Hasta La Gadget!

It goes without saying that Windows Phone 8.1 is more or less right around the corner, where we have seen that there were alleged leaked screenshots of the operating system before, and what you see above are screen captures of a possible Windows Phone 8.1 design. These images were made available thanks to a certain forum member who goes by the handle “qXerro”, where these screenshots remain to be verified as to whether they hail from the Windows Phone team, or were they expertly recreated in his spare time with the right kind of image editing software.

So far, the conceptual animation does seem to show off a fair number of actionable notifications, and not only that, it also shows just how swiping to the left will depict the ‘me’, quick share, settings, and personalize section. Let us take a quick poll now, what do you think of Windows Phone 8.1 so far? Will different animations be able to make the entire Windows Phone 8.1 experience a better one? If you were Microsoft, what would you do on your part to make sure that Windows Phone 8.1 works as intended? I know that it can get pretty difficult trying to please every one, and the situation does remind me of the Aesop’s fable which involves a father, son, and donkey.

Conceptual Animation Points To Possible Future Windows Phone 8.1 Design original content from Ubergizmo.

Unlike computers, smartphones are not upgradeable in the sense that we can remove on piece of hardware for a new one, such as changing the amount of RAM, or a larger battery (for phones without removable batteries), a better camera, and etc. However that is exactly what the folks behind Phonebloks is hoping to change, by introducing a modular smartphone design in which components can be easily swapped out for better ones, just like adding or removing LEGO pieces from a LEGO structure. Not only does this make the phone incredibly upgradeable, but at the same time should make the repairing process easier and potentially cheaper as well.

The idea behind Phonebloks is that we tend to throw away electronics that no longer works, and usually that’s because only one portion of the device is spoilt, such as its screen, its camera, a button, and etc. By using Phonebloks, we will be able to keep our smartphones forever, just swapping out parts that need fixing or upgrading. The “bloks” are attached to a base which is then connected to everything else, thus keeping everything running in sync. At this point in time Phonebloks appears to be a concept as opposed to an actual product, although given that we aren’t engineers we can’t speak as to whether such a concept is possible.

Either way if you have a few minutes to spare, you can check out the Phonebloks video above, or hit up its Thunderclap page to show your support.

Phonebloks Is A Modular Smartphone Concept original content from Ubergizmo.

Inspired by Bridgestone’s puncture-proof tires, and Michelin’s Tweel, Hankook has decided that it wants to get into the next-generation tire market with its own i-Flex. Like the previous creations from its competitors, Hankook’s tire trades an air-filled bladder that’s prone to leaks and punctures for an engineered rubber framework that provides support and shock absorption.

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If you’ve got little kids crawling, walking, or running around, your home is probably a maze of security gates, closed doors, and padded corners. As a parent there’s no such thing as too much safety, and Netherlands-based Studio Dewi van de Klomp’s unique line of soft foam cabinets could be the perfect furniture solution until your kids master the fine art of balance.

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Just the other day a image surfaced on the internet which is allegedly that of the Nexus 5, Google’s upcoming next-gen Nexus handset. While we’re not sure if that is a real rendering of the device or merely a concept, Reddit user Vovicon has taken it upon himself to create a new rendering based on what we do know about the upcoming device, but at the same time making some assumptions about the device as well, with the result pictured above. Vovicon’s rendering  of the device is noticeably different from what we saw the other day, but since this is hardly the real deal, some discrepancies are expected.

The Nexus 5 has been rumored to be in the works for a while now, with LG allegedly being the company behind the device again. A possible first-look at the device was spotted in a Google video where the Android 4.4 KitKat statue was unveiled, whereby a mysterious device with the “Nexus” brand written on the back of it, leading to many speculating that this could be the Nexus 5. Additional evidence includes a recent trip to the FCC where some of its specifications were revealed. In any case what do you guys make of this render? Is this a design you could see yourself getting on board with? Or did you prefer the glass backing that LG used in the Nexus 4?

Fan-made Nexus 5 Concept Looks Decent original content from Ubergizmo.