Designer : Hyunsoo Choi

Designer : Wu Chenghou

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

[Press Release]

Live life in the fast lane with the XPERIA™ X2 from Sony Ericsson. Designed for those who always need to be connected, whether it’s for business or personal life, the XPERIA™ X2 blurs the boundary between work and play.

London, UK – September 2, 2009 – Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2 a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

The XPERIA™ X2 also includes the unique SlideView feature, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities. Providing quick interaction with contacts, messages, media and more, SlideView gives an overview of missed incoming activity, notifying the user of any missed calls, e-mails and text messages so users don’t overlook an important contact.

With 14 specially designed preloaded XPERIA™ panels and 16 more to download, users can work with no boundaries with the XPERIA™ X2. From Skype, Mytopia and Google™, to games, CNN and Windows Live™, the panels ensure users are up-to-date with what matters most to them. With an improved touch interface and new 3D signature panel users also benefit from flexible desktop panels designed to categorise business, fun and communication features. Just set favourites to appear during certain times of the day and can get the latest news in the morning, YouTube™ at lunchtime and games for the journey home.

Powered by QWERTY messaging, Windows Mobile® users can even show their presentations on the big screen with the TV out cable – the XPERIA™ X2 makes a day at the office a walk in the park.

“In the fast moving world we live in, the need to stay connected has never been so important.” said Sumit Malhotra, marketing business manager, Sony Ericsson. “We constantly rely on our mobile phones as an extension to the office and the XPERIA™ X2 debuting with Windows Mobile® 6.5, allows users to work quickly and efficiently while on the move. The XPERIA™ X2 also features a new range of interactive panels as well as SlideView, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities – perfect for those who need to see any missed incoming activity at a glance.”

Entertainment is not compromised on XPERIA™ X2. Enjoy amazing multimedia with the 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality and take advantage of the 8.1 megapixel camera to capture and instantly share experiences with friends and family. Personalise the panels and users can access Facebook™ to upload their party or holiday images and they can chat with friends across the world via Skype. Whether it is music, photography, email, video or gaming the XPERIA™ X2 has it all.

“Windows® phones allow people to manage their whole world – from work to home to play – on a single handset,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, product management, Microsoft Corp. “The XPERIA™ X2 taps the powerful messaging and multimedia capabilities in Windows Mobile® so customers can be in touch, productive and entertained wherever they are.”

With the need to stay connected 24/7 Sony Ericsson has designed XPERIA™ Services, a bespoke and unique after sales package designed to help XPERIA™ X2 users get the most out of their mobile phone. With a specialised technical team standing by to support busy users and talk through the outstanding features the XPERIA™ X2 has to offer users can get help from troubleshooting to how to access their favourite websites. And if their XPERIA™ X2 stops working while they are abroad, XPERIA™ Services can replace the mobile phone via a simple phone call.
XPERIA™ Services really has been devised with the consumer in mind and to help consumers discover more about their XPERIA™ X2.

Live life without boundaries

* Windows Mobile® 6.5 – work on the move easier
* Make the most of the day – flexible desktop panels categorised for life: communication and fun, multimedia, business and internet
* Work without boundaries – instant synchronisation of mail, calendar powered by QWERTY keyboard messaging and Windows Mobile®
* Slide view – quick access to frequently used phone activities and overview of missed incoming activity
* Present documents on the big screen – TV out cable
* Never get stranded – XPERIA™ exclusive travel insurance
* Enjoy amazing multimedia – 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality
* 8.1 mega pixel camera with Photo light – easily upload images to web albums
* Real 3D panel – 3D effects and zoom, music playback controls

Big business meeting? Arrive charged with the Car Charger AN300 – ultra fast, ultra-safe and ultra-reliable. A perfect accessory for the XPERIA™ X2, it charges 40 per cent faster than most car chargers – just plug into the cigarette lighter and go.

XPERIA™ X2 supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/900/2100. XPERIA™ X2 will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Elegant Black and Modern Silver.

