Brother, a company you may know for its sewing machines, is looking to shake up the battery world quite literally. The company is showing off vibration-powered generators that would allow you to charge your gadgets anywhere just by giving it a good shake. Called the Vibration-powered Generating Battery (maybe in the future we will all ask for VGBs instead of Energizers), the batt fit in any regular old AA or AAA slot. Of course, there are already plenty of rechargeable alternatives out there and most gadgets today just use lithium-ion batteries though you still need to plug either in if you want to get some juice. With vibration-powered batteries, you would be able to charge up anywhere, anytime.
Of course, the shaking-to-power ratio is traditionally rather low, so Brother probably would not be changing the world with this tech just yet. For the low-power devices the company envisions using the batteries, however (gadgets the use 100 mW or less, for instance), the batteries could do some real good.
The company is showing off the Vibration-powered Generating Batteries at a trade expo this month. Who knows? Maybe we will see them on shelves in the near future.

No longer resembling a Zeppelin like its aptly-named big brother, the Zeppelin Mini iPod speaker system from Bowers and Wilkins still rates as an edgy, stylish design. B&W says the new sound dock delivers everything listeners love about the Zeppelin - advanced acoustic technology, intelligent design and elegant connectivity - but instead of being an almost prohibitive 26 inches wide, the Zeppelin Mini is a mere 12.6 inches, making it much easier to locate on bookshelves or other tight spaces.
B&W’s Digital Signal Processing optimizes the response of each of the Zeppelin Mini’s drive units, adjusting the sound balance depending on the signal. This is designed to bring out the subtle dynamics of your music regardless of how loud you play it.
In order to produce really powerful, atmospheric bass effects, the design aims to allow plenty of space within the speaker for the air generated by the bass units to move around freely. This is a common problem for smaller speakers. The Zeppelin Mini has Flowport, which gives the speaker’s bass driver the air it needs to deliver a big sound from a relatively small space.
B&W says its Zeppelin Mini was developed with exactly the same acoustic engineering principles the company uses to make the speakers in the control room of Abbey Road Studios.
Zeppelin Mini also features a USB digital connection, keeping the purity of the digital signal intact compared with systems that take music in analogue format from the ipod.
Zeppelin Mini is a versatile speaker system as well and can stream music directly from a computer, from a CD player or be linked to a wireless network. And once it’s connected to a PC or Mac, users can control iTunes directly with Zeppelin Mini’s remote.
The AUX socket at the back of the speaker connects CD and DVD players and MP3 players. You can also use a device like Apple’s Airport Express to make Zeppelin Mini part of a wireless network, streaming music wirelessly from a computer’s hard drive.
Another clever feature - there’s no need to undock an iPod or iPhone if you want to sync it with iTunes or add more playlists - you can do it all through Zeppelin Mini by connecting the speaker to the computer by USB and switching it to standby, which links the iPod directly to iTunes.
Zeppelin Mini works with all the latest generation of iPods, playing and charging touch, classic and nano models. It’s also compatible with all iPhone models, including first generation, 3G and 3GS.

This unit is suitable for those customers who needto charge multiple USB products at one time. The large capacity charging station has 49 USB connectors to enable customers to charge USB products simultaneously whilst connected to a computer. This avoids the need for a large number of dedicated charger or USB hub devices and reduces the associated cable clutter and expense. iHome iB969 can also be used with Apple iTunes for connecting multiple Apple iPod Touch (or similar) devices thus allowing the customer to synchronise the content on multiple Apple iPod devices simultaneously.
Many of the schools and universities that have purchased this product use it with the Apple iPod Touch which they currently use for multimedia educational purposes. iHome iB969 can sync iPod Touch devices as well as charge iPod Touch devices making it an extremely useful addition to modern schools.
Reliability is excellent and high volume usage is what iHome iB969 was designed for. In many cases the device is worked much harder than 12hr a day!

Confuse switches? Cannot say for sure which one is for kitchen and which one is for living room? This is a common problem, however, like many other problems this one has a solution. Or even solutions. The first solution is to write Kitchen, Living Room or anything else on the switches. The second (the better) solution is to use the switch you see in the picture. With this switch you will never confuse the rooms, because the device will give you full information about sources of light in your house. You will see the position of the light on the scheme and you can turn the light on by simple touch of the bulb.

Carbon and Artefact has created four product concepts that are conceived to motivate energy-efficient behavior in home. These fantastic concepts have made the smart-grid technology available to the consumer. Definitely, this is the best way to engage mass people saving energy.
The Impact Clock is the first concept. This clock helps the consumer to know his or her consumption history. It shows the current energy consumption and how your current energy consumption compares with the household energy history. It creates your day-to-day energy fingerprint over time.
The second concept is the Impact Fridge that has a green efficiency light bar. The light gets shorter as you keep the door open and the energy is lost. After you close the door of the fridge, it regains the energy and the light becomes longer again. Thus you will realize how much energy you waste by keeping the door open for a long time.
Impact Dishwasher is one more great innovative concept.

