Plustek V100 BookReader

by Tim Yu

Plustek's new v100 BookReader is an optical scanner device with built-in character recognition. Plustek comments, the V100 "transforms printed words into audio output, that can be saved in MP3 format for future access. With the press of one button, the Plustek BookReader will convert printed text into high quality speech with a lifelike voice."

Available for purchase for $700 from Plustek, you could have an automated bedtime reader for your kids.

Read more at Fast Company.

Sydney Garden Gnome House

by Lost At E Minor

This isn't an outdoor art installation, but it is still somewhat curated. Or maybe hoarded is a better description. Somewhere in the inner western suburb of Sydney's Summer Hill, a brightly-colored collection of garden gnomes sits on display. The owner of the home is yet to be seen, but there are hundreds of gnomes, side by side, all with equally dopey expressions on their faces and accompanied by a second fixation, caterpillar soft toys. There are so many gnomes, the garden is no longer visible. Maybe it's an Amélie style prank that has just piled up over the years?

Mildly fascinated and entertained by the ever growing collection, I decided to make my own contribution one afternoon when a cheery looking garden gnome appeared at the local op shop for the bargain price of $1. Big blue bow tied neatly around its neck, it was ready for dispatch. But on arrival, it appeared that the gnome collector already had five of the exact same type.

Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture: Mod.Fab

by CH Contributor

by Kelsey Keith

Students at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Arizona have developed a new prototype for a desert home, injecting modern day pre-fabricated construction methods into the prairie ethos of the 20th century architect. Though recent Wright obsession has turned its focus to the architect's love life instead of his work (including novels "The Women" and "Loving Frank"), the acolytes at Taliesin West prove that the master's influence is not purely historical.

The Mod.Fab home packs an array of sustainable features into its 600 square-feet. The one bedroom home can be plugged into the utility grid or left as is, relying on low-consumption fixtures, rainwater harvesting, gray water re-use, natural ventilation and solar orientation to reduce energy and water use.

Advising students on the project was Office of Mobile Design principal Jennifer Siegal, one of the leading architects working in the pre-fab realm today (for a stellar example of her work, refer to the Seatrain residence in Los Angeles). Product vendors who donated to the project include Subzero appliances, Toto toilets, Ikea cabinets and DWR furniture.

And as web-savvy young minds, the project group even posted construction updates to the PrairieMod blog.

2009 Toy Fair: Construction Sets

by Brian Fichtner

If there's a single toy category that makes me long for childhood, it's the construction set. This week's Toy Fair in NYC gave us ample opportunity to check out the latest developments in building blocks for kids. Here's a roundup of our favorites.

Mega introduced Xtreme Sports, a series of kits for building both street terrain and stunt parks for skating and biking. Flair Pipe (pictured), one of the action set assortments, comes with a full pipe that can be built into various half pipe configurations. The real kicker for the Xtreme Sports set is the trade-marked MicroMotion controller which lets kids float tricks without their fingers getting in the way of the action. Xtreme Sports will be available through retailers beginning this spring.

Outside the Mega booth, a Halo Wars mascot wandered about, a harbinger of toys to come. With the first ever construction toy sets based on Halo Wars, MEGA has produced a slick collection of figures and vehicles that's certain to please die-hard gamers. The series will hit retail shelves this summer.

Lego, the industry giant, was one of the few toy companies to report growth last year. It's no surprise. The company has been at the forefront of construction set design for decades. One of our favorites from the sprawling booth was the new Power Miners series (be sure to follow the link for hilarious Lego animations).

What continues to amaze us is the level of real-life detail Lego designers bring to their creations. Designers researched and visited mining sites to bring a level of authenticity to these toys that's simply awesome. The 235-piece Thunder Driller (left), which retails for $29, features a working bi-directional drill head similar to those used in tunneling.

K'nex, another construction set behemoth, also had a sprawling booth. Their product line-up, categorized by age based on the complexity of sets, boasted new Collect & Build Air Action, Racecar Rally and Moto-Bot Series but it was the new roller coaster kits that got our attention. New to their Thrill Rides this year were the Lava Launch Coaster and the Loopin' Lighting Coaster. The former comes in at over 4 feet high and produces a volcanic sound that's sure to drive parents mad; the latter is comprised of over 500 part and boasts over 17 feet of track. Both will be available this fall.

Lars Amhoff: Neo Gramophone

by Mike Frank

We were able to chat with Lars Amhoff of the German-based Kinkyform, which has been collaborating with artists to produce furniture and objects that meld art with a functional purpose or "Usable Art."

In Amhoff's latest creation, the Neo Gramophone, he updates a familiar form with iTunes digital streaming and a high-end subwoofer and speakers. Unlike the original gramophones comprised of a player and a separate speaker horn, the sculpture grows out of the base like a polygonal shaped plant. The singular organic form feels futuristic and hides touch-sensitive player controls which appear on contact. Audio experts were brought in to ensure a clean and perfect sound. Overall, Amhoff has created something beautiful, useful, and desirable.

Kinkyform is currently searching for a company to bring the product to market and balance the quality of the materials and audio components with a non-luxury price point.

View more photos of the Neo Gramophone here.