http://picocool.com The daily pulse of cool. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:51:53 -0400 en http://picocool.com/art/miniatures-worlds-built-from-mundane-objects/ http://picocool.com/art/miniatures-worlds-built-from-mundane-objects/ Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:51:53 -0400 milky art http://picocool.com/art/miniatures-worlds-built-from-mundane-objects/

At first these amazing photographs show a world of steam-punkish industrial buildings, but take a closer look to see what they're really made of...

10 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/tyrant-alarm-clock-will-ruin-your-life/ http://picocool.com/technology/tyrant-alarm-clock-will-ruin-your-life/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:18:03 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/tyrant-alarm-clock-will-ruin-your-life/

The Tyrant Clock, designed by Alice Wang has to be the meanest alarm clock concept ever invented. Some alarm clocks make a terribly annoying noise or require you to complete a physical task to shut them off. There's even some now that will shake your bed until you're up. Not the Tyrant Clock. This clock takes waking up into pure psychological warfare territory. You're not going to hear many alarm clocks called pure diabolical evil but there you go, you just did.The clock syncs up with your cell phone, randomly goes through your contact list, and then calls someone different every three minutes after your intended wake up time. It displays in a large size the name of the person who's about to get their own wake up call from you. The potential for it to call someone and in some way completely ruin your life is huge. A disaster waiting to happen, which would make it the ideal alarm clock.

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/web/megawoosh-waterslide-viral-how-it-was-really-done/ http://picocool.com/web/megawoosh-waterslide-viral-how-it-was-really-done/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:09:54 -0400 invisiblepilot web http://picocool.com/web/megawoosh-waterslide-viral-how-it-was-really-done/

One of the hottest viral videos of the last couple of days shows a man in a neoprene suit on a DIY waterslide, flying 115 feet and then landing safely in a kiddie pool. It's accumulated more than 1.4 million views since it got uploaded to YouTube last week, and reactions were all over the place, ranging from dropped jaws to sheer amazement to a more cynical, "Nah, this can't be real."And, after a bit of investigating, we've verified that it indeed wasn't. The video was a carefully crafted viral ad for Microsoft's Office suite Project 2007, and the production of the clip involved, among other things, a stuntman, a lot of editing, and a long piece of rope. Read on for more details about the campaign as well as an exclusive snippet of unedited video from the waterslide shoot.Read More: http://bit.ly/20zoCO

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/charge-up-your-gadgets-with-pedal-power/ http://picocool.com/technology/charge-up-your-gadgets-with-pedal-power/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:31:10 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/charge-up-your-gadgets-with-pedal-power/

Dahon, maker of folding bikes, has shown off a rather ingenious and incredibly useful little gizmo at the Eurobike show. The BioLogic FreeCharge is a little silicone-encased box which hooks up to your bike's generator hub and siphons off power for charging your gadgets. The unit comprises a battery and circuitry to both store electricity and to smooth the inevitable bumps and spikes in the generator's output.Then you simply plug in your cellphone or iPod to the USB port, juicing the GPS as you ride. The time to a full charge is three hours, but the most likely use for this is topping-off, keeping your gadgets going indefinitely as you trundle along. And think about cycle touring: you can charge iPods, phones and even camera batteries, freeing you from the tyranny of camp-sites and power outlets. Fantastic, and $100 when it ships in March 2010.

10 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/otamatone-sound-toy--instrument----kinda-creepy/ http://picocool.com/technology/otamatone-sound-toy--instrument----kinda-creepy/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:50:16 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/otamatone-sound-toy--instrument----kinda-creepy/

The Otamatone was created by Maywa Denki and shown at the 2009 Tokyo Toy Show."Waaaah"-like sounds are produced by squeezing the a4face' at the bottom while sliding one's fingers up and down the a4neck'.

