Ideas for the world, FREE!
Posts tagged design
5 things Nokia can do to avoid becoming another Palm
Oct 6th
The mobile OS market is changing on a daily basis now. Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems have changed the way mobile phones work. Google’s Android platform recently became the #1 smart phone OS in the US. The Android platform is now profitable according to Google’s Eric Schmidt and well on its way to becoming a $10 billion business for Google. So where does Nokia fit in? Nokia has struggled to make inroads into the world’s largest high end handset market- the USA. A slew of bad handsets, dated Symbian and lack of technology in Nokia’s offerings have made these handsets lackluster. On the other hand, Apple and Google have been making their platforms stronger by adding better hardware, beautiful touch screens, great hardware designs and compelling app stores into their products. The latest blow to Nokia has been the resignation of Meego chief Ari Jasski apart from a slew of other departures from the exec cabins at Nokia.
Read on after the break
Rethinking the bicycle seat
Sep 20th
Riding a bike is great for the environment, but bike seats aren’t known for their comfort, especially for men. But sexual health and comfort can be improved for male bicyclists with the no-nose bicycle seat, which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has conducted studies on and concluded that have demonstrated the effectiveness of no-nose bicycle saddles in reducing pressure in the groin and improving the sexual health of male bicycle patrol police officers. The seat is designed to move the pressure to different parts of the body, and needs to be adjusted for a rider’s height and physiology.
But not all bikes and bike seats are created equal, and for male bicyclists who go through similar problems, it actually might be best to just adjust the current seat on the bike rather than get a new one with a sleek design. Bicycle saddles only cause numbness 1) if the bike is improperly adjusted; 2) when a rider isn’t fit and 3) after a very long and intense ride. Also, not all bikes have adjustable seats or additional seat posts, so its best to check first with a bike shop or doctor about the options. Nonetheless, there’s no reason to give up bike riding all together, as numbness and discomfort is solvable. Just keep in mind three things:
- Exercise is good for sexual health! Sitting in a car and cubicle every day is not a recipe for a great love life.
- With proper bike fiting, cycling should be numbness and pain free.
- Experiment with different seats–nose as well as no-nose. Everyone’s physiology is different and there are myriad saddle styles to choose from. Here’s a little tip, though: don’t go with the saddle that feels softest to the touch, and do a reasonably-long ride on a saddle before making a decision!
The World’s First Solar-Powered Air Conditioner Is Here
Sep 19th
In Dezhou, China, the Shandong Vicot Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. unveiled the world’s first directly solar-powered air conditioning unit at a solar-powered air conditioning conference (demonstrating that conferences exist for things that yet don’t). Experts and academics present at the conference unanimously agreed that Vicot’s solar-powered air conditioning unit is a great innovation in China’s solar-powered technologies sector, and an extremely significant step forward for the industry’s future strategy and development.
Predictions have been made that by 2060, the world will run out of traditional energy sources, meaning that humankind would not be able to keep cool in the summer heat. The goal is to have renewable energy sources make up 30 percent of all energy sources by 2020, 50 percent by 2050. This new air-conditioning system boasts an optimal 85% thermal cooling conversion efficiency, and its ability to utilize solar power is twenty-seven times that of the average water heating unit. It also allows for 24-hour continuous cooling, heating, and supply of hot water, while natural gas can be used as a supplemental energy supply.
“This solar-powered air conditioning unit is the result of three years of hard work and the pioneering research efforts of Chinese and American scientists and engineers. The product is a fine example of globally cutting-edge technology. Solar-powered air conditioning units can be widely used in low-carbon buildings, and its cost is relatively low, so in 3.5 years, the unit’s initial investment can be recouped, and in 6.7, the entire investment can be recovered,” remarked Shandong Vicot Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.’s president Li Wen.
Predictions have been made that by 2060, the world will run out of traditional energy sources, meaning that humankind would not be able to keep cool in the summer heat. The goal is to have renewable energy sources make up 30 percent of all energy sources by 2020, 50 percent by 2050. This new air-conditioning system boasts an optimal 85% thermal cooling conversion efficiency, and its ability to utilize solar power is twenty-seven times that of the average water heating unit. It also allows for 24-hour continuous cooling, heating, and supply of hot water, while natural gas can be used as a supplemental energy supply.
“This solar-powered air conditioning unit is the result of three years of hard work and the pioneering research efforts of Chinese and American scientists and engineers. The product is a fine example of globally cutting-edge technology. Solar-powered air conditioning units can be widely used in low-carbon buildings, and its cost is relatively low, so in 3.5 years, the unit’s initial investment can be recouped, and in 6.7, the entire investment can be recovered,” remarked Shandong Vicot Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.’s president Li Wen.
Statistics show that consumption of energy by buildings and other structures in China is 27.45% of the country’s overall energy consumption, so the incorporation of energy-saving measures in these structures is imminent as well as relevant and substantial. Currently, energy consumption in buildings and structures is mainly attributable to heating units (65%), water heating units (15%), electricity (14%), and kitchen appliances (6%).
The Wrist Computer Makes Us Drool. In Stores In 2020.
