It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's A Jetpack-Powered Yves Rossy Flying at 6000 Feet

above: Breitling DC-3 Passengers Observe Jetman in "Full Flight"

In Buochs, Switzerland, Friday, June 22nd, Yves “Jetman” Rossy pulled a 'Superman' and flew in close formation with a vintage Breitling Douglas DC-3 aircraft, giving the passengers onboard the unique experience to see the world’s first jet powered man in full flight.

As the guests boarded the 1940’s, twin propeller aircraft and took to their seats; Yves Rossy prepared his rigid carbon Kevlar wing equipped with 4 Jet engines and positioned himself on the skid of an Eagle AS 350 helicopter. The DC-3 took a holding position above Lake Lucerne, at the heart of Switzerland, as Yves climbed to 6000 feet. Yves began his fall backwards from the helicopter, stabilized the wing and engaged all four engines to full throttle reaching a speed of 205 km/h and an altitude of 4500 feet before he joined the DC-3 using just his shoulders, body and legs to steer.



The flight lasted 7 minutes, before the Jetwing exhausted its fuel supply and Yves pulled his parachutes to land safely back at Buochs airport.

Aviation pioneer, Yves Rossy continually pushes the boundaries of personal flight, and this latest feat adds to the impressive list of Jetman accomplishments including: Flying over Rio de Janeiro, Grand Canyon West and the English Channel and flying in formation with the Breitling Jet Team and Breitling Wingwalkers.


info and video courtesy of the Associated Press.

Smart Baby Monitor Works with iPhone or iPad. The Only Thing It Doesn't Do Is Change Diapers.

The Smart Baby Monitor from Withings is truly a game changing device for new moms and dads. Sleek in design and compact in size, it's packed with the latest technological features that will put any nervous parent at ease.





It's design looks very "apple" with its touch screen interface and it can be used to monitor your baby wirelessly with your iPhone, iPad or iPad Touch via Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Bluetooth.



The Smart Baby Monitor has a high resolution screen (zoom, pan tilt and night vision), crystal clear sound, detects movement and noise, has sensors to monitor the temperature and humidity in the room, can send you four different types of alerts, a built in loudspeaker to play lullabies (you control the volume), controllable LED color changing light acts as a soothing night light and it's rechargeable with an included USB cable.

Works on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch:

Night Vision and History:

Alerts you to noise, temperature and activity:

Monitors room temperature and humidity ( Farenheit or Celsius):

Plays your choice of lullaby (you control the volume, too):



Color Changing LED nightlight:


The Monitor comes with a free iOS application available from the App Store: compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and 3 accounts can access the Smart Baby Monitor simultaneously, so both parents and a nanny can all be watching baby, if need be.

Languages available: EN, FR, DE, ES & IT



It does more, too. Get all the details here.

The Kudo Solar Charging iPad Case for All Apple iPad Versions

The iPad is amazing, but this makes it even better. The KudoCase for iPad, iPad 2, and the New iPad 3rd Generation are pulling the plug on wasted power by using new solar ink technology to convert outdoor and indoor light into usable energy to continually charge the Apple iPad. Whenever light is shimmering around you this solar powered iPad case is charging your battery.



It may be a little confusing to what the actual brand name of this cool solar charging iPad case is since it began life as the Lilypad and then became the KudoCase. And now it's being sold (unbranded) by various gadget stores.



Solar KudoCase iPad in Black (for versions 2 and 3):









The KudoCase Solar iPad Chargers (original and a version for the iPad 2 and 3) are an innovative concept using new solar technology to convert indoor and outdoor light into energy to charge the iPad. For the average user the solar case can boast an impressive 12 - 13 days use on your iPad (versions 1 and 2)!

This KudoCase for iPad 2 and 3 has all the features the original solar case by Kudo has. Indoor/Outdoor Solar Power giving you up to an average 10 days of use. An extended battery, USB Power-out charger, HDMI, Whistle Locator, Multiple Stands and the automatic Sleep/Wake feature built in. This durable case is one you can be proud of with a housing made from biodegradable grain and the worlds only indoor operating organic solar panel.