2 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/times-t-as-despicted-by-artists-over-5-years/ http://picocool.com/design/times-t-as-despicted-by-artists-over-5-years/ Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:58:08 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/times-t-as-despicted-by-artists-over-5-years/

The New York Times' T Magazine often commissions artists to create their own interpretations of its logo .. 5 years of artists rendition of the Times "T" can be found here.

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/cardon-copy-hijacks-the-handmade-signs-/ http://picocool.com/design/cardon-copy-hijacks-the-handmade-signs-/ Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:40:08 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/cardon-copy-hijacks-the-handmade-signs-/

Cardon Webb of Cardon Copy hijacks the handmade signs and announcements we all see around our neighborhoods on an everyday basis, redesigns them and replaces them in their original context for a beautiful, sometimes hilarious result.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/ben--jerrys-celebrate-gay-marriage/ http://picocool.com/design/ben--jerrys-celebrate-gay-marriage/ Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:26:10 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/ben--jerrys-celebrate-gay-marriage/

On the first of this month, gay and lesbian couples across the state of Vermont gained the legal right of marriage. By way of celebration, iconic Vermont ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has renamed its well-known Chubby Hubby ice cream Hubby Hubby. The peanut butter cookie dough (with fudge and pretzels) ice cream will be served in Ben & Jerry's scoop shops throughout this month, a gesture that sees Ben & Jerry's partner with marriage equality group Freedom to Marry. The two partners are also publicly supporting the first gay and lesbian marriages to happen in the state, and aiming to encourage other US states to follow in the footsteps of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Maine, down the aisle to marriage equality.

1 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/not-the-big-wheel-you-remember-motorize-yikebike/ http://picocool.com/design/not-the-big-wheel-you-remember-motorize-yikebike/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:49:37 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/not-the-big-wheel-you-remember-motorize-yikebike/

The 1.2kW electric motor powered, carbon fiber foldable bike called the YikeBike unfolds in 15 seconds, and aims to solve the eternal problem of urban mobility.Folded, the YikeBike only takes 6 x 23.6 x 23.6 inches (150 x 600 x 600 millimeters) and weighs 22 pounds (10 kilograms), so it can be easily carried around. And while its pneumatic wheels may follow an old high wheeler configuration, according to the manufacturer, this thing is designed to be easy to maneuver, and it's equipped with electronic brakes with built-in anti-skid system.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/culture/revolutionary-record-the-darwin-song-project-1/ http://picocool.com/culture/revolutionary-record-the-darwin-song-project-1/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:27:26 -0400 brainpicker culture http://picocool.com/culture/revolutionary-record-the-darwin-song-project-1/

8 of Britain's finest singer-songwriters get together in Darwin's farm house and record a collaborative album celebrating the great scientist's Bi-Centennial.

6 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/kidrobot-qr-scavenger-hunt-1/ http://picocool.com/technology/kidrobot-qr-scavenger-hunt-1/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:50:32 -0400 brainpicker technology http://picocool.com/technology/kidrobot-qr-scavenger-hunt-1/

Iconic vinyl toy designer Kidrobot launches Dunny Hunt 09 - a QR-based scavenger hunt around Manhattan, promoting Kidrobot's Dunny Series 2009.

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/mark-kinsleys-cool-modular-shelves/ http://picocool.com/design/mark-kinsleys-cool-modular-shelves/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:20:02 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/mark-kinsleys-cool-modular-shelves/

Chicago-based industrial designer Mark Kinsley's fold-out graphic shelving system lets you change your look at will..

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/unipo-collection/ http://picocool.com/art/unipo-collection/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:52:14 -0400 aftg art http://picocool.com/art/unipo-collection/

Since I'm with my girl she gives me a UniPo toy every month for celebration. After 2,5 years we're still together as a happy couple, so you do the math. I def. need a bigger room by the time the year is let's say 2014. I keep losing track of the actual order in which they came. So she thinks I don't pay enough attention or whatever. So I tell her if we ever break up, which ofcourse I never-ever-ever hope for, I'm going to sell them all on Ebay. Till then you UniPo fans can watch my Unipo collection here!

