Remember those faux wood grain and plastic colored flip clocks that sat on every bedside table just a couple of decades ago? This Alarm Dock designed by Jonas Damon for AREAWARE is a throwback to the days of those bedside flip clocks.
above: Examples of popular bedside flip clocks from the 70s and 80s by General Electric, Krups and Sunbeam
The Alarm Dock uses a nostalgic product language to meet the progressively thin and disappearing profiles of consumer electronics. It is at once a critique and an accommodation to new technology. Made from sustainably harvested new growth Beech Wood, the Alarm Dock comes in 9 finishes:
above: Phone in photo not included. Dock does not have built-in electronics or speakers.
Place an iPhone or iPod Touch running a flip clock app onto the dock, and see an iconic and meaningful form return to your nightstand, mantel, or shelf. Your iPhone or iPod's dock connector can be pulled through it, allowing your device to recharge while docked.
Fits iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and 4S. Does not fit iPhone 5.
Material: Sustainably Harvested New Growth Beech Wood
Dimensions: 6.75 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches
Extra US, UK, and EU cord/charger sets available. If your cord/charger set is from an older model, it may not fit the Alarm Dock.
Where to buy :
•Available for pre-order in black or natural beechwood for $35 at Areaware
•Available for purchase in orange, yellow, green, blue, pink or red for $30 and in natural or black for $40 at Bobby Berk
•Available for purchase in white for $30.95 at Architect Gifts Plus.
About designer Jonas Damon:
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Jonas Damon was raised in Germany and worked in Paris and London before establishing his design consultancy, OFFICE FOR DESIGN, in New York City in 2001. In London he developed furniture and lighting for Tom Dixon's Eurolounge, before becoming a Design Manager for the European retail group Habitat UK. Jonas Damon's collaboration with clients ranges from the design of specific products and product lines to shaping the design process as whole. His international client base includes: Dune, Habitat, Harter, Hold Everything, Ideé, Lenox, Lolah, Max Factor, Menu, Smirnoff, Tupperware, 2x4, Umbra, Uslu Airlines, Vitra, and Wedgwood. The work of Jonas Damon and Office for Design has been published and exhibited internationally.
Watch as Australian Artist Yiying Lu hand paints beautiful women as carnivorous plants in which QR codes are artfully embedded, combining fine art with digital technology. By using a QR code reader to read the paintings, the viewer is then directed to watch the process.
As Adam Fraser reports on Nokia's conversations blog "Arm eight filmmakers with two Nokia N8s each, a $5,000 budget and ask them to produce a short film within a few weeks and what do you get? A bunch of amazing mini-movies, that’s what. However, there can only be one that wins the top prize of $10,000 USD. That award goes to JW Griffiths, for his movie – Splitscreen. You can see it below.
Love. It’s been the subject of many a movie since the dawn of, well, movies. Splitscreen is about two people falling in love who come from different parts of the world. Using two perspectives at once on the same screen, we’re able to follow each person’s journey through life as they embark on a journey to foreign lands, only to bump into each other half-way across the River Thames on Golden Jubilee Bridge."
Here’s the winning short film, Splitscreen, Shot entirely on the Nokia N8 mobile phone.
Director: James W Griffiths Producer: Kurban Kassam Director of Photography: Christopher Moon Editor: Marianne Kuopanportti Sound Design: Mauricio d'Orey Music composed by: Lennert Busch
Webroot has specifically designed this app to prevent the loss of clothing, dignity, job, marriage or friends. While you are free to ignore its advice it will test your coordination, comprehension or lack there of and attempt to guide you away from an early or embarrassing end to your evening. It’s just another way Webroot protects you from all possible threats, even yourself.
press release: New Survey Reveals Behavior Revelers Would Have Avoided if They’d Just Taken the Test.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – a time of good spirits and holiday cheer when friends and co-workers get together to celebrate the season. It’s also a time when some of us get a little too caught up in the celebration and over indulge. Consider the three Capitol Hill staffers who just lost their jobs when their drunk twittering caught up to them.
What might have happened if those Capitol Hill staffers had taken advantage of the Holiday Sobriety Test, created by TDA for Internet security company Webroot? A new survey commissioned by TDA reveals some activities that party-goers might not have engaged in had they taken a sobriety test.
