Modi Sofa is configurable

Posted in Furniture by Conner Flynn on August 23rd, 2009

Modi Sofa is configurableAccording to my wife good furniture that fits your unique style and taste is hard to find. The Italian designed Modi Sofa may make things easier. Sort of like Lego, it allows for nearly infinite customization, using modules which you insert in the base to form different shapes and styles of sofas.

There are flat modules, back or arm rest modules, corner pieces, etc. They all fit neatly into the grid base. Finally, you can make your sofa how you want it. They even have a glass top to make an end table or coffee table if you like. Pretty neat. All furniture should be modular.

New modular Weather Station by Jacob Jensen

Posted in Weather Stations by Conner Flynn on August 16th, 2009

New modular Weather Station by Jacob JensenIf you are a fan of that modular weather station that we featured back in July, you’ll love this one. Jacob Jensen has released another, even sexier modular weather station for those who can never have too much information.

This series features Thermometer II, Hygrometer II and the core system, which is called the Multi Sensor. The Multi Sensor can connect up to three modules. Prices range from $50 to $150, depending on which module you choose.

Weather Station by Jacob Jensen

Posted in Weather Stations by Conner Flynn on July 27th, 2009

Weather Station by Jacob JensenDesigned by Jacob Jensen, this weather station series has a great modern look. It consists of well-designed modular products that help you keep an eye on all things weather. The set consists of the following components: an indoor thermometer, outdoor thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, alarm clock, temperature station, table stand and wall mounting plate.

Each section has to be purchased separately of course. You’ll always know what the weather has in store for you and your desk will even look nicer. The Jacob Jensen weather station can be mounted on the wall or sit on the table.

Stackable iPod dock concept

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on July 12th, 2009

Stackable iPod dock conceptHere’s an interesting concept that makes the iPod dock more practical. The idea is that you can stack as many of the modules as you like, which lets you have multiple speakers, lights, even air purifiers. Usually iPod docks are pretty boring, but this one opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Maybe they could add a messaging screen on the front and it could display your instant messages. Maybe one could be a USB hub, or have a hard drive. The possibilities are endless.

ZzzPhone goes Android

Posted in Android by Conner Flynn on November 24th, 2008

ZzzPhone goes AndroidYou might expect the second Android cellphone to come from Motorola or Nokia, but according to John Biggs over at Crunchgear, it’s the Zzzphone, a full-QWERTY keyboard Chinese slider which apparently runs the Android operating system. It’s tauted as the world’s first unlocked quad-band mobile featuring the Google Android Operating System.

It seems to do everything you could ever want it to do as well. It works everywhere in the world and can be built and personalized per your custom requirements with GPS, Wi-Fi, even your choice of seven colors for cases, and 15 other options. Up to 32GB of memory, they are also claiming to be the world’s first phone with snap on modular accessories, like a full QWERTY keyboard, mini boom box, projector and more. Damn. John says that he has ordered one and it should be arriving in ten days. It’s only $119.

JVC’s Sound Garden concept is a modular speaker system

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on October 31st, 2008

JVC’s Sound Garden concept is a modular speaker systemJVC’s Sound Garden concept blends tree-hugging with design. It’s a full hi-fi speaker system with bass-reflex ports and little pot areas for your plants. (Which don’t have that much room.) And it’s all made of some wonder material called “eco-plastic”. If you want, you can connect a whole bunch together for massive sound and massive plant life. Just a concept right now, but rest assured they are working on more music/plant tech as I type this.

Poufman: Pac-Man inspired furniture

Posted in Furniture by Conner Flynn on October 1st, 2008

Poufman: Pac-Man inspired furnitureWhat could be better then some furniture inspired by an 80’s arcade character, who was himself inspired by a few slices taken from a pizza? These padded Pac-Man seats with matching power pellet foot stools are amazingly retro and they look comfy. The Poufman seating sets come in several colors.

The only thing missing are the ghosts. Better yet, I’d like to see this furniture all motorized so that the ghosts can chase you, or you them, so that you play out an actual game. Still, they’re pretty awesome standing still. The price is unknown, but you can be sure they will gobble up dollar bills like Pac-Man gobbled up coins.

