Here’s an interesting take on sustainable furniture. It’s called the “Expose LED bed” and it’s made up of a bed-frame, 2 bedsides, and 2 wall lights. What makes this furniture suite sustainable are the construction materials used. The furniture itself is constructed out of rotting teak planks which is then filled with energy-efficient LED lighting and clear epoxy material resulting in a funky lighting effect. Sure – the bed isn’t exactly for everyone out there but you gotta admit – it’s pretty “green”.

[Check it out via Born Rich]

Technorati Tags: Expose LED furniture

I’ve always been a fan of video eyewear devices but let’s face it – no one will ever consider them sexy or sleek by any means. Well it looks like the folks at Vuzix Corporation are about to change all of that with the introduction of the new Wrap 310 widescreen video eyewear.  According to Vuzix, the Wrap 310 has the look and feel of normal sunglasses yet feature high resolution video displays which when worn provide the equivalency of a 56 inch display.

Other features and specs to the Wrap 310 include the following:

• Removable noise isolating earphones
• 2 AA batteries provide up to 6 hours of power
• Composite video input
• Optional VGA and component compatibility adapters (coming soon)
• Improved on-screen user interface
• Independent focus adjustments for users with corrective lenses
• Supports all iPod/iPhone models, portable DVD players, mobile phones with video output, PCs, laptops, TVs, DVD/Blu-ray players, and portable media players

You’ll be able to check out the new Wrap 310 at the 2009 ShowStoppers for the Digital Holidays in New York (Sept. 16th) as well as the 2009 Tokyo Games Show (Sept. 24th – 27th)

No word on pricing as of yet.

Technorati Tags: Vuzix Wrap 310 widescreen video eyewear

Features of the Checkthrough Backpack include the following:

• Bag opens and hinges in the middle to separate and isolate the laptop compartment from the rest of the bag
• There’s also a clear quick-recognition window that is exposed when the bag is unfolded
• Bag and all its content can be carried securely with or without the hinge zipped shut
• Fits laptops up to 17 inches
• Divided folder/file section
• Exterior pockets for metal detector items
• Over 20 pockets, compartments, and organizers
• Durable zippered clear pouch for allowable liquid bottles
• Measures 17 x 12.5 x 7 inches and weighs 53 oz

The CheckthroughBackpack is available now for $129.95.

Features of the Checkthrough Roller include:

• Opens up and hinges in the middle to separate and isolate the laptop compartment from the rest of the bag
• Also a clear quick-recognition window that is exposed when the bag is unfolded
• Fits up to 17 inch notebooks
• “re-folds” simply by picking up the bag by the handle or strap
• 18 pockets, compartments and organizers
• Lightweight frame
• Rolls smoothly on urethane skate wheels, mounted to sleek, protected aluminum axle brackets
• Retractable aluminum handle
• Front support foot doubles as a grab handle
• Measures 17 x 14.5 x 9 inches and weighs 8 lbs
• Available for $189.95

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Skooba Design, Checkthrough Bags

Looking for a unique lamp to decorate that special room of yours? Check out Linus Kutavicius’s Light Pillow on sale over at gnr8.biz for $189 dollars. With a cover made out of 100 percent cotton, and a frame made out of powder coated metal, the Light Pillow can be placed on the floor, hung on the wall or even used as a chandelier – just don’t try to use it as a pillow.

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Linus Kutavicius Light Pillow

And I’m sorry but Darth Vader just doesn’t compare when you put him next to someone wearing the Galactic Lord Corset Costume.

Trek fans won’t be left out either thanks to a collection of Yellow, Blue, Red Trekkie Corsets as well as the Trekkie Shrug.

The Trekkie Corsets will set you back $200 dollars while the Galactic Trooper will run $500 dollars. The Galactic Lord Corset will cost ya $600 dollars. Well worth it for all you ladies out there.. ahem.

