Engadget

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Jake Dyson's lamp, wooden light bulbs and weed-killing lasers

Inhabitat — Sun, 27 May 2012 20:28:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week Inhabitat has been reporting live from New York Design Week, where we've witnessed countless innovative green designs from around the world. To kick things off, we were pretty impressed with this desk lamp designed by Jake Dyson (son of the vacuum god) that extends the life of its LED bulbs by a whopping 37 years. Also in the category of "bright shiny things we love" is QisDesign's Aurelia lamp, which bears a striking resemblance to a glowing jellyfish. We were also dazzled by UM Project's collection of retro, robot-inspired lamps, Light & Contrast's cute LED flower lights, and we were absolutely floored by Alessandro Jordão's larger-than-life LEGO chair. Can't get enough of NY Design Week? Check out all of our favorite green designs from this year's shows.

Continuing with the topic of innovative green lighting technology, artist Ryosuke Fukusada has created the impossible: a glowing wooden light bulb. Confused? The light was created using a technique called Rokuro, and it consists of an LED light bulb wrapped with a very thin layer of wood. When the bulb is turned on, it illuminates the grain of the wood. As Fukusada's creation demonstrates, LED lighting technology has taken some incredible strides recently, and we took some time to round-up 24 of our all-time favorite green lamps that look great with LED bulbs.

Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: Jake Dyson's lamp, wooden light bulbs and weed-killing lasers

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Jake Dyson's lamp, wooden light bulbs and weed-killing lasers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 May 2012 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Root Cases launches wood iPad 2 duo, ditches the plastic for $79

Billy Steele — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:23:00 EST

Just in case that plastic shell you picked up has run its course and you're not looking to alert Al Gore with your next purchase, Root Cases offers a wee bit more environmentally friendly alternative. Now you can outfit your iPad 2 with either North American Walnut or eco-friendly, South Asiatic Bamboo. Both cases will protect your slate in book-like fashion, securing the tablet at the corners and sticking shut via magnetic closure. If you're ready to pull the trigger, you can grab both of these via the source links below for $79 each -- or hit the gallery for another peek at the pair. At least you won't regret splurging for a wood case like you did if you shelled out cash for one of these.

Gallery: Root Cases iPad 2 Walnut and Bamboo

Root Cases launches wood iPad 2 duo, ditches the plastic for $79 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mass Effect 3 N7 replica gets real world debut for your Spacer pleasure

Joseph Volpe — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST

If you're the type to stock your walls with Lord of the Rings-style elvish daggers (or, you know, build full-scale Portal gun replicas), then you'll love this official Mass Effect 3 mockup commissioned by the folks at Bioware. Arduously crafted by self-proclaimed graphic design dork Harrison Krix, the N7 assault rifle replica made its facsimile debut at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. With only a fortnight to work with, the DIY, prop-making hobbyist took the made-for-cosplay gun from a glued wood, styrene and PVC-detailed master concept to paint weathered, final collector's edition mold. It's an impressive feat you can view in heavily photographed detail at the source, but there's still one thing we're waiting on Krix to bring to life -- that space-skipping SSV Normandy.

Mass Effect 3 N7 replica gets real world debut for your Spacer pleasure originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian

Jesse Hicks — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:07:00 EST

We admit, we're pretty jaded when it comes to PC casemods, having seen everything from the inscrutable Edelweiss to Russian Ark of the Covenant-like monstrosities. Jeffrey Stephenson, though, charmed us with his wood-carved Level Eleven case, and now he's back with Usonian, inspired by the work of famed Fallingwater architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Split-level cantilevered roofs made of teak, mahogany highlights, all that Cherokee Red and Covered Wagon coloring - it's enough to make an architecture nerd swoon. Beneath all that fine styling it sports an Intel Core i7-875K on a Gigabyte Mini-ITX motherboard, with 8GB system memory. There's a 256GB SSD along with a 2TB hard drive, so it's not just built for looks; Wright, after all, emphasized utility over pointless fashion. Still, it's very pretty to look at. More pics in the source link and after the break.

Continue reading PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian

PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Cities of the future, the Aqua Star, and 0-60 in 3.4 seconds... with a go-kart

Inhabitat — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:45:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

What will the high-tech city of the future look like? This week Inhabitat brought you a sneak peek as we took an exclusive look inside Abu Dhabi's carbon-neutral Masdar City, which just opened for business. We also brought you brand new photos of the world's largest wooden structure, and we spotted several innovative solar-powered buildings - Sweden's rotating photovoltaic cog building and a self-sustaining pod home that can be perched on any roof.