This dishwasher can be activated from sleep mode very easily, just with one simple touch of the user. The concept, like the previously described one, features a green energy efficiency bar that will let you know which settings you can consider to remove in order to make the process energy efficient.
Finally, I would like to tell you about the Impact App. This concept is designed for people who lack new information. It delivers exact guidance and insights generated by the user’s contacts. What is more, the concept is designed to enable users to control their Impact appliances remotely. The user will be also able to share to his or her achievements of reducing energy consumptions to friends.

The Electrolux Bio Robot Refrigerator is a fantastic concept where the Bio Robot cools biopolymer non-sticky gel through luminescence. The gel surrounds the food item put in the fridge and thus separate pods are created. This fridge looks very unusual, because does not have any drawers. Due to the robot a food item is individually cooled at its optimal temperature. The really great design of the fridge allows you to fit it in any apartment, because it can be modified in size, it changes its shape depending on its content. The Electrolux Bio Robot Refrigerator is 4 times smaller than an ordinary fridge. You can place it both vertically and horizontally. The fridge operates silently.

This Smart Switch was designed by Avery Holleman as a part of the designer’s thesis in Industrial Design. The goal of Avery Holleman was to design a system that could be installed into a existing home easily. The device is designed to control and monitor the energy flow through the entire house. The system is really amazing. With help of it you can save energy and also you can assign amounts of power to different rooms of your house. There are four main parts in this system. The first part includes smart power outlets that can be programmed and controlled. The second part is consisted of smart switches that show power usage and also control multiple outlets and lights. The third part is a master switch that provides control over the whole system by giving detailed power usage over time. The fourth part of the system is a remote with help of which the system is programmed. Due to the system’s technology that utilized power line communication, the system is very easy to connect to the wires that already exist in your house.

Everyone who ever has burnt herself or himself with hot tea is likely to consider the Hot Cold Mug to be a great device. The fact is that this cup can display the temperature of the liquid poured in it. If you pour something cold in it the cup will be black with white “COLD” on it, however, if you pour in this cup something hot, it will let you know about this matter with black color and HOT black letterings. Temperatures between “very cold” and “very hot” make the cup really crazy - it looks like a zebra.
Those who appreciate stability will have to spend only – this is the price for being sure that you will never burn your lips with too hot tea and that you will not pour too much cold milk in your coffee. Unfortunately, this does not indicate the amount of alcohol in the beverage, but it can be washed in dishwasher and also it can be put in the micro wave and you will have the possibility to see through the glass how hot the liquid in the cup is!

The 3D Mobile Phone was designed by Petr Kubik. This device is an all-in-one-piece that includes glasses, intuitive stylus as well as expandable screens. There are 3D apps that support 3D movies and camera. With this great phone you have a great possibility to make surreal calls with your family and friends that pop out of the screen. The phone features a photovoltaic screen at the rear for instant recharges. The device has the following dimensions - 66×133x14mm. The expandable Touch Display measures 177×104mm. There is an adjustable leg support.
The device is easy to use. The user has to unfold the flexible display and to put on glasses that are fixed to the case back of the phone. Then the user controls the touch screen with help of the interactive stylus (definitely, an especial one). The built-in allow to take 3D pictures and video. The accumulator is recharged with sun batteries.

The Aliph Solo Bluetooth Headset is a combination of Bluetooth headset and a cellphone. When the headset is not in use, it comfortably rests inside the mobile phone. The headset can be extended very easily by pressing it down once there is a call. This is very convenient in situations when you need both your hands free. There is one more great plus of this device. The fact is that the device does not require separate recharging, because it charges auto when you hook up your cell phone for recharging. It is very bad that it is only a concept, but I hope one day it will become reality.

PrintStik from Planon features one of the smallest full page portable printers. It measures 1" x 2" x 11" and contains 20 pages of paper inside. The wireless Bluetooth technology allows connecting the PrintStik printer to laptop, Blackberry and some mobile smart phones. The innovative part about this printer is not the concept of portable printer, but the concept of non-ink printer charged by rechargeable batteries. The printer uses thermal technology which is less messy and more efficient. This means earth friendly approach that saves a lot of toner/ ink cartridges waste. Additionally, the printer is powered by Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable batteries which are much better than disposables and can save a lot of energy comparing to plug-in printers. PrintStik printer is also functional in terms of portability; it saves space and weights about 1.5 pounds. They say Planon is a leader in providing mobile "office in a pocket" solutions.

Love rocking chairs? If you do than the invention of Marietta Moraweg is likely to seem very useful to you. She totally designed a very comfortable rocking lounge. Once you sit on it, you won’t want to get up any longer. It is very relaxing, so you will spend hours in it reading your favorite books, or just sleeping. This unusual device combines the crafts of the future and the past – the traditional wood bending craft and modern CAD laser technology. You can use this comfortable and relaxing lounge wherever – at home, in your garden or on terrace.