[Check it out via Technabob]

Technorati Tags: Star Trek, Star Wars, Corset Costume, Evening Arwen

If I didn’t already have an ottoman at home, I’d be all over this. It’s the AK Rock Box Gaming Ottoman and yes.. you guessed it – it’s that perfect ottoman designed to store all of your Rock Band equipment. What makes the AK Rock Box Gaming Ottoman even cooler is the built-in AK Drum Lift which easily raises and lowers the drums for playing and storage – all via a simple one-hand motion. The ottoman has enough room to fit two gaming guitars, a foot pedal, and a microphone. The AK Rock Box Gaming Ottoman is priced at $199.99 at Amazon.com but is currently sold out. If you’re looking for a storage bin of some sort for your Rock Band equipment, this seems like a handy one to have!

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

Read this in Chinese Simplified and in French

Technorati Tags: AK Rock Box Gaming Ottoman

OMG.. this is absolutely hilarious (and just sooo wrong in sooo many ways). Yes, It is indeed a dog-shaped pencil sharpener and yes you do indeed stick the pencil into the back of the sharpener (into what you probably would consider the butt-hole). But wait – it gets even better. Stick the pencil in and hear the dog bark!! Hilarious isn’t it? Yeah.. this might not be appropriate for your kid.. but a dog lover might love it!

And if you’re a cat lover, don’t worry. There’s a model just for you too (and yes it meows when you shove that pencil into the butt)

Both the “Sharp-End Dog Pencil Sharpener” and the “Sharp-End Cat Pencil Sharpener” is available at the Perpetual Kid for $14.99.

[Check it out via GearFuse]

Technorati Tags: Sharp end cat pencil sharpener, dog pencil sharpener, Perpetual Kid

Now here’s a novel concept. Instead of having traditional bookshelf speakers that sit on top of bookshelves.. why not build the speakers into the shelving units directly? That’s the idea behind these design concepts by Polish designers Witek Stefaniak and Anielka Zdanowicz over at designboom.com. Now of course.. if you’re blaring music, you might want to reconsider placing anything valuable or fragile on top of these shelves.. but hey, it’s still a great space saving idea!

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Automatically translated into Chinese

Technorati Tags: soundshelf, speakers, shelves

Well that’s where the folks at QIO Systems come into play. The company has announced a new line of modular wearable electronics called PANiQ which allows consumers to decide which consumer electronics they want to control with their interactive wearable clothing. They call it a wearable “Personal Area Network”. We call it customizable wearable apparel.

The concept’s pretty straightforward. You’ll purchase clothing enabled with PANiQ electronics (i.e. they’ll come with PANiQ smart-fabric touchpad). Then you’ll purchase controller devices designed for your electronics – customizing your apparel to control the devices you care about. Thus unlike other jackets that might have controls and interfaces made specifically for the iPod, a PANiQ enabled jacket from a third party apparel manufacturer can theortically control a variety of device simply by swapping out a module controller.

At launch time, PANiQ announced the following controllers/devices:

• PANiQ controller for iPod (supports all third generation iPods and greater)
• PANiQ controller for iPhone
• PANiQ controller for Bluetooth enabled mobile phones and iPod
• PANiQ Walkie Talkie (Spring 2009)
• PANiQ AM/FM (Spring 2009)

As for apparel vendors, PANiQ’s initial customers include Cole Haan, Zoo York, KILLA, iQuantum, Celio, Beaucre, and Bailo.

PANiQ’s online store currently sells four KILLA products:

• The KILLA Go Go Gadget jacket for $250 dollars (and pictured above)
• The KILLA Infantry M65 jacket for $250 dollars

• The KILLA PUSHA Hoodie for $240 dollars

• The KILLA SNAKE EYES Hoodie for $230 dollars.

Here is the connector for the iPod ..

Which looks pretty much the same as the connector for Bluetooth cell phones and iPod ($79.99):

Check out the rest of the store at http://www.shopatron.com/index/1534.0.

