Archive for February 19th, 2006
The HP Photosmart 375 is the first truly portable photo printer on the market. Battery-driven and sized for carrying, the HP 375 prints 4×6-inch images anywhere at anytime—no PC or external power source required. Through user research and iterative testing of functional prototypes, the team derived several innovations. With the touch of a button, setup automatically occurs (the power turns on, the front and rear trays open and the LCD screen zooms into position), reducing the error and frustration of the past when these tasks were done manually. The large, articulating, full-color LCD screen facilitates easier photo previewing and selection. Further, the custom battery and new internals gave this printer truly portability—compact, lightweight (3.8 pounds), easy to grasp and carry. This has been among the most successful product launches in HP’s history, far exceeding sales expectations by nearly five times.
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February 19th, 2006
The CafeSolo coffee-maker is both an innovation in form and process. It is a new coffee brewing method and an integrated brewing and serving device, using no machinery or filters, no steam or pushing and pulling. Boiling water is poured directly onto ground coffee beans and stirred. After four minutes the coffee is ready to be served directly from the carafe. The filter funnel ensures that coarse particles are retained and the drip-free lip prevents spills. With the neoprene cover the coffee is kept at serving temperature for up to 30 minutes.
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February 19th, 2006
It may not be a Walkman phone, but Sony Ericsson’s new K610i still boasts a 2 Megapixel camera, video calling, Memory Stick Micro expansion, Bluetooth, 3G - and an RSS reader.
Targeting the mass market, Sony Ericsson unveiled a new 3G-enabled handset in the K610i, which represents a shot in the vein of the handset maker’s popular T630 series albeit with updated design. Incorporating a 2 Megapixel camera and video calling, the feature set of the K610i is more tempered than that of siblings such as the W900i, and unlike the vast majority of Sony Ericsson’s other recent releases does not include Walkman functionality.
Weighing in at a paltry 92 g, the tri-band GSM handset still outperforms many 3G competitors with its 1.9-inch, 262K colour display; Bluetooth; and Memory Stick Micro expansion. USB 2.0 is also in place, and the handset also offers several unusual software features including P-IMAP support for push e-mail; an advanced microbrowser; software for creating photo blogs; and an RSS reader.
To be available in ‘Urban Red’ and ‘Evening Silver’ colour schemes, the Sony Ericsson K610i will ship some time in the second quarter at an unknown price. A version for the US market has not been announced.
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February 19th, 2006
A trio of fully featured handsets debut as BenQ-Siemens unveils its new brand; the EF81, S68 and S88 boast among other traits 2 Megapixel cameras, 3G and audio playback.
Unveiling its new brand at a press conference hosted in Berlin, BenQ-Mobile is set to join Sony Ericsson as the industry’s second dual-name handset maker. To retain the vast majority of handsets from Siemens’ pre-merger portfolio, three new handsets were unveiled sporting a plethora of high-end features, signaling the intent of the newly formed brand to compete in the high-end space.
BenQ-Siemens EF81
The most capable of the handsets launched today is the EF81, a slim clamshell in the vein of Motorola’s RAZR V3x and Samsung’s MM-A920. Boasting a 16 mm thick magnesium chassis, it combines 3G connectivity with tri-band GSM and dual 262K colour display, the internal one of which is of the high-resolution variety. Meanwhile, the external display of the handset also doubles as a viewfinder for its 2 Megapixel swivel camera, which records video in addition to taking stills.
Due out this March in Europe, other highlights of the EF81 include Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a stainless steel keypad. Additionally, BenQ-Siemens also found room for 64 MB of onboard memory and a microSD card expansion slot for making better use of the built-in media player which supports MP3, AAC+, MPEG4, RealVideo and H.263 formats.
BenQ-Siemens S68
At 13 mm thick, the S68 is even thinner than the EF81 - but it’s also a candybar and offers a considerably reduced feature set, leading to a featherweight measure-in of 79 g. Highlights include a brushed aluminum exterior, Bluetooth and USB, to which a 262K colour medium resolution display offers an interface along with PIM and utility suites.
