lifestyle >> – Page 23 – DesignApplause

The whip. Snowboard.

Feb 2, 2009

A radical new design that sets out to improve on almost every aspect of snowboard riding – more speed, higher jumps, quicker turns, better fit and less chatter. Now, after four years in development, “The Whip” as it’s known has been officially launched.

The design retains a 4×4 mounting system so it can be used with most conventional bindings but a stiff binding with minimal padding is recommended. While the The Whip will perform well in regular powdery conditions, it’s not built for deep, off-trail powder.

The Whip represents a total rethink of several elements of snowboard design, but at first glance, there are two glaringly obvious features that stand out – the elongated cutout that runs through the center of the board and the raised, carbon-composite mounts dubbed “Spider back suspension”.

The purpose of the Open V Hull shape is to reduce the amount of surface area in contact with the snow and in turn reduce drag for greater gliding speed. The straight inner edges boost directional stability and are positioned lower than the outer edge resulting in a slight V-shape that is designed to improve edge to edge transition.

The second – and most striking – design element is the Spider back suspension, a system which was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous Vitruvian Man sketch. Lin explains that the SBS fulfills several key roles – it acts as a suspension system to reduce chatter and because it’s edge mounted, allows for easier transfer of weight directly to the outside of the board, which is curved like a conventional snowboard for turns. The SBS mounts are tilted slightly toward the center of the board for a more natural stance and further assist turning by raising the center of gravity. The inner arms also act like leaf springs to give the board more “pop”.

The board is hand-built from wood, plastic, steel edges and carbon composite while the SBS is constructed with carbon composite. The suspension role played by the SBS also means that there’s no need for a dampening rubber sheet to be added to the board.

Only one model of will be released this year with the company expecting to produce a few hundred this season. The first, 158cm model is known as “The Whip F-117” (see below for specs) and there are plans to introduce more boards by next season.

The Whip is patent pending in the U.S., EU and most of Asia and the “F-117” model is now available for pre-order at the Cheetah Ultra Sports website at a price of USD$1899. Shipping is slated to begin this month. via cheetah ultra sports

The Whip F-117 Specs:
* LENGTH: 158cm
* WAIST WIDTH: 23.5cm
* EFFECTIVE EDGE: Outer 127cm, Inner 86x2cm
* NOSE WIDTH: 29cm
* TAIL WIDTH: 28cm
* OPENING WIDTH: 7cm
* STANCE LOCATION: 10.5 Back
* SPIDER HEIGHT: 3.8cm
* RIDER WEIGHT LIMITS: 135-195 lbs.

Designer: Adams Lin

Measurement gloves.

Jan 27, 2009

Value item: Looking for a ruler? There’s never one around when you need one. Too bad they’re knitted.
But they are a fashion statement of sorts and it does send a message that you’re handy.

via nerd approved Retailer: up to you

Carbon dioxide scrubber.

Jan 21, 2009

It is cool to be green these days, and David Keith and his team think the Carbon Dioxide Scrubber could be the next big thing. This device is supposed to capturing CO2 straight from the air and purify it, making our air much cleaner.

Also known as the eCO2, this personal scrubber unit aims to help an individual reduce or even erase his/her personal carbon footprint throughout the day. How does it do this? Fashioned after a futuristic looking wristwatch, it relies on kinetic energy to power it, pulling in air via intake vents to collect CO2 and expelling clean air through its exhaust vents. We wonder whether wearing five of these on each arm will help us offset more than our fair share of carbon footprint. As an added bonus, the eCO2 also doubles up as a timepiece, and we think it has plenty of potential when used with a Wii while you’re busy trying to knock your opponent out in Wii Boxing.

Designer: james kershaw & Chad Garn

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS CONCEPT? — comment below.

ECCI TrackStar 6000

Jan 21, 2009

Speed freak racer controller. The ECCI TrackStar 6000 is simply the best PC steering wheel and pedal set available in the world. If you can afford it, you’ll never regret buying one.

We’re talking a two-tone leather steering wheel, fluid damped steering which emulate the feel of tyres on pavement, fine tuned customizable steering resistance, high precision USB electronics and a shock absorbing desk clamp. Matching pedals also available. That’s enough for us, we’re sold. Now where’s that copy of Colin McRae’s rally from 1992?

Unlike most wheels that are circular in grip section, the 6000 Talladega wheel is deeper than it is wide in frontal profile. This creates a more natural grip shape for the hand. The grip contour at the nine and three o’clock positions is ideally suited to actuate the close fitting shift paddles behind. Lock-to-lock road course racing is a snap, but it is large enough in diameter to offer the incremental control critical to oval
track racing.

An all-new breakthrough design, the 6000 features true automotive ergonomics with a top-pivoting hang down pedal mounting. This is mated with a heel rest offering a stable platform for pedal operation.

Unique to the new 6000, all critical pedal geometric relationships are fully adjustable to uniquely suit each user. These include: pedal angle from vertical; heel rest angle and distance from pedals; pedal height from heel rest; pedal to pedal lateral spacing; and individual pedal resistance rate.

Priced at USD$989 with the tricked-up 6000GT and clutch-pedal packing 6000GTS models at $1198 and $1398 respectively.

Producer: ECCI

Paul Smith. Pencil set.

Nov 11, 2008

Value item: Stocking stuffer under $25.

For the pencil sharpener crowd a set of 12 multi-stripe pencils with rubber tops in a matching presentation box.

100% wood, 100% graphite, 100% rigid cardboard box. $12.00US

Designer: Paul Smith (UK)

10 water resistant – proof shoes.

Nov 7, 2008

Refinery29 uncovered some exceptional footwear styles for guys that use fabric and water-proof treatments in a modern, fashionable way. ( above, from left ) Acne for Tretorn Stroll High Sneakers (rubber galosh sole, water-resistant upper), $240;

( above, from left )Gram 383g Softshell Sneakers (rubber sole, waterproof upper, micro fleece lining), $130.

To see all 10, go to Refinery29.

via cool hunting

Crayola colors. Politically correct.

Oct 30, 2008

Five more days to vote. Did you know Crayola’s evolution? A corporate ethos, marketing statement.

via pearweed

DA editor responds to comment…

Artist: cane toad

Artist: diem chau

Overheard: the crayon was mightier than the sword.

artist: todd peterson

Monopoly. Helvetica revival.

Oct 28, 2008

Making the Monopoly board more palatable to designers.

via designobserver surfstation

Juice pack.

Oct 28, 2008

The All-New mophie ‘Juice Pack 3G’ is designed to more than double the time you can rock, talk, surf and send with your iPhone 3G

This is the first Apple certified ”Works With iPhone” attached battery in the world!

The Juice Pack is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery in the form of a non-slip, soft grip case. It extends the time that you can use your iPhone 3G in these ways (additional hours):

* Standby Time – Up to 350 hours
* Talk Time – Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 12 hours on 2G
* Internet Use – Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 7 hours on Wi-Fi
* Audio Playback – Up to 28 hours
* Video Playback – Up to 8 hours

via mophie

Apple Netbook(?)

Oct 23, 2008

Many people are trying to decipher the latest comments by Steve Jobs. The rumor out there now is a new product. Think MacBook Nano or iPhone Slate? Or is it the coming of the NetBook?

Remember, the iPhone was spotted online in Web traffic blogs. So many this is going to be the real deal.

Gizmodo hypothicizes what we might expect:

“Instead, if this is indeed a new unannounced Apple product, here in Gizmodo we are thinking about an iPhone HD with an updated 800 x 480 pixel display, probably coming in 2009. That resolution is something between the iPhone’s 480 x 320 pixels and MacBook’s 1280 x 800 pixels, which is completely reasonable: Other phones—like the HTC Touch HD—already have these ultra-sharp screens.”

Jobs says, “we don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk”, and this is believable. So rule out the computer. Maybe ramp up the iPhone to another level because Apple has sold more iPhones than computers this year.

“Although Apple said it sold more Macintosh computers than in any other quarter in the company’s history and more iPods than in any other non-holiday quarter, it is clear that the iPhone is quickly becoming its golden goose.

Sales of the iPhone accounted for 39 per cent of the roughly $7.9-billion (U.S.) in revenue Apple posted in the quarter.

Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., has now sold more than 13 million iPhones this year, easily eclipsing the company’s stated goal of selling 10 million in 2008. Apple raked in $1.14-billion in profit for the quarter, or $1.26 per diluted share.”

New York Times reporter, John Markoff, adds to the mystery with this bit of information:

“UPDATED: That would seem to confirm findings that a search engine company shared with me on condition that I not reveal its name: The company spotted Web visits from an unannounced Apple product with a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook. Is it the iPhone 3.0 or the NetMac 1.0?”

Whatever. Expect Apple to introduce a “new category” product sooner than later.

via new york times new york times gizmodo report on business