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This is an interesting personal computer concept based on the idea of a familiar and everyday device that could be improved with the next-generation technologies in order to create a high-end mobile companion.It would provide the user with most computing functionalities but its shape limits its capabilities. For example you could use the cup-shaped computer for storing files, organize them, sharing and as a projector on the desk.
The technologies that could be used to create such a device include holographic touchscreen, infrared connectivity which removes the need for USBs, and an intuitive user interface.The Cup uses the plate to integrate the battery charger, while on the cup we find the blue LED light which indicated when it’s On or Off, the holographic projector lens, a logo and the intuitive user interface system.
Do you think the Cup is a useful PC concept?
Since its appearance, the Yuno PC concept was a pleasant surprise for many of us because of its unique shape of a long cup of coffee, capable to display the contacts and menus on its exterior surface that is a large touch-sensitive OLED display.
<-234x60 Half Banner - left->Among the computer design concepts we wrote about on Techpin recently are two specifically designed for visually impaired. If these 2 computers would exist on the market, people with eye disabilities would benefit from several next-generation technologies such as an intuitive tactile user interface, the magneclay material with morphing capability to take the shape of all Braille symbols, and 3D relief images brought by the Siafu concept, while ZEN would deliver something more complex but also in a single stylish portable computer.
ZEN’s design is inspired from Zen Buddhism and conceived as a combination of Sandbox PC hardware running on the ZEN operating system concept.Its name comes from “Z-axis Enabled” suggesting the full interactive 3D computer functionality.One of the Sandbox PC components is the electronic Active Surface, matrix of tiny fibers which make up each pixel, capable of taking various shapes for easy Braille reading, windows scrolling, icons and several textures. The surface activates when you scratch it with the fingers, based on touch-sensitivity technology.
ZEN measures 36 x 17 x 2.8 inches with 0.7 inch thickness and a 7 degrees work angle.When the blind user touches its tactile surface that replaces the keyboard, ZEN turns On and the user feels what is on the surface including emails text, web pages text and others. For music and sound effects the computer comes with built-in speakers, saving significant space on the desk.Also there is no cable used for connectivity as all happens wirelessly. For example to charge a cell phone the user has to place it on ZEN’s surface and the handset starts to recharge automatically. Same thing would happen with the other mobile devices.
The designer didn’t specify a name for the material that takes different shapes from ZEN’s surface, revealing 3D images like animated ripples and landscapes, but he suggested the digital mater-like material developed by Carnegie Mellon University. Anyway, it is very similar with Siafu’s magneclay.
The fibers from the Active Surface are shifting up and down creating a variation in depth across the matrix of fibers, and these accept pressure input to change their shape.This technology permits the enabled computer to be a perfect device for online communication, document management, media playing, file sharing and so on, all done wirelessly and with eyes closed.
ZEN is the last PC concept from the NextGen PC Design Competition 2007-2008, in the alphabetical order, featured during the last two months. Now we'll have to wait until the judges decide which concept from the 31 finalists will occupy the first place.
Later this month you'll find out the Judges’ Awards, Chairman’s Award, and Public’s Choice Award winners so don't forget to subscribe to our news feeds via "Get email delivery" in the sidebar, and receive the next articles in your email.
Today you are invited to discover or recall the latest gadgets in technology, which marked our personal entertainment experience and work productivity during last year. They are all complex devices capable to perform intensive tasks, but coming in simple designs with user-friendly interfaces.
If we start with the communication sector, first gadget we will think of is, of course, the popular iPhone 3G, Apple’s latest release, which is the world’s first and only multi-touchscreen cell phone available for customers worldwide. This innovative technology introduced by Microsoft’s Surface table, allows you to control applications on your phone using your fingers for typing on the on-screen keyboard, glide through albums, scroll through pictures, and zoom web pages, all by touching the multi-touch display layer placed on a capacitive panel in charge with detecting your pressing via electrical fields. Your touch is then sent to the LCD screen under this layer, processed by special software, and interpreted as flicks, taps and pinches.
The on-screen keyboard is different than what you are used with. It adapts its keys and layout for different applications and 21 languages, according to the current mode.Another technology used in the iPhone, as well as in other high-end handsets on the market, include the accelerometer sensor based on silicon springs that measure the silicon mass position using electrical current, which enables the phone to rotate its image automatically when turned sideways.
The Ambient Light Sensor detects changes in the light conditions and adjusts the display brightness automatically, while the Proximity Sensor feels when something larger than your fingers gets close, turning off the display to save power and to avoid accidental touches on the screen.
Isn’t it funny how every manufacturer in the world thinks that its product is the most revolutionary and innovative device that anyone could come up with? It’s an understandable attitude if we think about it, because they should be the first to trust their work. It’s only afterwards that consumers’ attention can be turned to the recently released product.Video glasses, for example, have monopolized the tech world in the last couple of years and have evolved with every new concept. The target public is more and more pretentious nowadays and it’s very hard to pleased, as the needs are not only infinite, but also quite sophisticated. In the given circumstances, Thanko fell for the trap of creating a set that even an elderly hermit wouldn’t dare to wear. Fortunately, the lack of style was compensated by the sheer amount of tech packed in. We’re talking about the All-in-One glasses multimedia device, a new breakthrough technology developed by Thanko, which allows to watch movies and to listen to music. They provide a 432 x 240 VGA resolution screen which gives you the impression you’re staring at a 50" screen, as they’re stuck so close to your face. The all-in-one glasses are designed to support a wide range of formats, such as MPEG4, ASF, MPG and AVI videos (compatible with DivX 3, 4 and 5, and XviD codecs), as well as JPEG images and MP3 and WMV audio files. In addition, the gadget is compatible with miniSD cards and features a USB2.0 port, for EQ presets. The miniSD cards are your best option because hooking up a thumbdrive or a full blown USB hard disc might render a whole lot difficult keeping the things balanced on your face.The glasses are provided with a component input which helps you connect them to a DVD player, games console or, even better, to a PSP Slim and Light, in order to enjoy UMD movies and to play games on a decent sized screen. They come in package with two Li-Ion batteries, earphones and a remote control and they are available for an amount of €270.
At IFA 2008 between August 29 and September 3 you had the opportunity to discover the latest technology products and solutions, among which the Laxman Innertainment System had some new features to introduce in the home entertainment industry.This set consisting of a pair of goggles and a handheld device, enables brain stimulation using color therapy and music therapy to achieve the highest state of relaxation.The handheld is an MP3 player featuring an intuitive user interface, 4 hours of ambiental music composed by Michael Hutchison, SD card slot to expand the internal memory, and USB interface for PC connectivity.Using the Session Designer software LaxEdit you can create visual effects produced according by the music sounds. This stimulates the brain in the same way like when watching a flickering flame or the glittering surface of a lake.
Based on the “frequency following response” psychological principle, the gadget influences the brainwaves, creating the maximum comfort feeling.You can call it a stress management companion and use it wherever you prefer, benefiting from one of its most important capabilities – learning improvement. Yes, it is said to be very helpful even for people with sleeping problems, as long as you look through the goggles at the visual effects based on every color of the light spectrum.
According to researchers, the light transmits indirectly on the closed or open eyes, and interference patterns generate kaleidoscopic structures in all colors, as well as the Ganzfeld effect.
Laxman is available at a price of 499,00 EUR.
This is an interesting personal computer concept based on the idea of a familiar and everyday device that could be improved with the next-generation technologies in order to create a high-end mobile companion.
The technologies that could be used to create such a device include holographic touchscreen, infrared connectivity which removes the need for USBs, and an intuitive user interface.
