The speaker pair remains attached with one another and can be detached with easy twist and lift. The connecting cable contains two mini USB ports that go to both speakers, one USB 2.0 goes to the PC for charging and the 3.5mm audio output jack to the source of music, whether it is an iPod, Mac or usual MP3 players. Both the speakers have LED lights to indicate it as switched ON. The pop open Bass Xpansion System mimics the resonance of a powerful sub-woofer and enhances the style of these speakers.

Difference between these speakers and X-Mini 2nd Generation is quite clear. First one is X-Mini Max II comes in two pieces, whereas X-Mini 2nd Generation offers a single speaker only. Another remarkable difference is the volume controller is embedded with the connecting cable in X-Mini Max II, on the other hand, you can find it on the body of X-Mini 2nd Generation. Moreover, the tiny connector cable in X-Mini 2nd Generation that remains tucked with the base is absent in X-Mini Max II. And finally, the size is also an important factor about these two. Max II is larger in size, therefore, it is able to produce louder sound as well. Aside from the identical shape, there are few similarities among them too, such as both of them are using 40mm driver and features “Buddy Jack” design, allowing connecting many speakers like a chain. So, when buying one of them, you should consider the portability along with your need of greater sound.

The making of these speakers seem quite strong to me. I can feel that it is strong enough to survive minor fall in the ground or any rough surface. There are rubber soles under the base to make it slip-resistant. Overall, I think as a portable mini speaker set, the X-Mini Max II has it all.

[Buy it here]

From : X-Mini

Randall words about Triclo:

Triclo is a conceptual design of what a tricycle can be in a urban environment. It uses an organic forms and contemporary trend. Balance in visual volume and mass. Using arrays and knots was the basis for the formal development and geometric design.

The concept was: low material vs. high volume

The design is targeted for a younger market but can be used by adults too. The idea was to create a tricycle with a diferent look to capture the attention of people and thus encourage exercise. At the same time the concept of design is important to not use much material in the product and reduce costs.

A tricycle is more than a bicycle but less than a motorbike, but this tricycle has almost a cab, this protects of the sun and rain to the user. Therefore, that is its advantage over a motorcycle that somehow is to approach a car. Maybe this way, providing superior comfort offered by a bicycle or even a conventional tricycle, is a way for people interested in using the product and increasing exercise in the population. The design is targeted for a younger market but can be used by adults too.

The materials were designed to be recycled once they finish their service life. There are variety of colors to suit all tastes.

Dimensions:
1800 x 1500 x 1100 mm.

Maximum capacity:
180 Kg.

Designer : Randall Marin

[Press Release]
Thousand Oaks, California, June 23, 2009 – World-recognized strategy, innovation, and design consultancy RKS and Water Advocacy KOR Water teamed together again to create a strategy that empowers consumers to make a difference. The result of this collaboration is the introduction of KOR’s Thirst for Giving™ program.

News of the original KOR ONE’s release was met by an immediate and overwhelming positive response. The viral PR campaign driven by RKS resulted in countless blog pickups, with the KOR ONE landing on Oprah’s “O List,” winning awards for both design and environmental preservation, and driving sales beyond all projections.

To build on this success, KOR Water enlisted RKS to create a Brand Trajectory and Product Proliferation Plan that would amplify the authenticity of the KOR brand. The first result of this effort is KOR’s new Thirst for Giving program to raise funds for water-related charities and help increase understanding of the vital role clean water plays in all our lives. Announced in conjunction of the introduction of three new KOR ONE colors, this innovative program empowers consumers to improve their health as they improve the health of the planet. “KOR’s mission is to celebrate and protect water,” said KOR founder and CEO Eric Barnes. “The Thirst for Giving program is our way of bringing more awareness to issues that deeply impact the future of water on our planet.”

The RKS strategy team first used Psycho-Aesthetics to enable KOR to identify organizations whose passions and goals aligned with KOR’s mission. Next, RKS created a strategy to create meaning… increasing the consumer’s ability to make a difference. Through this program, KOR has aligned with non-profits who are doing exceptional work related to causes KOR supports: ocean and watershed protection, the global water crisis and container recycling.

With each KOR ONE color tied to a specific cause, KOR will donate 1% of all sales to this select group. The original Ocean Blue KOR ONE supports Ocean Protection through the Agalita Marine Research Foundation. Sunrise Orange is for the Container Recycling Institute, while Sawgrass Green sales support Watershed Protection through The Wetlands Initiative. Orchid Pink is for the Global Water Crisis, with purchases supporting Blue Planet Run, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the global community together to provide safe drinking water to the more than one billion people who suffer for lack of access to clean water. “Blue Planet Run is thrilled that KOR Water recognizes how important safe drinking water is to every aspect of human life and is taking the lead in making change happen, said Lisa Nash, CEO of Blue Planet Run. “Our partnership will fund safe drinking water projects around the world, where as little as $30 can give someone a lifetime of safe drinking water.” KOR Water’s Thirst for Giving™ program is administered by 1% for the Planet, a non-profit dedicated to building and supporting an alliance of businesses that are financially committed to creating a healthy planet.

