Freescale Develops Modular Smartbook Concepts

These smartbooks are portable workbooks, the concept designs of which were developed by Freescale. There were a total of six different prototypes developed, each having a number of unique features.

Every modular mini-notebook is based on ARM technology and focuses on improved super-long battery life.

With a long list of advantages like compact and modern design, long battery life and improved functionality, here at Gadgets.Infoniac.Com we believe these smartbooks will surely meet the demand for handy ultra-portable devices.

At the moment these concept did not receive a hardware version, but when they do, they will definitely have their valuable niche on the market of portable devices.

Sony Vaio VGP-BMS10/S Compact Mouse

As you can see from the photos, it features a sliding cover which reveals the scroll wheel, it is made from aluminum, I have to admit it looks pretty good from the photos.

Ther Sony Vaio VGP-BMS10/S Compact Mouse will go on sale in Japan in August for around $70, there is no information on when we are likely to see it in the US and Europe.

New Launches via Gizmodo

The Army Sponsored Miniature Bat Plane Would Make Batman Proud

The Army has a bat plane concept in mind it would like made into reality. It has granted the University of Michigan a $10 Million grant to make this dream come true.

This miniature plane spy plane is to be the size of only six inches, and consist of different micro electronic features for increased surveillance and awareness.

“The Bat”, as it has been named, will include different communication tools and sensors within a tiny aerial gadget. Little cameras will be included for imaging and surveillance, tiny microphones to assess sounds from separate angles, and detectors to notify of poisonous gases and/or radiation.

A radar will be also installed on board as well as a sensitive navigation system, so it would be able to fly at night and find its way just like a real bat.

In case the original grant is not sufficient, there is also a possible addition of $12.5 million to allow the Bat to take flight.

Besides the features included, the Bat weighs only a quarter of a pound and aims to use just 1 W of energy. This makes the spy bat plane a great innovative electronic for the army.

Via: Geekologie

Engineers Create Foldable, Stackable Electric Car

Electric cars really don’t get much better than this. The “CityCar” concept, designed by MIT engineers, gives compact a new meaning. In addition to being stackable, they are also eco-friendly. This high-tech vehicle has wheels with integrated motors that can also rotate a full 360-degrees while moving. You won’t find seat belts in this car because responsive seats, also called “fingers”, hold a person back during an accident. [Via Cool Green Gadgets]

WoWee Rovio WiFi Surveillance Robot

Wowee is unveiling its new WiFi enabled robotic webcam that can be controlled using any Internet enabled device. You can use a mobile phone, PC or even a video game console. Users can search around (or spy around) their home or office remotely through the Rovio’s built-in camera that streams video and audio transmitted via the robot. It features the NorthStar® smart navigation and positioning system, which makes the Rovio navigate accurately by itself and is able to avoid the obstacles on its way. [Via]

Bamboo, the degradable mobile phone

Bamboo, the degradable mobile phone

Gert-Jan van Breugel - Netherlands

One billion handsets produced globally each year and only 10% recycled. Average mobile phone user replaces their handset every 18 months. This has a big impact on the environment; 36kg of CO2 is used to make one 90g phone. To reduce the impact of the mobile phone it's time to rethink the materials mobile phone are made of and the manner we recharge them.

The bamboo degradable mobile phone
The bamboo is a degradable mobile phone. When the battery, antenna and print board are removed the case can be placed in compos and a few weeks later the case will begin to disintegrate. Inside the case are bamboo seeds, these will start to grow and feet on the case. After a few months the will turn in to bamboo plant which compensates the impact manufacturing process the bamboo phone has on the environment.

Materials
The case of the bamboo phone is made out two materials. Number one is a bio-plastic which is derived from renewable raw materials such as corn. Number two is bamboo which is a grass and can grow two feet or more a day. When it's harvested, it need not be replanted, because it will grow a new shoot from its extensive root system. So bamboo renews itself readily, unlike hardwood trees, which, once cut, are gone forever. Bamboo is an endlessly renewable resource.

Energy
The inefficient recharging of the mobile phones has also an impact the environment. We could save enough energy in one year to power 60,000 European when 10% of the mobile phone users turn off the electricity supply to the chargers after use. The bamboo mobile phone can be recharged with muscle power. The phone is equipped whit a cranking charger; a 3-minute cranking session gives the phone enough power to make one call. This means the bamboo phone never runs out of energy. The phone is also equipped with a monochrome display to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

Green gadget
The use of materials and the possibility to recharge the phone whit muscle power give the phone a very low carbon footprint and reduce the impact on the environment. This makes the phone "a green gadget"

Akai AISS010 All-in-one Home Theater System

Here are the specifications.

