sQuba: TheWorld's First Real Diving Car

It has been 30 years since we first saw James Bond in his Lotus Esprit Submarine in “The Spy Who Loved Me” which sent our imaginations into overdrive, and now Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht has realised a long cherished dream with the creation of their latest concept named “sQuba”.
Swiss design company Rinspeed is known for its eccentric concepts, including last year's translucent eXasis Concept and the "Splash" hydrofoil car that set a speed record crossing the English Channel.


Rinspeed is once again turning to the water for its latest concept, although this time they will be heading below the surface instead of skimming above it. Set to debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show (March 6th thru 16th, 2008), the sQuba concept is the world's first diving car, according to the company, and can be submerged up to 10 meters below the surface.


An electric motor provides power to the rear wheels as well as two propellers and dual jet drives, and a futuristic cockpit comes with its own supply of oxygen. Like many of Rinspeed's other unique creations, the sQuba will only remain a one-off and there are no plans for production. The press release from Rinspeed can be seen after the jump, and two not-so-real photos can be viewed in the gallery.

NEC SX-9: The Most Powerful and Fastest Supercomputer

Suffered from using a low-speed processor computer? It's time to upgrade now. Japan’s NEC introduced the SX-9 this week, the world’s most powerful and fastest supercomputer.

Just one core is capable of over 102 gigaflops; a single node of 16 CPUs generates up to 1.6 teraflops (trillion operations) while a full cluster of nodes produces 839 teraflops, NEC claims. The SZ-9 is also able to handle especially large data sets with a shared memory of 1TB as well as 128GB per second transfers all processors in the system.

Although faster than previous SX systems, the technology is also considerably smaller and easier to run. NEC expects the supercomputer to be used for large institutions and companies for tasks that can also help the environment, such as modeling weather patterns or engineering nanotechnology.via

Fastest Internet Speeds: 200x Faster Than Broadband

Dr. John Papandriopoulos, an Australian PhD student, has developed the technology to produce internet speeds up to 200 times faster than broadband. The amazing part is that it doesn’t require a fiber optic network to make it happen. It will work over existing copper phone lines.

The system uses new algorithms to reduce the effect that cross chatter has on internet streams that share the same physical copper telephone line.

Using his new algorithm, Dr. John Papandriopoulos says existing telecoms infrastructure could serve broadband speeds of up to 250Mbps. The majority of ADSL customers in the UK get less than 8Mbps.

Using these dramatically increased download speeds, internet users would be able to download data at a rate of around 30MB every second. To put this in perspective, you could download a DVD movie in less than three minutes.


Without getting into the rocket-science aspect of how it works, I’ll just say that John’s device revolves around anti-interference from your neighbors’ phone calls. Look for it to go mainstream in about 3-4 years.

Papandriopoulos also told Image and Data Manager Online, "People have been trying to push up the speeds of broadband to as fast as possible by pushing the actual bandwidth limits. The underlying problem is really one of interference, in effect your neighbor is interfering with your speed".


Reportedly, the anti-interference technology could be installed directly into existing modems as a software upgrade or be shipped in new modems and would also require installation at the telephone exchange end.via

The Transformed Street-Legal Boeing 727 Jet Limo

Earlier, we have seen Boeing 747 being converted into a luxury house, a luxury yacht and a bedroom flight simulator. This time, someone has actually built a street legal Boeing 727 Jet Limo.


The best part is that the transformed Mercedes bus is street legal and has that capacity to seat up to 50 persons in opulence. This Boeing 727 Jet Limo includes a sunken living room with a dance floor, big screen TV, fireplace, full bar, fog machine, tons of lighting, ceiling mirrors, and aerodynamic seats. The whole thing weighs approximately 24,000 pound.


Do you want to keep it in your backyard? Well, this street legal 727 limo is sitting at US $269,900 on eBay.via

A T-Shirt That Can Detect Wi-Fi

Wireless internet… where would we be without it? You don’t have to go far these days to find it, but until Wi-Fi is everywhere, this t-shirt can help out tremendously (as well as score some points with fellow nerd-friends.)

This glowing, animated tee detects 802.11b or 802.11g signals and displays the strength directly on the front of the shirt. The Wi-Fi Detector Shirt is available for $29.99 from TG.