12 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/energy-harvesting-trees/ http://picocool.com/technology/energy-harvesting-trees/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:44:23 -0400 AlexW technology http://picocool.com/technology/energy-harvesting-trees/

Life-like a4energy-harvesting' trees may one day power hydrogen-fuel plants - also airports, industrial parks, office buildings and homes - around the world, thanks to ground-breaking developments in the fieldof biomimicry technology. Trees do it already for billions of years, the ability to mimic this fantastic is fascinating, its the beautification of renewable energy

8 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/aperture-house-of-moose-lake-wisconsin/ http://picocool.com/design/aperture-house-of-moose-lake-wisconsin/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:30:31 -0400 vinko design http://picocool.com/design/aperture-house-of-moose-lake-wisconsin/

Simple packaging, and nothing fancy, because this is a screw-top jug. But I want good design, and I want it to be a surprise when someone opens up the wine or comes in the house.' I just kind of wanted it to be quiet on the outside, big surprise on the inside.

10 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/wow---how-applersquos-tablet-will-be-a-paradigm-shift/ http://picocool.com/technology/wow---how-applersquos-tablet-will-be-a-paradigm-shift/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:39:43 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/wow---how-applersquos-tablet-will-be-a-paradigm-shift/

"The problem is that the current PC interface (PC as in Macs, Windows, and Linux boxes) is outdated," says Doe. "We're reaching the limit of what we can do with a mouse and keyboard."Check out the video and gallery after the jump to see why Apple's tablet will be such an exciting device.Here's a mockup TV ad that gives a taste of how Apple's tablet might work. The experience is one part Minority Report, one part Jeff Han. It's clear a device like this will be a lot of fun to play with.Why is Doe anonymous? "I'm not too comfortable having my name and face on the good ol' interweb," he says. "I avoid social networking and, until I wanted to share my Slate idea, I've avoided personal blogging." He'd also like to work for Apple some day. "Apple's very persnickety about rumors and its logo, so I figured I'd have a better chance at getting this dream job if my name wasn't attached to my internet life," he says.

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/lifestyle/nyc-commissioned-modular-bike-helmet-1/ http://picocool.com/lifestyle/nyc-commissioned-modular-bike-helmet-1/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:39:50 -0400 invisiblepilot lifestyle http://picocool.com/lifestyle/nyc-commissioned-modular-bike-helmet-1/

NYC-commissioned Modular Bike Helmet is designed for every rider, in every season - with a greener environment in mind.

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/typophile-film-festival/ http://picocool.com/design/typophile-film-festival/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:50:00 -0400 brainpicker design http://picocool.com/design/typophile-film-festival/

The fifth annual Typophile Film Festival features a selection of typographic shorts from Europe, Asia and the Americas - typography junkie's dream.

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/the-indie-rock-coloring-book/ http://picocool.com/art/the-indie-rock-coloring-book/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:04:37 -0400 justincwills art http://picocool.com/art/the-indie-rock-coloring-book/

A great concept and execution. Andy Miller is a wonderful illustrator and the list of bands is righteous. Not too much to say about this one other than it looks like alot of fun and on top of that all proceeds go to charity!

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/architecture/houseboats--holland---floating-apartment-complex/ http://picocool.com/architecture/houseboats--holland---floating-apartment-complex/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:04:54 -0400 invisiblepilot architecture http://picocool.com/architecture/houseboats--holland---floating-apartment-complex/

If you stop and think about it, the extension of houseboat plans to encompass multi-unit housing construction was only a matter of time. Still, it seems fitting that the Netherlands would be the first to give more extensive water-based residences a try given their tumultuous nautical history and ever-rising tide lines.While it is not yet a reality, planning is well underwater for this water-based mini-city - a private island enclave complete with central public space, green growing trees and (naturally) wonderful waterfront property all around.Individual multi-level apartment units will enjoy a combination of outdoor waterside wrap-around patios, partially-enclosed decks and private indoor spaces.