Green transportation also took off with a blast this week as the Linde E1 Electric Go-Kart set a Guinness World Record by traveling from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and Synergy's folded-wing glider plane announced plans to compete in the CAFE Green Flight Challenge. We also saw greener vehicles gear up around the world as France announced plans to deploy a fleet of all-electric garbage trucks next week and Nissan unveiled the NV200 -- New York City's taxi of tomorrow. And for those looking for an underwater escape this summer, don't miss out on the Aqua Star - a submersible electric scooter capable of charting the ocean depths.

In other news, this week we showcased several high-tech concept gadgets made from paper - an origami cell phone that folds into a flat piece of cardboard and the world's first interactive paper computer. We also brought you a sensor glove that could help stroke patients recover through gaming, and we covered a clutch of wired home furnishings that bring new meaning to the term geek chic -- from an interweb chaise made from 1,100 feet of coaxial cable to an analog cassette tape chair, to a modern computer mouse made from fine wool felt.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Cities of the future, the Aqua Star, and 0-60 in 3.4 seconds... with a go-kart originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 May 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: sugar-covered lamps, IKEA's solar lamp, and the 30MPH all-wood racing bike

Inhabitat — Sun, 01 May 2011 22:00:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Several breakthroughs sent shock waves through the field of renewable energy this week as Inhabitat reported on a new type of "invisibility cloak" that could supercharge solar cells and researchers at MIT harnessed viruses to improve the efficiency of dye-solar cells by a full third. We also cast a keen eye on the royal wedding, which is expected to produce 6,765 tons of CO2, and we explored a new wireless charging technology being developed by Toyota and WiTricity. And if futuristic eco cities float your boat, check out this self-sustaining ecotopia designed to produce energy and food in the North Sea.

We also showcased several novel electric vehicles, including the crazy Uno 3 transforming scooter which is now available for pre-order. Alternative fuels also took off as a Kentucky man unveiled a car that runs on bourbon and a mobile greenhouse powered by renewable energy hit the streets of New York City. And from the realm of pedal-powered transportation we brought you the SplinterBike - a bicycle made entirely from wood that can hit a record-breaking 30 miles per hour.

In other news, energy-efficient lighting advanced by leaps and bounds this week as we flipped the switch on IKEA's new solar-powered Solvinden lamp and we spotted a crystalline "Stardust" LED lamp made from sugar at the Milan Furniture Fair. Finally, we shined a spotlight on Katy Perry's debut on American Idol as a LED-studded Extraterrestrial, and we took an exclusive look inside New York City's first LEED gold skyscraper - the Hearst Tower!

Inhabitat's Week in Green: sugar-covered lamps, IKEA's solar lamp, and the 30MPH all-wood racing bike originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mesmerizing Touch Wood SH-08C ad showcases Japan's beauty, mankind's ingenuity (video)

Darren Murph — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:59:00 EST

Sharp isn't apt to sell but 15,000 of its Touch Wood SH-08C handsets, but after watching the ad below, you can bet there will be demand for more. It's a bit baffling to think of the trouble Drill, Inc. went through in order to assemble the pieces necessary for a wooden ball to trickle down a homegrown marimba, particularly in the midst of Kyushu, Japan's woodlands. Kenjiro Matsuo was responsible for the creation of the instrument, while Morihiro Harano is being handed credit for the idea itself; in fact, he confirmed to The New York Times that no artificial music was added whatsoever, with only the background levels being adjusted up for effect. You may have never listened to a piece of classical music in your life, but you're sorely missing out if you ignore Bach's Cantata 147, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Or, at least the version in that video below.

Continue reading Mesmerizing Touch Wood SH-08C ad showcases Japan's beauty, mankind's ingenuity (video)

Mesmerizing Touch Wood SH-08C ad showcases Japan's beauty, mankind's ingenuity (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Turing machine built from wood, scrap metal and magnets, 'geek' achievement unlocked (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:24:00 EST

We take it for granted nowadays that thumbnail-sized silicon chips can crunch through the most complex of calculations, but early last century, mathematical tasks were still being carried out by humans. It was around that time that one Alan Turing, Enigma code breaker and general computer science pioneer, came up with what was essentially a thought experiment, a mechanical machine capable of simulating and solving algorithms just like a grown-up CPU. Well, you know where this is going by now, one British software engineer decided to build just such a device, out of old bits and bobs he had lying around his geek lair, producing a working model that was recently shown off at the Maker Faire UK in Newcastle. The only downer, as he points out, is that it'd take "months to add two numbers together," but all good things start off humbly. Video after the break.

