Designer Remo Wakeford is still pursuing his degree with Honors in Industrial Design from the University of Johannesburg, but his hand seems pretty set and his concepts very clear. Sony Playstation Nano Blue Sky is his take on a Nano version of the PS that sees hand-held keypads that are fashioned as wireless knuckleheads, which can be clamped in the fist. The controls for the console are literally on your fingers and can be manipulated using the four buttons. Naturally the buttons light up to glow in blue and the Nano console support HD, BluRay and Bluetooth. A fine representation of what is to be expected should Sony decide to come out with a Nano version. I like the Bluetooth capabilities the best because wireless connectivity is better that the clumsy wires.

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A mouse is the most integral part of your computer. I don’t know how many of you use the track pad on the laptop. I just find it too cumbersome, god bless the portable mouse! Here’s a cute mouse that come from my fav designer Tai Chiem. Favorite because his Dell XPS Baton concept is my choice (Pick to Win), and the QUO too packs in some neat features. This stylish portable mouse is a hygienic option that packs in WiFi, inbuilt memory and email alert and much more. It has the ability to tune to other wireless devices. It features two independent mouse buttons and a scroll wheel. It has a menu access button and a quick email button. It also has the capacity to support voice recordings and sports a watch with alarm.

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With the slew of Bluetooth speakers in the market, not all enjoy popularity or patronage. Many are a poor iteration and offer very little functionally besides playback or portability. When designing this Bose iteration designer Louis Filosa was looking at providing the audiophile a speaker that was not just another speaker, because then that’s simply not creative. The idea was to give a playful and sturdy design that user could interact with. It was to be not just a speaker but also a cool gadget with increased interaction between the user, other people and the speaker. The speakers include a 3.5 mm input opposite of the Bose logo, a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, an LED ring that indicates the amount of battery left, and an On/Off button at the top.

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Hi folks, thanks to for the overwhelming response to the competition.
I just wanted to clarify a point or two with you all
- The contest is open to all the citizens of the World…meaning it's open to all!
- This is a contest guys, naturally the shipping etc. will be borne by our sponsors TokyoFlash
- All you need to do is VOTE; Pick your choice and post it at contests@designlaunches.com
- The contest will run through this week, so hurry up and get lucky!
So what are you waiting for. Enter the contest here.

I have children so can empathize with those parents whose children fall ill and are fussy. It's not that you tell them to open their mouth and pop in the thermometer and they'll oblige. I have even tried the in-ear models but invariable I end up sticking it in the wrong places. Designer Stefano Pertegato has an interesting concept with the Thermoplay. It has a unique shape that will hopefully keep children steady while the adult takes the temperature. Thermoplay features a nontoxic silicone adhesive that sticks to the child's forehead. Since dust could ruin the adhesive, Thermoplay has sort of "petals" made of EVA to protect it while not used. A cute idea that will probably elevate an already tense situation by infusing some fun.

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I strongly believe that having a good hand at drawing and art is an inborn gift. This is a talent that can be nurtured but you can't just one day wake up and decide to become an artist. However designer Yana Klimava has designed the Virtuo, which is a digital art tool set that helps in creative development of novice or elderly artists who are insecure in their artistic abilities. The device consist of a LED palette, charger and several digital tools that aid in experiencing the use of different materials and mix paint. The concept uses sensors and light to mix digital color and apply it to a screen. I am totally insecure about my artistic abilities, so I wonder if this digital palette and screen will make a Picasso out of me!

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Industrial designer David Veldkamp sure has a green-conscious, his Peugeot 1008 Lean concept vehicle was really a revolutionary idea and his Lawn PC goes on to show us how environmentally friendly designers seem to be getting. This PC reduced the use of natural resources in several ways. It does not require fossil fuels to power it. The construction of the grass blades is such that the metals can be recovered after the product lifecycle is over. The metal has been printed on to a natural cotton fiber that can be decomposed and the metal recovered. The blades also feature circuits and solar cells that help harness power. Besides the visual appeal, the PC will help save 876 KWh a year per CPU, because at an average, a single computer uses 876 KWh of power a year. In 2008 the world is expected to reach over 1billion computers worldwide. 800 billion KWh could be saved per year if all computers created their own power.

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Tried as I did, I couldn't dig out much info on this design, but the iSphere Calendar concept for iPod by Belgian designer Chris De Schryver was too hard to resist. This orb looks to be a speaker of sorts that hook onto the iPod to display the playlist and features a similar jog wheel. The styling of the LCD panel is quite reminiscent of the iPod and the device supports a jack to hook up the headphones. I particularly like to two slim panels that sport hieroglyphic kind of writings that give it an exotic look. The handle on the top of the orb suggests that this is a portable device. Of course it also tells you the dates, but I really want to know do the buttons on the wheel stand for. Any of you want to venture a guess? Let me know what you think about this design.

