Gadgety News

If you think that fireside rugs are a place to feel warm, safe and perhaps amorous then the creation from Longoland may alter those perceptions.

This is the Monster Skin Rug and is constructed from brushed woven cashmere and wool with some polymer clay for the teeth and gums I guess.

It should be nice and comfy and is hand-made to order which would go towards the pricing below.

So, if you have the cash, an interest in hand-made oddities and would like a certain conversation piece in your room then go to Longoland.

Small: (approx 18in x 26in) $1200.
Medium: (approx 36in x 50in) $1800
Large: (approx 50in x 70in) $2500

I just love it when somebody looks at something that we take for granted; something that has remained the same for ages - and then re-engineers it.

That’s exactly what those fantastic designers over at Art Lebedev Studios have done.

The Luxofor traffic light concept improves upon that world known spherical lamp deal that seems to have been around for ever.

Lebedev’s team asserts that using square lights backed with bright laser diodes would make better use of the available space and provide a more noticeable signal to drowsy motorists.

I’m also digging what looks to be a countdown timer that lets you know how much time you have left to get across the crossing.

The sound of hands hitting foreheads are echoing around the globe as designers ask themselves “why didn’t I think of that?”.

Electronista

1972 - I was one year old, still in Calgary and did not yet have a brother.

At the same time Pong, the world’s first successful video game, hit the market.  Nobody could even begin to guess how big video gaming would become.

But it has become huge; both financially and culturally. 

So much so that people are taking steps to ensure the preservation of the medium’s history.

On September 19th, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) announced the creation of the UK’s first official National Videogame Archive (NVA), a joint venture between Nottingham Trent University and the National Media Museum in Bradford, which will catalogue gaming’s history “from the humble beginnings of 1972’s ‘Pong,’ to the blockbusters of the 21st Century.”

The aim of the NVA is to “preserve, analyse and display the products of the global videogame industry by placing games in their historical, social, political and cultural contexts.”

So we’re not just talking about a collection of consoles and cartridges here!

October also saw the announcement of the Archive’s related initiative, Save the Videogame, where game developers have already begun making their cases for games they believe are worth preserving.

Check out: National Video Game Archive and Save The Video Game.

Thanks to Kareny Karen for the email!! 

Some more limited edition greatness in time for Halloween - this time in the form of some portable speakers.

The “Headphonies” iPod speakers range includes 5 figures created by several artists (including Frank Kozik), and 2 blank versions that you can decorate yourself.

I wouldn’t expect fantastic definition from these arty speakers but those who have heard it claim that the sound is “surprisingly good.”

Each viny toy speaker collectable will be sold in 500 to 1000 limited quantities starting on November 30th.

Unlike most collectables (I collect vintage Rado watches if you want to treat me ) these are a more than reasonable $30 apiece.

Headphonies via SpankyStokes via Ubergizmo

Dell is pandering to those funky urbanites out there with their Special Art Edition designs for its Studio 15 and Studio 17 laptops.

Dell has teamed up with artist Mike Ming and produced five designs aiming to bring new life into the boardroom or your home.

Design names include “Red Swirl”, “Seaweed”, “Sunburst”, “Bunch O Surfers” and “Sea Sky”.

The Special Art Edition Dell Studio laptops are available for order now, starting at £449.

The specs include built-in webcam, capacitive touch media control buttons, slot load drives, and optional mercury-free LED displays, backlit keyboards and built-in mobile broadband.

If you’re looking for a medium spec phone for high-end ca$h - loook no further!

Nokia are wanting people just like you to spend that cash all in the name of Arte.

Or should I say; the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte.

I’m reckoning that the average punter who’ll even consider this mobile wont be buying it for the 3G connectivity, 3.2-megapixel auto focus camera, 4GB of storage, OLED display or the anti-fingerprint coating.

This slider is all about flashing your wad. 

It’s created from carbon fibre, titanium, polished glass and stainless steel and was inspired by architecture, sports cars and aerospace - apparently.

Then there’s the exclusive 3D screen patterns, soundtracks and wallpapers.

The killer blow is the 1,100 Euros (plus contract) you’ll have to dish out to pay for it!

It’ll be out just in time for crimbo - I hope Father Christmas rolls it pimp style.

 
More at Nokia - check out the review of the Arte over at Test Freaks

If you know about Orb Swarm and was kinda freaked out by it - hold onto your shorts because those spheres are even more clever and gone all autonomous!

They are now capable of navigating within a pre-defined GPS course. Besides navigation, these orbs feature an embedded processor, accelerometer and ZigBee wireless communication all of which allow the rolling spheres to “flock , flirt, dance and interact,” say their evil genii creators.

They’re set to be released into the throng at the Burning Man playa at the end of this month where they’re sure going to confuse, scare, freak out or at least intrigue the chemically enhanced party-goers.

Via BotJunkie

Opera Sonora speaker line is perfect for those who argue with their significant other over why they can’t install a 27.4 mega system in their 900 sq. ft. apartment. Beneath the art house appearance of these contraptions, however, are fully functioning speakers that can connect to any audio source (radio, TV, DVD, ect…). And because the tonewood frames are the same material used to build instruments like guitars, high audio quality should be expected. No specifics on release dates or prices, but these things don’t exactly scream “cheap” at me.

[7 Gadgets via Crave & Gizmodo]