(Sound Concepts)5

There are many very, very clever designers are fascinated with making so called everyday items, like radios, cooler, smarter and more stylish. It goes without saying that I’m a huge fan of radio *cough* so I had a look on the web and have selected what I reckon are 5 pretty sound concepts (so clever, sound concepts… get it?) 

Some are available, others are concepts that may go to the big gadget place in the sky or may in fact become a reality.

Anyone for musical chairs?

The very cool K-box has been launched by kerchoonz.com. You plug it into your laptop, phone, mp3 or portable gaming device it turn surfaces into sound!

The k-box uses a patented 'gel-audio' technology and when placed upon any solid flat surface, a wall, table or even windows, the K-box turns the surface into sound with a truly incredible bass response!

They ship internationally and it’ll set you back around R650 

You can buy one and check out the video demo here 

Singing in the shower

I’m a fan of singing in the shower….I think it goes without saying that my neighbours are not. I’ve had a radio in the shower before but it was some ugly thing that looked like electronic soap on a rope. It worked for about 2 weeks.

The Muji Bath Radio by Industrial Facility looks like it could be the answer I’ve been looking for. Better still it’s disguised as a shampoo bottle, aaah clever.

The problem is it’s going to cost me R15 000+ because I’m going to have to fly to Japan to get one :(

Stop fidgeting

My parents told me that constantly when I was a kid. Had they bought me the Chukka kinetic-powered, tactile music player everyone would have been more relaxed.

The Chukka designed by Thomas Mascall is pretty amazing, shifting the beads charges the player as it sources energy through electromagnetic induction. So all motion turns into energy. I suppose one could possibly liken it to an environmentally friendly iPod shuffle. It seems to be in concept stage  – check out the video demo and pics here 

I feel it in my fingers

Another concept design, the DJ Machine by Christian Peetz features seven, 360° rotatable joysticks similar to a synthesizer that modify music. Each joystick can be allocated different sound effects and the sound can be transmitted to a receiver using Bluetooth.

It looks pretty quirky….. check out the video and pics of these ‘finger decks’ here.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

So your phone makes calls, takes pictures, plays music, receives emails and shoots video. Your iPod plays music but also shows photos, movies and you can play games on it. *That* remote on your coffee table controls 4 different things – not that you can remember what button controls what.

Confused? I am…. Mintselect @ mintpass designed the ‘Used as Read’ range to simplify life. The stackable lineup includes a radio, speaker, a remote control, a woofer, a music player and amp and a lamp. It says it is a R-A-D-I-O – if you get this system wrong then you’re an I-D-I-O-T. 

Found all these awesome gadgets and ideas on Yanko Design - It may possibly be the coolest design blog on the planet.

Win the party of your dreams!

Consider this; South Africa was among the last countries in Africa to introduce television broadcasting to its population. Our nationwide TV broadcasting service only commenced on 5 January 1976!

Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon in 1969, BUT South Africa was one of the few countries unable to watch the event live.

Wow, times have changed. Now we exist in this ‘always on’ digital world - we have the right, and the tools, to watch what we like, when we like. It’s on this premise that the PVR concept has been so successful, you record what you like and watch it when you like….you don’t have to be subjected to crap local soaps while you wait for your fave TV show.

The online video / movie market has opened up and more providers are allowing people to upload, stream and share video footage or movie clips, ratings and reviews.

Watching video content

You Tube was one of the first major online sites to facilitate online video watching, uploads and sharing  – I even heard someone’s Gran boasting that “Our Ben is on the You Tube.” I love how the older generation always refers to it as THE You Tube (reminiscent of watching the Tube back in the day I reckon.)

It’s been around for a while so it makes sense that You Tube is one the largest repository of both video and audio content. Awesome progress is being made in terms of what you can do with You Tube Rip audio / Create ringtones / splice and chop video / add text / different player views – check out this link ’10 cool things to do with You Tube videos.’ 

There are LOADS of other sites where you can watch video online like Vimeo, Viddler,  Metacafe. Locally, Zoopy is a leader in online video sharing and uploads. Their upload speeds are very good and their user base is growing pretty quickly. They’ve also expanded and users can share text, photos, audio and video now – it’s a pretty powerful local multimedia social network. MyVideo is another local site that caters for online vid sharing and viewing,

Online movie social networks

Perhaps you remember the dark days when SA ‘bioscopes’ didn’t see Hollywood movies until a looong time after they were released. Thankfully these days we’re pretty up to speed when it comes to getting the latest movies. There are heaps of good flicks out but where do you go if you want to discuss movies and get the scoop on upcoming releases?  Mashable has compiled a list of the Top 10 Movie social networks for film buffs and cinephiles.

Live video streaming 

Webcams, uber portable video cams and snazzy cell phones mean that most of us have the ability to shoot video quickly and easily. In terms of live streaming of real time video footage to a web audience as it happens; bandwidth speeds are obviously the biggest issue in SA. Despite this, and in the hope of a faster future, we’re seeing more people and brands experimenting with the concept of live streaming of events, seminars and interviews.

Check out justin.tv and ustream - very easy to use sites to investigate and get started with live streaming.

Make movies

Most people have software on their computers that they use to edit and create movies. Again, the costs and speed barriers in SA mean that not many of us are keen to try and upload huge files onto the web to edit. For many people, however, desktop editing software can be pretty complex if you perhaps just need to cut a short video or make it look cool quickly.

There are a lot of simple online tools to help you make a movie online for free. Some people are also using these tools, like Animoto to produce slick looking presentation videos and as a way of ‘animating’ photos. Make Use Of have a feature on Top 5 tools to make a home movie online for free

SO, now you’re inspired to create and stream your own videos…you just need the right tool to capture those moments…. Enter the sexy, stylish and super-small Flip MinoHD™: The World's Smallest HD Camcorder  

The ultra-thin & pocket-sized Flip Video Mino camcorder has a handy USB arm that flips out and hooks up to your PC or Mac. This charges the battery, plus lets you use its built-in software to easily view, edit, and upload video and photos to favourite sharing sites. For full specs check out the website.

COMPETITION: We have TWO Flip MinoHD™ to giveaway.

TO ENTER: LOGIN to 5FM website and tell us below: If you were to win a Flip MinoHD what is the first thing you would video? (Keep it clean please :) )

You can only enter ONCE. Prizes will be drawn in a LUCKY DRAW. 

Anonymous comments are NOT eligible to win. 

Competition closes FRIDAY 31 JULY.

Congratulations to James Clark and Candice Prins (Candice911) you have each won a Flip Mino HD camera in the prize draw!

Our competitions department will be in touch to deliver your prizes.

Thanks to everyone for entering keep an eye on the KFC Global Express TechView each week for more cool prizes.