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Using mirrors and LED fabric, designer Yana Klimava has created the Riflessi light concept. The LED fabric glows while the differently sized mirrors reflect the light, saving on energy and creating alluring light pattern. Mirrors reflect light during daytime, while light emitting fabric glows at night. One can even place the mirror "droplets" wherever they please and the LED fabric (or any other light source) will be able to create magical light patterns to spruce up the room. A very nice concept that can help you jazz up your pad, considering Christmas is fast approaching; we hope to find this or something similar to shimmy up the rooms.

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The Graphite by Jonathan Findlay is an awesome design for a mobile phone, because it has the capacity to turn this mundane communication device to a power-packed Digital TV. The specs envisaged by the designer are simply brilliant. It's basically a mobile phone utilizing DVB-H technology, aiming to maximize screen area whilst maintaining a mechanical kinetic aspect to the keypad. It includes a 3.6" AMOLED touch screen display, a translucent on/off button, Symbian 60 User Interface, 4-way mode select slider, 2.5-megapixel camera with Auto Focus, Xenon Flash AF illuminator, 3 dedicated camera shutters. It also hosts stereo speakers, 4 USB mini chargers, 5 dedicated audio jack connectors, and hidden mechanical keys under the screen that flex slightly to give an authentic keypad effect.

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The notion of a "perfect date" is only found in movies and romance novels. The crackers don't burst, the music doesn't stay in key and you ofent burp, fart or barf at the wrong moment. However to give a strong start, designers Marisa Jahn and Steve Shada have conceptualized the Pleasurecraft so that you can make a lasting impression. This boat contraption house luxurious seating, awesome romantic music, champagne and the works to make the perfect setting. Ditch the gondola down the canals of Venice for the Pleasurecraft ride!

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Samsung Explorer is concept that can prove very essential to avid adventure enthusiasts. Rather than banking on traditional maps to navigate in the wilderness, the Samsung Explorer offers a new way to think about mapping, way-finding and exploring the surroundings. The futuristic Nano manufacturing technology will allow for ultra high power output with minimal input and size. Designer Ian Douglass also uses tiny biodegradable Pods which, when dropped, accumulate kinetic energy. This trapped kinetic energy is released in the form of sonar waves which create a three dimensional image of the topography. The explorer then can view the map by using holographic imaging. Keeping environmental issues in mind, Ian also says that the pods could feature seeds for different types of plant life, repopulating the traveled area with life. A design sensibility that I totally agree with; usually explorers leave a trail of garbage behind them, this will be first!

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Traditionally we had to adapt ourselves to the home PC, and as we progressed, the makers realized that they need to make the applications and software more flexible and user-friendly. Technological progression ensured that easy PCs were developed that encompassed a myriad of applications that suited individuals and households. However a pre-established PC that contains set programs will be redundant in future. There will be the need for further customization and individualistic approach. The UBQT PC designed by Stiven Kerestegian will be accessible and accommodating to include much more natural and flexible user scenarios allowing the technology to adapt to our diverse lifestyles instead of classifying us into user groups.

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The concept is pretty clear and designer David Veldkamp is very explicit in his perception of the Peugeot1008 Lean. Likening the features to king of the jungle, this concept vehicle is like a robust lion on the prowl. Similar to a feline hunting, it is quick and agile, able to navigate the intimidating streets of the metropolis of the future. The Peugeot legacy for bikes is evident as the 1008 leans while you turn and improves mobility and stability. Focusing on the green trend, it features an electric motor that promises zero emissions. The compact design requires minimum raw materials and uses eco-friendly materials like biodegradable foams and fabrics. Furthermore the materials can be easily recycled when you wish to dispose the vehicle. By removing the roof and side windows, the 1008 Lean offers an exciting and invigorating ride. The vehicle also has the ability to communicate with the city road systems navigating the best routes through the dense city traffic of the future.

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Water is a precious resource that is dwindling fast and we have finally awoken from our slumber to realize the gravity of the situation. Although various methods are being used to conserve this resource, not all of the efforts have borne fruits. People still waste and some even have a callous approach. The Human Pump by designer Gunwook Nam is an award-winning concept that looks at converting kinetic energy generated from human foot traffic to power a system of pumps that bring fresh drinking water to the surface in the form of a mesmerizing life-saving waterfall. One of three winners in the Re:construct competition sponsored by San Fransisco's Urban Re:Vision, the project is a 12-meter-wide boardwalk designed to be constructed where heavy foot traffic, such as the main route to a school or market is there. The stored kinetic energy will be later used to pump up the ground water. The concept is very ambitious but viable, hence it hold a promise in it.

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