It impresses by going that one step further by encrypting your stored entries via 256-bit AES crypto, and if this wasn’t enough, well then you’re going to LOVE this next bit. This little gem will take intruders on like James Bond and self destruct the data when someone tries to force their way in! (I would suggest a backup on another USB just incase) No good losing all your secrets due to your nosey little brother messing around with your stuff!

This USB Secret Diary is available with bundled software to ensure your diary acts just as a real-life one would. Fortune cookie, My Stars application, Dream Catcher, Thinking Deep, and Mood Art are the software applications that will increase your experience of enjoyment while writing in your diary. These applications make your practice more life-like and interactive while supposedly “reading your emotions” by displayng a colourful swirl in the heading depicting the emotion “sensed” in your writing. (Wow!)

I think I might buy a few at this rate; 1 or 2 for myself and 1 or 2 for my VERY IMPORTANT WORK (No … no … no … I’m not a spy, I promise!)

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Tokyoflash have just released the latest in their line up of innovative/quirky wrist watches in the form of the Rogue Watch which is, according to Tokyoflash ‘Bright enough to get you noticed but subtle enough to keep you looking cool’.

Offering water resistance to 3ATM and sporting an ‘always on’ LCD display detailing the time and the date, according to Tokyoflash, in order to establish the time, the Rogue is read as follows:

‘The outer ring of small dots represents minutes, every fifth dot being slightly smaller to distinguish five minute groups. The ring of large blocks represents rough minutes, the position of the gap indicating approximate minutes. The inner ring of blocks represents hours, the position of the gap in the ring showing the current hour as on a clock face.’

Billed as being a modern fashion accessory with futuristic style, the Rogue has just been made available in either a polished silver or IP black finish for around $154.

Tokyoflash [via Geek Alerts]

Ok, now I’ve heard it all. In fact, I’m pretty much ready to say I’ve seen my 1001 things before I die after this new “fandangled” concept AKA the Solar Powered Necktie with cell phone pouch (thanks to photovoltaic film cells).

I can only wonder how this brain-child was initially conceived. However, I did do some interesting research and have come up with a brief history of how we have managed to get to this Solar Powered Necktie bit.

It seems to have all started in Iowa in the USA where oodles of tests are being performed on a daily basis in the hope of inventing fabric that integrates photovoltaic thin film cells.

For interest’s sake, “Photovoltaic flexible thin film converts solar energy into electrical energy. This photovoltaic thin film has a similar thickness to paper and has material properties much like those of camera film.”

 Now, without knowing what these photovoltaic film cells are, other than through my brief description, you’re probably wondering why it is so difficult? Well, it’s mostly due to the aesthetic impression of the fabric. You will notice in most of the designs that these “cells” (in order to function properly) need to face the outside, towards the energy source of the sun. These “cells” obviously need to be seen then and this is where our amazing Solar Powered Necktie comes in.

The tie was an easy start as they generally come in a million and one patterns, so integrating the striped design into a tie, to make it look like the fret of a guitar, worked incredibly well … and so was born the item that we review now – The Solar Powered Necktie with Cell phone Pouch.

I guess when these hit the market, in full force, we’ll have to stop using the legendary “but my phone died” excuse. Sorry guys, it just won’t cut it anymore, so keep those Thursday night pub crawls short and sweet!

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“Pantone Coffee Mugs?” you say.
Yes, I do say! Possibly the coolest thing to hit the shelves this season, in my opinion. My opinion, being that of a graphic design graduate, of course.

For those of you who haven’t a clue what “Pantone” means, well, basically consider that each colour in the whole entire world (approximately 24 million to be precise) has it’s own unique code (just to make we designer’s lives that much easier). So the designers of this particular range have appealed to the average artist’s geeky side by making a range of colourful mugs, complete with their own individual colour codes, matching their printed colour. Ingenious! Modern! Absolutely Fabulous!

These Pantone Coffee Mugs are priced at 8 pounds per one or at a sterling 72 pounds for the palette of 10 (makes more sense to own the whole lot)!

For all those nerdy enough to go “google” the Pantone colours after reading this post, the reference numbers for the particular colours are Red 186C, Pink 239C, Royal Blue 286C, Lime Green 388C, Pale Blue 549C, Lilac 2583C, Olive Green 5757C, Black 4C, Orange 021C, Process YellowC.

While you’re at it, why not order a set and get ready to entertain “colourfully.”

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*POP* … Watch out! It’s the Champagne Cork Capsule Stool.
Pardon me?
Yes, well, let’s call it the brain-child of the US designer, James Herman, then, shall we?

I’m all for nifty one-of-a-kind stool and chair designs and would love it if they added this model to the miniature set once reviewed on this site.
The Champagne Cork Capsule Stools were “invented” one night when the designer in question was fiddling around with a Champagne Cork (See what happens when you leave us designers alone to our own devices!)

Luckily for designer, Herman, Moet et Chandon granted him royalty free licence to reproduce their trademark in a stool fashion. I can’t see why not though, I mean, it is free advertising, despite having some lovely lady’s bottom perched on it.
In a way, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “bottom’s up”.

The Champagne Cork Capsule Stools can be viewed or sat upon in the Tribeca Bubbles bar in NYC though I’m certain if you had the right amount of pocket change ($$$) you should be able to afford some for your own bubbly bar.

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So I think I’ve pretty much explained how “nerdy” I am so this review on the “Pixel couch” should come as no surprise. The “Pixel Couch” is a celebration of bad computer graphics and terrible screen resolution, yet somehow, the designer, Cristian Zuzunaga, has designed a fabric that rejoices this phenomenon.

This “Pixel Couch” is all thanks to the Royal College art graduate’s fabric design which is now being produced through the Danish manufacturer Kvadrat and sold through Moroso.

It only makes sense to own furniture that replicates our daily lives by bringing the concept of computer pixels into our living room don’t you think? Why escape pixels when our entire lives revolve around myriad pixels on an hourly basis; from cameras to cellphones to computers to GPS units to portable gaming devices and now lounge suites. Our lives are part of one big pixelated heaven …

So go grab a pixel couch today and integrate your old-fashioned homely life and modern existence flawlessly into one faultless pixel picture of perfection. Wow, that’s a lot of “P’s”

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I had to smile at this online post, mainly because I tried to think of how everyone would react to this inventive take on the bikini. French designer John Nouanesing’s “Geekini” (a classic two-piece bikini featuring strategically placed A, B and directional buttons from the original Nintendo controller) is still in the conceptual stage and I think, if I have to be honest, I’m quite sad to hear that.

Yes … yes, I hear you all shout, “what is wrong with you? Can’t you see the exploitation of women in the making of this garment?” and well … yes, I can … but to be honest, I think it’s quite fun and apt! For one, if you’re brave enough to wear a bikini, in general, then you’re brave enough to give the impression that you’re just a game to men, right? Plus … we all know how much our partners LOVE games … so why not give them what they want? YOU wrapped up in a clever game disguise! In that way, you’re sure to get the right buttons pushed! Everybody wins!

However, that being said, in no way do I suggest that this garment was made merely for men’s enjoyment (though I can see the humour in this view point). For all that know me (and this includes my own man) I am considered an uber nerd, and although you may not say it if you see me, give me a few minutes of your time and you will realise just how much so! That being said, I would buy this baby in a jiffy (Which reminds me did you know a jiffy is the duration of one tick of the computer’s system clock.) Yes … yes … I would indeed buy this and wear it proudly. I happen to think it’s quite awesome and I love the connotations it invokes.

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