Fujitsu concept phone is modular

Posted in Fujitsu by Conner Flynn on September 30th, 2008

Fujitsu concept phone is modularAs usual, Japan has it going on in the advanced concept phone department. This reconfigurable Fujitsu device was shown at CEATEC and allows the user to separate the screen and touchscreen keypad however they like. This comes from a research partnership between Fujitsu and Docomo.

Both parts can be used by themselves or joined together with magnets and used horizontally or vertically. What the touchscreen shows is determined by where you stick the screen on the keypad. The screen module houses all of the software functions, which includes video recording and games. The keyboard section is responsible for other tasks, like 3G and radio. Communication between both sections is done through Bluetooth. It would be nice to see this move from concept to reality, but who knows.

Kenchikukagu mobile furniture

Posted in Furniture by Conner Flynn on September 24th, 2008

Kenchikukagu mobile furnitureHere’s an innovative way to furnish your space while keeping things minimal when not in use. The Kenchikukagu is designed for work, sleep and eating. Designed by Atelier OPA from Japan, the Kenchikukagu series includes a mobile work station, mobile bed and a mobile kitchen. You can actually order this on Amazon Japan for 800,000 Yen (about $7,500).

Closed, these pieces look like simple storage, but when opened they turn into useful furniture. Perfect for small living spaces and those who just like to play with their furniture. This kind of furniture also makes moving much easier since I’m sure it’s a breeze to fit through doorways.

Electrolux Flatshare Fridge is awesomely modular

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on September 14th, 2008

Electrolux Flatshare Fridge is awesomely modularLook no further for a brilliant fridge concept. The Flatshare Fridge was created by Stefan Buchberger from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna for the annual Electrolux Design Lab competition. The idea is to have a fridge that is perfectly suited for college kids who have roommates.

It’s modular design features separate compartments that allow each ‘flatmate’ to have their own mini fridge. Because nobody likes to share and it’s just good to keep your stuff from colliding with someone else’s stuff. Not everyone has good hygiene, or good taste. No one is getting the short end of the stick with this design either, as each section has a tall area for bottles and a smaller side for other stuff.

Lego-like cutlery is cute, modular

Posted in Kitchen by Conner Flynn on July 16th, 2008

Lego-like cutlery is cute, modular
Fred and Friends has a cool-looking fake Lego cutlery set that will hopefully make it to market. Although judging by the picture, they believe that everyone uses utensils to eat apples and bananas for some reason.

These have a great look, but what’s really cool is that the handles are silicone and they snap together just like Legos. So, let’s say you’re eating steak. Attach the knife to the fork in opposite directions, for awesome cutting then stabbing action. It’s also great for playing at the table while waiting on dinner. You could construct a bunch of cool cutlery things. Better then a Duplo set.

Modular Table Tennis system: Manage-a-tennis

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on June 25th, 2008

Modular Table Tennis system: Manage-a-tennis
I don’t get a chance to play table tennis all that often, but chances are I would kick your ass. At least until I had a few drinks, at which point I’m liable to start pushing tables together and get more people in on the game. My drinking aside, that’s sort of the idea behind the Table Tennis Triples, a modular Table tennis system.

It’s developer Guenter Arndt wanted a way for three people to play simultaneously on a circular table. It allows 1-12 or more players to play. It all adds up to reduced waiting times, greater shot range and a fairer scoring system. The prototype system has already won an international patent and soon you’ll probably be able to buy this at a local sports store. It’s not your father’s Tennis Table.

BBC’s Olinda radio is modular, like Legos

Posted in Radio by Conner Flynn on May 5th, 2008

BBC’s Olinda radio is modular, like Legos
Who says there are no new ideas? The BBC are certainly not lacking in imagination. They commissioned this neat idea that combines social networking with a digital radio, and the end result is Olinda. On one hand, it’s a normal digital radio, but when you remove the clear orange cap, a plug-in interface is exposed.

You can add modules onto the end of it, like building with Legos. This one has small buttons that each correspond to one of your friends. A button lights up when one of your friends is listening to the radio, so if you push that button, you’ll hear the same radio station that your friend is listening to. The creators hope to develop more modules, thereby expanding the uses of the device.





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