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Thinkgeek IdeaFactory Submission Part 2: Music Visualizer
This is a straightforward device: An audio visualizer (represented by a tower of LED lights) that would intercept the audio feed to your speakers from the computer or media player (iPod/iPhone) and display some pretty lights accordingly.
This would operate as visualizer or can become an ambient mood light at the flip of the switch. This can be expanded to be an iOS device dock, and can include a USB Hub to add functionality.
Personally I like idea of a visualizer on my desk for atmosphere, but it is just a cosmetic decoration when all is said and done.
Submission For Thinkgeek’s IdeaFactory Part 1: Desk Dashboard
Thinkgeek has created a portal for people to submit ideas called the Thinkgeek IdeaFactory. Product ideas will be evaluated and should they come to fruition, the submitter can earn some money (payment and royalties) and can re-sell their product if they so choose. They only stipulate that product ideas aren’t based on a licensed property (so no dinnerware based on TRON discs), the products have to stand on their own. I submitted a few designs. Here is the first one:
This is the “Desk Dashboard”. which is like a small clock you keep at your workstation that is plugged into the PC via USB, and is entirely based on the dashboard of an automobile. It emits lights and sounds to notify you of important emails, lunchtime, coffee breaks, and your hourly stand up and stretch health check. Program your routine in the PC and the Desk Dashboard carries it out.
The “Fuel” (Coffee) gauge is a countdown clock to your scheduled coffee breaks. It would not actually be able to detect the coffee level in your cup! Maybe a weight scale peripheral can do that.
The dashboard emits chimes similar to a car, like when the door is ajar and the keys are left in the ignition, or forgetting to put the seat belt on.
It can be expanded to include Facebook and Twitter notifications, an Odometer-style time clock, a hazard light function (red button and yellow blinking lights) to scare co-workers away, and a quitting time alert. Your boss might not be enamored with the last one.
Terms And Words That Can Be Retired
I think it’s time some words and terms can be discarded from everyday use, for the sake of efficiency and simplicity. Eliminating these terms can save time and money.
Here is a series of rants in no particular order:
1. TVs. I cannot wait to be rid of the LCD/Plasma/OLED monikers, same goes for Flat Screen and Flat Panel. Let’s face it, all TV’s are flat now. As for the LCD/Plasma/OLED terms, I believe those should only be point-of-sale distinctions, because those are valid options for the consumer. For everyday use, it would be great just to call them TVs. I’d like to cite previous precedent: the advent of Color TVs, which needed that ‘Color’ distinction, but once commonplace it was redundant. Older TVs can be called CRT TVs.
2. Digital Cameras. The term digital was crucial some 15 years ago when these cameras launched. Film was dominant at the time, but is now practically extinct. I believe Digital Cameras can now be referred to as simply Cameras. The minority of cameras still using film can be referred to as Film Cameras, which would be an important distinction for those looking to insert their 4GB memory card.
3. Phone. Be it a landline telephone, cell phone, digital phone, smart phone, or mobile phone, I don’t think it really matters anymore. A phone is a phone, and it’s the only word you need. My personal opinion is that these category labels are more for vanity than for the benefit of others. The abilities of phones are only crucial to their respective users, there is no real need to clarify to others the type of phone you are using. Obviously companies will continue to employ these categories because they transform a basic necessity into a status symbol.
4. Next-Gen Current-Gen Last-Gen. For the 90′s and 2000′s the improvement in graphics and gameplay for video games may have warranted these designations. However the next generation of consoles will not be a big leap forward graphically compared to what has come before. I say it’s time to retire this terminology and just stick to the platforms when describing a game. Besides, games from several generations back are still relevant, and they do just fine without any kind of “Gen” term. Read the rest of this entry
Geeky TVs Part 2: Batman
For this Batman-themed TV, I went with an industrial design that seemed at home in a BatCave. This is really just a fancy LCD display stand the suspends the monitor from an overhead beam, just like a bat.
The bolts are there just for show, though I imagine the configuration of this stand might make some wish this could be bolted down. I’d like to think it would be sturdy enough. The base could be a large single piece as well.
I designed the uprights to hold cradle attachments for your tablet or smartphone, which helps resemble the multiple monitor display that Batman usually has. Shelf attachments can also be added for your consoles or component hardware, allowing you to show off all those wonderful toys.
All you need is a wardrobe like this one (painted black) and you have a Batcave. Well, maybe a Batmobile and an industrial grade elevator wouldn’t hurt either.
Geeky Cameras Part 4: Pokemon
This camera design is for the kids, or the adults still hopelessly addicted to Pokemon. A camera that is in the shape of a Pokeball, so you can capture photos (okay I’m not proud of that one).
I know cameras are prevalent in all gadgets, even Nintendo portable devices. But I’d enjoy a dedicated camera device if it was as novel as this.
It’s designed to be very small, about 3″ in diameter, 5″ wide when fully open. The Pokeball button unlocks the camera and doubles as the picture-snapping button. You’d have to manually slide the camera open and closed.
To check out the other geeky camera designs, click here.
Speak & Spell iPad Case
This one is pretty straightforward, an iPad case based on the Speak & Spell educational toy from the 80′s (you whippersnappers might have seen it in the film E.T.). Obviously those from the late 70′s and early 80′s would appreciate the novelty of this idea more.
I know it’s a kids toy, but as I’ve often stated I like things that are inherently nostalgic. I believe only a few geeks would have scruples about being seen with such a childish case.
I suppose the only downside is the ironic hipster vibe this design wields. It’s retro, filled with social commentary about modern electronic devices, and is intended for an Apple product. I should just delete this post. *Sigh!* I’ll leave it be. You hipsters don’t linger around here too long, y’hear?
The odds of this happening are super-slim. Speak & Spell is owned by Texas Instruments, not exactly a competitor of Apple but no ally either.
Sorry to pimp other posts, but you might dig this Crayola 3DS case.
Anti-Theft Newspaper Vending Box
Well this idea might have been helpful in the early 90′s or sooner. Better late than never!
How it works: A stack of newspapers are sitting on a spring-loaded platform (A), which is raised as the box is emptied. The newspapers are pushed against the top, where a series of rollers (B) are located. These rollers help in gliding the newspaper out of a small door opening (C). Another large door is on the front of the box (D), which holds a single display paper. This door unlocks at the same time as the small door, but it cannot be opened until the platform is all the way at the top of the box (platform is gripping the door shut). The newspapers are loaded at the side or back of the box.
Alternate design: No platform, instead there is a small door at the bottom of the box to grab the paper (rollers are also at the bottom), so gravity is doing all the work. There would be no large front door, instead a slot to display a single page to showcase the paper. Because the door to grab the paper is located at the bottom, the box would need to be raised for easier access.
