Why Should I Want This MID

On the flip side, this MID is merely a concept, but is pompous enough to include a clip-like anti-theft mechanism! I’m not going to get into the tech-specs, coz any dandy designer can pump out just about anything they like these days. So my focus stays on the screen.

How important is the screen of a mobile phone anyways. Plenty! Those who chanced on the LG Arena etc. will have to admit, that when you are using a device that small for net browsing, you wished for that moment the screen was a bit larger. Unfortunately I do need to quote Apple here, but damn; the panning in and out on the iPhone, sure compensates for not having a large computer screen handy. So yeah, a mobile device with a three tier screen layout giving easy keyboard access to fat fingers really scores, even if it’s a concept!

Designer: Petr Kubik

Computing Is Entertainment

Insights to the paradigm shift in home computing have led to the development of the Microsoft KeyFlex.  The device is a modern way to epitomize home computing with organic manipulations to the keyboard like instead of just pressing buttons the user has to bend, squeeze, twist and flex the device. To elaborate further, instead of tapping the “volume up” key several times you just bend the device upwards.

Features:

• The device can be bent upwards and downwards to raise/lower volume.
• By pressing a “modifier-key” at the same time the action of bending gets assigned to another function (for example fast forwarding a movie).
• The device can also be twisted to for example pause or escape.
• When using social media the user can squeeze either the right or left side to “share” or “like”.
• Under the smooth surface lies an E-ink touch screen and a piezo-actuator.
• Etchings in the surface surround important functions but other than that the whole interface is screen based.
• This means that you can customize the keyboard layout, language, font size and so on very easily.

Designer: Victor Johansson

The Computer Phone Is Here

What I like about the TPM VIPNI Concept P.C.P. Professional Computer Phone is that the concept is not ‘inspired’ by any existing design. Moreover it features components and aspects that are envisioned with existing and available technologies. Essentially this means you can build this powerhouse of a Pocket Computer Phone, right away!

Designer Imran Sheikh has a clever twist to the name VIPNI; turn it 180-degrees to find it spelling “INdIA”! Very clever!
Detailed Features are here:

• x86 on ARM concept
• Keyboard
• Blank button
• Bottom-line numeric keys for semi slide mode
• Gaming keys inclusion
• Split mouse
• Top-Bottom Desigm
• Central 3d camera placement
• Redesigned stylus
• Tap Controlled UI
• Bottom fold capacitive mouse
• Dual camera button
• Professional ports for multimedia professional - video in (blue); audio in (yellow); audio out (Red)
• a totally redesigned Back cover/stand

Designer: Thepowermachines

So, that was 2011. I know that there are a few more days to go, but people all over the world have already moved on to looking at 2012 now. Many people over the Internet are quite curious to know what new technology, or product will be released in the next year. Before we move onto 20120, here are some of the major releases in 2011 were – Chromebook, Google Plus, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and so on.
Now that we are inching closer to the end of the year 2011 and getting closer to the New Year, one question that certainly strikes everyone’s mind is what gadgets and products that are scheduled to be launched in 2012.
There are many products that are set to be launched in 2012. However, some of us wish that these products were here right now, such as Apple’s next iPad 3 and iPhone 5, and of course many users are waiting for the release of Microsoft’s next tablet friendly operating system – Windows 8.

2012 Gadgets – Upcoming Releases in 2012

Here’s a list of some of the major upcoming 2012 gadgets and products:

Apple iPhone 5

No doubt, the Apple iPhone 5 is one of the most anticipated 2012 gadgets. Apple launched the iPhone 4S, which disappointed its fans very much. Although the device has some nice changes under the hood, including the addition of voice-recognizing personal assistant Siri and an excellent 8-megapixel camera, the phone looks quite identical to its predecessor – iPhone 4.

The upcoming phone from Apple is expected to sport the Apple’s latest and greatest A5 processor chip, iCloud service, higher-resolution camera, and a 4-inch screen size.

Top 10 most awaited gadgets

10. Apple Ipod touch (5^th generation)

 
After adding every possible feature in their Apple Ipod touch 4th generation including a touchscreen with a dazzling display, people thought that the Ipod had finally reached its pinnacle and could get no better. Well, they were wrong. Rumors have started circulating the web about a new soon to be released Ipod. A connection toggle switch has been added as evident by the leaked photos. This implies that the new Ipod will get 3G connectivity. This would mean unlimited text messaging at virtually no cost. The always connected status will be very useful for communication and entertainment alike. Another plus point is that this dual core A5 powered gadget can compete with the majority of smart phones in gaming as well as other apps. This would, in fact, make it a competitor of Iphone as well as Ipad. These new features are bound to push up the prices of the next Ipod Touch but that is something we will have to wait and see. It is currently at the 10th position of Top 10 most awaited gadgets.