Sep 18th
It is, but it won’t be here for another 10 years. Designer Hiromi Kiriki’s “Nextep” computer concept is constructed out of a flexible OLED touchscreen. Expected to be on shelves in 2020, the Nextep features a holographic projector (for screen), pull-out extra keyboard panels and social networking compatibility. It’s to be worn on our wrists like a watch, and flexible to fit the shape and size of any wrist. There’s not too much information out there, as to the product’s cost and durability, but the pictures are enough to make us want one. Images after the break.
Air-purifying road surface!
Sep 17th
Researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have tested pollution-eating concrete on about 1,000 square meters of roads in the town of Hengelo. The results? A 25 to 45 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) over the special roads, meaning that someday our roads and other concrete structures could be used to clean up the air. Maybe the carbon emissions from out cars will be offset by the roads themselves?
Science News explains that vehicle exhaust gases contain NOx, which cause acid rain and smog. The pollution-eating concrete contains titanium dioxide, a photocatalytic material that removes the nitrogen oxides from the air and converts them with the aid of sunlight into harmless nitrate. These stones also have another advantage: they break down algae and dirt, so that they always stay clean. Titainium oxide is naturally occuring,
The pollution-eating concrete can also be mixed with regular asphalt for use where you don’t necessarily need a concrete road, so it could maybe be used in sidewalks, at playgrounds, and in plazas as well. Images after the break
Science News explains that vehicle exhaust gases contain NOx, which cause acid rain and smog. The pollution-eating concrete contains titanium dioxide, a photocatalytic material that removes the nitrogen oxides from the air and converts them with the aid of sunlight into harmless nitrate. These stones also have another advantage: they break down algae and dirt, so that they always stay clean. Titainium oxide is naturally occuring,
The pollution-eating concrete can also be mixed with regular asphalt for use where you don’t necessarily need a concrete road, so it could maybe be used in sidewalks, at playgrounds, and in plazas as well. Images after the break
Beyond Politics, Poverty, and War
Sep 12th
Is it possible? Well, the Venus Project will try. The Venus Project “advocates an alternative vision for a sustainable new world civilization unlike any social system that has gone before.” This project is seeking to make natural resources a common heritage and cultural value for all of humankind and to create a resource-based economy instead of a monetary-based one. The project is based in Venus, Florida, where Phase One of this alternative vision has already taken shape with domed-shape buildings and a conference center. They also have plans in motion to develop futuristic transportation, clean energy sources, city architecture and efficient housing. The project’s plans for city systems includes Research City, a brand new city that would expound these ideals without replacing old cities and solving the problems of the old ones. The new city would come without all those problems. Research City has a circular arrangement that will be surrounded by, and incorporated into the city design, parks and lovely gardens. This city will be designed to operate with the minimum expenditure of energy using the cleanest technology available. This system facilitates efficient transportation for city residents, eliminating the need for automobiles. Images and Video of the vision after the break
A Water Dispenser That Will Make You Feel Guilty
Sep 10th
Designer Yan Lu has created a hand-washing basin that conserves water… by putting a life at stake. The Poor Little Fish sink drains water out of fishbowl every time its used. Use too much, and the goldfish gets it. According to Yan the “Poor Little Fish basin offers an emotional way to persuade consumers to think about saving water, by making consumption tangible.” But don’t get too attached. The sink has hidden plumbing which reuses all the the water and eventually puts it back into the fishbowl. The sink is also connected to the tap, so its refilled with clean water constantly. The point of the sink isn’t to force people to consume less, but to be more mindful of water conservation and how much water we actually use on a daily basis.
Read on after the break.
Hide the Gamer Within (if you must)
Sep 8th
Fifty percent of gamers are between the ages of 18 and 49, with 32 being the average age of a gamer. This means that gamers aren’t just pimply, anti-social teenagers, but adults with professional lives and families. So for those times, when those games and consoles need to be put away and hidden from view, there’s the Arcane table from Surface Tensions. It looks like a coffee table, but has a pull-out arcade controls and and optional built-in media center PC. The table comes with a 26-inch LDC screen and over 100 licensed games from Taito, Midway and Atari. The computer inside also has Windows 7 and stereo 30-watt speakers, so its capable of playing music and movies as well. It’s also priced at over $5000, and that’s without the full PC media center and just the vintage games. It’s an extra thousand to get the PC. Images of the table after the break
Boxes Going Green? All Over The Place?
Sep 8th
Oh well, it was Lifebox, then UPS and now Ebay. Ebay is now giving out in its green boxes. But hang on – this one’s a little different. Ebay is not going to ship your stuff in it but is just going to give the box to you. The box has space for you to write where its from and a message to a person you are handing it to. The concept is that you will use the box to give someone something and in turn that someone uses it to give someone else, something else. Confused yet? Yeah, I can understand. Ebay’s Skype buyout was as confusing. But now the good part – if each of the 100,000 (only??) boxes being “given away” is reused 5 times Ebay estimates that we will save about 4000 trees, 2.4 million gallons of water and conserve enough energy to power 49 homes. Nice thought but the lucky few who get these boxes better use it at least 5 times! Images after the break.