8 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/the-coolest-street-art-ever--period-/ http://picocool.com/art/the-coolest-street-art-ever--period-/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:03:05 -0400 invisiblepilot art http://picocool.com/art/the-coolest-street-art-ever--period-/

Street artist Judith Supine takes her work to new heights with a4Above the City in a Summer Night Dream', situated above the Williamsburg. This kind of daring and dedication to art only comes along every once in a while so check it out before the Department of Transportation comes along and takes it down.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/fan-created-animated-video-for-grizzly-bear-1/ http://picocool.com/art/fan-created-animated-video-for-grizzly-bear-1/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:27:19 -0400 invisiblepilot art http://picocool.com/art/fan-created-animated-video-for-grizzly-bear-1/

Beautiful animation video created by a fan of the band Grizzly Bear, for their latest single - Two Weeks.

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/architecture/tic-tac-house-components-move-with-your-mood/ http://picocool.com/architecture/tic-tac-house-components-move-with-your-mood/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:24:38 -0400 invisiblepilot architecture http://picocool.com/architecture/tic-tac-house-components-move-with-your-mood/

Here is an interesting idea from Brazilian Architectural firm Forte, Gimenes & Marcondes Ferraz, that was apparently produced for Wallpaper* magazine and shown in Arch Daily. You will never get bored with the Tic-Tac house; you just move the components around to suit your mood, the climate and your needs.Only the bathrooms and kitchen are fixed; the bedrooms and other spaces adjust and pivot.When it is a temperate and comfortable season, it can open up like a flower, with all kinds of outdoor spaces, protected by that giant sliding sunsreen bris de soliel on wheels.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/mimobot-expands-their-star-wars-usb-empire/ http://picocool.com/technology/mimobot-expands-their-star-wars-usb-empire/ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:34:28 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/mimobot-expands-their-star-wars-usb-empire/

Mimobot returns (a la Jedi) with new, cuter than ever characters.C-3P0, an Ewok and Vader himself comprise the new $40 line of 4GB flash drives.

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/oled-data-glasses-give-wearers-an-eyeful/ http://picocool.com/technology/oled-data-glasses-give-wearers-an-eyeful/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:29:22 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/oled-data-glasses-give-wearers-an-eyeful/

Students at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany are developing a pair of interactive data eyeglasses that can project an image onto the retina from an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) micro-display, making the image appear as if it's a meter in front of the wearer. While similar headwear only throws up a static image, the students are working on eye-tracking technology that allows wearers, with just the movement of the eyeball, to scroll through information or move elements about.The glasses are designed to provide information to wearers who don't have their hands free to operate a keyboard or mouse.

12 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/fashion/ipanties/ http://picocool.com/fashion/ipanties/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:37:25 -0400 factoryjoe fashion http://picocool.com/fashion/ipanties/

They say the iPhone is intuitively easy to operate. What if the same intuitiveness was brought to the user "sexperience" of underwear? Consider the iPanties, a suggestively obvious way to put your slider finger to good use.

6 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/architecture/the-y-house-by-sousasantos-architects/ http://picocool.com/architecture/the-y-house-by-sousasantos-architects/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:04:20 -0400 emilychang architecture http://picocool.com/architecture/the-y-house-by-sousasantos-architects/

"This house is a vision device. A system that rules the way the inhabitant sees the outside world and simultaneously frames the way the outside sees the dwellers. The design of this object was focused on this theme. The big curved window is this statement vortex, it creates a visual path that, like a camera traveling, reveal the image of the landscape.The programmatic development of the house reflects the classic bourgeois organization promoting the clear division of rest areas leisure areas and work areas. This division creates tree limbs that are united by this design morphing that develop the two big windows of the living room.The idea of landscape as an image and its importance in the domestic living were the main design focus of this scheme."

