Apple releases iPhone Micro USB Adapter to comply with EU standard
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2011-10-10 04:04:19 UTC
To cut down on the amount of mobile phone chargers relegated to the garbage after a phone upgrade, in 2009 the European Commission reached a voluntary agreement with 14 major smartphone manufacturers who committed to providing a
standardized charger based on the micro-USB connector that is compatible with all models of data-enabled mobile phones. Apple was one of the manufacturers that signed on to the agreement and has now delivered with the appearance of the Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter in the company's U.K. online store...
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Apple releases iPhone Micro USB Adapter to comply with EU standardSection: Mobile TechnologyTags: Adapter,
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World's cheapest tablet to launch in India
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2011-10-11 04:33:00 UTC
India has already churned out the
world's cheapest car and is now launching what's billed as the world's cheapest 7-inch touchscreen tablet. The result of efforts by India's Ministry of Human Resource and Development to develop a low cost computing device that could be used by students across the country, Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is set to be sold to students at the government subsidized price of US$35. The regular retail price of the tablet is expected to be around US$60 when the unit hits the shelves as a commercial version called the UbiSlate 7...
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World's cheapest tablet to launch in India Section: Mobile TechnologyTags: Android,
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Hanji is a Sturdy Hand-Crafted Paper Chair by Studio Maezm
by: Inhabitat , 2011-10-10 19:30:21 UTC
Constructed entirely from traditional Korean ‘Hanji’ paper, this amazing chair is as light as paper yet incredibly sturdy. Shin Taiho, designer and co-founder of Seoul-based design studio Maezm, says that Hanji paper is made from mulberry trees that last over 1,000 years. Collaborating with local artisans, Maezm developed Hanji as a non-toxic alternative to other, less sustainable materials.
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Post tags: 100% Design, green design, Hanji Chair, korea chair design, korean pavillion, london design festival 2011, Maezm design, mulberry tree paper, paper chair, Shin Taiho, sustainable design
Incredible Norway Showroom Built From Re-Used Doors and Windows
by: Inhabitat , 2011-10-11 05:00:59 UTC
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Post tags: Bergen School of Architecture, Norwegian sustainable design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Oslo School of Architecture, RAKE Visningsrom, re-use architecture, reclaimed wood architecture, Trestykker, Trondheim
New Technology To Save--Not Just Catch--Marine Life
by: fast company, 2011-10-07 18:08:12 UTC
After decades of more and more powerful fish-catching innovation, scientists are now developing ways for fisherman to catch just the amount, and type, of fish they need.
Technological advancement on the high seas has advanced almost in lock step with the decline of healthy fisheries around the globe. Since the 1950s, fishery collapse has been predictably preceeded by new advances that allow fisherman to hoover up ever-increasing catches: floating freezer ships, 30-mile drift nets, and open season in international waters.
But technology is also offering a glimmer of a second chance.
A combination of prudent regulation and technological innovation has started to limit overfishing and accidental bycatch of millions of tons of non-commerical sealife that is caught and dumped overboard each year--at least in some places.
In U.S. fisheries, according to a new study in Biological Conservation, turtle deaths are down 90% after regulations began requiring Turtle Excluder Devices on nets and other measures more than a decade ago. Today, an estimated 4,600 sea turtles die each year off along the U.S. coastline, down from 70,000 deaths of the 300,000 turtles caught annually in the late 1980s.
Elsewhere, small sonar devices are deterring dolphins from entering fishing nets, ship-board monitoring allows fisherman to relay the locations of endanger species such as Atlantic salmon or yellowtail flounder in nets within minutes, and special circle or "weak" hooks allow certain fish species to swim free. There has even been a collaboration between (historically hostile) fishermen and scientists leading to specialized trawls that only target individual species.
But technology can only go so far. As we reported in July, many countries are still exceeding their annual sustainable catch within several months of each year.