Designer : Sony Ericsson

From the website:
JS BACH / ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS CHAMBER MUSIC HALL AT MANCHESTER ART GALLERY FOR MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL.Zaha Hadid Architects have created a unique chamber music hall specially designed to house solo performances of the exquisite music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

A voluminous ribbon swirls within the room, carving out a spatial and visual response to the intricate relationships of Bach’s harmonies. As the ribbon careens above the performer, cascades into the ground and wraps around the audience, the original room as a box is sculpted into fluid spaces swelling, merging, and slipping through one another.

“The design enhances the multiplicity of Bach’s work through a coherent integration of formal and structural logic. A single continuous ribbon of fabric swirls around itself, creating layered spaces to cocoon the performers and audience with in an intimate fluid space.” said Hadid.The process of realizing the design involved architectural considerations of scale, structure and acoustics to develop a dynamic formal dialogue inseparable from its intended purpose as an intimate chamber music hall.

A layering of spaces and functions is achieved through the ribbon wrapping around itself, alternately compressing to the size of a handrail then stretching to enclose the full height of the room. Circulatory and visual connections are continually discovered as one passes through the multiple layers of space delineated by the ribbon.

The ribbon itself consists of a translucent fabric membrane articulated by an internal steel structure suspended from the ceiling. The surface of the fabric shell undulates in a constant but changing rhythm as it is stretched over the internal structure.It varies between the highly tensioned skin on the exterior of the ribbon and the soft billowing effect of the same fabric on the interior of the ribbon. Clear acrylic acoustic panels are suspended above the stage to reflect and disperse the sound, while remaining visually imperceptible within the fabric membrane.

Programmed lighting and a series of dispersed musical recordings activate the spaces between the ribbon outside of performance times. The installation is designed to be transportable and re-installed in other similar venues.

Pivotal to its function is the performance of the ribbon. It has been designed to simultaneously enhance the acoustic experience of the concert while spatially defining a stage, an intimate enclosure, and passageways. It exists at a scale in which it is perceived as both an object floating in a room as well as a temporal architecture that invites one to enter, inhabit and explore.

Designer : Zaha Hadid Architects via Dezeen

From : Altec Lansing

Designer : Nuno Teixeira

The designer has considered few constrains when designing the violin, such as, a half violin and half music player that would break down the notes of a tune and show how to play it. A ball using as a bow grip that will always give a perpendicular stoke to the user and a lighting fingerboard that will indicate a node for a particular whistle sound. Digital strings have replaced the ordinary strings that are able to considerably reduce the learning pain and the sting setup has been done in a way that can create surround sound experience. Marks are no longer in use when a violinist gets proficient; therefore, the fading marks are another noticeable feature of the design.

The name Squidolin was driven from the squid like shape with the functionally and aesthetically right proportions of the design development. The shape of the bow of Squidolin is newly designed and is smart enough to detect motions and communicate back accordingly.

Giving the idea into shape was the toughest part. The designer used the mirror modeling to get a great symmetrical shape and then moved into Solid-works to CAD for milling. The interface of Squidolin is an essential part of the design and can be represented in different ways. When learning, students might come across synesthetic relationship screen which represents the reaction of virtual objects to sound in real world situations. Organic timing or tempo can be learned from real-world experiences like water drops in steady water surface. Monkey-Do will teach the violinist the correct posture and Squidolin could be connected to the social networks via internet where violinist could perform or share his/her musical talent.

Designer : Carlos Mendez

The “evolutional” aspect comes from the EME’s ability to expand its feature set if the user shares his/her experiences with other EMEs. That could be in the form of videos, music, or games. By doing so, bigger speakers would unlock and slide out, the screen may even become higher-res. The idea is to encourage the device’s evolution by exposing it to as many experiences as possible.

Designer : Shao Wei Huang

Designer : Hyuh Jin Lee, Chooi-leng Tan and Hye Ryoung Cheon