8 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/amazing-animals-photography-by-natalie-manuel/ http://picocool.com/art/amazing-animals-photography-by-natalie-manuel/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:44:49 -0400 phogph art http://picocool.com/art/amazing-animals-photography-by-natalie-manuel/

Awesome animals photography by Natalie Manuel, professional animus photographer, based in Melbourne, Australia.

6 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/the-qlocktwo---for-the-wall-and-the-iphone/ http://picocool.com/design/the-qlocktwo---for-the-wall-and-the-iphone/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:06:04 -0400 johnnielsen design http://picocool.com/design/the-qlocktwo---for-the-wall-and-the-iphone/

The Qlocktwo shows the time in words, displayeing the time just as people talk to each other.Built in Light sensor for automatic adjustment to ambient light, DCF-77 time-signal receiver for to the second accurate time-telling without manual setting and its all handmade in Germany.You can buy a program for the iPhone, so you can have the Qlocktwo as a wallpaper.

13 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/100-artist-designed-kokeshi-dolls-1/ http://picocool.com/design/100-artist-designed-kokeshi-dolls-1/ Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:18:27 -0400 laurasweet design http://picocool.com/design/100-artist-designed-kokeshi-dolls-1/

Kozyndan, Camilla Engman, Tara McPherson, ..those are just a few of the names of the hip artists who have customized the traditional Japanese Kokeshi Doll for this amazing exhibit. See all 100 of them here!

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/yuken-teruyas-trees-from-trash/ http://picocool.com/art/yuken-teruyas-trees-from-trash/ Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:33:04 -0400 laurasweet art http://picocool.com/art/yuken-teruyas-trees-from-trash/

Artist Yuken Teruya intricately cuts out trees from old paper bags, toilet paper rolls, books and more. Delicate and unusual.

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/african-beach-calligraphy-doodles/ http://picocool.com/art/african-beach-calligraphy-doodles/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:20:58 -0400 invisiblepilot art http://picocool.com/art/african-beach-calligraphy-doodles/

These doodles are done using instruments and techniques I have developed over the past 6 years. Before that, like anyone else, I did a lot of scratching with sticks.As a calligrapher I have a particular interest in African colonial and pre-colonial writing systems, so when I doodle on the beach its often along these lines. The more angular letter styles take their inspiration from Tifinagh, the script of the Tuareg people of North Africa. It is interesting how that, even to this day, the Tifinagh resembles ancient Greek and Phoenician.The interesting-looking characters in other pieces are usually taken from west African symbols such as the Adinkra symbols of the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. They're mostly meaningless doodles - a play with form.- &rew

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/absolut-cool-rock-edition/ http://picocool.com/design/absolut-cool-rock-edition/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:33:48 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/absolut-cool-rock-edition/

Absolut is really kicking out the cool packaging as of late - check out the new Rock edition for Woodstock's anniversary.."Absolut Vodka's latest adventure in packaging pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with a celebration of rock music. The Absolut Rock Edition will go on sale next month at Selfridges of London before becoming more widely available in October. Absolut worked with designer Natalia Brilli to create the leather and studs design. To celebrate the bottle the vodka company held a launch event in Berlin showing guitars and other Natalia Brilli designs. Music at the event included Wolfmother, Smith & Drums and DJ Alex."

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/ldquocarbon-negativerdquo-cement-absorbs-greenhouse-gas/ http://picocool.com/design/ldquocarbon-negativerdquo-cement-absorbs-greenhouse-gas/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:47:05 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/ldquocarbon-negativerdquo-cement-absorbs-greenhouse-gas/

"The urban jungle just got a bit greener and with nary the presence of a tree, thanks to UK-based start-up Novacem. The company has developed a "carbon-negative" cement that absorbs more greenhouse gases over its life cycle than it emits. If adopted on a wide scale, this innovation could have a huge impact on the overall health of the environment, given that the annual production of conventional Portland cement is responsible for an estimated five percent of global CO2 emissions, more than the airline industry."

