WebUrbanist » Gadgets & Geek Art

Lifebook: Single Device that Combines Every Gadget

Delana — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00:38 +0000

One of the marks of our modern culture is the proliferation of gadgets most of us carry around. From digital cameras to cell phones to tablet computers to laptops to MP3 players, we have our hands full just trying to keep track of all of them. This excellent concept could go a long way toward streamlining our technology while still keeping us as connected as always.

(all images via: YankoDesign)

One of the problems with having too many different pieces of technology is the fact that hardware and functions are often repeated between the devices. Your digital camera and cellular phone both take pictures; your tablet and MP3 player both play videos; your phone and laptop both store your data. The Lifebook concept could solve several of our modern first-world gadget problems.

According to designer Prashant Chandra, combining all of our gadgets would make life simpler and allow all of our technology to share resources. Rather than having the same bits of data stored on multiple devices, Lifebook would let each device form part of an overall super-gadget. It’s sort of like Voltron – but instead of being composed of vehicles, it’s made up of a tablet, a camera, a phone/music player and a laptop.

The laptop serves as the base for all of the devices. There is no physical keyboard; rather, a touch keypad appears whenever the tablet is plugged into the laptop base. The phone/music player is fully integrated into the laptop as well, and all of the devices share memory and data as soon as they are plugged in.

In addition to streamlining the process of storing and transferring data between devices, the Lifebook concept would allow users to charge all of their devices in one place without that huge, ugly tangle of cords we all hate. Although the Lifebook is still in the concept stage at the moment, it is not hard to imagine it becoming an indispensable piece of technology in the foreseeable future.

Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

15 Fantastic New Futuristic Tech & Gadget Designs

From cybernetic contact lenses to contraptions that shoot you up to rooftops in seconds, these 15 futuristic gadgets would make even Batman jealous. 3 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Reverse-Engineered Art via OCD-Style Deconstructions

Retro gadgets are turned into meticulously arranged art in Todd McLellan's series of deconstructed devices. 2 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

12 Ingenious Gadgets & Technologies for the Blind

The blind can now navigate, read, create art and solve puzzles much more easily with incredible gadgets and technology using sound, vibrations and texture. 5 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Trash Can Art? 28 Garbage Cans That Belong In A Gallery

Marc — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:57 +0000

Dump that dirty old trash can into an even larger one, because it’s time to upgrade! Artists are not content to sit on their hands while the world turns into garbage. Their response? Turn the garbage cans into art.

(Images via thenewecologist, happytiler, egotvonline, foodbeast)

Garbage can modification covers a huge range; from dumpster vehicles to art gallery domes with ecological motives. The real lesson is that nothing in this world has to be boring, not even one of the most mundane objects in our everyday lives.

(Images via crookedbrains, kickapoofart, squash, seattlepi)

Give an artist the right supplies and they’ll turn the most boring trash receptacle into a creative experience. It’s easy to tell which garbage cans would win my trash.

(Images via marshalladams)

Smashcans are the wave of the future! They are normal disposal units that have been transformed into a dysfunctional new member of the family by the Baltimore, Maryland based artist Marshall Adams.

(Images via tumblrbot, 4nitsirk, offbeathome)

Home bins can be turned into something festive. Become the most popular home on your block for the garbage collectors by adding a touch of style.

(Images via nerdnirvana, urbanprankster, oddee, neatorama, randommization)

Trash cans are people too! Well, some of them are, at least. Be sure to feed them. The simple addition of giant eyes to a garbage can is enough to turn them into a fun bit of street art.

(Images via jalopyjournal, americantrails, presurfer, bcx)

A little paint and creativity can go a long way into turning the streets into a more vibrant and exciting place! Go out and make some change.

(Images via walyou, walyou, geyserofawesome, sharegoodstuffs, crookedbrains)

A little style in design could go a long way in making more interesting garbage cans. Be sure to support the movement by refusing to purchase a plastic molded can!

Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

Junk Culture: 12 Terrific Trash Can and Garbage Bin Designs

Trashcans, garbage bins, room wastebaskets, whatever - the humble refuse receptacle is part and parcel of our consumable (and disposable) society. 6 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Trash Hits: 11 Scent-sational Concept Garbage Trucks

These 11 scent-sational concept garbage trucks trash traditional artistic sensibilities while maintaining the “can”-do spirit today's waste management demands. 3 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Thank You for Littering: NYC Garbage Art

One Manhattanite's trash is another person's kitschy plastic knick-knack. Artist Justin Gignac packages and sells NYC trash for $50 a pop. 4 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Terrific Tech: 10 Futuristic Advances in Robotics

Delana — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:00:43 +0000

Everyone loves a great robot story. Whether the robots are cuddly, intimidating, smart, or scary, they never fail to capture our attention. These bots range from updates on older technology to totally new inventions to futuristic concepts that haven’t even been built yet. Step into the future as you peruse some of the world’s most awesome recent robot advances.

Depression-Fighting Babyloid

As humans get older, they often become susceptible to depression. Other than drugs and counseling, what can be done for seniors in need of help? Giving them something to take care of might be the answer. The Babyloid robot, developed by researchers at Chukyo University in Japan, promises to keep older people feeling happy and fulfilled just by virtue of its adorable robot presence. Babyloid cries, laughs and sleeps like a human baby, letting older folks tend to its every need. Just 90 minutes a day with the sweet little robot has been shown to increase the moods of nursing home patients.

Self-Assembling Robot Furniture

Thanks to Ikea and other purveyors of flat-pack furniture, most of us are used to putting our own furniture together in order to save a few dollars. But the Roombots are – more or less – furniture that assembles itself. Developed by Swiss BioRobotics Laboratory, this fantastic set of roving robots rolls into position and assembles into whatever piece of furniture you need at that moment. Each component is a small robot and they all work together to invent and re-invent furniture where and when it is needed. And when you don’t need a table, chair, desk or other object, the Roombots can simply take the form of a wall.

The Human Consciousness Robot

As our proficiency in robot programming grows, so does the desire to create something that is almost human. Bina48 is a robot endowed with the personality of a real human…who is also named Bina, of course. The human Bina spent many hours with robot Bina, having “conversations” and uploading her memories and personality to the robot head. The somewhat-creepy project is the work of the Terasem Movement, an organization that seeks to prevent the finality of death by allowing humans to store their consciousness in technology, where it will live on forever.

Wi-Fi Swarm

In times of emergency when communications systems fail, a reliable alternative is needed right away. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne believe that swarming flying robots could be just the alternative we need. The flying robots could form fleeting wireless networks by virtue of a small module in the wing of each unit. The modules would emit wireless signals to allow communication between rescue workers on the ground, probably allowing them to save many more lives than they could have without adequate communication.

Robotic Weight Loss Coach

Losing weight is never easy, but it’s even more challenging when you try to do it on your own. That’s why Autom, this adorable big-eyed robot, wants to know all about you. She asks questions about your food intake and activity levels every day, then gives you tips on getting and staying healthy. Autom works on the idea that humans are much more likely to stick to their goals if they have a buddy to keep them accountable and on track.

Terminator as a Baby

Have you ever wondered what the T-1000 would have looked like if it had ever gone through an infant stage? Probably a lot like this horrifying bot. The skinless robot baby was actually filmed while it was still a work in progress; later it was given skin and used as a human “baby” on a television show. And as the above video shows, its movements were creepily realistic. According to the special effects studio that made this awesome abomination, the clients could not believe it wasn’t a real baby when seeing it for the first time.

Seeing Eye Dog-Bots

Raising and training helper dogs for seeing impaired people takes a lot of time and a lot of money, and the dogs don’t have a very long professional life. So how about using technology to lead visually impaired humans around safely? The Japanese engineering firm NSK developed a line of quadruped robots that could eventually be used as a substitute for guide dogs. GPS and proximity sensors all over the robots’ bodies would let them steer their masters safely to wherever they need to go. A commercial version is still quite a way in the future as safety tests are still being carried out, but the “dogs” can already climb and descend stairs with ease.

