Hasta La Gadget!

The first TV remote control was released in 1951. The couch potato’s best friend has seen some improvements since then, but mostly in terms of its performance and capabilities e.g. no wires, more buttons and wider compatibility. A recent design project took a look at improving the physical form and ergonomics of the remote control as well. Here’s one such concept, called the Freehand.

Designed by ECAL student Cleo Jacquet, the Freehand consists of a pair of small buttons with suction cups on its back. Instead of coming up with a better alternative to the traditional stick form of the remote, the Freehand lets you define the shape of your remote. Do you always have a drink with you when you’re watching TV? Then stick the Freehand on your drink and make it your remote. Stick ‘em on your tablet or smartphone so you can multitask. Stick ‘em on your dog. Because you’re a free spirit.

Obviously the Freehand is way too impractical in its current state. But like the MaKey MaKey and AnyTouch, it’s a sign that the future of consumer electronics could have both software and hardware that can be tailored to our individual tastes. You can check out the other remote control concepts on Wallpaper.

In the past, we’ve talked about the interesting and odd project from Google called Project Glass. The technology is basically a small wearable augmented reality system with a display embedded into a pair of glasses. A patent application has surfaced from Microsoft that shows the company is at least considering a competing product.

Artwork included with the patent application shows one example application as view of a baseball game offering factoids about players, including stats, hovering above them while you watch the game. They also showed another example where subtitles are displayed over an opera performance. Here’s the abstract from the patent application:

A system and method to present a user wearing a head mounted display with supplemental information when viewing a live event. A user wearing an at least partially see-through, head mounted display views the live event while simultaneously receiving information on objects, including people, within the user’s field of view, while wearing the head mounted display. The information is presented in a position in the head mounted display which does not interfere with the user’s enjoyment of the live event.

Microsoft’s offerings are also not meant to be worn at all times, while Google is hoping we’ll be wearing their glasses everywhere we go. It appears that Microsoft is tying their device to live events like sports and concerts. The Microsoft product would be able to the project text and audio overlays onto whatever the wearer is viewing.

The patent app was originally filed in May of 2011, but was updated this week. There is no indication of what the status of this project is at Microsoft right now; it could be significantly further along considering it’s been over a year since the application was filed, or it could just be a concept. Whereas Google already has usable prototypes of their system, it appears Microsoft’s is in the planning stages.

You can view Microsoft’s complete patent application here.

[via UnwiredView]

Some people turn to ice cream or power-shopping when they’re stressed. Others watch movies, play with their dog, or sleep it out.

Still others find that they relieve their stress best by popping a whole lot of bubble wrap. And helping make bubble wrap more available is this Bubble Wrap Anti-Stress Station by artist fra-biancoshock.

He set up this little installation at a bus stop in Milan where he tacked on sheets of bubble wrap along with a sign that indicated just how many minutes of popping action a person can have with each.

It’s convenient, it’s fun, and it’s one of the simplest way to relieve stress without breaking the bank. Need to quit stress-shopping? Bubble wrap bursting is definitely something you have to try!

[Rebel Art via Design TAXI via Bit Rebels]

Months after Coca-Cola rolled out their ‘Open Happiness’ vending machines, Pepsi is following suit. They won’t be giving away free bottles of soda for hugs, although you will be able to give people the gift of Pepsi and play a game to score free drinks.

You can buy drinks for yourself or for a friend. To send a gift to someone, all you have to do is punch in the recipient’s email address and name. The machine will then send them a code, which they can key in on the machine to claim. Of course, that assumes your friend is somewhere near one of these machines as well.

The Pepsi vending machine is also programmed with a game that you can play to win 20-ounce beverage bottles for yourself.

Pretty cool vending machine, but I prefer Coca-Cola’s because, really, what can beat getting free Coke for a hug? What do you think?

The PepsiCo Interactive Vending Machine dispenses Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist Natural, Aquafina and Lipton Green Tea, and can be found at Columbiana Centre (Columbia, SC), Clackamas Town Center (Happy Valley, OR), Oglethorpe Mall (Savannah, GA), Oakwood Mall (Eau Claire, WI) and Park City Center (Lancaster, PA).

[via PopSop via NewLaunches]

A lot of people think that mobile payments is where most establishments are headed, which will eventually make credit cards obsolete. But those cards with their magnetic strips aren’t going out without a fight.

How? By reinventing the cards to include a numeric keypad and an LCD screen.

I kid you not. MasterCard is apparently intent on launching this ‘Display Card’, which they believe is the ‘next big thing in credit card technology.’ What makes this different than the cards we have nowadays is that you have to enter a PIN number directly on the card before you can use it to pay for stuff. How this is different from keying in a number on a PIN-pad, I’m not sure.

The Display Card is going to be rolled out in Singapore soon. I personally think it’s a bit silly, but it might work. What do you think?

[via Geekologie]