Here’s what a random sampling of party-goers said they might have avoided:
· Kept the Party Going: Of those who attended a holiday party, 46% said they wouldn’t have “gone out for more drinks” if they’d just taken that sobriety test;
· Stupid Texting – 34% said they wouldn’t have “sent a stupid text to their spouse, significant other or family member.” (Sound familiar boys?)
· Busted a Move – 26% would have avoided that “sexy dance in front of my co-workers.”
· X-Rated After Party – 25% would never have gone home with a co-worker to continue the celebration.
· A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words – 24% would have resisted commemorating the evening’s activities by posting an embarrassing photo on Facebook.
· The Boss is a Babe – 18% would have skipped bussing the boss on the way out.
· Bashed the Party – 17% would have refrained from posting an uncomplimentary comment about the party.
· Trashed the Guests – 15% would never have written that snarky text about the other guests.
Just in time for the holiday party season, TDA and Webroot launched the Holiday Party Sobriety Test, a free mobile app for Android and iPhone devices, designed to save us all from our inebriated selves. Created to keep us out of trouble, the app provides a series of sobriety tests that can be taken right at the party. Failure of any of the tests triggers a warning to dial it down for the rest of the evening.
While it’s definitely the season to be jolly, no one wants all that holiday cheer to follow them into the New Year – and beyond. Remember, the job you save with the Holiday Sobriety Test may be your own. Interested consumers can visit webroot.com/sobrietytest for more information and to download the app.
**NOTE: This App is in no way intended to be an actual test of sobriety or any other measure of driving ability. The intent of this product is for entertainment and advertisement purposes only.
Only compatible with iOS 5 devices.
This data is based on a national cross-section online survey of 974 of the general public; half men and women, ages 21 and over. The data was weighted to the National Census. Almost 20% of the public claimed to have done any of these activities. The interview dates was December 1 through December 4, 2011. The margin of error on the totals is about plus or minus 5%.
Like a butterfly spreading its wings, LeDIX, the first creation from Celsius X VI II, has taken flight after four years of research and development. Is it a pocketphone- watch or a watch cell phone? It is above all a resolutely novel nomadic object that pushes the boundaries of imagination.
At first glance, LeDIX is a clamshell cell phone with an integrated tourbillion watch. As streamlined as a sports car, this aerodynamic creation is made from polished and brushed grade 5 titanium discreetly enhanced by inserts. It is the ultimate expression of contemporary elegance.
The exclusive mechanical movement, developed under the technical supervision of Celsius X VI II, has what it takes to appeal to the most demanding watchmaking connoisseurs: a flying tourbillion equipped with exclusive shock absorbers and more offset than any existing model; a modern design focusing on transparency; as well as fine watch finishing and decoration. The stage setting chosen for this movement ensures peerless visibility and aesthetic elegance.
When LeDIX opens its wings, an attentive listener perceives a gentle noise that micromechanical devotees are sure to appreciate. It comes from the patented winding system of its horological component. Housed within the hinge, this Remontage Papillon (Butterfly Winding) is activated with each opening, thereby adding three hours of power reserve to the total 100 hours – a major innovation that elevates this nomadic object to an extraordinary, fusional dimension.
This state-of-the-art communication device comprises a range of features that take micromechanics well beyond its usual boundaries, including: a mechanical battery-ejection system; a main connector protected by a mechanical-locking flap; and screen-flap closing cushioned by a set of spring mounted ball bearings.
The electronic communication platform combines high performance with extreme reliability. Designed in collaboration with renowned French company, recognised as a global benchmark in the field of customised connected lifestyle devices, it embodies the most demanding quality standards.
Its interface, which deliberately focuses on the essential mobile functions, makes LeDIX the ultimate personal phone, specifically designed for the pleasure of escaping from daily routine. This approach targeting durability, quality and simplicity involved a number of challenges, such as handling interferences with the moving watch components, or with the metal casing - itself a token of nobility and superior resistance.
The fusion of haute horologerie with the world of mobile technology led to some innovative features, such as the mechanical whisper of time constantly accompanying every communication.
Accessories:
“LeKit” - the no-hands kit secured by a tie-pin style clip: “LaBase” - the docking station: “LaChaîne”, the innovative chain system: Le Holster: and “LeCoffret”: the presentation box, all devised and designed by Celsius X VI II.
