Cool Hunting
| 08 August 2006view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
The Book of Tags
by Jacob Resneck
The Book of Tags, a 256-page hardcover book on the subject. Its pages further explore the debate as the authors note that tagging is "a phenomenon which stands on the thin border between art and vandalism." What started out in the '70s as a way for young people to mark their territory on NYC subway cars has burgeoned into a worldwide art movement. An anthology collecting the works of 300 graffiti artists from 20 countries, this book explores this urban artform through five thoughtful essays written by designers, calligraphers, architects and artists from Switzerland to San Francisco. Aside from photographs from around the world, Tags also features full-page examples of different tags with an explanation of the evolving calligraphic styles used. With its mesh of design and content, the Book of Tags straddles the line between serious art book and absorbing coffeetable piece.
Record Specs
by Evan Orensten
Last week we brought you Scott Urban, the Chicago-based sculptor and designer, and his spectacles of wood. This week Urban reinvents humble frames once again, using vinyl records to craft his Record Specs. Made from four layers of old LPs, Urban will also custom-make pairs—from your own collection natch.
Earmecca Earphone Earrings
by Evan Orensten
Combining in-ear technology with a clip-on earring, these new earbuds from Korean company Earmecca dress up minimalist headphones. Currently only available in Korea, the earrings come in 11 different designs, and several different metals, including gold and silver.
via Gizmodo
Also on Cool Hunting: iDiamond Earphones
Magical 8bit Plug
by Josh Rubin
Like digitally adding record scratches, the Magical 8bit Plug is a hi-tech way for producers to add lo-fi sound. Developed by YMCK, a Japanese 8-bit jazz ensemble, the free software works with both Mac- and Windows-based programs to create unique waveforms that mimic synthesized video game soundtracks.
via Make
Also on Cool Hunting: CH Video: 8-Bit v5, Mark Denardo on CH Video, The International Chiptune Resistance Tour, i am 8-bit @ Gallery 1988, Bit Shifter, i am 8-bit book, NoteNdo, Nullsleep
Kodak Easyshare V705
by Ami Kealoha
Launching today, the V705 is the latest in Kodak's series of Easyshare cameras. Loaded with a 2.5-inch hi-res LCD screen, two pro-quality lenses (for portraits and panoramas), anti-blur technology, and their "in-camera stitch" that merges three images for 180° views, it's an ideal camera for capturing stunning vistas and birthday party memories. The real feat, however, are the two seven megapixel sensors that are packed into a body that's under one inch wide, making the V705 the world's smallest digital camera with these features.
Stay tuned for a hands-on review and a Kodak V705 giveaway later this month.
Also see the premiere version to feature Kodak's two lens innovation, the V570, in this CH video: CES 3: LED Billboards and Kodak V570
EyeTV for DTT stick
by SummerSeventySix
After launching earlier this month, my new EyeTv for DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) has just turned up and it's nothing short of revolutionary. About the size of a lighter, it slots into a USB port on my iMac to receive digital TV, which can then be recorded on the hard drive. An electronic program guide is included to make life even easier.
Those already with a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) like a Tivo or Sky+ in the UK, as well as owners of tricked-out PCs, may well be thinking "So what?" about now, but this Eye TV is worth noting for three reasons. As I mentioned, the size is astonishing, and the EyeTV is barely noticeable once plugged in, making it great for MacBooks too. Despite having a miniature antenna, it's capable of receiving a DTT signal, such as Freeview in the UK, delivering a spotless picture to the screen.
Secondly, its integration with other software, and also the Mac remote, is seamless. Apple's Front Row is transformed from being a pretty curio I never use, to a practical, attractive hub to watch, record and timeshift TV. The EyeTV also works well with disc-writing software like Roxio's Toast, so any shows you record can be stripped of ads and archived onto a DVD. Having recordings stored on the iMac also means they can be swiftly manipulated and used in iMovie or Final Cut Pro, and converted for use on a video iPod or PSP.
Finally, the price. When I was looking at PVRs with a built-in hard drive to go under my TV, I was looking at spending around £150, at least. The EyeTV takes advantage of the iMac's 250gig drive instead, and so costs less than half, going for €100 or £70 and is available in Europe direct from makers Elgato or from Apple.