Continue reading Turing machine built from wood, scrap metal and magnets, 'geek' achievement unlocked (video)

Turing machine built from wood, scrap metal and magnets, 'geek' achievement unlocked (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPad 2 gets a magnetic cherry cover to top off its delicious hardware cake (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:11:00 EST

Killing time until the iPad 2 finally becomes available across Europe later today? Well, now you can stoke the flames of anticipation by taking a gander at this here wood cover made specifically for the magnet-infused new Appletablet. It comes from a single piece of cherry wood and rolls up into a stand, providing a pair of landscape positions and a sturdy base for keeping the slate vertical should you wish to gaze upon it in portrait mode. Frankly, Apple should've been the one to come up with this refinement on its Smart Covers, though at least a small company like Miniot spares us the overblown rhetoric about life-changing gear purchases. Price isn't too bad, either, with orders starting at €50 later on today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading iPad 2 gets a magnetic cherry cover to top off its delicious hardware cake (video)

iPad 2 gets a magnetic cherry cover to top off its delicious hardware cake (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPad 2 Retina Display evidence mounts, this time a .png of wood is to blame

Paul Miller — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST

So, we heard from our source that the iPad 2 would have a "super high resolution" Retina Display, we heard from AppleInsider that the iPad 2 is getting around 4X the graphics performance of the iPad, and of course there's the fact that the iPhone 4's Retina Display offered a pretty impressively painless upgrade path for developers -- an iPad 2 with a 2048 x 1536 screen is starting to sound less and less like the crazy dream of naive fanboys. But wait, there's more! A .png has been found in the iBooks 1.2 source files, dubbed Wood Tile@2x.png. It's sized at 1536 x 800, while the old and busted Wood Tile.png in iBooks 1.1 was 768 x 400 -- that's 2X in each direction, or 4X the pixels, for anyone who's counting. Incontrovertible evidence? No, but we want to believe.

iPad 2 Retina Display evidence mounts, this time a .png of wood is to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Iconic Stand for your iPhone can put any logo to good, unauthorized use

Laura June — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:44:00 EST

Iconic Stand is seemingly still a concept, but an interesting one for sure. Korean-designed iPhone stands, they're made of birch and have a serious natural feel to them. The makers have seen fit to design the stands with various famous logos for properties such as Twitter, Facebook, and Blogger built right into them. And while a nice little iPhone stand (which will apparently hold your phone whether it's nude or Bumper-wearing) with an iconic logo on it sounds pretty neat to us, we can't imagine these are actually... you know... licensed. Another example is after the break, hit up the source for a plethora of images.

Continue reading Iconic Stand for your iPhone can put any logo to good, unauthorized use

Iconic Stand for your iPhone can put any logo to good, unauthorized use originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dude, it's an iPad on a stick! (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:36:00 EST

Think you've seen all the weird and wonderful uses an iPad can be put to? You've clearly not been to Lithuania, where a protest against the country's emigration policy temporarily disintegrated into a laugh-fest when a serious-looking gent whipped out his Apple tablet ... attached to a stick. Cognizant of the drizzly weather, he also encased his sublimely high-tech placard inside a plastic bag, proving once again that it's not the gadget but the gadget owner's imagination that limits usage scenarios. See this sign of our times bobbing up and down with disapprobation after the break.

[Thanks, KArolynaz]

Continue reading Dude, it's an iPad on a stick! (video)

Dude, it's an iPad on a stick! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sharp Touch Wood concept turns real with limited run of 15,000 handsets on NTT DoCoMo

Vlad Savov — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:29:00 EST

You might have expected Sharp's pebble-shaped Touch Wood concept to remain just that, a concept, but the eclectic Japanese market has found a spot in its heart to fit 15,000 units of the curvy, wood-trimmed cellphone. Built from locally sourced cypress timber, each handset will have its own unique pattern and color, while the innards will be filled with a five megapixel imager, a 3.4-inch (854 x 480) display, a MicroSDHC expansion slot, and your usual GSM and 3G wireless radios. You can get yours through NTT DoCoMo some time around February or March.