Sustainably harvesting the last remaining fish will do us, or them, little good. The real challenge will be finding the political will to implement all our bright ideas for future generations.
[Image: Flickr user quinet]
Reach Michael J. Coren via Twitter or email.
Design trends: Portable bikes for congested urban environment
by: The Design blog, 2011-10-07 07:20:12 UTC
Sukrat Gupta:
Portable bikePortable bike
In the ever-evolving world, people are looking out and dreaming - for models of even cars that can be carried in their pockets! Their desires may not let their vehicles get into their pockets, but these futuristic designs of various portable bikes can serve as the herald of a new future of these vehicles.
These bikes can be folded, carried, and even pocketed in some cases, without adding more significant weight on the bearer.
The trend
Modern technology has made life much easier with its various portability solutions. The personal mobility sector, however, has remained largely untouched by such innovations. Many portable solutions to personal mobility has raised its head in concepts in recent times. The concepts look toward portability as well as something that will take up the minimum of parking space.
The inspiration
These bikes were first designed for the soldiers, so that the soldiers’ progress would not be hindered by carrying the bikes. Instead, they used to dismantle them into four parts and carry them in their backpacks. Today, these portable bikes have various sources of inspirations, but all these sources are linked together by one fact: ability to be parked in the smallest spaces available. There are some bikes, which have an additional inspiration: backpacks.
What makes it so special
The main thing that makes these bikes different from others is the fact that they can be folded, which means the rider need not have the idea of which part fits where. All he/she has to do is to remove the locks or merely fold it manually. These bikes are light-weights and thus don’t contribute to the overall weight on the body.
What’s in it for me?
For those who use bikes in hilly terrains and steep slopes, these bikes are useful. It becomes very difficult to climb slopes and dissipate more energy than walking. In such scenarios, all the bikers have to do is to fold these bikes and carry them to the position from where they are suitable to be used again. These bikes are also useful for those who have very little space in their house and backyard to keep their bikes. These portable bikes also reduce the risk of being stolen.
What’s next?
1. Backpack bicycle
Backpack BikeBackpack Bike a Portable bikes for congested urban environment
As the name suggests, the bike can be folded into a backpack. As the total weight is about 5.5 kg - easily movable by man - it can act as a backpack. In order to fit properly into the folding dimensions. The wheels are of lesser diameter and the bike overall is quite lower, but it is compensated by a longer distance between the seat and the handle. The whole design, in short, is sufficient to give the rider the same experience on this bike as on the normal one.
2. Rotation city bike
Rotation City BikeRotation City Bike a portable bikes for congested urban environment
Developed by Yirong Yang, Rotation City Bike can be used both as a unicycle as well as a bicycle. While unicycle is for those seeking challenges, bicycle is more more trendy and futuristic. Every part of this bike - from wheel to saddle - can be adjustable. Moreover, it can be folded and carried around, when not in use.
3. BMW Mini
BMW MiniBMW Mini
BMW Mini is a BMW project created by Martin Ruegg. This bike can be folded so much that its size reduces to that of a beer bottle, and, like the latter, it can be carried around in a pocket. The word “Mini” actually stands for Mini Cooper, for the riders of which this design is created. It has inline skate-wheels and Knirps’ umbrella.
4. Monocycle: World’s first self balancing bike
MonocycleMonocycle
A normal bicycle requires the rider to know balancing and be an expert in it. However, Monocycle, desgined by Harald Palma, does not demand much from the rider. In fact, it is a self-balancing bike, which means it balances itself in different situations such as sharp turns and slopes. The bike’s acceleration depends on the body-alignment of the biker; to accelerate, the rider has to lean forward, and to decelerate, the rider has to lean backwards. The revolutionary bicycle also comes with advanced features, such as accelerometer and gyroscopes, to give the riders more enhancement tools to refer to while riding. Due to its compact size, the bike needs small space for parking.