• Docks and charges iPod
• Compatible with CD/ DVD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/WMA/VCD/JPEG/DIVX/MPEG4
• AM/FM radio with digital readout
• HDMI 1080P
• Supports USB and card audio playing
• Built-in DVD player
• LCD clock display
• Composite video, S-video, Y, Cb, Cr video output
• Supports all iPods
• Digital coaxial & optical audio output
• VFD Multi-function display
• Automatic age lock and screen protection function
• Remote control unit
• 2.1 + 1 track power output (double sub-woofer)
• 4″ x 4 + 5″ x2 bass speaker 40w + 20w*2 (RMS 10% THD)

The Akai AISS010 All-in-one Home Theater System will retail for about $1,000, mind you I am not sure I would want it on my living room as it looks a little bit over the top.

CyberPower are claiming that their latest notebook, the CyberPower Xplorer X7-Xtreme S1 is the World’s fastest, and from a quick look at the specifications they might be right.

The CyberPower Xplorer X7-Xtreme S1 comes with an Intel Core I7-920 processor, 6GB of DDR3 RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GTZ 280 graphics card, full details below.

Here are the full specifications.

# Intel Core i7-920 processor
# Intel X58 + ICH10R chipset
# 17″ (16:10) WUXGA TFT LCD Display 1920×1200
# 6GB DDR3 memory
# NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M graphics card
# 320GB hard drive (expandable), optional SSD
# Blu-ray drive
# 3.1 Mega Pixel Webcam
# Wireless, Bluetooth
# Windows Vista

Rocky Crunching USB Drives

What will they think of next? Here we have three new USB drives from the Rocky movies, which do situps whilst plugged into your USB port.

There are 3 versions available, Rocky, Appollo Creed and Mr T as Clubber Lang, unfortunately there are no details on how much data each one stores.

Wii Bowling Ball

I can see this thing doing more damage to LCD and Plasma TVs than the Wiimote, there is no word on pricing or availability.

Product Page via Oh Gizmo

Cool Concepts - The Tima Watch

Check out this cool concept timepiece from designer Julien Bergignat, the Tima watch.

The Tima Watch features a dual display, you can choose between a digital display or an analogue one.

The watch can be set up to have each of the dual displays on a different time zone, you can switch easily between the two displays to check the different times.

This cool concept watch uses an ePaper display for the watch face, which makes it really slim, and the watch face is actually curved inline with the watch band.

This is a stunning looking concept, lets hope they put something like this into production, I would definitely buy one.

Behance via The Awesomer

Design - Virtual Wall Traffic Lights

Here’s an interesting concept from designer Hanyoung Lee, the Virtual Wall Traffic lights.

This concept certainly looks like it would get drivers attention a lot more than traditional traffic lights, as they would display a large virtual barrier across the road when the lights are red.

The barrier is made up of plasma laser beams which show virtual pedestrians in the road, letting drivers know to stop, it is defianetly a very clever concept, although I am not sure how practical it would be, I certainly could see some applications where it would work well such as zebra crossings.

Hanyoung Lee via Yanko Design, Gadget Venue

Design - The Timeless Garden

Here’s an interesting concept from designers Francesco Castiglione Morelli and Tommaso Ceschi, the Timeless Garden.

The Timeless Garden is a digital clock with a plant in the middle, the clock is made from recycled plastic and it is powered by the mud inside it.

Apparently using chemistry between the mud and metal the clock is able to sustain itself with no need for external power or batteries.

It certainly looks like an interesting concept, I wonder what happens if you give the plant too much water.

Yanko Design via Unpluggd

Design - The On Time Headset

Here is an interesting design concept from designer Pedro Gomes, the On Time Headset.

The On Time Headset, is basically a bracelet that has a built in watch and mobile phone, when you want to answer a phone call, you just detach the built in Bluetooth headset from the bracelet and place it in your ear.

When there is an incoming call the bracelet will vibrate, and then the callers details are displayed on the built in LCD screen, there are two LCD screens built in, one in the Bluetooth headset and a secondary underneath which is used when the headset is in use.

