Apple has been working on the iPhone since long before it hit the market in 2007, and today a new prototype has come to light that shows how it might have looked if they’d rushed it to market earlier. The 2005 internal prototype is pictured in photos obtained by Ars Technica, from an unnamed former Apple employee. → Read More
Although there are a ton of DIY app builders out there, the majority of them are either designed for those with a little bit of coding know-how, or involve drag-and-drop components which are used to create a basic app or mobile website. A new startup called AppGyver (rhymes with MacGyver!) is different. It’s a mobile app prototyper, not an app builder, and it’s aimed at those who need to rapidly… → Read More
Modu isn’t well known in the US, but they make a tiny handset that’s been out for a while. While their current product offering has been criticized for being outdated and clunky, the good news (at least for them) is that they have developed a new Android based handset which should be available in the near future. That handset leaked, and while it’s got some strange things about… → Read More
Not a huge update here, but that 360-Degree display that we told you about last year is going to be on display is the US. The display is still a prototype, but it is an excellent proof of concept. It’ll be interesting to see what Sony does with the technology. [via The Awesomer] → Read More
Most 3D imaging requires cameras with multiple lenses, but an Italian firm has discovered a way to allow a single lens to see three dimensional images using pulsed laser energy. → Read More
Researchers at UCLA are working on a new device intended to help patients who have lost their sense of balance. The device will help the patient to recover and learn how to move normally again. → Read More
So fair warning, there’s not a whole lot of detail on this one. Fujitsu just showed off their latest e-book reader prototype at a trade show in Japan. It probably won’t hit the US, but expect to see it in Japan later this year. We’ll keep you informed when we get more information. [via Akihabara News] → Read More
Nine mechanical engineering majors had a dilemma: what do you do for your mechanical design class when you only have a semester? Well, this guys decided to build a spokeless bicycle. Admittedly, only the back wheel is spokeless, but there are reasons for that. → Read More
Sony has been working on the development of efficient bio-batteries since 2007, but the company hasn’t really come close to commercialization so far. The batteries, which exist as prototypes, can be recharged not by using methanol as fuel but glucose. And it makes sense, as a single bowl of rice contains the same energy as 96 AA batteries.
And using the bio-battery in real products might soon… → Read More
I’ve heard good things about Activision’s Prototype, but was never sent a review copy even though I’ve received other titles from the publisher for review in the past. Currently reviewing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (preview here) for the Xbox 360. Not a bad game, but I have some gripes with it. Anyway, Prototype is the featured Video Games Deal of the Day over at Amazon. You can… → Read More
New Jersey-based Universal Display and LG are showcasing a futuristic OLED display that can be worn like a wrist watch at the SID Display Week 2009. The bendable color display has been jointly developed by the two companies. → Read More
These are some very early prototypes Japan’s No. 1 telecommunications company NTT recently showcased during the JPCA Show 2009 in Tokyo, but they are pretty cool to look at and may show a glimpse of the near future. The basic idea is to one day be able to offer cell phones featuring an interface for attachable and replaceable hardware add-ons. → Read More
Sony took part at the 5th International FPD Expo that ended today in Tokyo, showcasing for the first time in their home market of Japan a 21-inch OLED that almost doubles the size of the XEL-1 (11 inches). Unlike the XEL-1, however, the 21-incher is still in prototype stage.