They are crafted in noble materials and equipped with mechanical components reflecting the brand's fundamental concept. Leather items, such as “LeHolster”: the holster-type pouch, are made from top-quality hand-sewn hides. LeDix and its ecosystem herald a new and prestigious mechanical world.
LeDIX is available in two limited editions: · LeDIX Origine, limited edition of 18 in grade 5 titanium with ebony inserts · LeDIX Véloce, limited edition of 28 in black PVD-treated titanium with carbon fibre inserts Technical Specifications for LeDIX
General features: · Clamshell mobile phone · Around 600 mechanical parts, including 330 in the watch movement alone · Structure entirely milled from a block of grade 5 titanium · High-end watchmaking finishes: polishing, satin-brushing, Clous de Paris hobnail pattern, shotblasting
Mechanical Movement: · Patented mechanical hinge (Remontage Papillon), serving to harness and store the kinetic energy generated by the user. On this specific model the energy is then used to activate the mechanical system · 100-hour power reserve. Each opening and closing of the clamshell phone generates an additional 3 hours of power reserve · Flying Solitaire tourbillion visible on both sides. World’s most off-centered tourbillion (36 mm) · Regulating organ mounted on shock-absorbers (4 springs) · Movement integrated within water-resistant box in aluminium treated with GL coating of titanium and ceramics to ensure extreme resistance
The phone: · Mechanical battery-ejection system, Clous de Paris hobnail pattern · 7 main sapphire parts, some featuring two radii of curvature · Technology developed in cooperation with a French company, renowned for the high quality and reliability of its platforms. Every platform is tested to meet the highest standards. · Platform Made in France, 2.75G GSM-GPRS-EDGE : Triband 900/1800/1900MHz · User interface deliberately simple, user friendly and designed to optimize the ergonomics · Screen AM-OLED : 2.2" QVGA 320x240 262k colours · Photo / Video : 3.2Mpix camera, Autofocus, Flash, Digital Zoom · Music : MP3, AAC, AAC+, Music Player. Stereo, 3D sound · Video streaming, video capture and playback, progressive download · Bluetooth 1.2 Profile : AADP, AVRCP · MMS, Java application, 2Go internal memory (SD card), Browser open source · Battery: Li-Ion 770mAh, >3.5 hours talking time, 240 hours of power reserve in standby mode · Multi-lingual interface, including: French, English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic
Ecosystem of accessories: · “LeHolster”: Minimum of 2 hand-stitched leather accessories designed by Celsius X VI II and made by specialized craftsmen · “LeKit”: Mechanical Hands-Free Kit in leather and polished /satin-brushed metal. This “tie pin” accessory includes an ingenious system ensuring the wires do not tangle · “LaBase”: Mechanical Docking Station in wood, leather and polished and satin brushed metal to recharge and synchronize the phone. A mechanical system enables easy docking and undocking of the phone · “LaChaîne”: Chain equipped with mechanical components: belt attached with spring-mounted beads and mechanically linked to the phone.
THE GENESIS OF CELSIUS X VI II The founding concept behind Celsius X VI II was born in 2005 in the mind of Thomas Pruvot, a mechanical engineer specialised in industrial design, during a flight from Paris to Hong Kong. Frustrated at losing the time display when he had to switch off his cellphone, he had the idea of adopting a mechanical solution inspired by watchmaking. Thomas soon produced some sketches and showed them to a childhood friend.
Romaric André, who had just graduated from business school, proved an ideal partner thanks to his entrepreneurial mindset and a capacity to take the inherent risks. Both launched into the adventure with a confidence tinged with naïvety. Their early stages were more akin to an artistic approach than to a business start-up. They spent most of the time devising the mechanised cellphone of their dream, fine-tuning it in step with meetings they arranged with specialists from the various fields involved. Building on their youthful energy, their primary aim was to appeal to people rather than to prove the potential profitability of their scheme. At that time, Thomas was still in paid employment and so it was up to Romaric to handle the various administrative procedures. While some people were sceptical and funding the endeavour was no easy task, other encounters proved fruitful. Personal conviction enabled the pair to stand firm in the face of obstacles and to find means of bouncing back.