Sharp Touch Wood concept turns real with limited run of 15,000 handsets on NTT DoCoMo originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Munk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way up

Darren Murph — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST

With a name like Munk Bogballe, it has to be pricey... right? Right. 2.5 years after launching what's likely the most expensive MacBook of all time, the aforesaid purveyor of fine, fine mobile computers has introduced its Classic Bespoke collection -- at the Millionaire Fair in Moscow, no less. So, what does a base price of €5,200 ($7,180) buy you? A 5.1 pound slab of aluminum, accented with lush leather, a mahogany screen frame, freshwater pearl on / off button and oodles of gold. Oh, and a single line of diamonds, presumably for squeezing out six to ten more frames per second in Portal. You may also expect to get only the latest and greatest when it comes to technology, but you'd be badly mistaken; the standard configuration ships with a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a paltry 500GB hard drive. If you're hot for an SSD, ostrich leather or an 18 carat gold power button, that'll be extra. Not like you really care, Mr. Millionaire.

Gallery: Munk Bogballe launches Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line

Continue reading Munk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way up

Munk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wooden DIY quadrocopter gets no respect from Minnesota State Fair

Tim Stevens — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:25:00 EST

The Parrot AR.Drone may be the hot quadrocopter of the moment, but not everyone has $299 to add one to their scale-sized hangar. We're not sure if it was financial reasons or a simple desire to get creative that drove Greg "Grease" Lehman of St. Paul, Minnesota to build his own, but build it he did, and out of wood. Using plans for a kit called the Roswell Quadrocopter, Greg hewed this from ash, oak, walnut, and paduak via CNC and a Sherline Mini mill. Thanks to its MikroKopter electronics the thing can hover and automatically fly to coordinates via GPS, or you can switch to a first-person view and do it your way. Most importantly you can build it your way using the instructions at the source link, and then enter it into your own local state fair. Greg entered his into the Minnesota State Fair's "airplane flying model, scratch built" class and came in second. Yes, second. Sadly the Fair's results sheet doesn't describe what came in first, but it damn well better have had lasers and some degree of sentience to have beaten this.

Wooden DIY quadrocopter gets no respect from Minnesota State Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mass Effect's M8 Avenger rifle brought to exquisitely detailed life

Vlad Savov — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:15:00 EST

Harrison Krix understands if you don't remember his name. After all, your mind can't be expected to retain information when you've just seen the spectacular Portal gun and Daft Punk helmet the man has already authored. Latest on his hitlist is an homage to the awesomeness that is Mass Effect. Employing mostly leftover bits from previous projects and $28's worth of new materials, Harrison set about the task of recreating Commander Shepard's trusty assault rifle. The source will delight your eyeballs with a litany of pictures and build details, though our major question remains unanswered -- does it use armor-piercing, incendiary, or shredder rounds?

Continue reading Mass Effect's M8 Avenger rifle brought to exquisitely detailed life

Mass Effect's M8 Avenger rifle brought to exquisitely detailed life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ExciteBike motorcycle built out of wood hits us like a ton of pixels

Laura June — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:33:00 EST

To say that ExciteBike ate up a ton of our childhood gaming time would be an extreme understatement. In fact, we still occasionally hear that particular "vroom vroom" noise in our sleep. So the fact that someone -- in this case Justin Harder -- cobbled together a 'pixelated' ExciteBike bike, trophy and helmet out of wood in a months-long labor of love is truly impressive to us, and brings wondrous, dazzling feelings of nostalgia. We're also fairly certain that 8-bit Gary's going to be buying one to tool around town on. Seriously, watch the insane video after the break.

Continue reading ExciteBike motorcycle built out of wood hits us like a ton of pixels

ExciteBike motorcycle built out of wood hits us like a ton of pixels originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gresso's Las Vegas Jackpot phone costs a million dollars, seriously

Vlad Savov — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:16:00 EST

When you make it your business to deliver outlandish new looks for mobile telephony, it can sometimes be a challenge to just outdo your last effort. So Gresso's decided the only way forward is to collect all the fine materials it had lying around -- black diamonds, pure gold, diamond-cut sapphire crystals, and 200-year old African Blackwood -- sprinkle them atop an otherwise nondescript featurephone, and slap on the spectacular price tag of $1,000,000. Only three Jackpots are being made, while there'll be a Las Vegas handset without the black diamonds and sapphires for the more mundanely rich among us, priced at $20,000. Oh Gresso, just one tip: next time, try to align your earpiece to your fancy designs, we hear wealthy folks appreciate some attention to detail.

Continue reading Gresso's Las Vegas Jackpot phone costs a million dollars, seriously

Gresso's Las Vegas Jackpot phone costs a million dollars, seriously originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

How many trees must die for iWave's Earth-friendly headphones, iPhone cases? (update)

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:23:00 EST

We're not experts or anything, but cutting down trees to manufacture your headphones ($30), ear buds ($20), and iPhone cases ($25) does not really seem all that "green" to us. But what good is selling stuff made from "reusable, environmentally friendly and recyclable materials" if you can't broadcast your sense of social responsibility with "rustic wood grain finishes and smooth earthy tones" that "mirror the true beauty that surrounds us?" Is we right, or is we right? The Grass Roots Collection (get it?) starts shipping August 1st. PR after the break.