9. Google Nexus 3

 
This time around, Google has yet again caught the attention of masses with its upcoming release of Google Nexus 3. Sporting a massive 720p HD screen, this smart phone will be running on a newly launched Ice cream Sandwich OS. Specs also boast of 1.5GHz processor and 1 GB ram. A 5MP camera is expected which is powerful enough to support 1080 HD video recording. Other than this not much is know but special features like Holographic User Interface, Speech Recognition and Face Recognition are likely to make their debut with this phone marking a new era of how people interact with their mobile devices. Google Apps store is already offering a wide variety of apps and games to keep fans busy till the new Google Nexus comes out! A Nexus tablet is also being planned to be made available soon.

8. Amazon Tablets and Amazon Kindle 4

 
Amazon’s Kindle is already a world wide hit and can be safely stated as the best selling wireless e-book reader in the world. Over the years it has constantly developed and has evolved into a high tech gadget with over 900,000 online and offline books available. The variety and availability of content for the Kindle has made it a sure winner. However, the global scenario took a turn when Apple released its tablets which have taken over almost 90% of the tablet market. Giants like HP and Motorola came up with their own versions but failed to catch the public’s eye. Amazon strategically has held back release of its newer Kindle as well as a brand new line of tablets. Apart from the high resolution display which feels and looks like real, the newer kindle is also have said to have a virtually never ending battery and free 3G connectivity global. The much awaited Amazon Android tablets are also to be launched in 7″ and 10.2″ models. They are named Coyote and Hollywood for the time being

top 10 Android apps 2012 (Free)

1.Facebook for Android

 Facebook for Android is lacking in features compared to Facebook itself, but a recent update added Inbox support to the Android app, finally allowing its users to communicate in almost real time. The app's fast and stable 

2.ASTRO File Manager 

ASTRO is nothing more than a Windows-style file explorer, but if you're into tinkering and directly installing Android APK files yourself, it's essential to stick something like this on your phone. It makes your phone feel like a computer.

Top 5 Technology Bans

5. Google Street View

Technology is advancing at an enormous pace no doubt, and with the compilation of street maps into a single application would have been a tremendous improvement in GPS systems and related technologies, but due to privacy related issues, the governments of both Greece and Austria banned Google from deploying its street-level cars in the countries. The ban took place in May of 2009 and is pushback against Google’s interfering eyes.

4. Laser Pointers

You must have noticed your university professor giving lectures using PowerPoint and using laser pointer to emphasize something which demanded greater attention. You could have one on your key chain and confuse your boss in a budget meeting. You could point to the constellation Orion with it or you could point it at your kids. You could even use one to ward off bears while camping. Or you could shoot the laser at a soccer goalie in the eye during a World Cup qualifier (Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea, 2008) or possibly point it at passing planes. In the year 2008, Australia and most of Europe banned the use of laser pointers.

Five Reasons To Flash A Smile

A camera is best described as a device that records images that can be stored directly and transmitted to another location, or both. We have seen it evolve through the years in both technology and in design. This brings to mind the question, what is the future of a camera in say about five to ten years from now. Will it be minimal or elaborate? One thing is for sure, the cameras of the future will be high on technology but their designing may get radically unconventional. Here is a look at five futuristic concept cameras that give you a reason to flash those pearly whites!
Designers: Various

Magical Computing

It is the future and we have invisible smart particles working over cloud computing, setting the standards for new-age gadgets and devices. With the flick of the wand, imagine drawing your gaming control or calculator with a pen-esque device called the Activator PC. Basically what you are doing is conjuring gadgets off thin air (infused with the smart particles) and activating apps and features according to your needs. For a user-experience-driven world that we live in, activating and visualizing magical interfaces as this, seem to be too farfetched. However, given the way we are progressing in the fields of science and technology, I’d bet my money that the future has a place for this concept.

Koo

Break The Cooking ICE

ICE is the mix of a lamp, mood lighting and recipe database that can assist in making your cooking and dining experience even more delightful. The theme for this year’s Electrolux Design Lab was to create appliances that enhance your cooking experience by livening your senses. The ICE adheres to this in many ways.

