Conceptual Gadgets

More details have emerged about the operating systems and applications that power Microsoft's new Courier Tablet PC.

Details about Microsoft’s alleged bookish tablet PC are beginning to surface, and with every bit leaked, the anticipation rises. Courier, the dual screen tablet which we reported about here a few months back, looks more like a book reader should look, but also enables a “cliff notes” representation of the data files saved on it, but also contains a searchable “journal overview” which enables users to search by subject, keyword, or other criteria.

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This next device is odd, to say the least, but I can see how it would come in handy. There is a video of it after the jump if you want to see it in action, but it won’t make sense without a little bit of explanation.

Here’s how it works. You begin with a “light source” that is really a database of some information, like the New York Times, for example. This source is placed on a table that is probably best described as a Microsoft Surface (but isn’t).

This source shines a light with visible particles that essentially contains all the information of on that database. From there, the user can physically place a “prism” that filters out all the information except a certain subject. That subject can be pre-determined by the user by a jog wheel.

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Even though Microsoft could probably easily rest on the profits from Windows 7, it is always good to hear them working on new ways of interfacing with computers. Lately, chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundle has been going from college to college, showing off the latest next-gen computer prototype.

Mundle has a lot of interesting things to say about the way computers are headed. One of his demonstrations includes a computer that can project its images onto a pane of glass in front of him. He says that the future will probably bring about a workstation that will include multiple displays, that will eventually work their way into 3-D images. I can’t help but agree with him.

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Recyclable laptops made of paper could be popular in the future, and good for the environment.

Our friends at Yanko are working overtime again trying to come up with environmentally friendly electronics which won’t pollute our landfills. And this time they’ve come up with a recyclable paper laptop. That’s right. A paper computer which can be thrown away once it’s no longer wanted or needed. Considering Moore’s Law means computing power doubles about every 18 months, a disposable laptop may be a good idea. Here’s the thinking …

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Imagine walking the streets of New York City and seeing this guy. If you were a true New Yorker, you would probably just walk on by, assuming you even noticed him in the first place.

As an “out-of-towner”, I probably would just assume that this man had some disability that required im to wear metal braces on his neck and…backside, and would probably not ask him about it.

Actually, this man is asleep. That’s right, he is on the Vertical Bed, and all those braces are designed to attach to an ordinary subway grating. This very tired chap tried it out in NYC, and he actually got forty good minutes of shut-eye.

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You can probably see from the photo here how the R1 radio works. It sits on a tabletop like a mouse without a computer, and is controlled by rolling it in different directions.

Yes, rolling it up will turn the volume up, an rolling it down will turn it down. I am going to assume that you turn the radio on by turning it up, just like you would an older radio dial.

If you want to tune the radio into a certain station, just move it left and right. In short, it’s like having an analog radio that allows you to shift the station marker with your hand.

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I might as well get this out of the way and just say that the Roca Waterdrop Shower Room is just a concept. Not that you probably couldn’t tell that by looking at the pure white device on the pure white background. I mean, that is just screaming science-fiction movie prop.

Yes, this is a shower, and none like I’ve ever seen in its shape. Not only that, it has a 3D touchscreen, allowing you to watch a movie while you bathe. The touchscreen enables the user to control the temperature of the water as well as the intensity of the jets.

My source uses the word “3D touchscreen”, but I’m not certain that your movies would be in actual 3D. I mean, do you need to wear special glasses while in the shower, or does the teardrop shape of this tub make it possible to view movies in 3D without glasses?

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Imagine if you were to chop off Johnny Five’s head and put him on your dashboard. I realize that sounds gruesome, and I’m sure someone actually did that at the end of the original Short Circuit, but just imagine that cute little head on your dash having loving expressions, and showing you the way to go home.

This is essentially the role of AIDA (Affective Intelligent Driving Assistant). This robot head not only serves as a GPS Navigation system, but it actually has expressions. It’s eyes will look happy when you’re going the right way, and become a warning sign when you are not. There is a video of this intriguing concept after the jump if you aren’t already sold on it yet.

AIDA is more than a navigation system, though. It is intelligent enough to remember where you have been, and from this information determines your driving habits. It uses a lot of sensors to gather intel, and will even let you know when you’re low on gas, and where is the best place to stop for gasoline on your way.

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