Update: A rep from iWave just sent in an email to assure us that no trees whatsoever were harmed in the making of the Grass Roots collection. We just want to take this opportunity to set the record straight -- and to point out that the Earth in the above illustration reminds us of a Chia Pet. Thanks!

Continue reading How many trees must die for iWave's Earth-friendly headphones, iPhone cases? (update)

How many trees must die for iWave's Earth-friendly headphones, iPhone cases? (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

A modern, Danish case for your modern, Danish computer

Tim Stevens — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:06:00 EST

Wooden computer cases? We've been there before, but few offer the simple elegance of this "Modern Danish-styled PC enclosure" photographed by slipperyskip at Collectors Weekly -- who jokingly indicates it wouldn't look out of place on the set of Mad Men. We think an integrated ash tray is a necessity before it could make the cut at Sterling Cooper, but it does appear to have plenty of room on top for scotch glasses. The case is said to be 85 percent complete, and hopefully some of that last 15 percent includes actually putting some hardware in the thing. Pretty as it is, an empty case won't do you much good.

A modern, Danish case for your modern, Danish computer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kinetic wall sculptures are impossible to look away from (video)

Darren Murph — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:44:00 EST

We know, you're pretty proud of that oil painting in your den. And that cuckoo clock you snagged from an earlier trip to Germany is certainly classy. But do your wall ornaments draw crowds in the thousands and move in mysterious ways that even Bono never thought possible? Exactly. Hit that play button below for a glance at a handful of the wildest, zaniest kinetic wall sculptures this planet has ever seen. Trust us, we could all use the inspiration.

Continue reading Kinetic wall sculptures are impossible to look away from (video)

Kinetic wall sculptures are impossible to look away from (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ASUS U33Jc and U53Jc Bamboo Series laptops priced for UK consumption

Richard Lai — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:19:00 EST

Just when you were thinking the pandas had gobbled up all the bamboo laptops, ASUS has finally shipped some of its latest offerings to the UK. Unlike the US, however, the lucky tea-sipping Brits are spoiled with two size options: the 13-inch, 3.75-pound U33Jc and the 15-inch, 6.1-pound U53Jc. Apart from the extra inches and the bonus DVD burner on the U53Jc, these two Windows 7 machines are almost identical: there's a 2.26GHz Core i5-430M CPU, 1,366 x 768 LED-backlit LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 310M with Optimus technology, 4GB DDR3 RAM, and one USB 3.0 port along with two 2.0 ports. The prices? £849 ($1,292) and £899 ($1,368), respectively. Before you whip out your credit card, though, be sure to keep an eye out for our forthcoming review.

Gallery: ASUS U33Jc and U53Jc Bamboo Series laptops priced for UK consumption

Continue reading ASUS U33Jc and U53Jc Bamboo Series laptops priced for UK consumption

ASUS U33Jc and U53Jc Bamboo Series laptops priced for UK consumption originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gresso gussies up iPhone 4 with rare wooden veneer

Sean Hollister — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:39:00 EST

From the front it looks like any other iPhone 4, but flip it around and a glint might catch your eye -- that's the doing of Russian technology tailor Gresso, who's embedded Swarovski crystals and an 18-karat golden Apple logo in a sheet of African Blackwood attached to the device. As usual, one wonders why anyone would bother, but honestly we can't complain -- the design is worlds more tasteful than the solid gold and diamond-encrusted contraptions we're used to seeing. Expect the dainty dillantante to arrive in December at a surprisingly reasonable $3,500, or $3,000 for the male-targeted version at right. Of course, if you've got that kind of money to spend, you want one now, right? Good news: the iPhone 3GS gets the same luxurious treatment -- and price -- in July.

[Thanks, Bob]

Gresso gussies up iPhone 4 with rare wooden veneer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pedal-powered Porsche made out of Balsa wood doesn't fail to impress

Laura June — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:51:00 EST

You've always wanted a knock-off, pedal powered Porsche that was actually constructed largely out of Balsa wood and tin foil painted gold, right? Well, who wouldn't?