A tri-band GSM phone, the EF81 also harbours 8 MB of onboard memory, likely for the purpose of storing Java applications or e-mail attachments in Microsoft Word/Excel or Adobe Acrobat formats which can be viewed sans conversion. Claiming up to 5 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of standby, the BenQ-Siemens S68 is slated for availability throughout Europe in February.
BenQ-Siemens S88
Also a candybar, the S88 raises the bar right back up to where the EF81 left off, harbouring a 2-inch, high-resolution OLED display, a 2 Megapixel camera with video support and a microSD card slot for memory expansion. The 16 MB of onboard memory is unlikely to tide users over for long as the handset is also fitted with a media player supporting MP3, AAC+, MPEG4 and H.263 formats - unless frequent use is made of its Bluetooth 1.2 and USB 2.0 connectivity.
Equipped with PictBridge support for direct-to-printer output, the S88 also sports the A2DP to allow for stereo audio streaming over Bluetooth, but leaves out the 3G connectivity of the S88 in favour of plain old tri-band GSM with GPRS. To compete with handsets such as the Sony Ericsson K750i or Nokia 6233, the S88 is expected to hit European shelves some time in the first quarter of 2006.
February 19th, 2006
The Sony QUALIA016 is an ultra-compact digital still camera that disappears into your palm. Because of its size, the camera is easily carried with you at all times, ready to take a photo in an instant. The QUALIA016 is not just a camera but a compete kit of accessories to optimize your photo-taking experience, such as a viewfinder, wide conversion lens, teleconversion lens, flash unit, video-out unit and timer remote unit, which all fit in a custom all-in-one carrying case. However, there is more to this design innovation than its small size. Designers made the camera’s interface comfortable and intuitive, over time becoming an extension of your hand and of the company’s focus on creating products that appeal to the human heart.
February 19th, 2006
The ultimate expression of “Viva las Vegas”, this striking natural sycamore wood humidor is a sure bet for the spectator, the high stakes hero or those who are preternaturally lucky. To create the authentic appearance of a large single die, the natural beige sycamore is inlaid with Tahitian black mother-of-pearl circles on each face. The humidor can accommodate up to 100 cigars, and features a deep bottom compartment and two interior cedar trays with open-slat bottoms which can be removed as needed. Polished gold-tone hardware, with a key inlaid in a miniature coordinating die pattern. Made in France.
Price: $3,760.00
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February 19th, 2006
The Nike Considered Boot is a performance shoe that combines subtle styling with unique environmental benefits without sacrificing Nike’s commitment to design innovation. The handcrafted boot sports a unique look obtained by weaving hemp lace between the leather upper to produce a one-of-a-kind shoe that molds to the foot. The project grew out of consumer feedback that clearly indicated a desire for more sustainable products. The designers achieved impressive environmental statistics: a reduction of 61 percent in manufacturing waste, 35 percent in energy consumption and 89 percent in the use of solvents. In addition, the shoe is designed to be more effectively recycled in Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. The product launch has surpassed expectations and has led Nike to consider similar issues in its other product lines.
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February 19th, 2006
The ultimate indulgence for the watch collector, the Ghiso box is handcrafted from Makassar ebony with a natural calf leather lid. Inside are two leather trays, a removable travel case for watches and cufflinks, a Makassar ebony magnifying glass, two Makassar ebony brushes, two microfiber cloths and a special spray for cleaning watches.
Measures 12 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ x 3″
Price: $2,010.00
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February 19th, 2006
From the Christofle Haute Orfevrerie Collection: As designed by Michele Oka Doner, the tray as centerpiece — elegantly carved with a delicate hand to express natural textures. Crafted in Christofle silver in a limited, signed and numbered edition. Measures 15 1/2″ diameter. Handmade. Limited edition of 50 pieces.
Price: $7,600.00
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February 19th, 2006
The legend of the dragon lives on in an exotic natural shell plate decorated with an exquisite handmade sterling silver dragon handle. Intricately cast in the “cire perdue” (lost wax) technique, the form of the dragon is individually sculpted in a wax mold, which is then dissolved and replaced by hot silver. Measures 10″ x 13″ x 2″. Made by Lotus Arts de Vivre.
Price: $2,200.00
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February 19th, 2006
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