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| Posted: 20 Feb 2009 06:50 AM PST The biggest problem that we face in a foreign land is the language barrier. Resorting to sign language or using translation dictionaries is a cumbersome process especially if you are to temporarily relocate to that country. SOLA is a linguistic device that is fun and interactive and can come of some use in such situations. In fact it was developed by a bunch of students to communicate easily with the exchange students in Mandarin. SOLA or Sound On Learning Active does not believe in repetitive communication. It combines the work and play methodology to optimize the learning skills. It uses the language base in a gaming environment, which makes the learning process more enjoyable and competitive. Multiple users can use this method over various platforms and master new skills. The device consists of a tower that hosts a headset, a tracking webcam and a projector. Interactive bangles worn on the hands and feet help you manipulate your moves on the projected game screen. Sound is transmitted to the earphones via Bluetooth. The concept is thus: On a very subconscious level, while playing the games on Sola, you inadvertently perfect a language without really realizing it. The video below demonstrates how the system really works. Take a look. Designers: Hilary L Brosnihan, Esther Lai Wing Wai, Olivia Kwok Tak Lam & Ivy Chan Oi Ning        |
| It’s All About The Crisp Toast Posted: 20 Feb 2009 12:36 AM PST A kitchen appliance that has been taken for granted for such a long while is the humble toaster. So ignorant are we of its origins that till now it is unknown who invented the first electric bread toaster! No doubt evolved humans have been toasting a slice of bread for a long time now, but almost two centuries ago the deed was done over an open flame. The failed attempt of Crompton & Company in 1893 to commercialize it as Eclipse, led to General Electric's D-12 claiming the title as the "first commercially successful electric toaster" in 1909. As the design process progressed from metal frames over fire to a sophisticated domestic device, the appliance saw itself on the shelf as three iterations: the Pop-Up, the Oven and the Conveyor Toaster. Here is a look at some inspirational designs that plan to revolutionize the browning element of our lives. 10) Jet-Powered Toaster by Petr Nestratov Incorporating the Jet design into cars and bikes is passé; lets hitch it to a toaster and see how fast the bread burns! My guess is that this was the thought process behind this monster-toaster. No conformations, but a unique design. 9) The Toasty Charger by Hyun- A Ko Technically this isn't even a toaster, but imagine if your toaster could charge your gadgets while crisping the breads, wouldn't that be fun! Adding a spectacle to the breakfast ritual of two pieces of toast with jam is this Glide. It artistically slides out the toast from a porcelain mold, adding much drama to the slice-holding bay. 7) Transparent Toaster by Inventables Concept Studio Adding visual appeal to "what you see is what you get", the Transparent Toaster expects you to enjoy the perfect brown color thanks to the glass element. Of course the technology of getting the glass hot enough is still nascent, but it would be a splendid idea to enjoy perfect crispness! Slide the toast straight to your plate! Besides doing this, the Nahamer T450 touts itself as the first environmentally sustainable toaster. It can be dismantled at end of its journey of browning breads and probably be recycled. It crisps the bread faster (by 20%) while using half the usual amount of energy required. Best of all, the transparent shield allows you to see how the toasts are doing. 5) Scan Toaster by Sung Bae Chang Get your daily news imprinted onto your toast; that's what this scan toaster does. Hook it to a PC via USB and download what you want to read on your bread and then munch it! I would use it to probably scorch a love ode for my partner, what would you download on your bread? Got Vegas in your blood, how about rolling the dice one last time? This time the gamble is on the number burnt onto your toast. Random numbers from the dice get singed onto the bread…I bet it's a six …shoot, it's not; lets roll the dice again! The world is full of married people, as Jackie Collins would like us to believe, so why do singles need a big 4-toaster appliance? Toasty Single Serving Toaster should suffice, anyways you're on a diet, and hence one slice will do. The retro look ups the likey quotient. 2) Message Toaster by Sasha Tseng The new age Post-it or progressive toaster design, call it what you want, but I simply LOVE this concept. Just pen down your note on the message board (on top the toaster) and then see it etched onto the toast. Eat your words buddy! 1) Portable Toaster by Kim Been The dainty butterflies that you see on this ceramic knife actually represent the heat-strength of this Portable Toaster. Like you spread butter with a knife, glide this toaster over the bread and see it transform from white to brown. Arthur Wu, George Watson, Hyun A Ko, Inventables Concept Studio, Kim Been, LeeYounil, Petr Nestratov, Rob Penny, Sasha Tseng, Sung Bae Chang     |
