A solid release is coming from Converse Japan for September 2011. The Jack Purcell ML-Nylon Mid features military grade nylon uppers in black, accompanied by premium black leather accents and a tonal all black outer sole and toe cap. The result is a premium looking sneaker, that will serve you well in the coming months.
It’s hard to debate the superiority of an autonomous vacuum called the Roboking, but that’s not the only ‘trick’ LG has up its sleeve when it comes to challenging the incumbent king of robovacs, the Roomba. To ensure their latest model does the most efficient job of cleaning your floors on a given charge, the Roboking comes equipped with 51 sensors and 3 video cameras allowing it to create a detailed map of its surroundings, and keep track of areas it’s already cleaned.
It’s also wifi equipped, which seems rather pointless for a vacuum until you realize it provides remote access to the Roboking’s cameras allowing it to serve as a roving home security system when you access the video feed from an app on your smartphone. And a limited number of voice commands, like telling it to stop, recharge or requesting weather forecasts will make you feel like you live in a futuristic Jetsons-like world. On paper it certainly outperforms the Roomba in terms of features, but the one area where LG doesn’t seem too concerned about competing is price. As the Roboking will set you back a fairly hefty $830+.
The idea that everybody recording everybody else makes for a safer, more accountable, world is taken one step further with remote video camera monitoring solutions like Stem Innovation’s new iZON (eyes on – get it?) security monitor. Using a clever rounded magnetic base that can be set on a flat surface or mounted to a wall, the iZON camera connects to your home or office’s wireless network providing you with a constant video feed of wherever you have the lens pointed.
You’ll need to download the accompanying Stem:Connect iOS app to monitor the feed from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, but you can also set it up to capture footage directly to a private YouTube account for perusing later. And besides just providing a window to your home or office while you’re away, the iZON’s software also allows it to serve as a remote tattletale, keeping track of suspicious sounds or movements and alerting you when something has been detected via push notifications. Available “soon” for $129.95.
We’re all aware of the spectacular failures of the car which bore his name, but as it turns out, he actually had great taste in cars himself. For example, take Edsel Ford’s 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster ($TBA). Inspired by European rides of the late ’20s and early ’30s and drawn by Ford’s chief designer E.T. Gregorie, the Speedster was based on a 1934 Ford frame but underwent major surgery to appear longer and lower, and has recently been restored to its original specifications, making it as authentic as any 1940 model could reasonably be.
Add a little Don Draper style to your fall wardrobe by picking up a few pieces from the Banana Republic Mad Men Collection ($10-$375). Encompassing everything from a pocket square to jackets and blazers, this limited edition lineup was designed in collaboration with Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant, and features premium fabrics mixed with razor-sharp tailoring.
Install the Parrot Asteroid receiver in your car, and you’ll be connected to the internet, GPS, telephone, radio, and your mobile device. Main functions are accessible using the jog wheel, but you can also control the unit with voice commands. The Asteroid comes with a GPS dongle, so you can navigate without requiring a separate GPS device. If you supply your own 3G service, you’ll be able to access the internet via Android apps. The unit can connect to your Bluetooth-enabled phone to make calls, and you can connect MP3 players directly to the unit and control playback with voice commands. Connect devices to the Asteroid via Bluetooth, USB, iPod/iPhone cable, or audio cable. There’s much more information on the Parrot website to help you learn if the Asteroid is right for you. The Asteroid will be released later in 2011, and there is no pricing information on the Parrot site yet.
Playing with the iconic Absolut bottle keeps on going. This print ad uses the blank concept again, only depicting the shape of the bottle through which people can create something new.
Called the Apple Exporience Centre, this Apple Store knockoff not only offers plenty of accesorice, but a host of iPhone / iPad cases as well. In related news, continue reading to see the CG reenactment of yet another unofficial Apple Store in China.
During my vacation, Nikon unloaded a bunch of new digital cameras on the market, including the Coolpix S1200pj which caught my pico projector loving eye. The S1200pj is actually Nikon’s third projector-equipped compact P&S camera, but improves on the previous models with a 40% increase in brightness (an impressive 20 lumens) and three times the contrast. Facilitating a projected image up to 60 inches in size, in ideal conditions of course. It’s also competently capable as a P&S with a 14.1MP sensor, 5X optical zoom with lens-shift stabilization, ISO settings up to 6400 and a 3-inch HVGA display on the back.
But sharing movies and videos of your mundane daily activities with friends and family is going to wear on them at some point, so Nikon has also made the S1200pj iOS friendly. Using an included cable you can connect your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad to the camera, letting you project content from any of those devices. And making the S1200pj a far more valuable companion for those who travel a lot. Available sometime in September for $429.95 in black and hot pink metal finishes.
Waterbeds offer you comfort in your bedroom, without actually getting wet. But if you want to get the same stuff into your home spa you need to have something that is quick, comforting and fits in your home decor. If you are looking for options, the Concoon by Wasserbetten is just what you need for “relaxation and rejuvenation”. The bed boasts of a unique ITW water mattress that gives you a feeling of “weightlessness”. The bed also comes equipped with ITW sound system that gives sound options like surround sound, sound waterbed that work with or without headphones. Something my dear friend Harm would definitely appreciate.