Features
• Solar Power - New solar ink technology, works with outdoor & indoor light.
• Results will vary but the average use is 10 days with 2hrs iPad use per day with average light.
• HDMI port built in - watch your iPad on the big screen.
• Automatic iPad Sleep and Wake built into the flap.
• USB Power Out - Charge your phone, bluetooth, camera... directly off the solar case.
• Battery backup - High capacity 10A battery built into the case to store excess energy created by the light.
• Keyboard Stand - Angle the iPad at a comfortable 15 degrees for easier typing.
• Movie Stand - Position the iPad into a landscape movie / receipe angle.
• Durable protection - Protect the iPad from any angle.
• Thin, only 7/8" total thickness.
• Whistle Locator - Cant find the iPad? Simply whistle and the case will beep to let you know where it is.
• Environmentally Friendly - Kudo To You!

The worlds only organic solar panels.
Housing is made from biodegradeable grains.
Every online purchase includes a planted tree with the Arbor Day Foundation.


$189 USD, buy it here

Or for 10$ more, you can buy it unbranded from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Solar Kudocase iPad for original version is available in black or grey here.

New Beolit 12, A Portable Wireless Speaker with AirPlay for your iPhone from Bang & Olufsen.

above: A still from the Beolit 12 commercial plays up the picnic basket-like shape.



The first product from Bang & Olufsen's new brand, B&O Play, has been chosen as the "Coolest New Speakers" by Gizmodo at the 2012 CES (Consumer Electronics Show).



With a full-grain leather strap, a solid aluminum grill, illuminated controls, 120 watts of output, a built-in power supply, and an 8 hour rechargeable battery, the Beolit 12 is a portable wireless speaker that features Apple’s AirPlay technology.






Designed by Cecilie Manz for B&O, it comes in four different colors and is said to arrive in Bang & Olufsen showrooms and select Apple stores later this month with a starting price of $800.



The television commercial promoting the new product plays off on its portable picnic basket like shape with an urban high fashion Little Red Riding Hood:



The press release:
Bang & Olufsen, the global provider of luxury, integrated audio-video solutions and services, and B&O PLAY, the company’s new brand focused on a more playful and portable product portfolio, are announcing its first product, the Beolit 12 portable music system. Beolit 12 will defy industry standards with its cutting-edge sound quality, flexible application and distinct, compact design.

Designed by Danish designer, Cecilie Manz, Beolit 12 follows a design language that is a direct reflection of its use: convenient, robust and casual. Beolit 12 follows the success of the BeoSound 8 sound system for iPad/iPod/iPhone docking, with a combination of excellent sound performance, distinct design and craftsmanship, and portable wireless operation.



“With its unsurpassed sound performance and striking design, we believe Beolit 12 will resonate with both Bang & Olufsen enthusiasts and now a new and wider customer demographic, due to its convenience, price point and fashion-forward style” states Tue Mantoni, CEO Bang & Olufsen. “We believe it bridges a gap in the market by delivering a high quality listening experience and still having the convenience of playing music from ones portable digital device or smart phone.”

Beolit 12 features Apple’s AirPlay technology. It allows you to play music wirelessly from your iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC when connected to your wireless network. It is designed to be portable and has a built-in power supply and a rechargeable battery. The power cord packs neatly away inside the system when not in use. The rechargeable battery has the capacity to charge an iPhone or other connected device and play back music for up to 8 hours at normal sound levels.

“By combining Bang & Olufsen’s 86 years of experience in sound and acoustic technology and advances with the latest wireless technology, Beolit 12 allows the user to play pristine music from their digital devices,” states Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President B&O PLAY. “We have packaged all of this technology in a compact solution and wrapped it in a beautiful hand-assembled aluminium casing which can be moved around freely with no cables by simply grabbing the leather-strap.”

