Posts in Future Tech
Nokia lightning detector
Juniper Foo | May 30, 2007
We've heard of being struck by a bolt of inspiration, but the Finnish phone maker has apparently taken it literally, with the idea of a lightning detector feature in a phone. According to a patent, Nokia has designed a software system that can analyze the signals and distance of lightning, and beep a warning to users of its approach. We can certainly see this being featured in its rugged outdoor series. But seriously, if there's a mother of a thunderstorm out there, you don't even want to be operating your cellular out in the open. Duh. Too bad there aren't any images.
Via PC World
Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept, patent information here
Device: Lightning detection feature
Specs: N.A.
Heartbeat Indicator Mouse
Juniper Foo | May 29, 2007
What happens when you build a better mousetrap? Seems designers Chiu Chi Tat & Tsoi Man Hei have a pree-tty good idea. Taking the ubiquitous mouse, they've outfitted it with sensors that detect your health condition while you work. Makes perfect sense when you consider that your thumb and palm are always in touch with your mouse, allowing it to basically tap into the pulse of your lifeblood. For hypochondriacs, this supermouse can apparently send health information to a hospital or caregiver's cellular through the PC network. Given reports that cubicle rats have died without a sound at their workstations, we don't think we're being "kiasu" (Singlish for scared to lose out) when we suggest that Chiu and Tsoi might want to implement an alarm loud enough to wake even the, ah, dead should the owner of the rodent flatline.
More images here
Via Yanko Design
Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Mouse
Motorola solar-panel phone
Juniper Foo | May 24, 2007
Cell phone batteries, you can't live with them, you can't live without them. Of course, there're today tons of third-party solutions to the rescue if your battery happens to die on you, from hand-crank chargers to USB battery packs. But here's something we've not seen--a hybrid mobile that packs a solar cell beneath the LCD screen. Motorola has received a patent for this, adding that its approach is vastly different as the LCD acts as both display and light-collecting device for the solar cell. The reality check is that this isn't a perfect implementation, and Motorola does have some ways to go in fine-tuning the process. But, hey, anything for a greener planet and renewable energy. So power on, we say!
Via OhGizmo
Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Solar-powered mobile phone
Specs: N.A.
BYB Balance Cell Phone concept
Juniper Foo | May 23, 2007
Designer Bence Bogar dreams of more than electric sheep. His BYB Balance Cell Phone is one dreamy concoction of luxury and smart phone, with everything you ever wanted onboard: Two touchscreens, a 5.1-megapixel camera with autofocus, 2x optical zoom, QuadLED assist light, GSM/3G/HSDPA/Wi-Fi/BT2.0 connectivity, GPS support, and 3.5mm and miniUSB ports. There's even 512MB of internal memory on top of a microSD expansion slot. A software program, MindPad, lets users draw characters and symbols with a finger for rapid and simple input. If that isn't sufficient geek magnet, Bogar's amalgamation of titanium and stainless steel is deliciously chic enough to cause jaws to drop when you whip it out. We certainly like the sliding mechanism which allows this little sexpot to convert into a clock or digital photo frame when not in action. Say, what's that phone Apple's touting?
More images here and here
Via Yanko Design
Price: N.A.
Availability: Concept
Device: Mobile phone
Specs: 45 x 73.5 x 10.25mm, two touchscreen displays (main 2.8-inch , 400 x 240 pixels, 262K TFT), 5.1-megapixel camera with autofocus, 2x optical zoom, QuadLED assist light, GSM/3G/HSDPA, Wi-Fi, BT2.0, GPS, 3.5mm and miniUSB port, 512MB internal memory
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