| Drammen on Down the Road to Car Island Posted: 20 Feb 2009 12:12 AM PST Drammen is a city and municipality in Norway (look it up!) which is along the 1,890 km (1,174 mi) long European Route E18. The city of Drammen has been, of recent years, a relatively popular place for the cars; its city center having been burdened by heavy traffic until the installation of the E18 bridge. Designer Fredrik Haukeland plans to capitalize on this situation with an intuitive I.D. project: “a leisure park for car fanatics.” Behold: “Drive-In Industries.” Ask Haukeland more about the car culture of the land in your comments if you’re interested. I myself haven’t been to Drammen myself in many years.* This mammoth project would be a wonderful addition though, I must say. Haukeland speaks of a car island that’s entered from the highway. On one end, an “el-car factory,” and on the other, a junk yard for parts. Also included is a customizing service with a test track. A giant transporter (a conveyer belt?!) links each of these places so that the people and the parts they pick up can move back and forth. On this; the fully interactive car island. Not to be mistaken for Monster Island. Or Monsta Island, for that matter; while we’re at it. *I have just been informed that I have NEVER actually been to Drammen in my life, and that I should stop lying about the places I have been in the world. List coming soon. lol. Designer: Fredrik Haukeland     |
| Bulbs Are No Longer Meant For Light Posted: 19 Feb 2009 11:59 PM PST The SoundBulb that we saw some time back, stood for sound innovation with lights. The question is, how do you up the ante and dish out something even more pioneering? The designers at Koo Touch got their gray cells ticking and dished out this awesome De-light! An LED projector that supports the simple joys of life like group gaming, photo and video sharing via mobile, De-Light mini supports all the awesome goodness that a gadget-freak craves. Who could have thought this all plastic and rubber thingamajig could be such a delicious delight! Designer: David Koo     |
| Rolls Royce: Phantom (mini)Menace Posted: 19 Feb 2009 01:28 PM PST Set to be introduced at this years Geneva Motor Show, BMW (parent company to Rolls Royce) is calling this the “200EX Concept”, not to be confused with Chrysler’s beautiful 200C Concept. Measuring in about 18 inches shorter than the obnoxiously large Phantom, this sleek cruiser shares many parts with its cousin the BMW 7 Series. Notice the inclusion of the classic “suicide doors” made popular by not only the Phantom but the mobster loving Lincoln Continental of the 1960s. Stay tuned for the hotly anticipated “Baby Rolls” set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. Design: Rolls-Royce [ Via: Autoblog ]     |
| A Surfing Helmet To Negate The Entire Point of Surfing Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:39 AM PST Do you remember in Point Break when Patrick Swayze put on his protective helmet before swimming out to ride that giant wave at the end? No you don’t, because wearing helmets is about as cool as riding a unicycle to work. To the designer’s credit, the entire project was about trying to make the helmet cooler and more acceptable to wear within our surfing cliques, but I think some things are beyond even the best of designers. Designer: Tom Gaunt The protective hood is made up of two major sections, one being the hood and There are four hard shell components which the user attaches to the hood individually. The product is stored in an easy to carry zip-up neoprene bag. Once at the beach the     |
| Mo:Ben Heats Your Lunch, Doesn’t Play iTunes Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:23 AM PST I should break it to you now, despite your first impression of this lunch box from Designer Alex Cheong, it does not include 8GB of music/video storage and a 5″ LCD. Rather, it does what a lunch box should do, more fully prepare and package your lunchtime experience by warming up your meal through an internal film heater. That said, I would stay away from storing beverages inside, unless you enjoy warm Coca Cola as much as I do. Designer: Alex Cheong     |
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