Both of the screen are touchscreen enabled, allowing to you easily navigate through menus, and make and receive calls, it certainly is a great design, I am sure it won’t be very long before we see something like this in production.

Yanko Design via Slippery Brick

Design - The ON Air Watch

Here is another cool design concept, this one is by designers Iskender Asanaliev & Adilet Asanaliev, the ON Air Watch.

The ON Air Watch is a blend of analogue and digital watches, the time in hours is displayed by the a watch hand, which moves around the watch just like and analogue watch.

The minutes are displayed numerically within the watch hand, as you can see from the photos, if you want to display the seconds, you just press a button and they are displayed on the screen.

This is a stunning looking design, I wish watch manufacturers could make digital watches that looked this good, I might then be tempted to switch from my trusty analogue watch to a digital one.

Behance via Yanko Design, The Awesomer

Design - Nikon Coolpix Extreme Digital Camera

Here is another interesting concept design, this one is from designer Camillo Vanacore, the Nikon Coolpix Extreme Digital Camera.

The Nikon Coolpix Extreme Digital Camera is designed to work in any environment, be it snow, rain or really hot weather it is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.

It looks like an interesting concept, the design is pretty cool, I am not sure how easy it would be to make a camera that can withstand all the elements and still make it look that good.

via Yanko Design

Design - KRE-8 Mobile Phone Concept

Here is another interesting design concept, this one is from designer Jose Tomas DeLuna, the KRE-8 Mobile Phone.

The KRE-8 Mobile Phone is a mobile phone which is designed for DJs, and aspiring music producers, and according to the designer ‘the KRE-8 is the next-generation music tool/communication device for the musically creative and the aspiring musician as well. ‘

It certainly looks like an interesting design concept, a great design and I bet it would be really fun to use.

via Yanko Design

Design - The Touchscreen Rotary Phone

Here is an interesting design concept from designer Mark Miller, the Touchscreen Rotary Phone.

The Touchscreen Rotary Phone merges an old design with new technology to bring us this stunning concept touchscreen rotary phone.

If features a built in backlit screen, i love the touchscreen rotary dialler it looks very cool, rotary telephone always look much better then the current push button models available.

via Yanko Design

Cool Concepts - The Digi Alarm Clock

Check out this cool design concept from designer Justyna Szacon, the Digi Alarm Clock.

The Digi Alarm clock is an alarm clock with no off button, when the alarm goes off, you have to lift the sphere out of the middle of the alarm clock and place it back to turn the alarm off.

The idea is that by lifting the sphere you are going to wake up, it certainly seems like a good idea, when my alarms go off in the morning I just hit the various snooze buttons, which I can now do in my sleep, so this might actually get me out of bed.

via Yanko Design

Design - Q-Sound Solar Powered Bluetooth Headphones

Here is an interesting design concept from designer Stephen Shepeleff, the Q-Sound Solar Powered Bluetooth Headphones.

These funky looking Bluetooth headphones feature a built in solar panel that will charge the built in battery.

This is a great idea lets hope we see this go into production soon, they also look pretty cool.

Ecofriend via Le Journal Du Geek

Worlds most expensive iPod

The most expensive iPod (probably) was recently “built” in Norway. It’s the famous Norwegian goldsmith/jeweller Heyerdahl that took on the task of rebuilding the outer shell of an iPod in solid gold (18 carat). He also placed 430 diamonds on the player and headset, all by hand of course.

The redesigned player was named iDiamond (naturally) and is according to the daily manager, Thomas Heyerdahl, created with the intention of combining the art of jewellery and technology to build the most expensive MP3 player available.

The player will be displayed in their main store in Oslo (Norway) throughout September.

In total 59,3 gram white and rosé gold plus 4,30 carats diamonds were used. Of the 430 diamonds 118 are placed on the headset.

The iDiamond are not made for commercial sale (big surprise?!), but it’s value are estimated to be approximately 248.000 Norwegian kroner (€31.000/$42.000).

Design - The Mouser Mouse

Here is a cool design concept from Andrey Chirkov, the Mouser Mouse.

The Mouser Mouse is a combination of two materials with different qualities and textures, a combination of warm pliable wood and cold hard metal.

It certainly looks like an interesting design, lets hope they put these into production as it would look pretty cool on anyone’s desk

Product Page via Coolest Gadgets, Gizmo Watch