Outsourced English-Teaching Robots

Some South Korean students are learning English from outsourced teachers who happen to be based in the Philippines – but the teachers have a constant classroom presence in the form of egg-shaped robots. The bots feature screens that display nondescript Caucasian faces to the students while cameras and microphones allow the teachers to see and hear everything that’s happening in the classroom. The schools are happy because the robot teachers are cheaper than human teachers, and the students are happy because many of them find a robot less intimidating than a human teacher.

Insect-Inspired Swarming Robots

Sending one robot into enemy territory to gather intelligence? Way too financially risky. Sending hundreds or even thousands of tiny, cheap, easily replaceable robots? Much smarter. Researchers are developing itty-bitty solar-powered robots that could move in swarm formations to gather data from targets…and it wouldn’t matter much if some were lost or destroyed in the process because they would be so cheap to produce.

Next-Generation Telepresence Robot

Robots that let users essentially be in two places at once are immensely useful, and the Telesar V is even more amazing than the rest. The telexistence robot lets a user see, hear and even feel its environment, even when the user is physically very far away. The head-mounted 3D display and tactile gloves work to transmit the three senses, giving the user an unprecedented amount of data that could be used for a mind-boggling array of practical applications.

Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

15 Fantastic New Futuristic Tech & Gadget Designs

From cybernetic contact lenses to contraptions that shoot you up to rooftops in seconds, these 15 futuristic gadgets would make even Batman jealous. 3 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Extreme X-Ray Tech: Revealing Beauty in Everyday Objects

Artist Nick Veasey uses powerful x-ray machines to reveal what lies under the surface of objects like teddy bears, light bulbs, even entire office buildings. 1 Comment - Click Here to Read More »»

Futuristic Sculpture: Robot Statues and Found Creations

Many artists use robots as their subject, creating them out of metal or found objects. Here are some of the coolest robot sculptures around: 4 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

24 Poke-worthy Facebook Timeline Covers

Marc — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:24 +0000

Facebook changes can often cause a landslide of creativity, as all the artsy types and tech-inclined push the limits. The new Facebook Timeline, with its new cover image, is the perfect playground for those who want to impress their friends.

(Images via mad4flash, technodesire, digitalwizdom, fbupdates)

Why not use the cover photo as a way to show off favorite personal images in a new and interesting way? Toss up some polaroids of the good old days, and they’ll be emphasized a whole lot more than they would be if they were tossed into a dusty album nested deeply inside your profile.

(Images via mameara, techomag, pixgateway, techomag)

It’s important to have fun when adjusting a profile. Eye-catching images and manipulated backgrounds can showcase new facets of one’s personality… and that’s the whole point of a profile, isn’t it?

(tweeting, pixgateway, reface)

The best Facebook Timeline cover photos step outside the box to display a quick scene or quirky setup for the rest of the page. Some careful planning and photo-editing software is all one needs to be the talk of the newsfeed.

(Images via mashable, v3im, dailylinked)

Use the integration of the cover image and your profile picture carefully. With the right tweaking, the cover image can replace the need for the profile photo, and become newsworthy in its own right.

(Images via hongkiat, mad4flash, techomag)

The huge area at the top of the Timeline is perfect to advertise one’s pet causes. This area can be the perfect space to share important ideas with friends and family.

(Images via redux, dailypics)

Art fans can put themselves directly into their favorite galleries, or slip their photo into some of the most famous masterpieces.

(Images via techomag, dailypics, openforum)

One of the easiest ways to customize a cover image is to add a profile picture like normal, and then overlay it over a humorous scene. Animal lovers will immediately see the benefits of this design.

(Images via dailypics, dailypics)

Nostalgic for old videogame favorites? Make everyone happy by adding an old school flair to the newest in social media tech.

Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:

Blast Off! 36 Retro Sci Fi Book Covers

Science fiction book covers are the most wildly decorated on the shelf. Here's a look at retro and pulp science fiction book covers that exemplify sci fi. 7 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Pop-Up Pulp: Book Covers Made Into Dramatic 3D Scenes

Pulp fiction cover art is fabulous enough in its own right, but Thomas Allen takes it to new heights with his weird but hilarious pop-up cover art. 7 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Urbanisticated: Cool New Ways to Connect with WU Content

New features and functionality for you to get even more involved with the amazing content, readers and writers of WebUrbanist and beyond! 2 Comments - Click Here to Read More »»

Going Viral: 10 Neat Gadgets for Germaphobic Geeks

Steve — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:56 +0000

Computer viruses aren’t the only infections you have to worry about, especially if you’re a geek, gamer and/or gadgeteer who lives in the scary, paranoid land of germaphobia. These 10 neat gadgets target both germaphobic geeks and the evil nano-beasties that torment them.