Beolit 12 is a tribute to Bang & Olufsen’s ever-popular transistor Beolit radios from the 1960’s, and similar to its early predecessors, it presents a compact form, yet a robust sound reproduction. Also, despite its relatively small size, the Beolit 12 offers a best in class portable sound experience. Its 120 Watts digital Class D power amplifier system individually drives two 2” tweeters and a 4” woofer to deliver powerful, accurate sound performance that comfortably fills a middle sized room. The sound system is designed and tuned by the same sound engineers that delivered the award winning BeoLab 5 loudspeakers from Bang & Olufsen.

Attention to detail has always been a Bang & Olufsen signature competency, and this is reiterated under the B&O PLAY brand. Material choice and craftsmanship are no exceptions here: An Italian full-grain leather carrying strap is diagonally mounted for stability when the unit is carried, and the solid aluminium loudspeaker grille wraps smoothly around the unit, making the loudspeaker fabric visible behind the grille to allow for different discrete colour options. The top of the unit, with its volume, power and network controls has a non-slip rubber insert, so you can safely place your mobile device here while charging or playing.

The Beolit 12 represents the company’s move into a new range of products designed specifically for a new generation of mobile, digital, quality-conscious customers. With a recommended consumer price of EUR 699 in Europe and $799 in the USA, the Beolit 12 is the most affordable sound system from Bang & Olufsen in many years, and therefore the company believes its sales volume will surpass the ever-popular BeoSound 8 figures.

Beolit 12 will begin to arrive in Bang & Olufsen showrooms, Bang & Olufsen Online Store and Apple Stores (including Apple Online Store) late January 2012 in the dark grey option. Additional colors will include yellow, blue, and light grey, and those will arrive in showrooms this Spring 2012.




all images and info courtesy of Bang & Olufsen

Specs:
•Class D digital amplifier with a total of 120 watts.
• 2.1 stereo system with: 2 x 2” tweeter and 1 x 4” woofer
• Dimensions W x H x D: 23 x 15 x 18.8 (cm)
• Weight: 2.8 (kg)
• Colours: Yellow, dark grey, blue, grey

Learn more about it here

The Skinny On That 'Security Cam Catches Thief' Video For LG's Slimmest OLED TV.

Very rarely do I come across a television ad that I immediately wish to play a second time - either to simply enjoy it again or to see how it was done. Both are the case with LG's new guerilla-style security cam spot for their Slimmest OLED television directed by Hans Knaapen of Electric Zoo for Y&R Amsterdam. Rather than say another word, I'll simply let you experience it for yourself.



Credits:
Advertising Agency: Y&R, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Creative Directors: Lionell Schuring, Sheldon Bont

Art Directors: Theo Korf, Nick Plomp

Copywriter: Andrew Maaldrink

Director: Hans Knaapen

Production: Electric Zoo

Postproduction: Postoffice

On a side note, LG's newest and the world's largest OLED TV , shown below, is 55" and only 4mm deep and will be unveiled at this years Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

A Chip Off The Ol' Giant Skull Speaker. New MinuSkull Speakers by Kuntzel+Deygas.

above: The 2010 Grateful Vanity accoustic sculpture and a 2011 walnut miniskull speaker by Kuntzel+Deygas

above: artists Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Olivie (Kuntzel +Deygas) with their new minuskulls

These cool new 50 watt portable speakers, the miniskulls, designed by Kuntzel+Degas were inspired by their unusual and striking oversized accoustic sculpture, Grateful Vanity.


above: Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Olivie (Kuntzel +Deygas) stand in front of their accoustic sculpture, Grateful Vanity



The new tabletop version, handmade in France, comes in walnut wood or lacquered piano black or lacquered piano white. Not only are they scary looking, but the prices are equally frightening at €1600 for the walnut and €1750 for the black or white- not including shipping.




MinuSkull can be connected to any source of sound (Ipod, mp3, computer,etc). The better the source the more you can enjoy MinuSkull’s high-quality sound.



Technical components inside the skull consist of two broadband Fostex Fe-83 speakers with a membrane made out banana leaf pulp (the eyes). A mini subwoofer for a large and natural restitution. They chose a tailor-made speaker (made in France), which lies underneath the skull. A tailor-made Mosfet amplifier that allows a transparent and dynamic quality of listening without using an additional amplifier.



