I don’t think this design is too practical, but it’s cool nevertheless. The concept here is a durable water bottle that can be refilled at specific source water fountains. These fountains would contain a system to track how much water you use; vendors would then credit your account via a redeemable points system. On the surface it seems pretty cool; although, I’m not sure why this design is even necessary considering the fact that we already have public water fountains. One could argue that this design would eliminate the waste generated through the consumption of bottled water in vending machines. I still think it would be easier to carry your own bottle and refill at public water fountains for free. Vendors would have to make a large initial investment and hope that people actually latch on so that their overhead cost actually makes sense. Another problem I have with this design is the bottle size. I consume massive amounts of water each day and the bottles seen in the pictures do not appear to be much bigger than 12 ounces of water. Depending on the pricing scheme, this could be very expensive. All in all, I still think the concept behind it is pretty dope.
Source: Yanko Design
Design: Water On The Go
Design: "Optimal Vision" by Jin-young Yoon & Jun-kyo Lee & Young-ho Lee
When I initially saw these, this was the first thing that came to mind. The concept behind this design is a set of contacts that allows the user to optimize their vision during the daylight hours. Essentially they are contact sunglasses. This sounds pretty dope; although, I wonder how much they will cost?
Source: YD
Design: Sound Blind
Source: YD
Design: Audi Exo by Andrea Mocellin
Dope design. One question though - where at the wheels? Via, YD,
" 'Taking advantage of the exoskeleton and nanotechnology evolution, we can create a potential energy source and produce a new generation of human powered vehicles: faster and stronger.' Inspired by sports equipment, footwear design and human instinct, this design uses the owners own kinetic energy to power your way down the street. Though it is not quite clear if Andrea is talking about pedal power or full body motion, this design not only re-imagines power train options but also makes us look deeper into the obvious inefficiency of modern human conveyance systems"
Brought to you by: Yanko Design
Design: Altec Lansing OMNI
These are some DOPE speakers. I hope they eclipse the design stage and make it to production. These speakers are an audiophile's dream. Just make sure you don't share any walls with neighbors. Via TechFresh,
Designed by Nuno Teixeira, the Altec Lansing OMNI speakers look like tall vases. These speakers boast heavy construction to ensure lesser vibrations and superior sound quality. Each of these speakers comes with a woofer, a mid-range speaker and a tweeter.
PUMA CITY @ Fan Pier Boston
The space debuted in Alicante, Spain at the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in September 2008, the opening Puma City in Boston coincides with the end of leg six of the Volvo Ocean Race where Puma is a sponsor and member of the Racing Team.
Designed and conceptualized by PUMA and international acclaimed architects, LOT-EK, the award-winning PUMA CITY is a mobile retail, event space and bar that will host activities, parties and festivities for Boston – free and open to the public until May 16th.
Event Date: April 25th to May 16th, 2009
Design: WUI Sound Chair by Gerry²
My initial impression upon seeing this chair was that it is a modern day recreation of the stone-age chairs seen in the popular cartoon show The Flintstones. This chair doesn't look comfortable in the least, but for what it lacks in comfort (although I have never actually sat in it, so I may be very comfortable; although I highly doubt it), it easily makes up for in function. This aesthetically pleasing chair, which resembles obsidian glass, is actually a sound chair. Via Born Rich:
"The surfaces are connected with small devices that can turn nearly any flat surface into a soundboard. This chair allows listening to media devices without the need of traditional speakers. The chair translates electric signals into mechanical energy and causes the flat surfaces to vibrate and broadcast the sound. Each surface gives the music a different tone. The WUI sound chair also offers wireless connection to any Bluetooth-enabled music playing device. The best thing I liked about the WUI is its design and it looks a way different and inviting than most of the music playing chairs we have seen till date" 
Source: Born Rich
Design: Sound Eggs by Ilshat Garipov
Who says you can't listen to music in style? Check out these ill speakers conceived by Russian designer Ilshat Garipov. The off center weight that sits at the bottom keeps the speakers at a constant tilt allowing you to point them in any direction you choose. Given the tilting design, these speakers are said to shake when you start playing music. I am assuming that if you play bass heavy tracks, these bad boys will look like they are have a mini-seizure. If all this wasn't cool enough, they connect to your computer/mp3/phone/etc. via bluetooth meaning that you don't have to deal the hassle of cords and cables. I will be waiting in line for these if they are ever produced!
Source: YD
Design: Phillips Tapster
Check out these stereo bluetooth ear buds designed by Phillips. These joints are beyond fresh and believe it or not, they feature a touch screen interface. Here are some of the specifics via A2DP:
"Calls and volume control is commited through tapping, thanks to the ultra sensitive touch interface. Soft touches of your fingers pick up calls, and stronger taps correct the volume. I wonder if it is going to be easy for most people, many of us are not so gentle to find a button somewhere they don't see and stroke it with the necessary pressure.
The Tapster features Bluetooth 2.1+EDR A2DP for you to listen to the music, as well as Ever Clear technology to filter out noise, AVRCP, HSP, and HFP. FullSound chip decompresses your music files enhancing the sound, it restores the music’s original dynamics, stereo effects, bass and treble to reveal previously unheard detail without distortion. FullSound is enabled out of the box, and can be turned off and on.
As you disconnect the headset, the calls start to be transferred directly to your cellphone."
Source: A2DP.info
Design: Vauni Globe
Check out this dope stand-alone fireplace designed by the good people of Vauni. This design is great because it allows you to enjoy the "fireplace experience" without the limitations of most conventional fireplaces. Via momoy, the Vauni Globe is "a free standing fireplace that can be turned 360 degrees for optimal viewing angle. The Globe fireplace is made of fire resistant materials which are carefully selected to harmonize with the value of fire and express aesthetics, quality and warmth, powered by advanced ethanol burner and has integrated regulation of heating effect and flame size".
Spotted at: momoy
Design: Wave Hammock
Check out this ill design by Royal Botania - a leader in outdoor luxury. The wave hammock consists of "electro-polished stainless steel and perforated fabric, one type for the upper roof section, and another for the lying section. [It] stands on a single point, giving it its unique floating impression". This definitely meets my standards of comfort. It also doesn't help that the backdrop in all of the pictures features exotic locations where the weather is probably around 65 degrees. Actually scratch that, I have no idea why the last picture features this product in Alaska, with a woman in a bikini. At any rate, I wouldn't mind having one of these in the back of my house.
Spotted at: momoy
Design: Eureka Tower Carpark, AU
Pretty dope optical illusion.
Spotted at: AIE
Design: LED Hourglass by Young Bok Kim
Check out this new age hourglass which utilizes LED lights in place of sand. 
Design: Anemona by Igor Pinigan
This design is soooo sick. These little beauties were displayed at the SaloneSatellite in Moscow. Weights that are set at the bottom of the lanp stabalize it and keep it upright. I want one of these so bad...
Spotted at: YD
