Posted 01/08/10 at 08:12:17 PM by Ryan Whitwam

Computer maker MSI is showing off some interesting new PC designs at CES this week. First off, MSI is jumping on the 3D craze with a 3D all-in-one PC. The system will, of course, require glasses, but MSI assures us they will be “comfortable”. The PC will have a reasonably sized 24-inch display. This is designed for 3D gaming and movie viewing.

A second all-in-one is a standard LED backlit LCD, but the case has a bit of a trick. This new concept PC allows users to slide up the screen and store the keyboard behind the screen when not in use. The mouse is also a wireless remote and IP phone.

The final new computer is a fairly interesting one, a projector PC. This is a small form factor PC with a projector in the same case. The projector will apparently be capable of HD resolution. There will be an adjustable stand that holds the case up like any PC, then folds down to point the lens at a wall. Keep an eye out should any of these become real products.

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Posted 12/15/09 at 06:44:05 AM by Paul Lilly

If you thought Apple's iPhone and Motorola's Droid were slick, wait until you see what the smartphones of tomorrow might be capable of. That is, if Synaptics' FuseTM concept take off.

FuseTM is a collaborative mobile phone concept that integrates "for the first time" multiple interface technologies, including 3D graphics, capacitive multitouch, haptic feedback, and force, grip, and proximity sensing, Synaptics says.

Some of the technological tricks the company envisions is grip sensing by way of capacitive touch sensors on the sides of the phone, which would streamline certain controls such as pan and scroll; 2D navigation from the back of the phone, which Synaptics says enables single-handed control without blocking the display; and 3D graphics with haptic effects.

"Consumers have many options when it comes to choosing a smartphone, and though many phones are loaded with applications to simplify one's life, they often accomplish just the opposite," said William Stofega, research manager for mobile device technology and trends at IDC. "Synaptics partnering with innovative industry leaders to deliver an intelligent concept device that has the consumers' lifestyles in mind will help showcase the true potential of the smartphone."

You can view a short YouTube video demonstration of the Fuse concept here.

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Posted 12/14/09 at 08:21:09 AM by Paul Lilly

Here's one for the hypochondriac on the go - a collapsible keyboard that, in addition to folding up into a compact stick for easy carrying, it also purports to keep the germs away.

Designers Yoonsang Kim and Eunsung Park made sure to include a "None Bacterial Project" label front and center, which lets potential buyers know that their portable plank is first and foremost designed to reduce the spread of infection. But the real draw here is in how neatly and compact the plank folds up

It's a concept keyboard so you can't actually order one right now, but until the design comes to fruition, you can ogle at a handful of pics of what the plank might look like, should someone actually build it, at YankoDesign.com.

Want to have some fun with the germaphobes? Hit the jump and post a link to a pic of the filthiest keyboard you own, Hot Pocket shrapnel and all.

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Posted 04/15/09 at 06:04:10 PM by Andy Salisbury

Thanks to some obvious inspiration from Apple, it looks like the Nartron Corporation is going to bring a very iPhone inspired dashboard to Chrysler’s 200C concept car.

The 200C concept will feature a next-gen dashboard system, dubbed iQ Power. Thanks to iQ Power, drivers of the car will be able to use “any smartphone” as a smart key for the car (primarily used to unlock doors and even view a video stream of the car’s interior). And, thanks to some big colorful controls and cover-flow for browsing album art, it’ll no doubt be easy for iPhone users to feel right at home in this environment. iQ Power will even feature a wireless tablet that allows passengers to send music recommendations straight to the driver’s console (though, it seems like a simple tap on the shoulder would work well too).

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Posted 04/08/09 at 06:24:51 PM by Andy Salisbury

Your laptop is pretty cool by today’s standards, but designer Hao Hua has something entirely different in mind for the future. That machine of the present that features an archaic hinge has served humanity well, but he plans to fit all that inside a fancy tube, making an already easy to carry machine, even easier.

The D-Roll (short for “digital roll”) concept allows anyone carrying one of these portable babies around with them to sling it under their arm, much like a purse. And, when you need some quick computing power, your screen will come out on one side and the keyboard will slide out the other.

While this is only a concept for what the portable computer of the future may look like (for some reason, the idea of carrying a murse just doesn’t sit right with me), it is an interesting look. Who knows, it might not be far off!

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Posted 03/31/09 at 05:02:02 PM by Andy Salisbury

Designer Nikita Buyanov was commissioned by HP and Intel to design a series of conceptual laptops aimed at women, and the Chameleon is the end result.

The conceptual Chameleon features a series of three cameras, which it uses to blend in to its surroundings, by means of “adaptive microcell coverage” (also, it’ll blend into your pants pretty well).

Some of the other concepts are a machine that can be used as a scale that’s aimed at fitness, and even a pink notebook that can give manicures. While these ideas seem a bit lofty, it sure is fun to see what designers come up with when they’re put under a bright light!

To see the other concepts, check out Buyanov’s page, here.

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Posted 03/17/09 at 10:15:04 AM by Paul Lilly

With the netbook craze in full swing and Intel's Atom processor opening all kinds of doors for smaller, low power devices, you can expect to see some groovy gadgets make it to market. And after two years in development, maybe we'll soon see Lenovo's svelte-looking pocket-sized PC.

Currently in concept form, the "Pocket Yoga"  is an extension of a folding notebook with a detachable keyboard, says Johnson Li, director of Lenovo's Beijing Innovation Center. And like its larger inspiration, the Pocket Yoga comes covered in leather, a fitting touch for a device shaped like a large wallet.

From a usability standpoint, a 360 hinge transforms the Pocket Yoga into a multifunction device. Open at a normal angle and you can use it as a laptop complete with full-function keyboard. Flip the cover all the way back and it suddenly becomes a tablet notebook.

Ensuring that geek stays chic, the leather-covered Pocket Yoga comes with a belt. And ensuring that chic stays geek, that belt turns into a mouse when removed. Pretty slick.

No word on projected price or availability, but we already want one.

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Posted 03/13/09 at 09:52:46 AM by Paul Lilly

If after seeing the PowerSquid you thought to yourself, "Self, what's next in powerstrip design?," then prepare to have that question answered. Meet the movable powerstrip.

Currently in prototype form, the Movable Powestrip purports to solve the problem of needing to rearrange furniture to fit the powerstrip rather than the other way around. Six bright blue-bordered sockets can be bent into a variety of orientations, from a straight line, to an L formation and every other Tetris combination you can think of to mesh with your environment.

And here we thought the only fun to be had with power sockets was by using a fork.

Is designer Jeff Carter on to something? Hit the jump and tell us what you think.

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