In the last few years, the blogosphere has made the concept of promoting new designs and ideas both easy and accessible. The people from ToldYa have devised a way to sell these ideas and designs in the very same channel through which we communicate. It’s a portable, embeddable online store that lets you buy and sell among friends on social networks, blogs and web sites with ease and security. Using a web-based software platform to create, host, and manage widget-based Portable Stores, ToldYa allows you to copy your products directly on your profiles on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, as well as to your own blog. Where services like Etsy.com have created a platform for selling your own ideas, Toldya opens up that platform and gives users the opportunity for placement in their own social channels. Add a video, some basic details, spread the word and accept payments through credit cards– this could prove to be a helpful tool for craftsmen and entrepreneurs alike. [toldya]
Uber cool, ultra sleek and adored with sexy curves, Nikon Coolpix eXtreme is a concept design by Camillo Vanacore that plans to steal the heart of every shutterbug across the globe. Equipped with an ability to overcome, dust, snow, rain and everything else that nature can hurl at it, the Coolpix eXtreme oozes with overwhelming class. However, keep in mind that the camera is extreme, and you’ll still need to run for cover. Anyone from Nikon reading this? [via Yanko]
Designed by the creative folks from Objetgraphik for the 2008 Saint Etienne International Design Biennial, Paul Hoc is a robot drawing machine that moves like a skater on ice. And although it’s not the best painter in the world, it wanders the paper with shaky precision and gentle moves, to create a set of dizzying patterns that are both intriguining and hypnotizing. It looks like physical computing and art do mix together, and the outcome is pretty cool. [via Objetgraphik]
It’s a certainty that the folks at Leica are after style-conscious photographers. They’ve just announced that their high-end compact camera – the M8 Series, is getting a new color scheme, Safari. Matching the travel and adventure themes with its matte green canvas, brown leather and brushed silver lining, it looks like a classic but is in fact a highly modern digital camera. Packed with a Summicron 28mm F2.0 bundle, th M8 Safari is way out of our league because it sells for a delicate $10,000. Worth it? We’ll let you decide. [via LuxuryLaunches]
When you’re trying to foresee and design the future of mobile music, the outcome has to be something really special and unique to get people dreaming. Renowned for his futuristic concepts that are sometime impossible to be produced, designer Mac Funamiz (aka Impossible Mac) strikes again with this transparent music player. Compatible with your mobile phone, the exquisite bracelet has a flexible lucent screen, a set of stylish earphones that should deliver “concert performance” and a built-in microphone used for voice commands. Concept or not, we love the inspiration- and hope that in a few years, PAP producers will have taken note… [via Yanko]
At this year’s CES in Las Vegas, Kinesis unveiled a 2-in-1 handheld recharger aimed to solve the sweet irony of seeing gadgets run out of battery. Reminiscent of the HyMini, the K2 uses both solar power and wind energy, ensuring you never have to see that ‘battery low’ sign again. The Kinesis K2 packs a battery that is large enough to charge your mobile 5 times over; something no one else has on offer. You can either leave it in the sun or hang it from your vehicle to plug into both solar and wind power. At $100, K2 look s like a real hit. [via Dvice]
If you plan on improving your driving skills– both on the track and in the game, check out VDI’s driving simulator. Using three widescreen display screens with a 120° viewing angle, it manages to recreate real car conditions and to reflect all essential aspects of vehicle operation. Beyond its ability to fit seamlessly into your gaming environments, the device is also intended for teenagers testing to get their license. The simulator is capable of adding dangerous situations to any lesson so that people know how to react when their attention is being tested. Oh and if you already have your license, it sounds like a fun way to spend your evening… [via BornRich]
And we thought that the New Year was all about going frugal and downsizing expenditures due to the slow economy… Look s like Linksys bet otherwise, thinking us gadgety folk will spend a small fortune for their new Wireless Home Audio System. Offering a wireless musical treat across your home, the device features the player, the conductor, the director, speakers, a smart controller with an ergonomic touchscreen display and an iPod dock . With a price tag of well over $1,500, it looks like a toy for the rich (that don’t want a better audiophile system for the same price). [via CrunchGear]
Only one day left till CES 2009 kicks in Las Vegas and word is that Samsung plans to release something that will make us happy. Apparently they’re not only fighting for the slimmest television but also the slimmest Blu-ray Disk. The Korean manufacturer hasn’t released any details yet, except for some official pictures of the little device and the fact that it’s going to be 39mm thick. I guess we can wait one more day to find out more about availability and price, isn’t it? [via Akihabara]