Other Features include:

Glowing animated shirt dynamically displays the current wi-fi signal strength.
Shows signal strength for 802.11b or 802.11g
Black 100% Cotton T-Shirt
Animated Decal is Removable (with hook and loop fasteners) for Easy Washing
Battery Pack is Concealed in a Small Pocket Sewn Inside the Shirt
Runs for hours off three AAA Batteries (not included)


Source: trendhunter.com

HiStar T-8000: A Hands-Free Binoculars

Nothing is as irritating as a shaking hand while trying to view wildlife discretley, which is exactly why HiStar’s hands-free T-8000 binoculars are so appealing.

HiStar, Inc. has introduced its line of hands-free binoculars. The headset features a padded, adjustable headband and focus-free, wide-angle binoculars. Optional radio headphones are a welcome addition to this patented combination.

Not only is HiStar the first company to design a hands-free spotting device, but they are also very technologically optimized compared to some other brands in the optics industry.

HiStar President and CEO, Tristram Himmele, is proud of the fact that theirs is the world’s first optics gizmo of its kind.

"Our new T-8000 Series is a revolution in the binocular industry. With its hands-free capability a new genre of binocular technology is revealed. This feature-rich binocular will be an asset to sports enthusiasts, nature buffs and surveillance users.

"Our patented technology is an innovative approach to enhancing the viewing experience. Previously, spectators were forced to deal with the awkwardness of traditional binoculars. Now, extended binocular viewing can be experienced hands-free, in addition the optional AM/FM radio combination allows spectators to hear the play by play of their favorite sporting event."

A great concept, but the athletes and nature lovers they’re targeting need to keep in mind that the device can’t always be kept on. How do you see the trail if you’re hiking? You would have to take them off to walk, eat or even to take a tinkle in the bush.

Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV: A Wireless Touch-Screen Piano

Yamaha is becoming more technologically advanced, taking music a step further with its Disklavier Mark IV, an easy-to-use, yet advanced music entertainment system.

Its features and functions are packed into a sleek and compact design remote control. Browse your song library with the full-color touch screen (320x240 pixels) and a stylus, or create custom playlists using the built-in QWERTY keypad. Sing along through its built-in speakers by connecting a microphone as it offers performance-enhancing vocal effects including room, stage, hall, and reverb.

It has an Internet Direct Connection (IDC) which allows you to connect to the internet, giving you access to special Disklavier network services, so you can download your favorite music pieces. A Wi-Fi so you can wirelessly control the piano

It also has hard drive for storing all the songs you want it to play and a SmartKey technology to help you learn how to play the piano in a flash.

Source: trendhunter.com

iPod GhettoBlaster : iSymphony Boombox - A Great Christmas Gift For The Music Lover

Just when we though it was safe to open the window, along comes iSymphony with an iPod version of a Ghetto Blaster.


“Unlike standard docks, the top lid of this boombox opens so you can lay your iPod and a CD in the top of it— kinda like the music version of a DVD/VCR combo. Featured on 7Gadgets, the player is said to hold almost any MP3 device and comes with an AM/FM stereo,” said GeekSugar.


The boombox can also play CDs, and comes in sleek black or crisp white, and for $58, make a great Christmas gift for the music lover.


Source: trendhunter.com

Nokia N810: A Skype-Enabled WiFi Internet Tablet

Congrats to Nokia for putting out a pure Internet phone. The Nokia N810 is not a cellular phone, but it does have built-in Skype so you can call wherever you have WiFi access. It also has an integrated GPS receiver so you can find you’re position on preloaded maps, a 4.13” screen, a Mozilla based web browser, an integrated VGA camera and an optional 10GB memory card.

Looking for a full-featured internet device without a phone attached? Take a look at the new Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled Nokia N810 Internet Tablet ($480; Nov. 2007).


The device's 4.13-inch 800x480 screen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard enable great web browsing, IM, and GPS functionality, with Skype, video chat, and music playback from an optional 10GB memory card rounding out the feature set. It's an iPhone without the phone, only better.


Source : trendhunter.com

Surfing the net while riding in Yamaha Bobby bike

Who would've thought the day would come where an electric commuter vehicle would feature Internet connectivity?


So, you are an internet addict and want to stay connected all the time but, you miss that connection badly when you are on your bike for a joy ride. The Bobby prototype from Yamaha Motor is an electric commuter vehicle that won’t let you loose even a single moment.