Pedal-powered Porsche made out of Balsa wood doesn't fail to impress originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ASUS Bamboo Collection laptops: now with Taiwanese pricing, more bamboo (update)

Sean Hollister — Sat, 15 May 2010 22:14:00 EST

ASUS has been attaching bamboo to its laptops for some time now, but it was only ever really for show -- though the wood itself was certainly biodegradable, adding veneer isn't exactly the greenest statement in the world. This year, however, the company's Bamboo Collection will be ~~completely~~ slightly more recyclable. With Core i5-450M processors, they should be reasonably good performers as well, and NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics technology gives them a factory-estimated (read: unlikely) 11 hours of battery life. The panda fodder cases will be found in Taiwan for around $40,000 NTD (approximately $1,300) next month, though US availability is yet to be announced. Check out the gigantic ASUS PDF for additional specs while you wait, and feel free to blow Ma Earth kisses all the while.

Update: Our friends at Engadget Chinese inform us the new U series laptops aren't 100 percent recyclable after all; they still have a sizable plastic substrate underneath those thicker bamboo panels. It seems ASUS still hasn't managed to shake its wooden façade. Get specs and first-hand pics from the event at our more coverage link.

ASUS Bamboo Collection laptops: now with Taiwanese pricing, more bamboo (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 May 2010 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist

Donald Melanson — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:36:00 EST

We have to admit we have an affinity for finely hand-crafted gadget accessories -- be they iPad cases or PC chassis -- and we're especially impressed when they add some unique functionality to match their looks, like this wooden DSLR shoulder mount built by Jonathan Clifford Berqvist and his father Erik. In addition to being built from a single tree branch, the rig packs a nifty follow focus mechanism that lets you adjust the focus with just a twist of the handle. While there's unfortunately no step-by-step plans for building your own, it certainly seems to be straightforward enough for anyone with some basic woodworking skills, and you can get a glimpse of the build process in the video after the break.

Continue reading Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist

Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wooden Level Eleven PC gets inspiration from Thermaltake Level 10 chassis

Darren Murph — Mon, 03 May 2010 06:11:00 EST

Let's face it -- if you had a never-ending stack of cash and a computer room with no particular size constraints, you too would own a Thermaltake Level 10 enclosure. Regrettably, both financial and square footage constraints do indeed play major roles in most of our lives, including one Jeffrey Stephenson. This fine gentleman is quickly becoming the Ben Heck of wood-grained mods, this time cranking out a lovingly crafted iteration of the aforesaid chassis, but with that special wooden flair. The Level Eleven gets its inspiration from the gargantuan Level 10, but rather than taking things even bigger, Jeff decided to scale things down a notch; in fact, he constructed a fully functional PC within the handmade enclosure, all based around a VIA Pico-ITX mainboard and a 1.2GHz VIA Nano CPU. Thanks to the onboard VX855 media processor, this (comparatively) diminutive machine boasts an HDMI output and enough horsepower to pump out 1080p sans lag -- but it doesn't seem as if this bad boy is officially for sale. Not that he'd reject a five-figure offer or anything...

Wooden Level Eleven PC gets inspiration from Thermaltake Level 10 chassis originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

KARVT wooden MacBook skins -- because sometimes aluminum just isn't enough

Vlad Savov — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST

Is the Apple logo on your MacBook not brash enough for everyone in the coffee shop to see? Is that streamlined aluminum appearance too Pro for you? Time to enter the newly opened KARVT online store, where unabashed Apple fans can finally add the sophistication of "100% real authentic wood" to their beloved machines. Most popular tastes can be accommodated, with different shades of cherry, bamboo, pine, and walnut on offer, and there's even an artists' section where some design flair is added to your timberrific purchase. The skins will fit on any recent Apple laptops, and prices are $35 for the wood grain or $50 for the artsy ones, with deliveries starting on May 1. Bargain or what?

Gallery: KARVT wooden MacBook skins

KARVT wooden MacBook skins -- because sometimes aluminum just isn't enough originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Conceptual 4010-Overdress router covers can't materialize soon enough

Darren Murph — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:34:00 EST

C'mon, let's be honest with ourselves here -- we all think our current router is unsightly. Like, truly hideous to look at. In fact, the bulk of us spend the first 20 minutes post-unboxing trying to figure out how to best hide it. Berlin-based designers Johannes Laue and Johannes Schroth have done what should've been done by multi-national corporations years ago, with the 4010-Overdress project delivering an array of delectable wood and metal enclosures that simultaneously make your router / set-top-box beautiful while maintaining all of the core functionality. There's no indication of when (or if) these beauts will ever be produced for public consumption, but seriously, someone at Netgear or D-Link should ping these fellows as soon as possible.