The Cole Cleaner

(images via: Switched and Nuka-Cola.com)

These pixels are making me thirsty! Join the club, friend, and crack open a cold one for yourself as well… but not before you annihilate any unseen pathogens that might be (ha!) lurking on the can. Leon Peng designed The Cole Cleaner just for you paranoid drinkers who can’t be bothered to go upstairs and get a glass from the kitchen.

(image via: Yanko Design)

The Cole Cleaner’s mission is to make the world safe from unwanted bacteria, one can at a time. Install your aluminum-encased beverage of choice into Peng’s sterilizer and watch (not too closely) your can get blasted wuth UV radiation, rendering it free from infectious organisms. Too bad it’s now going to touch your biohazard of a mouth.

Vioguard™ Self-Sanitizing Computer Keyboard

(images via: Vioguard.com and Geekwire)

It’s hard to imagine any piece of computer hardware that’s touched more than one’s keyboard – to use it is to touch it, basically. Wouldn’t it be nice to start each working (or playing) day with a brand new, clean-as-a-whistle keyboard? Now there’s the next best thing: the Vioguard™ Self-Sanitizing Computer Keyboard.

(images via: Vivalageek and InventorSpot)

The Vioguard Self-Sanitizing Keyboard is a self-disinfecting computer keyboard slides back into a specially designed sheaf after using, where germicidal UV-C ultraviolet light beams its way into those tiny nooks and crannies where infectious germs hide. It only takes a few seconds to eliminate those harmful microorganisms it took hours for you to put there.

Handheld Disinfectant Steam Cleaner

(images via: Amazon.com, HSN and Hoover.com)

“Give me steam, and how you feel to make it real, real as any place you’ve been…” That was Peter Gabriel, a dude who knows a bit about steam and what it can do for you, your desktop, your filthy electronic devices and the rest of your grubby lifestyle.

(image via: Red Ferret)

UV is cool and all, but when heat (203°F heat, to be exact) is required to wipe out viruses and mold as well as stubborn bacteria like E. Coli and Staphylococcus, the Hoover Handheld Disinfectant Steam Cleaner comes into its own. This handy device heats up in just 3 minutes and comes with two steam nozzles and a window squeegee… for cleaning windows, not Windows.

Shocking Thumb Wars

(images via: Firebox and Deviltronics)

Back in the days when kids walked 3 miles to school and back through raging blizzards and fashionable men wore onions on their belts, which was the style at the time, Thumb Wars was the game of games! Nowadays, however, no young OCD-afflicted whippersnapper wants to touch some other young OCD-afflicted whippersnapper’s thumb… and that’s why we have Shocking Thumb Wars.

(image via: Firebox)

Shocking Thumb Wars removes the actual hands-on warring of actual germ-infested thumbs in favor of digitized thumb-operated games titled 50/50, Rebound and Endurance. The latter variation is reminiscent of those weird CIA experiments in which some test subjects were allowed to shock other test subjects and were found to enjoy it. This is pretty much the home version.

Plane Clean Air Filter

(images via: Gizmodo, Plane Clean Air and Giz Wiz Search)

Germophobic types often have a fear of flying that has nothing to do with the plane crashing: it’s the air they’re worried about. Scaremongering headlines about supposedly sickness-inducing recycled air have got folks reaching for their… Plane Clean Air Filters!

(image via: Allergy One)

Just snap on of these blue babies over on of the the overhead air nozzles (also known as a “gasper nozzle”) and rest comfortably knowing the Plane Clean Air Filter is busily removing more than 99.5% of the airborne visuses, bacteria, allergens and other particulate matter from the air stream. AS for your cabin-mates, they’ll be slightly less comfortable as they wonder what the heck that blue thing is stuck to the overhead console.