5. Locust bicycle
Locust BikeLocust Bike a Portable bikes for congested urban environment
The first thing that catches one’s eye is this bike’s vibrant color. Once he/she has recovered from such colors, he/she can actually notice the three loops - or circles - in the bike: two as the wheels, and one below the seat. The extraordinary design is to let the bike fold up automatically once the safety-lock is removed from it. Due to its compact size, the locust bike can be adjusted nearly anywhere. To highlight more deviation from the traditional bike, this bike sports belts instead of chains to drive the wheels.
6. Noah bike
Noah bikeNoah bike portable bikes for congested urban environment
Noah bike is one of the few bikes today that can give a whole futuristic feeling. It is a unicycle, with a serious flaw: it has no regard for the safety of the rider, which means that the rider is to be an expert before handling this thing. It is compact, and has twin tires, on which the seat rests, a rather uncomfortable and risky position. To overcome the flaw, Andrei, its designer, has proposed to implement human psychomotor, which removes the need of buttons or pads. The whole system will respond to the driver’s movement. The electric engine, battery, charger and other gadgets are located at the bike’s center, making riding even more difficult. However, the design looks good, though it demands more safety features for the rider.
7. Shape-shifting bicycle
Shape-shifting bicycleShape-shifting bicycle
Everglide is a shape-shifting bicycle. It can be a pioneer of compact, high-speed individual transport, which can also be used as a storage-based system when collapsed. It is made for short-distance cyclists who find hard time finding parkings for their cycles and carrying it to other locations. So compact is Everglide that it can even be carried in public transportation systems, such as trams and trains. The folding happens by removing the lock. Handheld devices, like portable media players and mobiles, can be attached to the bike and charged via frictionless magnetic dynamo technology.
8. Trust-building bicycle
Trust-building bicycleTrust-building bicycle
People are well-aware of two- and multiple-seater bikes, but this is one different bike that can leave the onlookers astounded. For one thing, this two-seater bike requires paddling in opposite directions. This means that the two riders are sitting with the backs toward each other. This makes the riding process difficult and requires lots of confidence, trust and practice, something that can easily be garnered by circus-people. It is compact and can be folded and carried to different places. Riding such a bike can be fun for onlookers, as well as for the riders.
Other bikes that deserve special mention are foldable Free Bike from Tan Zhao Bin - which looks more like a unicycle and is made in such a way that riding is less tiring - Lohas hybrid bike by Chen Wei-Ping - which uses an in-built windmill to recharge the batteries - Grasshopper from David Moreira Goncalves - which can be carried anywhere, and can produce electricity - and Jessie Chan Qiu Ping’s Revolution that is designed for fun- and challenge-loving youth.
benjamin hubert: coracle + cargo for de la espada
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-10-05 07:55:00 UTC
the automotive industry was the basis for a collection, in which two chairs manipulate perforated leather in different ways to reinterpret the material's use.
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piergiorgio cazzaniga: sail chair for andreu world
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-10-05 13:30:00 UTC
the lightweight frame makes stacking convenient for up to ten chairs.
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BuildingGreen's 10 Top Green Products For 2012 Unveiled
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-10-07 14:27:25 UTC
I am a huge fan of
BuildingGreen, but have not given a lot of coverage of their
Green Product of the Year Awards. They are, to put it bluntly, like watching
Eoncote Ceramic paint dry, not very sexy and attention grabbing. But I have been doing our readers a disservice, as I learned while watching Alex Wilson of BuildingGreen present this yea...
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VIDEO: Andrea Air Purifier Uses a Plant to Clean the Air in Your Home
by: Inhabitat , 2011-10-08 05:20:12 UTC
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Andrea Air Purifier is a brilliant partnership between man and plant that accelerates nature’s natural ability to clean air in order to detoxify the atmosphere inside your home. We had a chance to sit down with Tom Hadfield from Andrea to talk about how this amazing gadget is able to clean the air in your home 1,000 times better than a normal houseplant. Check out our video interview above!
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