All four lustrous colors are made of BPA-free Eastman Tritan™ copolyester and include the original KOR ONE’s see-through design (eliminating worries of what might be hidden inside a metal bottle), innovative one-handed opening, a cap you can’t lose, inspirational KOR Stone inside lid, and a “just right” spout big enough for ice cubes and easy on the lips.

The Thirst for Giving program and the release of the new colors are just the beginning. “We’re excited about the new product lines we’re developing with KOR,” said Tom White, Executive Vice President of RKS. “RKS is thrilled to focus our strategy, design, and innovation teams on building the KOR Water brand and enabling them to achieve their goals.”
Designer : RKS for KOR Water

JIBO is a project in cooperation with Samsonite which is a suitcase which focuses on Storages, Mobility, and Emotion Attachment. The Inner Box can be used as a divider in the suitcase or double protector of your expensive articles. It can also be taken out and attached to the frame to expand the space. JIBO has retractable wheels and slide bars for snowy surface, soft surface and stairs. Casedress is the clothes of your JIBO, which is available in different material such as knitted fabric, leather and colors. Before the journey, choose a clothes for yourself and don’t forget chose one for JIBO to make a perfect match.

Designer : Wu Jiao

Designer : KDDI

Anthony says:
Apple iMo is a city car, using advanced form-changing material, exploring the possibility of robotics to bring a new and simplified approach to personal mobility. The design ofiMo is based on the Apple philosophy which consists in applying a process of elimination to come up with simple and elegant solutions, by means of cutting edge technology. The result is a two-wheel robot designed to assist you throughout your daily life. There is no need to wonder where to park iMo, it takes you where you want and go to park by itself using specific parking systems called iPark. In fact, having no stationary vehicle in the streets to liberate ground space, is the main concept of iMo+iPark. To do so iMoparks against building walls, underground or even in the sky. Amongst other originalities, iMo features form-changing seats and wheels made of Nitinol and a holographic gesture-recognition driving system.

The designer says : “The Colim concept – an acronym meaning ‘colors of life in motion’ – is an intelligent mobility concept which stretches primarily the bridge between caravans, camper, lifestyle and business. Dubbed a ‘lifestyle motor home’, the cockpit can be disconnected from the usable living space. The livable area is flexible, with individually applicable multi function modules. Designed for two people (max. four persons), the motor home offers the possibility to personalize its four mobile ‘walls’ according to the present life situation of the user. This flexibility is not only limited to the living area, but also features in the cockpit.”

Designer : Christian Susana

Designer : Bluelarix Designworks

Philip Simpson, the designer, together with architect David Miller, (who designed the award-winning Media Centre at Lords’ Cricket Ground while at Future Systems) and a leading structural engineering practice, the design/idea is fast becoming a reality. One of the UK’s top interior design consultancies, Real Studios, has created a range of inspiring interiors to highlight the lifestyle potential of these unique units.

The Orb has been designed to sleep 7 people comfortably, whether it’s young couples who like to spend holidays or weekends with an assortment of friends, or couples with kids who like to holiday with or without extended family. The Orb’s monocoque construction is more durable and long lasting than any other traditionally built structure on the market. The Orb will come with a minimum 5-year structural warranty.

The materials and technology used in the Orb’s construction are exactly the same as in marine construction. Boats are designed to be incredibly strong, lightweight and water resistant – so is the Orb! Being light weight it will be easy to move on site. This makes it ideal for coastal locations, where it will withstand extreme weather conditions much better than the traditional park home.

The Orb’s continuous shell makes it an ideal branding proposition. A full graphic wrap that may be updated or changed as required can be applied to create a distinct brand differentiator.

Designer : Philip Simpson [Orb Website]

In order to improve audio interactions between the user and the phone, SÉNS combines touch sensors and regular mechanical keys to provide real-time audio feedbacks. What this means is that when a user touches a key, the phone tells him what key has been touched without actually registering it as an input. The user may hover across the keys to consecutively gain feedbacks on which key they are touching.

Once the user is sure his finger is on the correct key, he then can press the key just like on any other standard phones. Once a key is pressed, another ‘click’ sound is fed back to confirm the input. This system is essentially just an audio version of what people without sight problems always utilizes; visual indications. This provides more efficient interactions and reduces the chance of making wrong inputs compared to current products used by people with visual impairment as they only provide audio feedbacks after key inputs are registered.

One of the biggest issues with ‘talking’ phones is that the sound interaction can be heard by other people nearby. Using a headset wired or wireless (if Bluetooth is available) can solve the problem, however having a headset integrated to the main phone can offer a number of advantages.

Designer : Takumi Yoshida