There are good ideas...and then there are really bad ones. Technology and design is all about innovation and pushing new ideas, and we'd never get anywhere without testing them. I'm sure someone laughed at the look of the first iPod (or at least the name). But then there are some concept gadgets that are really only concept, and not useful whatsoever.
There are good ideas...and then there are really bad ones. Technology and design is all about innovation and pushing new ideas, and we'd never get anywhere without testing them. I'm sure someone laughed at the look of the first iPod (or at least the name). But then there are some concept gadgets that are really only concept, and not useful whatsoever.
1. Milky Way Alarm Clock: (pictured above) A clock is one of the most basic but useful gadgets out there. Its completely obligatory to have in the home, so its nice to have something that stands out a little more, maybe more chic or edgier. But this might be taking that idea a little too far. Designed by Henrik Amberla, the clock's shape is supposed to reflect sleep cycles. Then one turning motion triggers the snooze function, while another turn sets the time and the alarm. I'd rather just hit a few buttons to set the darn thing and be done with it.
2. Kitchen Scale iPod Dock: This one is so ridiculous it might work. I'm also curious about the thought process of combining a kitchen scale with an iPod dock. ADE-Germany has developed the Rihanna kitchen scale (I assume named after the singer). With a 2-watt speaker and 42.5 x 20 mm LCD display, you can play your favorite cooking time songs while weighing your ingredients. I suppose they're two things you could actually use at the same time, and it would save counter space. But why?
3. Dell Froot Desktop: As an entry in a sustainable design contest, the Dell Froot Desktop tries to combine a keyboard, mouse and monitor all into one device. Sounds portable...but it also sounds absurd. The Froot design incorporates a virtual keyboard, Windows XP and a built-in projector to display everything on an empty wall. Now you just have to hope you can find a clean, white wall anytime you want to do work.
4. Soap Light: It's exactly like it sounds: a lamp shaped like a bar of soap. You can turn the Soap Light on and off just by touching it, but to dim or brighten, you have to rub it like a genie lamp. Again, why?
5. Home Core Integrated Toilet: Designed by Dang Jingwei, this bathroom structure combines a toilet with a pedestal sink. Apparently it saves and recycles the water used from washing your hands and brushing your teeth for the toilet. While I'm all for conserving water, these are two items I'm not sure I want that close together.
