Digital Masterworks Art-TV could switch between TV and art display

Oh sure, GalleryPlayer enables your HDTV to instantly turn into an art display, but it doesn't even pretend to be anything classier than a multifaceted television. Samsung, however, is looking to change the game by partnering with Thomas Kinkade on a new 46-inch prototype Digital Masterworks Art-TV. The unit was recently showcased to news media, and it's said to be "housed n a Thomas Kinkade frame designed to accentuate the fine art theme." From what we can gather, it's being aimed at folks who'd love a nice piece of art sitting above their mantel, but when the time comes, they can switch off the paintings and throw on a day's worth of NFL in HD. The wild thing here is how important the actual art aspect is to the display, with hidden touch controls planned to enable viewers to flip through artworks and zoom in / out as they please. Heck, there's even integrated WiFi, a 40GB hard drive, 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time and 500 nits of brightness. The set is due out exclusively through Thomas Kinkade's Signature Gallery later this year, with iffy plans to release it to other retailers in 2H 2009.

source:engadget

Android Comes to Life: Google Mobile Phone

Webmonkey got an extended look at some of the newest features of the latest Google Android mobile phone software stack today.

Video of yesterday’s keynote and high-res screenshots follow plenty of buzz surrounding the phone software. Fire marshalls even prohibited entry to some of the overflowing Android sessions held after the keynote.

Android is set for release in the second half of 2008

PSP hacked with DualShock controller

It's not the first time we've seen a controller hacked for use with the PSP, but this mod by Acidmods member Blizzrad takes things a bit further than most, with it relying entirely on hardware modifications in order to work, meaning it can be done on any PSP regardless of the firmware. It's also one of the cleanest-looking mods we've seen to date, with the only evidence of tampering on the PSP itself being a discreetly placed controller connector right above the power switch. Of course, that also means it's considerably more difficult for most of us to do ourselves, but we can at least get a glimpse of what's possible courtesy of the video after the break.

Phone for the future-Nokia 888

About The Concept

NOKIA 888

*design concept

“Form follows you”
A personal mobile communication device which lets you be free and fun. It is light, simple and carefree. You can change its form according to your needs during the day.

*target

It is targeted to the young consumers who are likely to be active and take place in a lot of different activities.

*why this target ?

Because they move and change place too much.





They do a lot of different things during the day. So that’s what my design offers : to adjust to the moment, the place and the function.

*technologies that are used

It uses liquid battery, speech recognition, flexible touch screen, touch sensitive body cover which lets it understand and adjust to the environment. It has a simple programmable body mechanism so that it changes forms in different situations.

*the functionality of design

You dont have to carry it in your pocket or on your wrist. You can carry it anywhere, in anyform. You can roll it, bend it, put on your clothes like a clip. It also makes some form changes that makes it more ergonomical: i.e. when you want to talk on the phone, the body form turns into the form of the good old telephone. You can personalize these forms and record them. So it fits you the best in the way that you have chosen. The functions that it has also create a feeling of electronical pet, as it senses your moves, understand what you want, respond you in the best way. It learns you, to fit you better.Also e-motions lets you send forms to the other 888 users. It could be the shape of a heart or a small dance. This way you can talk without words.

*how the user interacts

E-motions… It means electronical motions that 888 has. You can send and receive forms from / to friends. You can send a heart shape to your girlfriend, so her telephone turns into an icon of heart. Or you can send a dancing form to your friends to call them to the party tonight. This is the fun side of the product. If we look from the functionality side, 888 is quite flexible. You can put it into your pocket, roll it and make it smaller, or put on your wrist when you want to make a video call on the go. If you want to talk like a normal telephone, there you have your telephone shape. We go through a lot of places and situations in the daily life, so it seems like one form is not enough.

*what is unique ?

You can change the form of the body. Not just the color. And you can do the same by sending an e-motion to your friend.

*the inspiration

The idea is that “the perfect form” does not exist. “Form follows you”
We create the perfect form for each function.

Tamer NAKISCI
industrial designer

Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts
Istanbul / TURKEY

Globe Telecom Brings iPhone To Philippines

MANILA, Philippines--Globe Telecom will be among the first telecom operators in Asia to officially carry Apple's popular iPhone handset.

Manila, 12 May 2008 – Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus today announced that they have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Philippines, Singapore, India, and Australia later this year.

via[inquirer]

The New Philips Xenium Phone

A couple things you should know about this purported Philips Xenium X-Connect before churning your gadget juices through the emotional Osterizer. First, it's clearly a product rendering. Second, Philips Xenium cellphones are primarily found in Asia Pacific region -- as such, a European or North American launch is likely out of the question. If the X-Connect is the real-deal, however, here's what we'll be missing: Windows Mobile 6, 3G UMTS/HSDPA radios, GPS receiver, AA/AAA battery backup, microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0 all powered by a 624MHz Intel processor beneath a 3.0-inch (presumably touchscreen) display. Still, as a broadly positioned "communication device," maybe we'll see Philips reach out to different geographies this time around.

via [engadgetmobile]

Apple iPhone Voted as Coolest Gadget of the Year

Stuff Magazine has announced its 10 coolest gadgets in the world for year 2007. And Apple’s two gadgets have grabbed the place in the list of ten.

Stuff Magazine readers have voted for the iPhone as the coolest gadget (first position) even before it makes its way in the UK. This touchscreen device has 8GB memory especially designed for music lovers.

iPod Nano is the other Apple device that appeared in the list of Coolest Gadgets. Nano is on the tenth position.

Leica M8, 10 megapixel digital camera is at the second position while the Tonium Pacemaker, the MP3 DJing gadget got the third highest votes.

Sony Ericsson’s Bluetooth wrist watch MBW-150 vibrates to alert users to incoming calls, allowing them to receive or decline calls. Also Sony Ericsson’s W880i mobile phone was included in the coolest gadgets list at sixth spot.

Some other devices that could make their presence in the list are DIY Kyoto Wattson and Shanling MC-30 MP3/CD amp.

link:www.techgadgets.com