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X-Mini 2nd Generation Capsule Speaker Review

TheFuture — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:50:08 +0000

Hello Folks, I have received my X-Mini 2nd Generation portable speaker a couple of days earlier and have really amazed with what I got for as low as 15 pounds. Let me be a bit more elaborative…

Starting from the package I received, a cool sleek package with the heading “Audio Revolution in a Box”, which really enhances the attention. I have opened the package and yeah I got a bit disappointed since almost all the portable speakers come in a pair. Well I must say this feeling got away as soon as I plugged in the little monster with my iPod. But still, I wish I had 2 X-Mini 2nd Generation speakers to make better comparison with X-Mini Max. [Buy it here]

The compact, innovative, capsule shaped design combining with the superb sound clarity it delivers through its large 40mm driver; this is a perfect audio enhancement that can make any sort of music or video player into an individual or group entertainment point. If features high capacity rechargeable battery that can offer around 11 hours of continuous playback which is three times more than its predecessors.

Since I have only one X-Mini 2nd Generation, I couldn’t check but found online in several reviews of this speaker that it can be connected to another and so on, forming a bass-enhanced, self-powered chain of speaker system. This is obviously a cool feature which is quite rare too. In fact to get the experience, I am already searching if any of my friends bought it. It features a built-in volume control too which I personally prefer to keep in max and adjust the volume as much I want from my media player. The LED light shows that it’s turned on.

When it comes about the cables, it is handy in many ways. The main connecting cable has three ports; the mini-USB end goes to the speaker, the 2.0 one goes to the pc and the 3.5mm jack to the media player, whether it’s an iPod, MP3 player or a laptop. Aside from that, the speaker contains a tiny audio connecting cable that can be neatly tucked into the base. Even though, the minimum use of wire has eliminated the hassle a lot, I just wondered a wireless connection using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or any other means would have made the gadget out of the world.

The size of the speaker is really tiny. I’ve compared with few other portable speakers online, say for an example its cousin X-Mini Max II, and have found it the tiniest among all others of the same range. Moreover, the balance of convenient portability and great sound quality has been done perfectly and accordingly a user would like. The thing I like most of my X-Mini 2nd Generation speaker is its extendable vacuum that imitates the feel of a sub-woofer; you can feel the vibration distinctly when it is playing on your hand, which is able to produce bass and volume over around ten times of its physical size.

Overall, the X-Mini 2nd Generation speaker seems very much stylish with me and everyone I’ve shown it has praised its design and performance. I really loved the speaker and considering the tiny shape and reasonable price, I will surely consider buying one more to get louder sound experience. [Buy it here]

From : X-Mini

Futuristic RollTop Foldable Notebook with 17-inch OLED Display and Full Fledged Keyboard

TheFuture — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:30:15 +0000

The RollTop is a flexible notebook concept that can be folded like a roll of paper allowing the user ultimate convenience of carrying and storing it even in a congested place. It features a 17” flat-screen OLED display when fully rolled out with the multi-touch facility that will offer the ease and functionality of that of an iPhone. Also, when required, it can be folded into a 13” smart tablet pc. Aside from the touch-screen controlling, it features full fledged keyboard like conventional notebooks with which convenient typing can be performed. When folded, this compact notebook takes the size of a water carrier and can easily be hanged over the shoulder with a hanging belt.

Designer : Evgeny Orkin

Renew Smart Steamer is Made of Recycled Glass and Aluminum

TheFuture — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:48:23 +0000

Renew is an innovative concept steamer that features two steam blades to clean and refresh cloths effectively. With the combination of an infrared scanner and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, this concept gathers information about a cloth from particularly designed clothing tags. It offers comprehensive safety and stop working if an anonymous object is detected. It features an OLED touch screen input taking mechanism that will allow users to operate the steamer and learn about their clothing. Renew is made of recycled glass and aluminum and can save a considerable amount of space of your home interior with its compact size which is only 25% of the current washing machines.

Designer : Louis Filosa

Butl-R-Bot : Futuristic Robotic Kitchen Assistant

TheFuture — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:58:24 +0000

The Butl-R-Bot is a futuristic robotic kitchen assistant that features responsive artificial intelligence and innovative advanced technologies like humanistic arms, cameras and advanced sensors, fan arrays with movement ability, and many more. With all these useful features, this robot can cook meals, take order and collect food and even it can interact with kitchen appliances and utensils. Butl-R-Bot can fit in any size of kitchens with its compact shape (only 35cm wingspan) and can work under almost any sorts of environment. This functional kitchen assistant will let the busy and stressful future users to spend more time on entertaining activities or at work.

Designer : Tim Leeding

LineCraft TR : A Futuristic Aircraft Specializes In High Speed, Mid Altitude Flight

TheFuture — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:49:57 +0000

LineCraft TR is a single seater concept aircraft that comprises a collection of “Ludicrous Speed” engines, generating massive amount of ‘g’s. The engine contains eight miniatures and two large speed brakes to control the roll and yaw of the aircraft. LineCraft was designed for racing short to medium distances on the sky or over desert areas. This aircraft is specialized in high speed and mid altitude flight. The giant air brakes are required to control the aircraft because of the compact size and light weight. The ultimate speed of the aircraft has made it a good racer but an experienced pilot is required to fly this extraordinary piece.