Video after the jump. → Read More
Oh the things engineers do when they’re bored and forced to look busy. Philips will debut, at a conference in Salt Lake City (of all places), a jacket with built-in vibration motors. The point is to study how people physically react to watching movies. Suggested first movie: Caligula. → Read More
Sharp has developed a crystalline Si solar cell prototype with a cell conversion efficiency of 20%, aiming for mass production in 2010. The company claims its product will be the most efficient residential crystalline silicon solar cell available. An unnamed American manufacturer has been contacted in order to procure enough polycrystalline Si when commercialization starts. Sharp has chosen solar… → Read More
Not the real thing. Konica Minolta (or its subsidiary Konica Minolta Opto, to be more exact) has developed what sounds like it’s one of the smallest projectors around today. Measuring just 20x40x7mm, the projector is reportedly about as small as a USB stick and needs less than 1W of power. The projector can project 20-inch color images in XGA resolution when positioned 50 to 60cm away from… → Read More
KDDI au is not only Japan’s second biggest cell phone carrier but also famous for its KDDI Design Project. And while their exhibition in the KDDI Design Studio in Tokyo was disappointing, the company made a strong showing at this year’s CEATEC. See the coolest cell phone designs below. KDDI has been running this design project for years now and actually started mass-producing some… → Read More
Japan’s biggest cell phone carrier NTT Docomo had one of the coolest booths at this year’s CEATEC (which ended last Saturday), showcasing a lot of spectacular new stuff. These are their cell phone concepts, some of which even might make it to the mass market one day. Watch a video of their microprojector cell-phone hybrid here and a see this post for more information on their cell… → Read More
http://blip.tv/play/ih_Q1DOJ5FQ At this year’s CEATEC, Little Seiko, the kindergarten girl robot, is the unbeatable fan favorite, but NTT Docomo‘s (Japan’s biggest telecommunications company) detachable handset is surely one of the top 5 products of the exhibition. A lot of attendees queued 35 minutes to try the Fujitsu cell phone out themselves, including me. And let me tell… → Read More
At CEATEC 2008, Fujitsu and NTT Docomo are showcasing a concept phone that can be split into two pieces, a screen and a keyboard segment. The so-called Separeeto Keitai, separate handset, is supposed to enable users to make a phone call and write emails at the same time. The parts are joined by a magnet and connected via Bluetooth. The touchscreen reacts to the way the users are holding it. In… → Read More
It seems development of micro projectors picks up steam in Japan. Following Tokyo-based venture firm Nippon Signal (“We’ve built the world’s smallest projector”), Toshiba recently exhibited a projector the size of an iPod at one of the company’s own exhibitions in Japan. The device was already on display at IFA 2008, a consumer electronics trade show that took place… → Read More
I’m here at IFA in Berlin, a stone’s throw away from my temporary base of operations in Barcelona. The show itself—think CES, just run by a bunch of well-dressed Europeans—starts this weekend, but a few companies are having hip-hip hooray press conferences a bit early, announcing new products then quickly putting them back behind a curtain, saying how great they are, etc. → Read More
Mitsubishi Electric yesterday unveiled a prototype LCD TV [JP], which is just 40mm thick. The company said it’s “REAL” TV is full HD but didn’t reveal any details regarding screen size, price and technical features. Mitsubishi separated the display from the tuner and integrated wireless transmission units into both devices, which are able to transmit uncompressed full HD… → Read More
Read&Go, an e-paper from France Telecom One of Europe’s biggest telecommunications companies, Deutsche Telekom, is developing a portable e-reader, apparently a competitor for Amazon’s Kindle. There are no pictures of the new device available at this point. The German powerhouse plans a test run with a few dozen prototypes in Berlin this fall. The project is code-named… → Read More
Corbusboards has created some unique skateboards fabricated out of aluminum. Corbus is calling them prototypes, but the Fishbone and Seahorse models are available to purchase. The company isn’t kidding themselves; they know these aren’t trick boards. Made for cruising, the design is a cross between a long-board and a short-board. Corbus does have plans to produce upcoming models using wood… → Read More
Japan might have lost a battle in patent application filing to the US, but even a fantastic country such as Australia can’t beat them when it comes to miniaturization. It looks like Tokyo-based Nippon Signal (and not Mint Wireless based out of Australia) managed to develop what might be the smallest projector in the world. The device was recently showcased at Exhibition Micromachine/MEMS, a… → Read More
Here’s a gigantic wall display by Panasonic. It features picture in picture, music, movies, bouncing balls, e-mail, and a bunch of other stuff that you may or may not ever be able to afford. It’s meant to go in your living room or, perhaps, a child’s bedroom. Hell, why not just put one in every room? → Read More
Today Pioneer announced [JP] they – as the first company in the world – managed to develop a 16-layer optical disc with a capacity of 400 GB. In other words, each layer boasts the capacity of a 25 GB Blu-ray disc currently available for retail. Pioneer said the new discs will be compatible with existing Blu-ray hardware but are read-only at the moment. The company is currently trying… → Read More
We’re almost done, kiddies. This is what you’ve all been waiting for. I had a great time at Dyson learning about dust mites, chatting with James about the iPhone, watching him bash a DC24 and getting an overview of the history of Dyson. But my main objective while in Malmesbury was to design and build a prototype attachment for one of the vacuums in the line up. I own the Root 6, so I decided… → Read More
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