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| We Like Big Red Record Buttons, Flip Mino Review Posted: 29 Sep 2008 05:00 AM CDT I got my hands on Pure Digital’s latest camcorder, the Flip Mino and came away impressed. It’s a mini version of its bigger brother the Flip Ultra but thankfully quality has not been compromised. In fact quality is up in terms of build and video. At 640×480 pixels per inch, it’s not meant to compete with bigger and more expensive camcorders. This is for those candid moments when spontaneity is required. It’s small, pocketable, and easy to use. [ Buy It Here ] First don’t make fun of my cinematography skills. The point is this video literally took me 10 minutes, right from pressing the record button, to downloading to my computer, and then uploading to Vimeo to share with all of you. It’s easy to use and makes video recording as simple as taking digital photos. It’s about the size of a candy bar style mobile phone with 2 GB of built-in memory good enough for 1 hour of video. It’s made mostly of shiny plastic framed in metal. The lithium ion battery charges via USB which pops up from the top. The same USB lets you download video onto you computer to do as you please. To use the Mino, just press the big red record button in the middle. A cheerful bleep tells you it’s recording and when you’re finished, press the same button again. You can’t edit video on the Mino but you can preview what you’ve recorded and shuffle between multiple recordings via the touch sensitive controls surrounding the record button. The video and audio quality are superior to other camcorders at this price point. Remember this is not for the Steven Spielberg wanna-be. This is for capturing moments at the park with the kids, friends at school, for YouTube, a concert or festival, or any other occasion where an inconspicuous camcorder is needed. Think of it as a high-end webcam that isn’t tethered to your computer. There’s no image stabilization but you do get a 2x digital zoom. What we liked:
What could be improved:
On a scale of 1-10, I give it an 8. I have a hard drive based camcorder that’s pretty small but it’s still not as convenient to carry around as the Mino. This little device easily slips into a pocket or bag. Whip it out when something catches your eye, i.e. that moment when you cat launches a sneak attack on your friend sending him tumbling to the floor. I’m sure the YouTubers would love that. On a serious note, I’ve found it quite useful for us designers. I find inspiration everywhere I go and it’s been so much easier to use the Mino to record my muses instead of pulling out pen and pad. It’s totally pricey at $180 since there are some digital cameras that will do video now hovering just above that price point, but if you want something fun and easy to use, and want to start capturing moments on video without dealing with complex software or cumbersome controls, you will probably love the Flip Mino.        |
| Posted: 29 Sep 2008 03:06 AM CDT Skyros is an aerial camera which takes unparalleled overhead photographs. It illuminates a unique bird’s eye view from where one can understand the intimate relationship with the environment in a refreshing new light. If you’re a more cynical reader, just think of it as a way to see what birds see before they do a #2 on your car or worse, you! How it works: Skyros is pneumatically launched up to 120 feet in the air where it stabilizes itself as the rotors start. As it flies back to the user it takes photographs at various intervals. The user then links it back to its base and can view the photographs. There is an inbuilt sensor in the flying module which brings the camera back to the user too. Thank the gods because I hate chasing after my toys. One thing I love about this concept is the ability to use it as a regular camera. Most other aerial cams I’ve seen completely negate this novel fact. Designer: Siddharth Kambe & Dipti Hanako Kambe        |
| Posted: 29 Sep 2008 03:05 AM CDT Aptus is Latin for suitable, appropriate, or fitting. The Aptus pen is the ultimate in modern writing instruments. Takumi Yoshida wanted to blend elegance with pure functionality. In strict mechanical requirements, pens are very thin. We add volume to it so it fits into our hands better. Instead of a plastic or metal tube, the Aptus provides four large contact points (three points near the tip of the pen and one supporting point between the thumb and the index finger) when held in a hand for better ergonomics. We may all be email junkies but there are still people out there who prefer the tactile and personalized touch of hand written text. Designer: Takumi Yoshida        |
| Posted: 29 Sep 2008 02:59 AM CDT No more pretending! Everyone knows that every person has used cardboard boxes for tables, chairs, shelves, tv stands, et-cetera. Tim Brown does not deny this. He makes it O.K. for everyone to keep a full house of cardboard goodness. Each Idea* product is a cardboard construction which opens and constructs into itself, creating the shelf or chair or whatever it says it is on the box. The box is what it is! Tim Brown, the cardboard master, has this to say about his design/ “Idea* is a self-initiated final year student project, commenting on the value of waste packaging and the perception of contents. Each box claims to contain a product, but instead can be deconstructed and reconstructed inside out to become its intended contents. After construction it forms a functional product and also a memorable reminder of how little we appreciate the bland, brown cardboard box.” Speaking as a person who does use cardboard boxes as end-tables, I must say I wouldn’t mind this cardboard bookshelf at the end of my living room. It’d look quite nice, and I’m sure it’s extremely easy to transport as well. Also I wouldn’t mind a cardboard display shelf for my collection of [CardBoy] toys. Fresh. Designer: Tim Brown        |
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