Conceptual 4010-Overdress router covers can't materialize soon enough originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Conceptual Corky mouse gets charged through motion, doubles as a wine stopper

Darren Murph — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST

It's still in concept form at the moment, but America's own Adele Peters just might have a winner with Corky. This obviously cork-based mouse relies on "piezoelectric elements to generate energy every time you click or move it around on your desk," meaning that nary a battery would ever be used to power it. In case that's not sustainable enough for you, the whole thing is made from easily recyclable materials, so it shouldn't mar Ma Earth when it gets tossed at the end of its useful life. Too bad that design has been trumped forty times over by more ergonomic options, but hey, there's always v2.0.

Conceptual Corky mouse gets charged through motion, doubles as a wine stopper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cygnus X1 PC casemod mixes otherworldly design, old world charm

Donald Melanson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:36:00 EST

We've seen plenty of PC casemods that look more like a traditional piece of furniture than a computer case, and plenty that take a decidedly more modern approach, but we haven't seen many that combine the two as effectively as this so-called Cygnus X1 built by Attila Lukacs. As you may notice, the top of the case bears a striking resemblance to some of Alienware's latest rigs, but it seems that might not be the source of Atilla's inspiration, as he actually started building the case way back in 2008. Of course, the real eye-catcher is that beautiful, hand carved wood casing (made West Australian Jarrah), which actually swings open on both sides -- no small feat when each panel weighs about ten pounds. Eager to see more? Then hit up the link below for a thorough account of the complete build process.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Cygnus X1 PC casemod mixes otherworldly design, old world charm originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered

Darren Murph — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:21:00 EST

The Powermat may have slung "inductive charging" into the mainstream (at least to some minor extent), but it's still far too niche to be taken seriously by any electronics aisle in Target. Take that same technology and shove it into wood, however, and you've got something that each and every table owner on the planet could appreciate. Jason V decided to retrofit a Powermat charging pad into a slab of wood, and while it wasn't the easiest of tasks, the fact that he managed to successfully integrate it opens up all sorts of possibilities for the woodworking crowd. If you're hungry for more details, hop on down to the how-to guide at Instructables; otherwise, the demonstration vid is just past the break.

Continue reading Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered

Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:20:00 EST

We're still not entirely sold on the intersection of gadgets and wood. Nevertheless, companies keep pumping out the concepts in response to our greener times. Here's NTT DOCOMO's effort using surplus wood leftover from Pacific culling operations. The Touch Wood prototype was developed in tandem with Sharp and Olympus and is based on the SH-04A slider. A Touch Wood mockup (pictured above) resembling a more feminine bean was also announced. In either case, the Touch Wood body is made of cypress without adding any artificial coloring or paint. And by using Olympus' 3D compression molding technique, they've manage to maintain the kind of durability, and resistance to water, insects, and mildew that you'd expect from, well, a tree. The handsets will be on exhibit in October at the ITU Telecom World and CEATEC Japan shows... touch wood. SH-04A prototype pictured after the break.

[Thanks, Stop Spamming]

Continue reading NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy

Filed under: Handsets, Others, NTT DoCoMo

NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:20:00 EST

We're still not entirely sold on the intersection of gadgets and wood. Nevertheless, companies keep pumping out the concepts in response to our greener times. Here's NTT DOCOMO's effort using surplus wood leftover from Pacific culling operations. The Touch Wood prototype was developed in tandem with Sharp and Olympus and is based on the SH-04A slider. A Touch Wood mockup (pictured above) resembling a more feminine bean was also announced. In either case, the Touch Wood body is made of cypress without adding any artificial coloring or paint. And by using Olympus' 3D compression molding technique, they've manage to maintain the kind of durability, and resistance to water, insects, and mildew that you'd expect from, well, a tree. With any luck, these handsets will be on exhibit in October at the ITU Telecom World and CEATEC Japan shows... touch wood. SH-04A prototype pictured after the break.

[Thanks, Stop Spamming]

Continue reading NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy

Filed under: Cellphones

NTT DOCOMO's Touch Wood mockups make naughty puns easy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Yoshihiko Satoh's Wooden iPod speaker bags are definitely re-usable, possibly biodegradeable, totally chic

Tim Stevens — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:49:00 EST

You can spend a lot of money on a handbag, so why not get one that's functional? These co-Mobile Speakers designed by Japanese artist Yoshihiko Satoh are not just styled to look like a bag, they are a bag, sporting room for your iPod to serve tunes and maybe a bento box to serve lunch -- but admittedly not much else. They're available in dark wood or maple and will set you back ¥31,500; about $335. Sure, that's not cheap for a 30 watt speaker dock, but we've seen far more expensive purses that are far less tastefully designed.