As the designer explains, “When placed above any cooking or dining area ICE can scan its surroundings and assist the user in creating the best meal to suit any occasion. ICE can scan ingredients you’ve already chosen to cook and give suggestions on meals that can be made from those ingredients. The user can also access a vast database of recipes and ICE will guide you every step of the way.”

Designer: Julen Pejenaute

How Big Is Your Printer?

God forbid if you are the unlucky bloke who gets to sit on a table that houses the office printer. They are a blessing and a bane, simply because they occupy so much of space. Maybe this is why concepts like the Retractable Printer are much more appealing. Imagine a sleek device that spans out according to the size of paper you are printing. Simple thought for a practical way of working in an office! Super!

The Fly Phone

FlyIdea is an amazing phone that features an alluring interface. I simply love the dongle-earphone that performs a myriad of functions. The dongle essential functions as wireless earphone, and syncs with the phone to work as a camera, gaming sensor, music controller and video recorder. Both the earphone and phone work independently and together. The concept offers an innovative way of using the phone with the added functionality of the earphones dongle.

Designer: Tryi Yeh

Sticky Steamroller

If you guessed that this is the latest in heavy construction machinery, congratulations, you’re… WRONG! It’s not a steamroller at all! The latest from OTOTO, this deceiving design is actually a handy tape dispenser that will add a little character to your desktop. It makes tearing tape strips a cinch and, if you’re like me and constantly misplace your spare tape, the rear wheel opens to store extra rolls.
Designer: OTOTO Design

E Z Sling

Unlike the average arm sling, the Z-Cured sling was designed to lock in a variety of positions to enhance both comfort and functionality to cater to different types of arm injuries. Made of alloy steel aluminum and durable ABS plastic, the lightweight stabilizer can move with the arm while holding it in a fixed position, maximizing the arms usability while speeding up recovery time.
Designer: Jason Putra

PreviousRider and Bike Become One

This cutting edge sports bike isn’t just HOT AS HELL aesthetically, it also uses cutting edge materials and technology to enhance safety and power. Hybrid technologies include specialized film and paint to harness solar energy and a kinetic energy recovery system as a secondary source of power. Coolest of all is a genius system of high-precision optic lenses and sensors that wirelessly connect to the rider’s HUD helmet to display everything from speed to object distance so the rider never has to look down.
Designers: Luis Quinones, Jonathon Stahl, & David Stamatis

Lumigon T2 Smartphone

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Apple is still KING of hardware design when it comes to smartphones. Yes Samsung and HTC have beautiful phones but they lack precision and a refined elegance. The latest Nokias are stunning and in some cases, rival their fruity competitor in design. It seems the Scandinavians are the only ones that really know how to design a smartphone. Minimalism has pretty much become their domain and if the Nokias aren’t proof, check out the Lumigon T2.

Memory Compartments

It’s not very clear if the Uniting U disk can compartmentalize your files as per sharing and non-sharing files, but what it can do is increase the storage. In the era where we talk about terabytes, small USBs with GB storage may seem misplaced. However when it comes to the majority population, then simple GBs suffice. So for their sake and the sake of expansion without fuss, the Uniting is the way to go.

The Uniting U disk is a 2012 iF Design talents entry.
Designer: Shiyu Xia

Flat Pack Mouse

I know the tech companies are doing their best to come out with a mouse that is sleek and compact enough to compliment a laptop. However I am sure most of you will agree with me that a full bodied mouse is what our hands crave, when we work one with a laptop. So to address the issue or portability and keep with the demand of a fully functional mouse, we have here the Flat CD Mouse Concept. When its flat-packed it fits into the CD ROM drive and when you fold it (origami style), it converts into a fully functional mouse. Love it and want it NOW!
The Flat CD Mouse is a 2012 iF Design Talents entry.
Designer: Taewon Hwang

Solar Butterfly

The beautiful Light Bird looks enchanting in full bloom, absorbing the solar goodness from the sun. Storing the power for a rainy day – meaning times when there is an electric outage, the lamp blooms to full LED force giving you illumination during dark times. Love the way you can attach to any exterior wall surface and dot it along the walls. Energetic and alluring!

Designer: Jang Eun Hyuk

Mean, Clean Machine

Lightness and aerodynamic efficiency are refined to perfection in this single seater concept, the McLaren JetSet. Iconic McLaren styling in the front meets a futuristic backside fit with drag-reducing draped fenders and all. Because there’s no rear seat, the body can taper narrower and lower to further enhance aerodynamics, while ultralight carbon fiber composites in the chassis, body, suspension and wheels keep the 100%-electric car’s weight to a minimum.
Designer: Marianna Merenmies