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/fashion/hot-stormy-lovin-tee/ http://picocool.com/fashion/hot-stormy-lovin-tee/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:35:29 -0400 invisiblepilot fashion http://picocool.com/fashion/hot-stormy-lovin-tee/

Stormtrooper love for all the Star Wars geeks.. $20

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/mapterritory-shows-augmented-reality-of-the-future/ http://picocool.com/technology/mapterritory-shows-augmented-reality-of-the-future/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:17:11 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/mapterritory-shows-augmented-reality-of-the-future/

Map/Territory, by designer Timo Arnall, is a concept video of what it might be like to interact with a map embedded in real life - not just on a phone or on a computer screen. Imagine a world where a flick of the wrist draws up all the information you need in real time and space. Check out the 30-second clip..

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/art/carved-magazines-by-nate-page/ http://picocool.com/art/carved-magazines-by-nate-page/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:15:07 -0400 invisiblepilot art http://picocool.com/art/carved-magazines-by-nate-page/

Nate Page, an artist based in New York City, recently unveiled a new series of magazines with different layers carved out that are on display at the Jen Bekman gallery. Page removes layers from magazines and billboards, revealing the rainbow of colors behind the images. These topographic assemblage designs focus on eyes and strip away the collections to their core.In the artist statement, Page describes his desire to investigate the dichotomies between materiality and images, occupied space and presence, and potentiality and reality. He transforms the everyday objects into personal expressions and informs his work with "personal memories and consumer culture angst."

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/architecture/not-your-fathers-mobile-home/ http://picocool.com/architecture/not-your-fathers-mobile-home/ Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:46:59 -0400 invisiblepilot architecture http://picocool.com/architecture/not-your-fathers-mobile-home/

Responding to the owner's need for space to house visiting friends and family, the Rolling Huts are several steps above camping, while remaining low-tech and low-impact in their design. The huts sit lightly on the site, a flood plain meadow in an alpine river valley. The owner purchased the site, formerly a RV campground, with the aim of allowing the landscape return to its natural state. The wheels lift the structures above the meadow, providing an unobstructed view into nature and the prospect of the surrounding mountains.The huts are grouped as a herd: while each is sited towards a view of the mountains (and away from the other structures), their proximity unites them. They evoke Thoreau's simple cabin in the woods; the structures take second place to nature. Rental information for the Huts is available at http://www.rollinghuts.com

8 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/technology/multi-touch-coffee-table-concept/ http://picocool.com/technology/multi-touch-coffee-table-concept/ Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:52:02 -0400 invisiblepilot technology http://picocool.com/technology/multi-touch-coffee-table-concept/

Don't put your feet on this table-really. This multi-touch surface is part of a living room control system that could cost a cool $15,000 when it's finally ready for public consumption. Right now, though, it's just the conceptual brainchild of a team at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences' Media Interaction Lab. The CRISTAL system, simply put, turns a coffee table into a universal remote for your home theater, lights, digital photo library, and even vacuum.View the demo Video on the site.

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://picocool.com/design/uss-enterprise-gets-refit-as-a-vinyl-record-player/ http://picocool.com/design/uss-enterprise-gets-refit-as-a-vinyl-record-player/ Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:26:31 -0400 invisiblepilot design http://picocool.com/design/uss-enterprise-gets-refit-as-a-vinyl-record-player/

We've always known that the crew of the USS Enterprise was a multitalented group of individuals, but who knew the ship herself could also be a multitasker. Take for example this concept thought up by designer Bobby Dixon for the famous science fiction space vessel, created to promote the new Star Trek film.Now instead of traveling across the cosmos at warp speed, the Enterprise can play those old jazz and blues records that you are so fond of on the ship's saucer section. Yes I know some of you right now are reading this article with a raised eyebrow much like Spock would when he hears something strange. But look at it this way: if the Enterprise can be turned into a Christmas Tree ornament, is a phonograph really that horrible?

7 Vote(s) ]]>