Blog Archives
Insert Coin Game Console
There was a time in the 90′s when Sega would allow other companies to make souped-up versions of their Sega CD/32X consoles, which offered the consumer some very high-end choices. Also there was a console platform called the 3DO, where the console was manufactered by Panasonic and later other companies (Sanyo, Goldstar) - each resulting in a different appearance, performance, and functionality.
Nowadays all console makers restrict the manufacture and specifications of their hardware to themselves. Which is too bad, as I would like to see other manufacturers release their take on the Playstation or 360 or Wii. Perhaps we would see high-end consoles, or maybe versions with added functionality (a 360 that plays Blu-Rays for example), or the holy grail of consoles - the all-in-one system. Another possibility is the release of novelty consoles like this ‘Insert Coin’ one I designed.
Don’t get me wrong, I like how Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony would release the odd console decked-out in different colors or in the theme of a game (the Halo 3 Xbox 360 console springs to mind), but I think a lot of exciting potential is left on the table.
Going back to this simple concept, the gist being an over-sized arcade cabinet coin slot, where the game disc acts as the coin. When this console sits under your large screen TV, it sort of gives the appearance you have an arcade cabinet as well.
If you can look past the design having the world’s largest eject button, you’ll see the nostalgia factor this console yields. It harkens back to a time when playing a game asked for a small investment of 25 cents to enjoy.
The large button light would be garish to some, but I think it has the same appeal as neon light featuring a beer logo. I think it would look good in the rec room or wherever gaming rituals are carried out by hardcore enthusiasts.
Monsters Inc Blu-Ray Player
Initially I was going to make this a Blu-Ray case, but upon remembering how functional the Scare Floor Door System was in the film, I thought it would be better as a Blu-Ray/DVD player.
This design reminds me of that excellent R2D2 projection DVD player. Though if it were up to me, I would have made an ejecting lightsaber that served as the remote, instead of the MIllenium Falcon.
Poor Mike Wazowski - obscured again. Though I'd like to think this would still be thrilling for him.
The door swings open to reveal a vertical disc tray. The spinning mount rotates down to allow access to the disc. This is where I deviated, in that the door seen in the film swings away not toward. But a necessary evil.
The power canister was made into a remote as well. This kind of design approach harkens back to Disney’s Mickey Mouse phone.
And while many don’t care for visible cables lying about, it would actually make sense for this industrial design.
Not only do I like the theme and functionality of this design, but it falls into my “Flat Electronics” mantra. That needs to happen!
I’m glad I didn’t design this as a case. I already have a Blu-Ray case based on a door. Don’t want to repeat myself too much!
Autobot Blaster Mini Bookshelf Stereo System
Saw this Harmon Kardon stereo on Engadget recently and I thought it looked very slick and modern. However it was 100% geek-free, so I thought I’d attempt to remedy that.
I then asked myself, what kind of mini stereo would I want? Easy, one that looks like the Autobot Blaster from Transformers:
Not to scare away Transformers purists, but it does not transform. It’s merely a state-of-the-art stereo that only looks like Blaster in his alternate mode. It merely gives the illusion that you have a real-life Transformer sitting on your shelf!
I designed the remote to look similar to a cassette, and have the LCD display to appear like a cassette playing (but with an added visualizer). I removed Blaster’s handle from the top, as this is not supposed to be portable.
This reminds me of the post awhile back regarding the Star Trek View Screen, where I preached that manufacturers of electronics should try to incorporate some unique property branding into their products. I think Sony, JVC, Panasonic, etc. would be well-served if they issued a stereo that had the Transformer branding utilized.
This is what Blaster is “listening to” in the above images (Explicit Lyrics):
Here is a large version (click to enlarge):
The Last Starfighter Bluetooth Headset
This item crosses a bunch of things off my to-do list of ideas, namely:
1) A gadget based on The Last Starfighter - particularily the device Alex uses to call Centauri (pictured below inset), 2) A bluetooth headset gadget, which is long overdue here on this blog, 3) An earbud design that folds into an enclosure.
