Talk About An Eco-friendly Oasis

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a place where the air is non-polluted and waste-free? It does sound very surreal. You would think that once you have a population of people you would automatically have some form of pollution.

In Abu Dhabi, Foster+Partners will be building the first zero-carbon and waste-free city called Masdar City. The city will contain a wall of photovoltaic cells and wind farms that will supply the city its electricity. The area surrounding the city will be fields and plantations that will act as carbon sinks “to offset gases produced in the factories—and they will be irrigated with gray water drawn from the city’s water treatment plant.”

Masdar City will house around 45,000 people. Also the area will be car-free. Thus the city will contain their own railway.

Now here’s my question, if they claim that people will be able to commute into Masdar, wouldn’t those people pollute the city? Although this concept is extremely interesting while it uses the technology that we already have.

For more info, you can click on the following link Masdar City

How About a Moving-Picture Wall?

Once in a while there’s a new thing that will stun you. Yes, today I found something that really made my jaw drop. Sony has announced their development in making displays that are as thin as paper. Wait, but there’s more to it. It’s actually bendable! Yes, a bendable paper-thin screen. It’s said to be even clearer than lcd screens.

Honestly, I have heard the proposal of a moving screen as thin as paper. Initially I noticed about a paper thin screen when some MIT students were researching on that type of technology. Their idea was to have a foldable interactive map.

Just think, a few years more and people will be watching tv on even thinner screens. How about a rollable portable screen? Nifty idea! Or how about getting your entire room be the tv, you can have a moving-picture wallpaper… hmm perhaps a bit too much? Well, perhaps a moving-picture t-shirt

Design To Improve Life

If you’re a designer, nothing is better than having a product that will do some good in this world. Right now top nominated 110 designers from representing all seven continents are in Copenhagen, Denmark to show their designs.

INDEX is a non-profit organization that is based in Denmark. Their aim is focus on designs that improves lifes. The designs can target numerous types of audiences. There are five major categories: body, home, work, play and community. INDEX is the “biggest design award in the world.”

Usability of the conceptual product is certainly of the utmost importance in this case. The purpose of the product and its outcome of the solution shown through design is really how the product will be judged.

Currently, INDEX is holding summits for designers and innovators in Copenhagen, Denmark. On August 24, the top 110 designs will be displayed in Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen Denmark, where it will be an open exhibition in the town square. The top five best designs will be award 100 000 Euro each.

Now check out some of the really amazing designs that are nominated. They are an inspiration to follow, as they really put designs to go use.

For more info, check out INDEX

WOW! It’s with the Mac bundle!

It’s one of those late nights when you’re not exactly tired, but you don’t want to do much so you just browse around. All of a sudden, I stumbled upon this extremely fun application. Strangely enough, they don’t really advertise this program even though it’s included when you buy a more recent Intel Mac computer. So what is this really awesome program? Well, it’s called Comic Life. It really took me by surprise, because one it’s like getting an unexpected present and two, it’s really fun to play with.Comic Life what a joy to play with. Honestly, where else can clicking around an application with funny sound effects actually be a fun thing to do and not annoying. It almost makes me want to click on everything within the user-friendly interface. I mean literally everything makes a sound, even when you rotate a shape!

Now for people who don’t know what I’m talking about. Comic Life is an award winning application designed by plasq. They won the “Best Product New to Mac Os X” award in 2005. It’s a fun way to integrate your text and photos, since it adds a flair to editing your compositions. There are tons of templates that you can make photo layouts into comical masterpieces in a matter of minutes!!!

Of course there’s more to this fabulous Comic Life. You can add images straight from iPhoto or even screen capture images from your iSight or Firewire DV cameras.

I would say the best part of this application is that it’s got humour. Also the application makes sounds that is not annoying but will actually make you laugh, well at least they made me laugh.

For more info on this marvelous application, check out Comic Life

Shh… I’m reading another episode from Comic Life

All-in-one washing machine/ironing?

Yes, you read correctly, believe it or not I’ve found a washing machine that can also do the ironing for you. Who wouldn’t want to have a washer that can do the ironing for you, and at the same time perhaps save you a few. I’m all for saving energy and being eco-friendly, and the LG eco-steam washing machine does exactly that.

LG, a Korean electronics company, has come out with a new washing machine that uses steam to wash clothes. Instead of filling the washer with water, their technology allows the machine to use steam jet. LG claims that since they use steam, the creases in the clothes will also be eliminated.

Of course, having an energy and water-saving washing machine is difficult to come by. This steam washer claims to save 35% of conventional machine and 21% energy save.

Another benefit to the product is that it’s got a “direct drive system” so the drums will spin directly from the motor versus using a belt. As a result of this type of system, the washer will be much quieter.

Now doesn’t that sound like a brilliant washing machine?

This designed washer comes in the usual white color, but notice the picture below, there’s a floral design. Yes, you can also get a floral design on the washer for a bit more! Now, what more can you ask for… a washing machine that’s eco-friendly, does your ironing plus has some color design on it!