Louis Vuitton USB Key

As I wrote in an earlier post, there is a rapidly growing trend of designer USB devices. More and more commonly people have the need to share digital content, and for now the USB key is the weapon of choice. Having become relatively cheap to purchace consumers are willing to spend more on the design of the device, and not just on the capacity of the device. This is a prototype for Louis Vuitton, designed by Fred de Garilhe, the 40GB devices come with digital or analogue watches, and are uncrusted in diamonds. The cap's lock is opened with the attached gold key. There is a massive market for these devices, but I look forward to seeing more practical implementations! I can imagine that storage will be completely integrated into jewellery and watches, and will be wireless so there will be no need to connect the to any other device to share data.

Read originally on Trend Hunter, read more on New Launches

Wooden USB Data-key

It is nice to see cool product design coming to these ubiquitous little devices. This is only €32 from Brando.They are becoming the new jewellery. I really liked the idea of Nokia's 'Medallion' wearable digital photo device, but the design was pretty ugly. This is certainly an area where there should be significant development over the coming year.

The Nokia Medallion

Interactive Wall

This flexible surface is computer controlled, so that it is in effect a 3D screen, capable of projecting three dimensional effects along it's length.

Robonova - This Robot Can Do Back Flips!

This robot can do back flips - which is more than I can do! Mind you if you have the $1,200 to pay for the prebuilt kit, I would hope that it could! The kit is available from online store

The robot, called Robonova is created by Hitech Robotics, a family run robotics company in Korea.

They have video of their robots in action here.

Futuristic Scope Watch - Could This Time Piece Save Your Life?

Actually this futuristic watch design invents a new way of displaying time - even though it would be pretty annoying after a while. I like the story that they have created to explain its unusual design.

The year is 2157, Alien Robots have taken over the Earth. Our cities lie in ruin. The last surviving humans have retreated to hidden caves and bunkers to escape the constant patrols by KX-400 Combat-bots. The remaining resistance fighters send out scouting parties for much needed supplies, but their job is extremely dangerous and few survive. Now, thankfully, they have the Arkon Industries SCOPE. This wrist mounted device accurately detects the power signatures given off by the Combat-bots allowing our patrols to evade the enemy. Powered by 2 lithium cells the SCOPE can locate nearby threats and indicate the direction and distance of the target. But on earth it has been adapted to simply tell the time.

Found on TrendHunter, read more atTokyo Flash.

Normal Design - Not!

Japan based American designer Ross McBride originally started out as a graphic designer, which comes across strongly in his painfully simple graphic and conceptual approach to product designs. I love the ironic concepts for his watches, which are part of a series of twelve (naturally). The clever irony of Time and Money being the hour and minute hands, or the simple practical functionality of the multiple hour hands that deliver the time in multiple time zones but on one face, as opposed to the usual multi faced displays.

Check out his watches and other products, including some very nice digital clocks and stools made in the form of keyboard keys at NormalDesign.net.

Griffin Tune Centre

Is this the precursor to the Applie iTV?

This device unites your iPod with your TV set, and enables you to visulaise and control your iPod via the screen of your TV set, so you need never get up from the comfort of your sofa! You and also watch the video and pictures on your iPod as well as play internet radio.

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Fancy A Game Of Fruit Salad

Our parents used to tell us not to play with our food, and then someone goes and invents this fun little kitchen gadget, that makes it practically impossible to not play with your food. The five form cutters can be used to make tetris like shapes out of fruit or vegitables so you can create different arrangements on your guests plates. I like their Rubic's cube fruit sculpture best.

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Vitamin Product Design

With a product range which spans from ceramics, furniture, and now sports accessories, Vitamin puts it's own fresh spin on any product. Whether it's free-standing lamps that double as carpet sweepers, vases with integrated ashtrays or table lights which keep your cup of tea warm, Vitamin produces extra-ordinary products that hopefully make their owners' lives a little less ordinary.

Vist their site for more...

Sony Mylo - Wi-Fi Gadget

A new gadget called Mylo from Sony. Standing for My Life Online, the Mylo does a lot of things, like allow you to instant message and Skype, share images and music, and browse the web (as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. Looks smart, but I am going to have to search around for some reviews. Certainly seems to one of the first products of this genre. Seems to me to miss a cell phone, but I guess that they wanted to create a device that once you bought it would not cost you anything to communicate!

Check out the site here.