Technorati Tags: QIO Systms, PANiQ, wearable electronics, personal area network

Anyone who’s played a first person shooter can attest to this – walking around the corner in a video game only to find yourself actually tilting your head or body as if you were really in the virtual world itself. Why not accentuate the experience a bit with the LumiSource BoomPod. Designed especially for kids ages 6 to 12, the BoomPod features a rounded bottom which provides a multi-directional tilt to any gamer sitting on the pod. The BoomPod also includes built-in 3 inch 2-way speakers, fully adjustable volume control, an illuminated control knob, RCA input jacks, plush two-tone microsuede surface, a breathable mesh padded surface, audio cords, and a built-in handle. The BoomPod is powered by 4 AA batteries, comes in either red or blue and measures 19 x 14.5 inches. You can purchase the BoomPod at Target now for $35 dollars.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LumiSource BoomPod, Gaming Chair

Looking for a new beanie? Check out LimbGear’s new “Noggin Net” – an MP3 enabled skullcap which houses both an MP3 player and the earbuds. Features of the Noggin Net include:

• Constructed of comfortable, breathable fleece
• Pocket holds MP3 players
• Internal earbud management channels to house earbud cords

The Noggin Net is also compatible with LimbGear’s Buds which offer a perfect fit inside the cap.  The cap is available in Melon Head and Pea Head sizes for adults and children. The cap with the buds cost $29.50 while the cap without the buds cost $21.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LimbGear, Noggin Net

Here are some notable pieces I would LOVE to have if I was well… rich.

Lot 309 – Viper Pilot Uniform – $2,000 to $3,000

Lot 346 – Raptor – $60,000 to $80,000

Lot 347 – Mark VII Viper – $50,000 to $60,000

Lot 348 – Cylon Raider – $30,000 to $40,000

Lot 551 – Viper Style Helmet – $5000 to $6000

Lot 754 – Major Lee Adama Nameplate – $400 to $600

Lot 774 – Command Plotting Table – $10,000 to $12,000 – Imagine that as your living room table!

Lot 778 – Dradis Displays $2000 to $3000

Lot 800 – Cylon Centurion $6000 to $8000

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Battlestar Galactica Auction Catalog

Pottery Barn is now closing out their Bedford Smart Wall-Mounted Speaker Shelf system for a low price of $79.99 (down from $199). The shelf system is made out of MDF, measures 48 x 11.5 x 9 inches, comes with two built-in speakers (1 inch tweeter and 4 inch woofer) for an audio device that can be connected via the input jack. There’s also a volume control knob on top of the connector.  The speaker shelf system mounts to either a dry wall or a stud mount only and is available only in a mahogany stain right now. Hurry before it runs out.

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

Technorati Tags: Pottery Barn, Bedford Smart Wall-Mounted Speaker Shelf

I absolutely love this idea – it’s called the “Green Capsule” and it’s basically a mobile garden. The kit comes with a small plastic capsule which you then add some seeds, soil, and water. In a matter of a week, sprouts will appear and then you can plant these sprouts in a real garden or pot. The capsule comes with a mobile phone strap so you can attach it to your phone. You can also exchange the strap for a long chain which allows you to wear the Capsule as a pendant. Nifty idea – go green with the Green Capsule!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Boford Japan, Green Capsule, Portable Plant Cultivation Kit

Let’s be honest now.. every single one of you Trekkie or Trekker fans have always wanted to either sit in the Captain’s chair or actually own one for yourself. Come on… admit it! Heck.. I will! Well soon you’ll be able to buy your own version of the original series (TOS) chair – complete with functional lights and sound effects. CBS commissioned the folks at Diamond Select to create the chair and the folks at TrekMovie.com have a picture of it here.

Yes.. sitting in THE chair probably never felt so good! (Warning – this might not pass the wife test tho.. so you might need to think about getting another product for your wife in order to get the chair).

