My son’s birthday is coming up. He really enjoys both skateboarding and rollerblading. I was looking for a toy that would combine his interests but would be the next generation in wheel fun.

Freeline Skates™ are really pushing the definition of skates. Developed in San Francisco by inventor Ryan Farrelly, they were designed to give the rider the feeling of skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing at the same time.

Riders can achieve enormous traction and carve smooth “S” turns while riding. The skates are extremely portable making them the smallest and lightest form of transportation

Specifications

• 2 independent aluminum skates
• Traditional skateboard grip-tape
• 72M custom grade polyurethane wheels
• ABEC 5 bearings
• Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.5 x 3.4 inches
• Weight: 4.9 pounds

Freeline Skates

This retro-inspired keyboard lets you add a bit of the past to the present. It was originally commissioned by a Pennsylvania couple who wanted a keyboard to match the surroundings of their Art Deco-themed movie theatre/rental store. I’m guessing it’s not the most ergonomic keyboard on the planet, but it sure is a conversation piece.

Special features include:

Datamancer via Walyou

If your in the Telecom you’ve heard about Cloud computing .. well if you take a look at the Relax furniture design contest you will be introduced to the new concept of a Cloud furniture.

One of my favorite concept designs from the concept was one of the honorable mentions, the “Cloud Sofa” by D.K. Wei. This small piece of heaven ensures ultimate comfort by a floating upper part that is supported by the magnetic force generated by the bottom base. I would buy this just to see the look on my neighbor’s face to see me asleep in the couch floating in my living room window.

Specifications

• Created by designer D.K. Wei
• Support: Magnetic force generated by the bottom base
• Availability: Unknown still in concept phase

Relax furniture design contest

Tired of working in the garden by yourself? Well students at MIT have created something for you.

The “MIT Robot Gardener” was designed to provide you with assistance. Each robo-gardener was provided with a watering pump attached to its robotic arm.

Sensors on each plan networked back to the gardeners send water or nutrient request signals back to the gardener. When the plants have a ripe tomato, the machines use their arms to pluck the fruit

The concept for the Robot Gardener came from Nikolaus Correll, a postdoctoral assistant. It is the hope similar technology eventually could be used by farmers to reduce the natural resources and the difficult labor needed to tend crops.
Specifications

• Availability (TBD): Concept gadget still in evolution phase
• Designer: MIT’s CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab)
• Base: versions of iRobot’s Roomba
• Dimensions: Unknown

Jump for Video:
Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever explained to your kids that when you were young.. you didn’t have iPods and Nintendo and you had to rely on your brain for knowledge and fun. Did you try to explain to them what the Rubik’s Cube was only to see the shock in their faces that you had to use your fingers and there was no touch screen?

Well there is some good news and bad news. Rubik’s cube is back, unfortunately it has evolved. Gone are the twisty (and some some removable) boxes, only to be replaced with “touch panels” to help you move all the colors around.

And (this one probably was designed with me in mind) there is an in built computer to help you just in case you get stuck.

Specifications

• Designer: Techno Source
• Touch sensitive
• Expected release (fall 2009)

Techno Source website

Tired of finding that fangled cord to charge your cell phone battery? Well KDDI has fixed this problem.

The second largest mobile phone carrier in Japan, KDDI Corporation Okinawa Cellular Telephone Corporation announced on April 20, 2009 that it will start selling a waterproof, solar-powered mobile phone in 6 to 7 weeks. The yet-to-be-priced mobile handset will be made by Sharp.

According to KDDI, a ten minute solar charge will provide enough power for a one-minute call or power the handset in standby mode for up to two hours. The phone’s battery can be charged up to approximately eighty percent. The anticipated release of the phone is this summer.

Although a unique concept, it is truly a green idea that will strengthen conservation activities

Specifications

• Waterproof
• Manufacturer: Sharp
• Release: Summer 2009 (Japan)
• Powered by solar panels

Kddi announcement

Now that’s fresh.

Made by the folks at Poke, BakerTweet is a way for busy bakers to tell the world that something hot and fresh has just come out of the oven.

It’s as easy as turning the dial and hitting the button. Instantly all of the baker’s devotees get a Twitter alert letting them know what’s just hit the shelves.

The Baker Tweet lets businesses communicate with their customers in real-time about offers, pricing and in-stock items using a simple web interface.

The first BakerTweet device has been installed at the Albion Cafe in London…and now I must move to London.

BakerTweet via Likecool, Monster-Munch

Ok, so in terms of work/life balance, this one doesn’t necessarily score high marks.

But it does get some serious points for convenience on those days when you just can’t get away.

Ideal for small offices, the mobile Nappak Portable Sleeping Cube lets you catch up on some zzz’s in a jiffy. Complete with a sleek and round trolley, the Nappak sleeping bag can be expanded in a few minutes, and stowed away just as quickly. Its inside translucent white color creates a relaxing atmosphere, while the outside orange color reminds others to steer clear of your cozy corner.

Nappak via Like Cool