design posts

MSN Gets Its First Makeover in a Decade

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Nov 4th 2009 at 11:02AM

Microsoft Finally Gives MSN a Much Needed Facelift

MSN, Microsoft's news and search portal, has remained largely unchanged over the last decade. The familiar butterfly logo, blue background, and oppressive quantities of links have gotten only minor tweaks since 2001 -- a different shade of blue, more links, more photos. But now, Microsoft is prepped to unveil a drastic redesign of its flagship portal, reducing clutter and ditching the "Microsoft blue" background for a cleaner white.

The New York Times counted 45 clickable links in the top two inches of the old MSN (which you can see after the break). Those links, which represented various categories and separate subheadings for individual news sources, have been condensed and simplified. Now, a simple slide show of featured stories sits above a tabbed news list, which lets you switch between news from MSNBC, Fox Sports, and others.

Tags: design, microsoft, msn, redesign, toyota

Audio/Video

Designer Creates Playable Neckties From Recycled Cassettes

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Nov 4th 2009 at 7:25AM

Playable Neckties Made from Recycled Cassettes

Some people just can't give up cassettes. And while the format may survive as a burgeoning business in prisons and in the U.K., the non-incarcerated here in the U.S. seem to prefer to re-purpose their cassettes into something gimmicky and nostalgic, like the Maxell cassette iPod case.

The latest recycling of cassettes, though, might be the best yet: Sonic Fabric. The brainchild of Alyce Santoro, Sonic Fabric combines cassette's magnetic tape with traditional fabrics to create a textile that is completely unique. Besides its distinctive, slightly shiny appearance, Sonic Fabric maintains the magnetism of the tape -- meaning that if you ran a tape head over it, it would still produce sound. Since we're sure most don't have a spare tape head sitting around, you can head to the Improbable Projects MySpace page to hear examples of what this sonically imbued fabric sounds like.

Tags: cassettes, design, sonic fabric, sonic fabric neckties, SonicFabric, SonicFabricNeckties, top

Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Dyson Limited Edition DC25 Blueprint

by Evan Shamoon (RSS feed) — Nov 3rd 2009 at 6:04PM

Dyson Limited Edition DC25 Blueprint (Homebody, Under $1000)

Vacuum cleaners are like eyeglasses and headphones -- when you buy one, it's worth paying for quality (particularly if you live with a dog and/or significant other that sheds regularly). And once you use a "serious" vacuum cleaner, it's tough to go back. Dyson's Limited Edition DC25 Blueprint ($529.99) is arguably the nicest looking Dyson yet; the combination of stormtrooper-white shiny plastic, future-industrial lines, and a purple trim is truly a sight to behold. Under the hood sits Dyson's Root Cyclone and Ball technologies, and it comes with a bonus FlatOut head, which is ideal for getting underneath low furniture and appliances. It's still expensive, but surprisingly in line with the other DC25 models. If you or someone you know is having a midlife crisis, this thing is a much better investment than a sports car.

Tags: design, dyson, hgg, hgg-1000, hgg-homebody, limitededition, vacuum, vacuumcleaner, vacuumcleaners

Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Samsung GO Netbook

by Leila Brillson (RSS feed) — Nov 1st 2009 at 11:56AM

Samsung Go N310 Netbook (Style-o-phile, Under $500)

A secret about good design: Beveled edges are always a win. But weighing under three pounds, coming in four rubberized colors, and boasting a battery life of about nine hours helps as well. We took this little guy to NY's Fashion Week, and the fast start-up time, large pebble keyboard, and crisp, LED background display made onlookers a little jealous. With 160-gigabytes (GB) of storage and three USB ports, Samsung's Go N310 netbook ($480) acts like more of a mini-laptop than a 'portable-only' device. It's perfect for anyone who travels, but needs to check in with the office using more than just Web mail. Designed by Naoto Fukasawa, the Go is legitimately stylish, and slides easily into a shopper or hobo bag with nary a fuss.

Tags: design, fashion, hgg, hgg-500, hgg-style-o-phile, n310, naotofukasawa, netbook, netbooks, samsung, samsunggo, style

Gift Guide: Ripple LED Coffee Table

by Matthew Zuras (RSS feed) — Nov 1st 2009 at 10:37AM

Ripple LED Coffee Table (Homebody, Under $2,500)

When you want to add both dynamic design and interactive gadgetry to a living space, look no further than this piece of futuristic furniture from sustainable-wares front Because We Can. The Ripple LED coffee table ($2,100), made from eco-friendly maple, alights based on motion sensors embedded in the table's surface. As folks move their hand or place a cocktail on the glass, a pattern of twinkling lights sweeps around and surrounds the object of motion. This Star Trek-meets-Conrans console comes in three sizes, but we say go for epic with the biggest. It's sure to be a hit at your homebody's next Windows 7 launch party.

Tags: coffeetables, design, hgg, hgg-2500, hgg-homebody, household, led, weird

Web

New CNN Site Brings Video, Oprah, and Facebook to News Junkies

by Tom Samiljan (RSS feed) — Oct 23rd 2009 at 6:43PM

Since it first launched in 1995, CNN's Web site has always delivered a broad variety of news to a broad audience. The site's design -- generally jam-packed with dozens of headlines that might be catnip to news junkies, but can be overwhelming to more casual browsers -- has generally reflected that content stream. On Monday, however, CNN.com will launch a new design (its first since 2007) that incorporates a roomier, less crowded look with a bigger emphasis on pictures, video, citizen journalism, social networking, entertainment, and pop culture. Last night, CNN general manager KC Estenson gave reporters an early look at the new site.

The biggest change is the overall look of the site. CNN.com's current home page features a main story with a big picture and then a bunch of different sections with text-based story links (some videos offer thumbnail pictures to break up all that text, but not much). The new design places a big playable video right at the top and a second big picture to the left that links to a citizen-journalist 'iReport.' Below that is a set of clickable pictures and videos leading to stories underneath. Yes, there are still plenty of headlines, but the revamped site generally offers a greater balance between images and text than the current one, making for a pleasing browsing experience.

Tags: cnn, design, news, redesign, top

Web, Social Networking

Details of Facebook's New Homepage Design Revealed

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Oct 20th 2009 at 2:08PM

Facebook changes are sure to garner both cheers and jeers from the social networking crowd. When news broke that the site would soon test a new homepage design, speculation ran wild but details were scarce. Now, some leaked information meant for advertisers has surfaced on Mashable, shedding more light on the redesign.

The idea is simplicity. When logged in, instead of seeing real-time recent activity on the News Feed, you'll see the new 'Top News' stream, which is supposed to be a highlight of things you've missed throughout the day. But you'll still be able to switch over to the regular old 'Recent Activity' stream, updated in real time. This should make news navigation easier, as well as improve the site's load time.

Tags: advertising, breakingnews, design, facebook, leak, redesign, socialnetworking, top, web

Tech and Design Get Together at Areaware's THE DROP 2012+

by Sara Faye Lieber (RSS feed) — Oct 13th 2009 at 12:21PM

The name 'The Drop' comes from a date in the Mayan calendar that was expected to bring a shift from one phase of life to another, a window in time in which new things could begin to take shape. The number, 2012, is the year the Kyoto Protocol expires, and is added to inspire a sense of urgency in terms of taking responsibility for the environment. The host, Areaware, is an innovative design firm that prides itself in the fabrication and distribution of artful household products made with an eye toward new technologies. The event, which took place in New York City earlier this month (October 3rd, to be exact), combined art, design and technology, and the slides that follow depict the unique mix of real-world and art-design world products and works we found there.

Tags: areaware, design, drop, events, features, top

Car Tech, Green Tech

Nissan's Land Glider Concept Car Leans Like a Motorcycle

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Oct 10th 2009 at 10:29AM

Are you a fan of the motorcycle's ability to lean into turns but just don't feel safe riding with your body exposed like that? Well, a new concept car from Nissan has you covered, literally. According to Engadget, the Nissan Land Glider features two-in-line seats and the ability to lean at a 17-degree angle around turns. At just 3.5-feet wide, the electric car can maneuver like a bike, but it's also a zero-emissions vehicle, unlike those other hogs on the highway.

Alright, so the Land Glider doesn't give you as much street cred as a Harley Davidson, or even this other electric motorcycle. But it's still amazing to see a car, albeit a small one, lean into those turns (see the video after the break). One can only imagine what it'd feel like sitting behind the wheel. Come to think of it, the Land Glider will debut in a few weeks at the Tokyo Motor Show. Maybe we could "borrow" the Glider while security is distracted. [From: Engadget]

Tags: car, concept, concept car, ConceptCar, design, electric car, ElectricCar, green, motorcycle, nissan, top, zero emissions, ZeroEmissions

Cell Phones, Editor's Picks, Green Tech, Switched Video, Mobile Phones

What Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers.

by Tom Samiljan (RSS feed) — Oct 7th 2009 at 9:02PM

The iPhone may be a failure in Japan, but the country sure loves its clamshell-style, flip phones, among other non-smartphone-styles, which is why the annual CEATEC show in Tokyo is often a treasure trove of innovative, stylish, and sometimes just plain way-out mobiles. Some are finished products that have just come to market, while others remain concepts that will eventually turn into a finished product.

Unfortunately, most of these distinctive handsets will never get to the U.S. -- they're just too quirky for the mass production needed in the world's largest domestic market -- but take a look at some of our favorites from this year's show anyway. From the Star-Wars-meets-Space-1999 'Prismoid' by renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa (whose donut-like plusminuszero humidifier is in the Museum of Modern Art), or the 'Touch Wood' concept made of surplus cypress wood (a joint project between NTT Docomo, Olympus, and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'more trees' reforestation initiative), phones like these will make you long for the days before touchscreen iPhones became the norm (and maybe hope for a dumb-but-sexy-phone future). Take a look at the above video for a closer look.

Related links:

Tags: ceatec, ceatec2009, design, features, futuretech, naotofukasawa, prismoid, style, top, touchwood, weird, wood

Web, Social Networking

Facebook Confirms Streamlined Homepage Layout

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Oct 7th 2009 at 4:31PM

Continuing its efforts to strip down and streamline (and possibly Twitterize) certain features, Facebook has begun to gradually unroll an updated version of its news feed. According to The Next Web, the upgraded feed now has a designated 'Top News' link, as well as a few other noticeable adjustments (don't miss the screenshots).

One of the most obvious differences in the page layout is the apparent absence of the default 'Publisher' box where you type your status, now replaced by an 'Update Status' button. So, the stalkers out there don't have to worry anymore about accidentally posting their ex's name as a status update instead of looking them up in the search bar.

Tags: design, facebook, newsfeed, top

Computers, Peripherals, Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Intelligent Design Titanium Mouse

by Matthew Zuras (RSS feed) — Oct 1st 2009 at 10:19AM

Intelligent Design Titanium Mouse (Style-o-Phile, under $2,500)

What do you get for the computer fiend who has everything? A diamond-encrusted motherboard, or a gilded monitor bezel? There's no need to be so flashy, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for generic crap, either. The Titanium Mouse by Intelligent Design (€800, or about $1,200) positively oozes class and minimalist cool. The body is made from high grade titanium and plastic resin, with a scroll wheel of neodymium. It'll run you quite a bit more than your standard pointing device -- about a thousand dollars more! -- but sometimes a plastic track ball just won't cut it. Unless you live in Holland, where the ID mouse was designed, you'll have to place your order directly through the Intelligent Design Web site.

Tags: bling, design, dutchdesign, hgg, hgg-2500, hgg-style-o-phile, idmouse, intelligentdesign, luxury, mice, mouse, titanium

Computers, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Laptops, desktops

Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing

by Tom Samiljan (RSS feed) — Sep 28th 2009 at 1:19PM

Last week, we showed you the biggest exhibitions we saw at the Vintage Computer Festival East 2009. Still, we also became mildly obsessed with all the logos we saw on those retro PCs. So, we asked our photographer, Matthew McMullen Smith, to shoot some close-ups of as many retro logos (and vintage fonts) as he could find on the various restored computers that were on display.

If you're a retro PC or design enthusiast, or are just feeling nostalgic, then take a look at these bygone beauties -- from the '60s to the early '80s.

Gallery: Retro Computer Logos

Tags: design, events, features, retro, retrotech, top, vcf, vcf2009, vcfeast2009, vintage, vintagecomputers

Visionaries

Device That Grows Meat in Your Kitchen Wins Design Prize

by Evan Shamoon (RSS feed) — Sep 26th 2009 at 12:59PM

Meat "ethics" are about to get even more complicated.

For electronics manufacturer Electrolux's recent design competition, first place went to a device that creates meat and fish by heating animal cells and growing them into edible food.

While still in the design phase, the Cocoon would theoretically replicate real meat by synthesizing the compounds that make it up. The controversial product would heat food packets containing muscle cells, oxygen and nutrients. "This will create 100% pure meat without the need for animals to be killed and with no risk of contamination," said Cocoon creator Rickard Hederstierna, a 27 year-old Swedish design student. "It will change everything."

Tags: design, food, research, science, top, weird

Computers

Man Builds Biological Virus Sculptures From Salvaged PCs

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 24th 2009 at 2:18PM

As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Well, that's certainly true for sculptor Forrest McCluer, who salvaged 30 computers from a garbage pile outside an office building and made it his personal mission to turn that junk into art. Now, one series in his 'The 30 Computers Project' brings a whole new meaning to term computer virus. McCluer used some of the discarded computer parts to build sculptures of biological viruses.

Judging by the pictures McCluer posts alongside his models, these sculptures are pretty accurate. There's the 'Transformer 'Virus,' which looks like the common cold and uses yellow PC transformers. Then, there's the 'Capacitor Virus,' which represents the rhinovirus and uses, of course, assorted PC capacitors. With all the talk about swine flu lately, it's nice to know that these viruses can't harm you. [From: The 30 Computers Project, via Neatorama]

Tags: art, biology, computer, design, health, sculpture, top, virus

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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