The Yamaha Bobby bike is equipped with a variety of Internet services that make sure you are always connected, even when riding the bike. You can turn it on or off simply by holding up your FeliCa-enabled cellphone to the switch. Other interesting features include a collapsible seat, a fold-in rear wheel, handlebars and footrests for easy and expedient storage. Parking won’t be an issue for Bobby bike.


Well, I am impressed that the bike hooks us up to the web but, would I be able to make use of this on-the-ride connectivity to have some chatting sessions? It’s just a concept at the moment but, I would definitely love to see it going into production.

Say Concept Phone - A Mobile Phone For Butter Fingers

Because our cellphones get beat, scratched up, and dropped consistently, Say has come up with a new concept phone to prevent damages to your primary source of communication.


The Say concept phone has a rubberized exterior that lets your phone handle a mean beating. Great for those working in jobs involving physical labour, or anyone with butter fingers.



Source : trendhunter.com

Black & White Launch Marble and Diamond-Studded Speakers

Sculpted from marble and studded with diamonds, Bowers and Wilkins have introduced a new line of ultra luxurious speakers. Our friends at GadgetCandy describe, “Flashing an eye-watering £11k price-tag, there are only 1,000 of the Signature Diamond speakers up for grabs. Still, they’ll definitely make a statement, even with Pussycat Dolls blaring though them.”

Robot Masseur - WAO-1 Massage Machine

Japanese scientists have just invented a contraption to give facial therapeutic massages across the country’s spas and hospitals. The WAO-1 robot (Waseda Asahi Oral Rehabilitation Robot 1) is designed to give fine massages, including facial ones for those with jaw-related illnesses. The robot was designed by Atsuo Takanishi and does a much more thorough job that coin operated machine chairs.

Great for anyone who doesn’t like others invading their personal space, but not so great for the good old masseur and masseuse, or lovers of the traditional massage experience.


The robot’s arms are fitted with ceramic spheres that roll over the skin like a massage roller. The arms’ movements are controlled by a complex set of algorithms designed to emulate massages, while six sensors at the base of the arms measure and adjust the pressure applied by the spheres, Takanishi said.



Source: trendhunter.com

End To End USB Drives - Memory Infinite

There are an infinite number of designs when shopping for USB drives. At first glance, Vicky Wei’s memory sticks fit perfectly into the abyss of colorful choices. They are bendy - they have that going for them. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll see that these USB sticks have female attachments, as well. The Memory Infinites are designed to be additive. Need more memory - add another USB to the end.


Source: trendhunter.com

PIMP Watch

The PIMP watch is the latest in a long list of crazy accessories to come out of Japan. Unlike your standard time-piece the PIMP watch uses around seventy LED’s to tell the time using three different colours. The LED’s will light up once a minute to display the time, all that’s involved is some simple calculations. However, the makers of the PIMP watch don’t seem to be too concerned with practical uses. In an era where mobile phones and PDA’s can easily be used as time pieces, the makers have focused upon design and aesthetics.

With model names like the ‘star performer’, or ‘trip the light fantastic’ and ‘pimpin ain’t easy’, PIMP watches are certainly like no other. The watches are produced in limited editions and, outrageous designs that are truly unique. PIMP claims that production is limited to no more than 500 per model sold outside Japan and no more than 2000 inside Japan, reinforcing their slogan ‘Trends are fine but being unique is even better’!


Source: trendhunter.com

Robot Bartenders Get Digital - MyFountain Smartini Cocktail Mixer

We’ve seen a handful of Robot Bartenders at Trend Hunter, but this is the first that does not look too gimicky. It even has a digital display.

If you tend to forget the great lounge drinks you’ve sampled over the years, fret no more. Your computer is going to make cocktail mixing just a smidge easier for you. I’m not talking about looking up recipes online. After round three with Captain Morgan, you often forget the exact composition of your secret punch, right? That’s why you get your robo-bartender to do it for you.

You’ve made a habit of kicking back with a beer after work, or pouring yourself a glass of vino with dinner at night? Then it’s time to shake up your at-home beverage routine. MyFountain takes cocktails out of the lounge and into your home. A splash of bold colour, a burst of delicious flavour, and a strong dose of alcohol? Now that’s what I like to come home to after a day at the office.


Source: trendhunter.com