Alejandro Ricart, a friend Romaric had met while studying at a university in the United States, was contacted during 2007, at one of the critical moments of the project in gestation. He joined the team, thus contributing the professional skills acquired in a Barcelona consulting company, as well as the fruit of an aristocratic family background. He was one of those who approved and even reinforced the decision to aim for a firmly prestigious, uncompromisingly top-quality product strategy.
The team managed to attract the attention of an independent risk capital company which suggested that it should first and foremost broaden its field of competence. Edouard Meylan thus began the fourth member to join the adventure at the start of 2008. In addition to his family roots in the Swiss fine watch industry, he also brought with him a wealth of marketing and sales experience acquired in Asia with a distributor in this sector.
The group thus formed features a particularly valuable range of complementary talents, further backed by the enthusiastic support of eminent figures that later became the Executive Board Advisors, including Hugues-Olivier Borès, a strategy and marketing consultant well known in watchmaking circles, as well as telecommunications expert Jean-Marie André. Finally, Richard Mille, won over by the youthful team’s determination to pursue absolute perfection, agreed to sit on the future company’s Board of Directors. This impressive set of human factors, along with the interest generated by the innovative nature of the project, finally convinced Sofinnova Partners to invest in Celsius X VI II. The support of this European leader in the financing of young tech companies is a well-deserved token of recognition of the multiple resources engaged in the venture. The good news of their backing was confirmed in mid-2008 and ever since, Thomas, Romaric, Alejandro, Edouard and their partners have been unswervingly and entirely committed to gradually giving shape to their dream of a micromechanical cellphone.
A cool song, animated video and interactive website are all part of a marketing effort for the new LG dlite phone from Tmobile, a slim mobile phone in bubble gum pink or bright blue that has a customizable external screen with an LED matrix and fun sound effects.
The Animated Video:
To promote the new mobile phone, LG dLite, Sophie Gateau, of Paranoid US, directed a playful music video to showcase the phones character-based digital display. The video, via DOJO SF, tells a classic love story to the track, “White” by electropop artist, LIGHTS. The campaign features a website, the video, and other interactive elements.
Using the LIGHTS’ track as a basis for the pixelated boy meets pixelated girl storyline, Sophie created a 3.5 min animated piece. Sophie utilized her CG and motion graphic background, for the LED narrative. Sophie collaborated with Paranoid Design Studio’s Lead Artist Vincent Rogozyk to first develop the story as an animatic.
This solved the production challenge of finding a way to duplicate a few phones to appear as if they were in mass. Utilizing motion control to shoot the available 45 pre-production models , Sophie shot twenty passes--moving the phones along in each pass. The Paranoid Design Studio team then assembled the passes, tracked animated characters and environmental drawings, and composited them into the scenes. The LED look was then finished on Flame by Paranoid Design Studio VFX Artist Seb Caudron.
DOJO Executive Creative Director’s, Geoff Edwards and Mauro Alencar, share why Sophie was handpicked for the project. "Sophie has a unique way of creating a relationship between the audience and the story. Her work is personal and feels like someone is talking directly to you," said Edwards. "The combination of her willingness to collaborate with us and LIGHTS made Sophie the right choice for this program,” added Alencar.
The Website
But that's not all... To accompany this marketing effort, an interactive website allows you to create your own story by dragging and dropping animated lights to the tune of the song "White" and then share it with your friends.
You also have the option to allow the site to access your webcam and microphone and create your own music video by tapping and playing.
credits:
Title: LG dLite Brilliant Together
Client: LG Electronics
Assoc. VP, Consumer, Trade & Insights Marketing: Tim O’Brien
Agency: DOJO
Executive Creative Director/Partner: Mauro Alencar Executive Creative Director/Partner: Geoff Edwards
CFO/Partner: Jeremy Brown
Art Director: Chris Masse
Copywriter: Michael Leibowitz
Senior Producer: Annie Uzdavinis
Partnerships: Audrey Santamarta
Production Company: Paranoid US, Los Angeles
Director: Sophie Gateau
Executive Producer/ Partner: Claude Letessier
Executive Producer/ Partner: Cathleen O'Conor
Head of Production: Matej Purg
VFX / Animation: Paranoid Design Studio, Los Angeles
Head of Post Production/Producer: Guillaume Raffi
Lead VFX Artist: Vincent Rogozyk
VFX Artists: Michael Tavarez, Jahmad Rollins, Derek Hansen, Andrew Cook, Naime Perette, Joe Ball, Maggie Balaco, Alexandre de Bonrepos
Production Assistant: Julie Amalric
Track: “White” by LIGHTS
Mix: Lime Santa Monica, CA
Mixer: Sam Casas Asst.
