Creative Swell Blog » Technology

Ostendo’s 43-inch CRVD Display

Andy Law — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:35:48 +0000

Well they have finally made the mother of all computer screens, the folks over at Ostendo have successfully made this 43-inch curved monstrosity! While its marketed to increase visibility, productivity and work space not many home offices will be able to drop the sixty-five-hundred dollars ($6,500) to snag one. While this might be the new trend in televisions and monitors it might take a few years till we see anything in the affordable range. Visits Ostendo to see their gallery of product shots. You won’t be seeing these on Black Friday!

Microsoft Courier’s User Interface

Andy Law — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:37:41 +0000

Fresh from Gizmodo are these graphics of the much anticipated Microsoft Courier Booklet and its User Interface. Tap and hold, one finger flick, two finger flick and a bunch of other hand motions that my parents will never be able to do successfully. While these graphics help us gain some understanding of how we will interact with the booklet I still cant wait to get my hands on one. View all the images at Gizmodo.com.

A Blackberry Watch?

Andy Law — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:18:04 +0000

This is the Blackberry Bluetooth companion watch[not an RIM product]. The Allerta InPulse Bluetooth companion watch [not an actual watch-phone so calm down nerds] is the perfect little buddy for your BB device. The watch companion lets your know when you have a new message, are receiving a call, have new BB news and information oh and yes it can also tell the time. Price: $150 available in February from Allerta. [Gizmodo]

For more prototype image, click here.

Specs:

* 1.3″ full colour organic light-emitting-diode (OLED) display
* Bluetooth® v2.0+EDR
* 150 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery
* Glass lens and full metal body
* 22mm interchangeable wrist band
* Vibrating motor
* Micro-USB port (for charging)
* Over-the-air firmware updates
* Dimensions: 51mm height x 38mm width x 12mm depth

Living Magazines

Andy Law — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:56:56 +0000

Magazines are everywhere! You can find hundreds upon hundreds of magazines for nearly every subject including Mega Yachts, Celebrity Gossip and even Cat Fancy?!?. While I have never been much of a mag reader in the past this new medium is sure to get my attention. The video below features Outside Magazine as they create a preview of the future, living magazines. [Living Art Media via Gizmodo]

iHammock Concept

Andy Law — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:31:37 +0000

[WEEKEND POST]This iHammock Concept by Mac Funamizu is a great way to charge your phone in Caribbean style. The iHammock relaxes your iPhone off the ground while charging the phone using little solar umbrellas. Check out the sketches of this concept. [Petitinvention]

If Things Get Worse Shelter Concept

Andy Law — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:54:06 +0000

With home sales rising and a glimpse of life flowing back into our economy we might just have missed this camper bike concept by a few months. It turns out that while the rest of us are whining about the economy someone went out and used creativity and innovation to make this concept shelter. Yes, it sacrifices luxury for utility, but hey this traveling shelter can go anywhere and you probably wont have to pay any mortgage. This camper bike concept by Kevin Cry is just one of his many innovative homeless shelter solutions (I don’t know what else to call them). There do not seem to be any in production but if you have access to a welding torch, half of an old camper and a bike you might be in luck. Would you ever live in one of these? Tell me what you think by posting a comment below.

Bose SoundDock 10

Andy Law — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:33:52 +0000

Have you ever wanted an iPod Dock with a sub woofer? Well thanks to the Bose SoundDock 10 your wish has been granted. This behemoth is nearly a foot tall and weights 19 pounds (there goes portability!). The Bose SoundDock will be available September 21st for $599 [Gizmodo via Engadget]

Hands On: Apple iPod Nano with Video

Andy Law — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:05:42 +0000

Today I got my hands on a the latest from Apple, a new iPod Nano with Video (Apple iPod Nano 8GB w/video Orange - $149). The new line of pods are manufactured in 9 bright semi-metallic colors and come in both 8GB ($149) and 16GB ($179) models. The main point of this thread it to talk about the iPod nano’s new features, I will assume that you generally know what iPods can do and the basic functionality of these devices, with that said I will just cover the new features… lets get going.

Record Video

Yes, that’s right you can record video from your new iPod nano. The camera records at H.264 VGA video, 640 by 480 pixels, up to 30 frames per second with AAC audio. That means that you are not recording in HD (far from it) but its high enough quality so that you can record that new video of your little brother putting kitten mittens on your moms cat and post it directly onto YouTube. You should also note that there are 15 different live effects so that you can get your James Cameron on. The real time effects include (Sepia, Black and White, X-Ray, Film Grain, Thermal, Security Cam, Cyborg, Bulge, Kaleido, Motion Blur, Mirror, Light Tunnel, Dent, Stretch, and Twirl).

FM Radio w/ Live Pause

FM Radio is now live on your iPod, not only can you listen to your favorite radio stations (yes, there are still static problems, its not HD Radio) but you can even pause a station and tag your favorite songs. Reconnect your iPod to your PC or Mac and iTunes 9 will identify those songs you tagged from your iPod radio and allow you to purchase them from the iTunes Store.

VoiceOver

Can’t remember what song you are listening to? Well ask your iPod. This feature (released first on the iPhone) is now available on the new line of iPods. Clicking the center wheel and VoiceOver will tell you the artist and song title of the track you are listening to, without interrupting your music. Note: the Radio receiver is in the headphones so you cannot listen to the radio when they are detached.

Overall Impression

There is not much to complain about this new 5th Generation iPod Nano, the build is solid and complete the user interface is smooth and customizable and the video camera is, well, its there. I would not buy this just for the video camera alone, (please don’t plan on recording any full length feature films on this device, I’m amazed that they could even get this into such a compact product!) but if you need or want an iPod this should knock your socks off. If you have any comments please post them below, I’d love to hear them! [My thanks to Greg for his help with this post!]

New Apple iPod Nano with Video

Andy Law — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:35:45 +0000

The new Apple iPod Nano was unveiled today at Apple’s 9/9/09 event in San Francisco. New nano features include, FM Radio, Video Recording and Playback, 9 brilliant colors and 8GB and 16GB models.

Apple also announced new iPod touch, iPod shuffle and iPod classic models today.

Zune HD

Andy Law — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:58:13 +0000

As an Apple Fanatic myself to even post this on my blog feels very wrong…so why did I do it? I want to bring you the very best in products and this Zune HD might just come close to killing the iPod. With features like 10 Hours of HD Video Playback, HD Radio, 3.3 inch touch screen, HDTV connectivity, wifi and web browsing which an iPod cant match, yet. You can pre-order them from Amazon today (16gb $219.99 and 32gb $289.99) and in stores starting on September 15, 2009 but if you are picky about colors wait a few more week and they should have a full line of bright offerings.

If you have a Zune or plan on purchasing a Zune HD reply on this post with your review.