MinuSkull is expandable : this speaker can be used alone or as a duet in order to improve the stereo effect. Using 5 MinuSkulls creates the basis of a Home Cinema Sound System (a subwoofer should be added in this case).




In the designers' words "MinuSkull is a mini loudspeaker made for a high-quality sound experience at home. Its extraordinary Hi-Fi system creates a perfect sound, and most of all, to our own standards, it has a soul."

specs:
WIDTH 9.25 Inches HEIGHT 10.63 Inches, DEPTH 5.91 Inches
WEIGHT : 11 lb
BANDWIDTH : 60 TO 20,000 HERTZ
AMPLIFIER: 50 WATTS
CABLE POWER : 220 VOLTS
Connection : 2 Cinch RCA stereo entries
all images and information courtesy of Kuntzel+Deygas and Minuskull.

buy them here

The Nest. A New Smart, Savvy, Sensing, Stylish Thermostat For The Home.

This modern looking, smart thermostat, the Nest, has been getting a lot of coverage on design blogs and in the news recently - and with good reason. In addition to being great looking, the technologically advanced thermostat saves energy, learns from your behavoir and is wi-fi connected so you can even program it from a downloadable mobile app when away from home.



NEST PROGRAMS ITSELF AND SAVES ENERGY
Nest is the first thermostat that learns from you. Stay comfortable when you’re home, save energy when you’re away.


Builds a schedule: Nest programs itself in about a week. It creates a personalized schedule based on the temperature changes you’ve made. This flexible schedule adapts to your changing life.


The Leaf: The Nest Leaf appears when you set a temperature that saves you energy–and money. The Leaf guides you in the right direction and helps you be energy-efficient.


Auto-Away: About two hours after you’ve left the house, Nest will sense you’ve gone and adjust the temperature to avoid heating or cooling an empty home.


Energy History: Nest shows you how much energy you’ve used and if your temperature adjustments, Auto-Away or the weather affected your energy use most.

NEST SENSES AND LEARNS FROM YOU
Nest SenseTM is a combination of sensors and algorithms that help Nest understand what’s happening around it. It’s all built in.



Activity sensors: Nest's activity sensors have a 150° wide-angle view so Nest knows when to set itself to Auto-Away.


Temperature sensors: Three temperature sensors track your home's heating and cooling. A one-degree difference can reduce energy use up to 5%, so precision is important.

Weather aware: Nest uses its Wi-Fi connection to keep an eye on current weather conditions and forecasts so it can understand how the outside temperature affects your energy use.

Senses your approach: Walk up to Nest and it'll light up, but not too brightly. Light sensors automatically set Nest's brightness so it won't blind you at night.

NEST KEEPS YOU CONNECTED


Real-time control: Control your home’s temperature from your laptop, smartphone or tablet. Make adjustments in real-time, miles from home.

Your Nest Account: Log in online or download the Nest Mobile app to your smartphone. You'll be able to see and adjust your schedule, change the temperature and check weather.

Automatic updates: Software updates will load automatically as long as Nest is connected to your Wi-Fi.

Secure, private & reliable: Nest is completely secure and uses public key cryptography. Its security features include HTTPS, SSL and 128-bit encryption.

NEST IS SIMPLE TO USE
Since Nest programs itself, your job is easy.



Just turn the ring: Turn the ring to your preferred temperature. Nest will learn what you like and build a personalized schedule.

Save energy all year: Teach Nest good habits in the first week and it'll keep them up all year long. Just turn Nest down at night or when you leave the house and don't turn the temperature up too high or down too low. After a week, Nest will remember you.

Basic Specs:
• The brushed stainless steel ring around the exterior reflects any surface so the Nest blends in with any wall style or color.

• A bright LCD screen has a 320 dpi display in a 1.75" diameter

• Built-in rechargeable Lithium ion battery

• The Nest measures 1.44" deep and 3.20" in diameter




Learn more here