How futuristic is this? Ford has revealed an innovative LCD gauge cluster called SmartGauge with EcoGuide that will debut in the new and coming very soon 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid.
This SmartGauge LCD panel uses two high resolution, full-color LCD screens display on either side of the analog speedo that can be configured to show different levels of information like fuel and battery power levels, average and instant MPG (miles per gallon) – which is probably the most sought after function with everyone wanting to save money and fuel at this time.
Here’s the funny bit, growing leaves and vines on the right hand side of the dashboard (click on the picture above) means a reward for the driver’s driving efficiency, which is creative and feels like giving treats to a child for being good 
. “If you drive efficiently, the vines and leaves will grow lush, which is a very creative way of better engaging drivers in getting the most out of their hybrids.”
[via Autoblog]
Another flying car? To be honest, most concept gadgets and cars too are relatively unrealistic, including this one. The Audi Calamaro concept really takes things to the next level. For one, it’s a flying car. No wheels here. Yeah, you could say it’s as futuristic as the vehicles you drive in the video game Wipeout.
Designed by Hungarian design student Tibor for a design contest run by his native Porsche distributor. And inspired by the “bone of a cuttlefish,” the Audi Calamaro does a good job of looking kind of like its name suggests while still adapting current Audi design themes. One thing is for sure it looks great but not that practical at all. It doesn’t even have a trunk (though lots of sports cars these days don’t neither. All round, I think its awesome for a concept design, who wouldn’t want to test drive it, if it became a reality?
I cannot believe someone would have the imagination to create a case mod for the PS3 to an extent that is as details as this. Created by Butterkneter of Bit-Tech, this incredible Far Cry 2 case mod includes an AK-47 magazine, bullet casings and giant bugs, as well as the idea for the battle of a damaged PS3 as pictured, enjoy the gallery!
Another one of Butterkneter’s famous and ever popular works was the Battlefield 2 case mod back in 2005, click here to check it out.
[via Bit-Tech]
The Pomera DM10 from King Jim, does not make notes for you if that is what you assume clever gadgets can do these days. But it has been designed for the sole purpose of supporting you in doing so. It’s not only a keyboard as you can see, though it’s not a netbook neither, it’s simply a device which will allow you to take note quickly (and by that, I mean in .txt).
It comes with 4-Inch VGA Display, a very minimalistic built-in memory of just 128KB, a microSD card slot that supports up to 2GB, an USB port. It’s also compatible with Windows Vista / XP and it measures 250x158x45mm.
Regarding the price, this fancy student gadget will cost you around 27,300 yens which is just under £200, more details at the source link below.
[via King Jim]
This is one of the latest conceptual suitcase folding bike on the market, which has actually been put into production and now on sale! Very rarely do concepts become reality like the backpack bike concept which we featured earlier. But this one is different, the suitcase folding bike is made of alloy and weighs only 8-9 kg, which is not bad if you know your bikes.
The company claims it takes only 10 second to open or to fold away. The size is so small that it can be easily carried on the bus or into shops and stores.
Check out the following video of how it works.
Here are some more details:
- The vehicle used magnesium alloy die-casting molding, sturdiness and durability.
- Folded, the bike will become an angular the suitcase, and the use of environmental friendly, in the transportation or storage, not angular collision themselves or others.
- The unique design of baggage drawbars, folded state, can be used as drawbars to drive the bike in the cycle, half of drawbars can be pulled out as a luggage rack use.Tugs unique design.
- The unique handle design, easy on or off.
- Light weight, vehicle only 8-9 KG.
- Small size, only 0.039 M3 vehicle.
- Pate unique to the brakes, reducing the braking action of decomposition can improve braking efficiency, extended security warning time, Cycle more secure.
- PU foam-free high inflatable tires, can be completely free from leakage problems.
- The unique saddle quick system, which folded more convenient.
- The unique saddle freedom lifting system so that the saddle height adjustment become very easy.
- The unique foldable leading to fold more human.
- The unique built-in speaker system returned to its port after.
- The unique pedal folding system.
- The new water-basket design and bike design.
[via HappyBicycle]
We love futuristic designs and concepts and I think everyone will agree that the design contest which welcomes young designers every year by Peugeot has constantly been one which holds great expectations in terms of quality and creativity. Peugeot has been holding the contest for the past five years and this year, the theme was “imagine the Peugeot in the worldwide megalopolis of tomorrow”.
The contest brought in a total 2,500 entries out of which 29 finalists were selected. Those 29 were examined more closely and eventually a winner was chosen. The top design was the work of Carlos Arturo Torres Tovar, a 25-year-old designer from Colombia. He was selected by both the internet polls and the competition judges.
From just looking at the picture, it didn’t come to my mind that Carlos’ design only had three wheels, it’s called the RD and as you would expect from the theme of this year’s event, it’s built based on a compact design. It looks as futuristic as a vehicle which astronauts would use to ride on the moon, but really Carlos’ had only intended it to be as compact as possible. Such that when roads are busy and cars behind you couldn’t get anymore closer, the RD would be able to fold upwards thereby substantially saving up some room for air. Continue reading »
The folks over at iFixit who previously also dissected a whole bunch of other gadgets like the iPhone 3G loves to take things apart, this time he gets his hands on the beautifully assembled new MacBook Pro (click to enlarge):
Guess what the coroner found out? Quite interesting actually:
- The optical drive is identical in the MB and MBP, and it’s SATA
- MBP RAM isn’t tough to replace, but hard drive requires a Torx screwdriver
- The keyboards can be user-serviced, but require removing 56 screws first
- “Unibody” construction is “elegant”
- “The new MacBook is really a 13″ MacBook Pro. It uses the same design, and same manufacturing quality”
Alot more pictures available at iFixit…
[via Geeky Gadgets]