Designer : Brian Moy

Stylish Zoomla Folding Bike for Quick Around-Town Transportation

TheFuture — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:44:36 +0000

Zoomla is a concept bike designed to ensure better alternative for quick, portable and around-town transportation facility. The single-pivot design of this bike has given it quicker, easier and more intuitive fold than any other bike and the unique L-frame eliminates the usual steering tube. The handle is cleverly integrated on the handlebar to allow Zoomla to be rolled when its time to pack it away. The pedal deck uses a compact inner drive system rather than traditional crank and pedals. You can take this bike with you to class or a grocery store since it weights 5 kilos only and the compact shape will let you store it in an average size school locker. Moreover, you can attach a backpack just below the seat to carry your required things in a stylish manner.

Designer : Eric Stoddard

CarGo Vehicle One Seater Car Concept for Inner City Deliveries

TheFuture — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:51:47 +0000

CarGo is a unique concept vehicle with variable wheelbase, track and load carrying designs aiming to overcome the increasing urban traffic congestion problem which affects numerous delivery companies everyday. Primarily, the battery powered CarGo is designed in a compact mode for inner city deliveries which allows the driver to adapt the vehicle quickly to suit both busy traffic conditions and load volume/type. This one seater concept car has three standard configurations, compact mode for busy city use, constricted mode with banking corner action and pick-up mode for carrying larger volume supplies in more efficient way.

From Adam :
Urban traffic congestion is an increasing problem which affects countless delivery companies every day. The unique “CarGo” concept addresses this issue with its variable track, wheelbase and load carrying configurations.

Due to its inherent flexibility, the CarGo would be an invaluable addition to any urban delivery company’s fleet by offering:
- Enhanced versatility for use in congested areas due to variable mode options.
- Faster delivery time in heavy traffic as narrow mode gives reduced width and higher maneuverability.
- Easier parking due to compact size.
- Eco-friendly status as a zero-emission electric vehicle.
- Reduced running costs i.e. lower fuel and road tax costs, congestion charge exempt.
- Clip-On composite body panels allow for corporate branding and low repair costs.

Designer : Adam Schacter

Freescale Modular Netbook Based on ARM Technology

TheFuture — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:43:09 +0000

Portable workbooks with various features and brands are ever-increasingly popping up everyday and designers are still looking to introduce more functional gadgets. Smartbook is a concept design by Freescale who has specially made six prototypes with a wide range of features. These modular mini-notebooks are based on ARM processors and emphasize on enhanced super-long battery life in order to fit in different usage patterns. These compact smartbooks, with brilliant look, durable made and great functionality, will meet the growing need of handy ultra-portables with all the required attributes and ambience. These concepts didn’t get a hardware version yet but are expecting to adapt quite a big part of portable gadget markets.

Designer : Freescale

MO:BEN is A Portable Food Container That Can Heat-Up Your Food

TheFuture — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:22:20 +0000

Mo:Ben is a handy food container that includes a built-in film heater component that can heat up foods to a pre-heated temperature. Mo:Ben’s main mechanism of maintaining the heat is the combination of foam-filled cavity insulation and the built-in heating factor. There are two main parts of the device; one is the external box that features a carry grip, slip protective rubber base and cutlery storage, and another is the temperature sensitive substance for food preparation indication. The internal box holds the food and can be detached for convenient dish-washing. The arrangements inside the box are designed to encourage variety of food and mixing of food is prevented by different available compartments.

This design has been inspired by traditional Japanese ideals of functionality and simplicity of the bento box while fusing it with modern technology of heating, insulation and materials.

Customizable lunch options
- Compartmentalization to 2 different portion sizes.
- Variety and visual appeal.
- Healthier options with the relationship to food consumption.

Takeaway waste
- Negates takeaway waste as product can be reused.
- Food contact parts easily removed for easy cleaning.
- Ease of use and cleaning encourages users to reuse the product.

Aesthetics
- The product and user interface is designed with a simple and clean sense of quality.
- Retractable handles are flushed with surface when not in use.
- Overall package compacts into a single unit.
- Silicone rubber is reminiscent of traditional rubber band around a box.
- Silicone rubber acts as a non-slip base when eating with one hand.
- Band colour choices allow for personality customization.

Functionality
- Designed for usability, the product has been considered through the process from preparation to transport, idle period, eating experience, and cleaning.
- Tested ergonomically through a series of models and prototypes.

Standards
- Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use, AS 2070-1999.
- Food Safety Standards – Temperature control requirements.
- Australian/New Zealand Standard for Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, AS/NZS 3350.2.15:2002.
- ISO 20282: “Ease of Operation of Every Day Products”.

Materials
- Internal Box is made of Polycarbonate for its durability.
- External Box is made of A.B.S for its availability and strength in appliance applications.
- Foam is used for insulation, ease of manufacture, availability and cost.

Technology
- Film heaters embedded at the base of the product, heating the internal box from bottom up.
- Food is heated to 75 degrees Celsius, controlled by an internal thermostat.
- Electronics are divided up into an active unit – electronic control adapter and a passive unit – lunch box unit to enhance safety.

To conclude, the product seeks to address a culture through design and present a new and satisfying experience for the user.

Designer : Alex Cheong

Sony Ericsson Premiere 3 Walkman Phone by KDDI

TheFuture — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:16:14 +0000

The cell phone market over the years has turned out to be a segment with the least shelf life, thereby a constant process for manufacturers to come up with new models. Today cell phone is not just an instrument to make and receive calls but far beyond that. The new walkman phone Premiere 3 by KDDI for Sony Ericsson, slated for spring release is a powerhouse so to say. It features a 3″ VGA screen, auto focus camera, and a memory of 2GB and weighing a meager 113gms, and quite compact in size. The colors are quite vibrant and with video in demand feature and also remote control for walkman, it sure is a model to look out for. There’s no info on pricing yet.

Designer : KDDI