[Via Engadget Germany]

Gallery: iPod co-Mobile Speakers

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Yoshihiko Satoh's Wooden iPod speaker bags are definitely re-usable, possibly biodegradeable, totally chic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Handcrafted Ceramic Speakers are almost too pretty to blast

Darren Murph — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:27:00 EST

Joey Roth blew our collective minds way back in 2007 with his conceptual Felt Mouse, but now the designer is taking his creations to the next level by actually shipping a few. The simply named Ceramic Speakers boast only 10 watts of output per channel, though each 4-inch full-range driver is housed in an acoustically dead porcelain and cork chamber that should do quite a lot with quite a little. We can't say we're totally fond of the expected $400 to $500 price tag when these go on sale in October, but toss in a similarly designed subwoofer and we just might bite.

[Via Cool Hunting]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Handcrafted Ceramic Speakers are almost too pretty to blast originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

USB retro wooden speaker escapes the crap pile by the slimmest margin

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:06:00 EST

Try if you wish, but you'll never convince us that the masterpiece you're peering at above should be lumped in with every other crapgadget out there. Sorry, it just ain't happening. The wondrous USB Retro Wooden Speaker / MP3 Player Cube does mostly what it says: you insert a flash card or USB drive, and it plays back MP3 files through the pair of 3-watt stereo speakers. Those vintage buttons can skip tracks and pause things for a brief moment of silence, while the bundled remote keeps your nates planted after a hard day's night. There's even a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input in case you're short on flash, and the built-in rechargeable battery ensures that this bad boy will be showcased at your forthcoming tailgate parties. There's a whole lot of awesome here for $29, wouldn't you concur?

Filed under: Portable Audio

USB retro wooden speaker escapes the crap pile by the slimmest margin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan's Forest AC blows wild scents through your ride, keeps you alert

Darren Murph — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:17:00 EST

And here you were thinking Mercedes-Benz's Attention Assist system was the thing in driver alertness aides. In a rather odd, nearly jocose press release, Nissan has revived our faith in corporate R&D with the glorious introduction of the Forest AC. In short, this new air conditioning system "systematically controls cabin temperature, ventilation, aroma and humidity to create an optimal interior environment." Still bewildered? It means that the system can tap into an array of sensors in order to find out exactly what environment is best for your current state of mind, and if it needs to, it'll blast your nostrils with gusts of fresh forest in order to increase alertness while keeping stress levels down. The zaniest part of all, however, isn't the idea of using various aromas to keep one's attention; it's the fact that this system is actually scheduled for installation on a vehicle (the Fuga) that'll ship this fiscal year in Japan.

Filed under: Transportation

Nissan's Forest AC blows wild scents through your ride, keeps you alert originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

OSU foresters swap tree fibers for rubber in fuel efficient tires

Darren Murph — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:41:00 EST

Leave it to a gaggle of brilliant wood science researchers at Oregon State University to figure out that we've been doing this whole "tire" thing wrong for generations now. While studying some uses of microcrystalline cellulose, which can be made easily from practically any type of plant fiber, these Earth-loving gurus discovered that said material could actually improve the efficiency of vehicle tires when used in place of silica. Granted, only about 12 percent of the silica -- which is used as a reinforcing filler in the manufacture of rubber tires -- was swapped out, but the resulting tires gripped just as well in wet weather while decreasing the rolling resistance during those dry summer months. Furthermore, tires constructed with these fibers could be made with less energy, though long-term durability studies are still needed to prove that this whole plan is viable for more than a few thousand miles.

[Via Gizmag]

Filed under: Transportation, Science

OSU foresters swap tree fibers for rubber in fuel efficient tires originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Woodstation acts like a weather station, looks like a dead tree

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:13:00 EST

Usually the intersection of woodcraft and gadgetry consists of little more than taking a piece of gear and putting it in a box. Woodstation may be no different, but at least it does its thing with some style, placing its LED display beneath the surface, allowing it to seemingly display weather data on the wood itself. And if that weren't enough, the device contains a motion sensor (it turns itself on when you enter the room) as well as date, time, and alarm functions. Available in a maple or walnut finish, this bad boy is currently available in the UK for £89.95 (about $147). And unlike the Amazon Kindling, this thing actually works.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Filed under: Household

Woodstation acts like a weather station, looks like a dead tree originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments