Communication CONCEPT Design Phone

Samsung is keeping us all busy with the hype which has been created for the design that Samsung’s new mobile, Galaxy S5, will come with.

We have seen a teaser which was displayed on the official blog of Samsung and invitations were sent to journalists for the event that has been named ‘Samsung Unpacked’ at the Mobile World Congress show to be held in Barcelona this month.

What we know so far is that the icons displayed are somewhat flat when it comes to design, remember the Apple’s iOS 7? Yes exactly, the new Samsung design is quite similar to that. The invitation which was sent included details of the event’s webcast. The list of applications includes a total of 9 apps; Curiosity, Outdoor, Fun, Speed, Style, Social, Fitness, Life and Privacy. The icons for these apps have been given different colors. The colors which have been employed are blue, red, green, purple and yellow.
The device still uses Touchwiz with some new tweaks. The tweaked version helps the Samsung devices stand out among other Android devices. The teaser gives us a bit of perspective on what Samsung is focusing on; Speed and privacy along with quenching the curiosity of its users by providing them with enhanced search options maybe.

VP Kwon Oh-hyn, said last November that the company is quite good at designing hardware but lacks expertise when it comes to development of software. It is being speculated that Samsung will also be making debut of a new version of Galaxy Gear watch in addition to GS5. This speculation is supported by the myriad of reference made to number 5 in the latest teaser by the company. There are also claims of a new and unique home-screen which will adapt itself according to the user’s activity or the user’s location.
We have already seen an image that is floating around the internet which shows us a screen that has a number of cards – Google Now much? – And helps us in understanding what Samsung might have up their sleeve. News which is being considered ‘leaked’ tells us that the gadget will be available in metal and in plastic. Other than that, it is being said that the mobile will come with a 5.25” screen, a bit larger than S4’s display. Furthermore, it will be employing iris to recognize the user (no need for passwords) and shall be the host to Snapdragon processor.

The price tags for the metal and plastic version vary for obvious reasons with the metal one being at 800 Euros and the plastic one at 650 Euros. If there’s any truth in all that is being speculated and rumored, Samsung may have followed Apple’s lead which involved launching a plastic version iPhone; iPhone 5C along with the 5S last year.
Do you like the new Galaxy S5? Let us know in comments.

Communication Concepts Data PHOTOGRAPHY Technology Variety

Meet Nelson, Coupland, and Alice — the faces of tomorrow’s book. Watch global design and innovation consultancy IDEO’s vision for the future of the book. What new experiences might be created by linking diverse discussions, what additional value could be created by connected readers to one another, and what innovative ways we might use to tell our favorite stories and build community around books? 

The Future of the Book is a design exploration of digital reading that seeks to identify new opportunities for readers, publishers, and authors to discover, consume, and connect in different formats.

As more people consume pages in pixels, IDEO designers wondered why we continue to discover and consume the written word through the old analog, page-turning model. We asked: what happens when the reading experience catches up with new technologies?

The team looked at how digital and analog books currently are being read, shared and collected, as well as at trends, business models and consumer behavior within related fields. We identified three distinct opportunities—new narratives, social reading with richer context, and providing tools for critical thinking—and developed a design concept around each one.

The first concept, “Alice,” turns storytelling on its head by making narratives non-linear and participatory. With Alice, the story world starts bleeding into the everyday life of the reader. Real-world challenges, like acting on a phone call from the lead character, or participating in photo based scavenger hunts, unlock new aspects of the story, and turn other readers into collaborators or competitors. Alice is a platform for authors to experiment with narratives, to allow their stories to transcend media, and to engage fans in the storytelling process.

The second concept, “Coupland,” makes book discovery a social activity by allowing readers to build shared libraries and hear about additional texts through existing networks. Coupland makes it easy for busy professionals to stay on top of industry must-reads. Businesses can assign book budgets to their employees and build collective libraries through a group-licensing model. Personal recommendations, aggregation of reading patterns, and the ability to follow inspiring individuals and groups help ensure that Coupland users always are tapped into the latest essential content within and outside of the organization.

The third concept, “Nelson,” connects books to commentary, critique, and contextual information, letting readers explore a topic from multiple perspectives. Nelson reinforces the role of books as carriers of knowledge and insight. Readers can explore polarizing material and see whose word currently has the greatest impact on popular opinion and debate. Layers of connected commentary, news, and fact-checking augment the core book content—providing greater context and encouraging debate and scrutiny.

Each concept features a simple, accessible storytelling format and a particular look and feel. We believe that digital technology creates possibilities, so our solutions truly adapt to the new environment, rather than emulate analog qualities onscreen. For example, we resisted any temptation to move books closer to the bite-sized character of other digital media, because longhand writing encourages immersion (deep reading) and reflection.

Communication Concepts Gadgets Ideas Technology

High fashion meets high-tech in this unique concept called the Mini Projector Bangle. You’d never know from looking at it, but this wrist ornament houses a powerful high def projector and USB data storage, making it possible to project presentations directly on to any surface. Simply slide a finger over the touch sensitive bangle to move between slides or touch to turn on the LED time display. Perfect for the working woman!

Designer: Prospective Design Studio

Communication Concepts Design Gadgets PHOTOGRAPHY Smartphones Technology Variety Video

Introducing… Wallet! It’s an all-in-one device that functions as phone, camera, and tablet. Incredibly, it’s merely the size of a standard wallet, but features 3 folding screens in a unique construction that allows them to perform multiple tasks at once or even be combined to stream movies or photo slideshows. But HOW?? You’ll have to check out the video after the jump to see just how this incredible multitasking machine works!



The first screen is formed by two sets: a framework that allows the folding of the entire screen, and an inner screen which can perform a rotation of 180 °, which at its rear part includes a 12.1 Mpx camera with 16x digital zoom and video recording at 1080p HD. In addition, a flash light that improves the quality of photos. On one side is a LED that spares the user from having to open Wallet to check if they have received a call, message or any other notifications. Moreover, this screen also includes a microphone and a speaker for calls, so it can be used without opening it. At the top corner of the frame are connectors for standard 3.5mm headphones to avoid burden when it is used as widescreen and next to it is a power button for easy accessibility.

The second screen has a built-in support in the outer casing made of Technogel. Eventhough this material can be easily bendable, it is also strong enough for the support to carry the entire weight of Wallet. The Technogel is an innovative material invented by an Italian company. Among its many properties are resistance to shocks, large durability and high protection. At the top of the screen is a standard micro USB connector type B which serves to connect any peripherals items (mouse, keyboard, printer, and even a TV). Additionally, it can be connected to a computer to recharge. The connecter is located in a spot where it does not interfere when it is used as a tablet or widescreen.

Designer: Claudia Copersito