The zany modular phone platform known as Modu is allegedly set for a Wednesday launch with a price tag starting around $US130. More »
Modu, the modular mobile phone jacket system we fondled in 2008 and whose release date we heard about briefly in February, is apparently ready for production. More »
This designer-friendly shower kit is for people who really like squares. The simple, elegant 5×5 modules can be arranged freely and serve several functions, including thermostat, speaker, volume and diverter controls, showerhead, lighting and shelving.
Last year, Modu teased us with their plans for a mobile phone that could be inserted into other gadgets (“jackets”) in order to change and personalise its function. Today those plans have been fully unveiled.
Stringed instruments are diverse in sound and design, but they all share the same basic shape. That similarity hadn’t really bugged anyone too much for the last few hundred years, but where most see variety Zoybar sees redundancy: they’ve proposed a modular, build-it-yourself guitar-ish thing, with interchangeable parts that can convert it into a wide range of necky, stringy instruments. Want an electric guitar? An amplified theobo? A single-stringed hobo-bass with a line out? Sure, whatever, it’s a Zoybar, man.
Rumours of a RED DSLR had been confirmed a long time ago, but what of the Scarlet and EPIC übercamcorders? On the REDUser forums, RED CEO Jim Jannard has explained it all: Scarlet and EPIC are the DSLR — all cameras are “part of the same DSMC system”, so each and every camera will be part of a modular, build-your-own, still and video product line based on the Scarlet and EPIC ‘Brains’. To do this, RED has furnished an insanely diverse new collection of components, with sensors ranging from the $US2500 3k Scarlet to the $US55,000, 28k EPIC 617 Mysterium Monstro. galleryPost('redannounce1', 10, '');
The “Out of Sight Out of Mind” (OSOM) table concept has everything a neat freak could possibly want in a workspace—plenty of space, tons of modular storage units and ergonomic design touches like an writing/typing space that can be angled for comfort. You can even customise the layout to suit your needs. Again, it is only a concept at the moment but it definitely has potential.
Microsoft’s recent modular electronics patent application combined about three gadgets into one. But this concept (and its related patents from three countries) called the Mobile Living Platform takes the modular idea to almost absurd levels. Their base processor integrates with a camera, bike system (with light), exercise tracker, portable television, browsing device, funky electronic belt, pocket piano and game system. We’re not sure that pieced-together gadgets are the future, but you have to admit, these guys have a Vision. And if you’re going modular, you might as well go all out. [Mobile Living Platform]
We love the modular equipment from Bug Labs, but this patent from Microsoft takes the enthusiasm of interchangeable tech and cranks up the practicality. In a long, somewhat convoluted patent application, Microsoft pitches a modular GPS system. But through their explanation, the device becomes increasingly complicated, including “two-way cellular communications” across a “voice network” and a “wireless modem and digital camera.” Through the modular arrangement, the “base unit realises reduced bulk and complexity.” Ultimately, we’re left with a really geeky piece of tech for which we’ll always be losing a piece between the seats. [Patent via Unwired View]