The modern world depends on computers as very many things are done by computers. Computers make our work much faster and much easier, so they do dominate. The need for being always in touch with computers increases dramatically. Thus laptops have become our best friends, and we need more and more comfortable to use laptops.
The folding laptop designed by Yang Yongchang is a really cool concept. The laptop has a screen that folds down like any standard notebook. The laptop has a QUERTY keyboard that provides easy typing.
Unfortunately, there is no news concerning release date of the gadget and its price. So it is only a concept now.

If you want everything in your house to be stylish, even an exercise bicycle, than the Ciclotte is designed specially for you. What is great about this exerciser? The greatest thing about it is that it comprises fine engineering due to which your interior will look really luxurious. The Ciclotte has a carbon handlebar as well as adjustable and very comfortable saddle that offers to the user an easy choice from twelve exercise programs. The device remains tight to its original location due to its solid base. Thus it is safe for its user, because it eliminates the possibility to get slipped. The exerciser also includes such materials as steel and fiberglass. The concept is very durable and very lightweight, it can be used wherever – at home, in an office or even outdoor.

The world’s first Android 4 G mobile phone has been recently announced. This phone is the first smartphone that runs on the 4G WiMax network built by Clearwire.
The WiMax network claims faster wireless speeds at very long long distances. Incredible amount of money has been invested in WiMax by Sprint and Clearwire and finally they announced the first 4G deice.

The phone has lots of useful features, such as large touch-screen display, a 8MP camera, HD video capture as well as HTC Sense. A similar mobile phone called the HTC Legend has already been released. The Evo phone will become available later in 2010, exclusively on Sprint.
Sprint and Clearwire have invested billions in WiMax, and now they can claim the first 4G device.

The Edi-Mobile concept was created as a joke. The device was created by Bill Gould, a designer who does not like cellphones, but bought one.

His coworkers asked for a picture and the designer came up with this amusing concept as a joke. Definitely, Edison would have liked this truly great phone. It looks truly great and reminds of a coffee-grinder.
The phone features a crank that initiates the call. Also the phone features a slide out numeric keypad. The greatest thing about this gadget is the 50 lb lead battery that is required to operate it. Unfortunately, unlimited text messaging is not included.

What do you take with you when going for outdoor camping? Definitely, you take many things, but surely you never forget to take a flashlight together with additional ambient light source. Meet Flexi. This is a new flashlight concept whose main peculiarity is that is works as both a flashlight and an additional ambient light source.


One of the advantages of Flexi is that it provides both directional light and ambient illumination and thus it provides convenient cooking as well as many other activities during outdoor camping unlike other flashlights that are usually used for directional lighting, rather than for lighting of large areas. The device looks like a thin rectangular silicon pad. The pad is fitted with powerful and less powerful consuming LED lights, so those who use the device can roll the pad in order to have a variety of types of lighting.

The Firefly Table Projects Logo On The Ground Below The Table
The Firefly is a great concept for outdoor cafes and restaurants. The idea of the device is to use a solar lamp instead of candlelights for illumination. The table looks very interesting.
There is a centrally placed lamp that emits soft glow. The table has stencils through which it projects any form of logo to the space below it. Solar cells are located below the glass table top. The top part of the lamp is made out of alluminium. The base of the table is made out of plastic. The stencil is made out of plastic.

TAG Heuer is justly considered to be one of the most outstanding watch makers. In this year it celebrates its 150th anniversary – and this anniversary is really especial. TAG Heuer entered into collaboration with Tesla Motors that is known to be one of the best Electric Car Makers. The result of collaboration is the launch of a new Roadster at the Geneva Motor Show.

The brand’s fans know that TAG Heuer is associated with the most famous racing teams. Nevertheless, this is the first time the brand entered in collaboration with a company that produces electric cars.
The design of the car, as you expect, is really fantastic. The car has red mirror covers, calipers and striped rims on the driver’s side. Also there are green covers, calipers and rims on the passenger’s side.
The new Roadster is a dream of any racer or TAG Heuer fan. The machine boasts of reaching speeds of 60mph in just 3.9 seconds.The car’s console is designed specially for a concept TAG Heuer watch that will be unveiled at Baselworld 2010.

If you want to enhance the decor of your home interior with natural elements, than the grass lamp is a great thing for you. This innovative concept is aimed to bring warmth to homes of the users. With this lamp you will get a part of nature right inside your house – the lamp has grass growing on it.

The lamp is designed to be placed on the wall. The lamp discretely lightens the room – you will like its effect as you will feel like being connected directly to the nature. The device is made out of thin and light PVS plastic. There is a space for soil inside and a water container.