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Star Trek, Captain\'s Chair, The Original Series, TOS

Looking for a little mood lighting for a small room? You might be interested in the new mini version of the Philips LivingColors Lamp. Instead of displaying 16 million colors like the original, the mini version supports a palette of 256 colors. The mini lamp also drops the remote control. According to Gizmodiva, the mini lamp will be available in December for around $168 dollars. Should be a hit for dorms across the country!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Philips LivingColors Mini Lamp

Sharp has launched the ANPR1500H Home Cinema Rack System which combines DVD system, 2.1 channel speaker system, and television stand into a single unit. The ANPR1500H comes with an HDMI connector and supports 1080i output. Features include:

• USB host capabilities
• DVD player with support for DVD-Video, DVD-RW/R(VR MODE), CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA
• 300 Watt RMS output power
• 2.1 channel speaker system
• Gloss black piano finish
• Supports up to 46 inch LCD TV
• Supports decoding of DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic
• Dolby Virtual speaker and Audistry support
• Remote control
• FM tuner
• Clock/timer/sleep function
• Supports DivX

The ANPR1500H is currently available in the UK for £599.00.

[Check it out via Pocket-Lint]

Technorati Tags: Sharp ANPR1500H Home Cinema Rack System

It’s a cold winter night. Snow’s falling outside while you’re inside snuggling with your loved one (or potential loved one). Its the perfect setting for a fireplace romance.. except one little problem. You don’t have a fireplace.

Enter the Travelmate Portable Fireplace – a black powder-coated steel and glass enclosure with an adjustable steel fuel-holder. Yes.. a portable fireplace folks. Just pick up the Travelmate Portable Fireplace and bring it with you wherever you need a little heat or mood lighting. The unit measures 20 x 28 x 8 inches and weighs around 55 lbs… so chances you won’t be moving it all the time… but at least it’s movable! Powering the fireplace is a bio-ethanol liquid which is not included.

The one problem? The unit costs a whopping $3300.00

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Travelmate Portable Fireplace

The N.Y.Times has an interesting article this weekend entitled “Fans of L.E.D.’s Say This Bulb’s Time Has Come” here on their website. It’s an interesting article about how many think LED lighting is set to finally replace incandescent light bulbs as well as compact fluorescent bulbs. LED (light emitting diode) bulbs have already replaced most of the nation’s traffic lights and many more companies are beginning to opt for this technology over traditional ones. Above is an example of LED lighting in use over at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee.

Another example? Sentry Equipment Corporation’s new factory utilizes LED lighting for exterior and interior lighting needs. While it cost Sentry $18,000 to install LED lighting (that’s $12K more than the $6K needed for a combination of incandescent and fluorescent lighting), the company will save $7,000 a year in energy costs which means it will only take two years for the company to recoup it’s costs – plus these bulbs will last 20 years folks!

People are finally noticing LED bulbs primarily due to three things – brightness, energy efficiency, and long life. All three characteristics put LED bulbs ahead of traditional lighting technologies. The main problem? Cost. While LED bulbs are certainly energy efficient, a single LED bulb can cost upwards of 100x the price of an incandescent bulb. Thus a standard 1 dollar incandescent bulb could cost as much as 100 dollars for an equivalent LED bulb. Of course, consumers would eventually recoup the cost in terms of lower energy bills (which also helps the environment of course) that’s still a tough premise to sell initially – especially if you consider how much it will cost you to simply light up a single room! Yet as with all technologies, one can expect prices to eventually come down and then we can finally kiss the incandescent bulb goodbye!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LED lighting,

If you’re looking for something a tad bit different when it comes to home lighting, you have to check out Innermost’s Asteroid Lamps designed by Koray Ozgen. Inspired by that classic arcade game, each of these Asteroid lamps have 24 facets – each with its own unique geometry and each measuring around 29 cm by 30 cm. The plastic version of the lamp can be placed on the floor, hung n the wall or hung off the ceiling. DesignPublic.com is selling the plastic version of the lamp for $176.  There’s also a glass version of the lamp which can house a 60 watt bulb (the plastic can hold a 15 watt bulb). No word on how much the glass version will go for. Now if they only would make the spaceship from Asteroids!

[Check it out via technabob]

Technorati Tags: Innermost, Asteroid Lamp