DIO 2: Lamps are Lego

Lighting goes modular in this solution, spotted in the profile of Marlyn Sofia Martinez Marrero, an aspiring jewelry designer. DIO 2 is a modular (and I mean modular) lamp that is powered by a host of LEDs. Much like lego blocks, DIO 2’s components interlock and allow for a bunch of configurations. Individual units are fed by a base module that in turn is connected to the power supply. Marlyn has been gracious enough to depict just how these modules connect, to enable the passage of current. The modules are made available in a variety of colors – from bright green to black (wonder if anyone’s looking for a black lamp though!). The owner is free to exercise choice in combining differently colored modules to give his DIO 2 an individuality of its own. Seems a perfect recipe for a mood light. More images follow.

Backpecker's Diary by Eric Zhang: Chronicle Your Travelogues The Digital Way

Unless you are doing it for Discovery or National Geographic, nobody expects you to diary your travel experiences. Even your odd post on Trip Advisor really has no weight till it’s corroborated with a video or pictures. The question is, do you like jotting your travelogues? If yes, then something like the Backpacker’s Diary could be functional for you.

Designed to look more like a book than a traditional PC, the diary has flexible pages that let you do a whole lot of things. The ‘eyes’ of your travel is the Digital Book Mark, which packs in a digicam, mic and LCD screen. What it sees, it records, and transfers to the Diary via Bluetooth. Simply clasp it to your shirt pocket and wander.

On the Diary you will find flexible pages that include a silicone rubber flexi-keyboard and a pullout solar panel. Needless to say the solar panel is to juice up the device.

Backpacker’s diary also helps you draw out your travel plans as you can use the maps to chart your course. What I like the most about this concept is the EL Illuminant Panel that doubles up as a night-light. Yes, I always need a nightlight!

[via YankoDesign]

Intelligent Cash Register by Intel Corp and Frog Design

Intelligent Cash Registers. Duh. They remember who you are, they know your “interests.” They know you! Intel is going to unveil this prototype “register” at the National Retail Federation show in New York on Sunday, but they’re really pushing the system, not the hardware. (Although, they do mention the fact that the hardware will use 90 percent less power than modern check-outs. Nothing to scoff at.)
Intel teams with Frog Design for this project. Frog is responsible for the hardware: making this 3-touchscreen terminal work with Intel’s newest processors. The touchscreen works in concert with RFID cards and salespeople (to talk you up on more products the screen shows to be juicy.) The idea is to take the internet’s ability to “up-sell” and apply that to everyday impulse buying. Fun, huh?
The best part, (or -only actual good part, for you hippies,) is that these machines fall back asleep when they aren’t active. This accounts for most of the 90-percent less energy spent. And as Wired mentions: “for a retail chain with 5,000 terminals, that’s a serious rebate.”
Designer: Intel Corp and Frog Design

[via yankodesign]