I remember flip phones being a hot item several years ago, now they are pretty much extinct. This gadget uses that flip design because I wanted to have an earbud that can be encased in some form for hygienic reasons. Also the flip design is retro, much like the film it embodies.
Admittedly, it won’t look nice and sleek when in use, but it will be nice and compact when folded up so you can easily throw it in your pocket.
I also think this Starfighter device would make for a cool key fob or remote of some kind, perhaps a mini cellphone. I could never really nail down an appropriate use for it. This will do for now!
On second thought I should have put the hinge on the top, so when you wear it the display doesn’t appear upside down. Ah well.
Sneakers Blu-Ray Case
Sneakers is one of my all-time favorite films, simply for the fact that it’s just a fun film through and through. It’s too bad it hasn’t become a franchise, but then again I’ve seen the Ocean’s Eleven sequels and maybe it’s for the best.
Sneakers isn’t as high profile as the many other films I’ve featured in this blog, but still it’s a personal favorite and the film is just so geeky. I don’t mind tackling designs for smaller or obscure properties, as long as the design makes sense.
If you’ve seen the film, this Blu-Ray case is pretty self-explanatory. If you haven’t, then I highly suggest you seek it out - excellent popcorn movie. Looks like it hasn’t been released on Blu-Ray yet (oddly enough it was released on the now-dead HD-DVD format), so you may have to endure a basic DVD transfer to enjoy the film.
This case is almost to scale with the prop from the film, though it could be compressed into a standard jewel case, similar to a steelbook or a collector’s tin.
If you are a fan of this film, then you should check out this great write-up over at CHUD, which pretty much sums up my view towards this film.
Superman Phantom Zone Picture Frame
"You WILL BOW before me JOR-EL!"
The Phantom Zone is a prison created by Superman’s father Jor-El. The prison is a sort of limbo dimension that criminals forever reside in. The Phantom Zone has appeared in numerous forms throughout the Superman mythos, but this gadget pays tribute to the version that has appeared in the first two Superman films, and to a smaller extent on Smallville.
This version appears as a crystal that floats aimlessly through space, depicting it’s prisoner in a flat 2D manner, much like a photograph. Exactly why this would make for an AWESOME picture frame.
However the problem lies in who you want to be depicted as ‘imprisoned’ in this frame. I’d wager this would be suitable for an Ex, an In-Law, or the Boss. For me I’d put my credit card in it.
The crystal prison ideally would spin like it’s film counterpart, so it needs a stand that would raise the crystal to give it the appearance of floating. It would then spin with the aid of a motor.
I designed three flavors - the one with a celestial and illuminated backdrop (top), which conceals the stand itself somewhat. The next one has no backdrop, just a few prongs to raise the frame (above), and the last one features a frame sits on the stand and rotates in the Y-axis (below).
For the picture you would need to print two copies, with one of the images mirrored. You would then cut out the person(s) in both pics, and glue/tape them back-to-back. The picture is then sandwiched within the frame.
I think this would make a great trinket on the desk. Maybe some clever DIYers can figure out a way for people to make one themselves?
If you like this or any other idea I have posted, please bug Thinkgeek on my behalf HERE. Just email them a link to this post, and tell them you want one! Your endorsement is much appreciated.
Portal Turrets Music Speakers
Forget the weighted companion cube! That is so 2007. What I would like on my desk in some form is the charming-yet-extremely-dangerous Turret from the Portal games.
And because these robotic drones have taken on a more, uh, musical role in the recent Portal 2 sequel, why not turn them into a set of music speakers?
They’d be fine as a static set of speakers, but if possible they could include their ‘dancing’ animations from the game. But only if their movements were quiet - the noise of motors whirring on my desk would get old quick.
This is sort of similar, but I saw this video yesterday featuring a real product. A plush toy that ‘lip syncs’ to a music source (like an iPod). However it was employed to act as a speaker phone in this scene from the TV show The Good Wife:
I thought that was hilarious. Though I doubt the toy was that perfectly quiet (I could be wrong). You can read more about these plush toys (available in many different animal types) here.
And if you’d like Thinkgeek to make these Portal Turrets, you can bug them here. Just email them a link to this post, and tell them you want this. Your endorsement is much appreciated.