Engineer: Jeff Malen
Executive Producer: Jessica Locke
Color: New Hat Santa Monica, CA
Colorist: Bob Festa
Because MacRumors did such a great job with their live feed of this morning's WWDC Keynote event, I can give you the upshot of the new iPhone iOS4 features, specs, price and availability as well as photos of the slideshow presentation.
I've dumbed it down to some fundamental points and left out much of the developer speak. I hope most of this is clear enough for the layman.
General info: • iPhone OS is now iOS 4 • 100 new user features • iPhone 4 powered by Apple A4 chip. • 32GB of storage, quadband HSDPA/HSUPA • iOS4 has multitasking, folders, retina display integration, enhancements to mail, camera and photo apps, much deeper enterprise integration and tons of new features • search engine now includes Bing, Google is still default • Can view all inboxes for mail:
Battery Charge: • Bigger battery plus A4 processor, 40% more talk time. • 7 hours talk time. • 6 hours of 3G browsing, • 10 hours of WiFi browsing, • 10 hours of video. • 40 hours of music. • 300 hours of standby
External Design: • 9.3mm thick, 24% thinner than current iPhone. • Glass on front and rear with stainless steel running around the side. • comes in white or black • external buttons, volume up and down, mute, front facing camera. Micro-sim tray, Camera with LED flash on back. • Top has headphone jack, second mic for noise cancellation and sleep/wake button. • Bottom has mic, 30 pin connector, and speaker. • 3.5" display, same size, 960x640. Display: • 326 ppi. 800:1 contrast ratio also 4x better than 3GS. Uses IPS technology for superb color and wide viewing angle. • Retina Display has 78% of the pixels of an iPad right in the palm of your hand. • Apps automatically run full size but look even better because iPhone OS automatically renders text and controls in higher resolution. • Text is sharper
Gyroscope: • iPhone 4 has a Gyroscope. • Gyro makes rotation much better, smoother, faster. • Gyro joins 4 other sensors, accelerometer, compass, proximity and ambient light sensors.
Camera: • 5 megapixel camera • Backside illuminated sensor. • 5x digital zoom in camera app and tap to focus with LED flash. • Camera records HD video • Now has iMovie for iPhone. • Record, edit, and share HD video right on your phone. • LED flash can stay on during video recording • One-click sharing. • Can export to 360p, 520p, and 720p. • Tap to focus video with built-in video editing. 720p at 30fps.
Organization/ Folders: • Folders can be renamed and go in the dock. • Automatically names folder based on category of apps inside. Stores/Downloads: • Three stores on the iPhone: iTunes, iBooks, and App Store.
iAds: • iAds for one simple reason: To help developers make free and low-cost apps for users. •Animated just like a flash ad. •When you tap on it, it fills the screen or you can hit a button in the top left to close the ad. Face Time (Video calling): • iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 video calling, anywhere there is WiFi (Apple calls this "FaceTime".) • Apple will ship tens of millions of FaceTime devices this year so there's going to be a lot of people to talk to and devices that work. • FaceTime WiFi only in 2010, quote "Need to work a little bit with the cellular providers." • Portrait and landscape mode is supported. • Both front and rear camera can be used, switching is easy, All you have to do is make a phone call. No set up required. Cost and availability: • iPhone 4 in 88 countries by end of September. • Canada not in initial batch of countries that will get iPhone 4 on launch. • iPhone 3GS will be $99. • On sale June 24th. • Pre-orders begin June 15th • Up to 6 months of early eligibility for an iPhone • AT&T is making an "incredibly generous" upgrade offer. • Price with 2 year contract: $199 for 16GB model, $299 for 32GB model. • iOS4 upgrades for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G (with not all features supported), and iPod touch (again with not all features and no first generation) for free on June 21st.
• colored cases available for 29$
Worldwide release info - July for following countries:
