DO EPIC SHIT

A very good friend of mine is an absolute fan of this line, I decided to make it my 2010 resolution

Virtual Autopsy Table

It’s not pretty, and certainly not for the fainted hearted…
But I can’t be nothing but amazed at this visualization project.

Some years ago it was the ‘Visible Human Project‘ that both socked us, but also amazed us and help us see and learn a whole lot about the contents of our bodies, today I came across The Virtual Autopsy Table, an interactive installation, where users can freely interact with stunning volumetric 3D datasets acquired via start of the art medical imaging technics of real scanned human bodies. The result is simply amazing:

Google Chrome OS

Trillions

Meet WikiReader

In a world filled with noise and constant interruptions comes a device specifically designed to facilitate your focus. It’s a small, simple three buttons device, equiped with a e-ink thouch screen, low power comsuption and packs inside all the things we ever wanted to know more about (well almost everthying I bet!) just check out the introduction video:

Is it just me, or this reminds me the Hitchhiker’s?

10/GUI

Clayton Miller’s 10/GIU proposal envisions a possible future interaction model for Desktops:

The proposition relies on separation between visual and input areas, introducing ‘con10nuum’, a window manager that works as a pipeline manager for windows, where the input area besides an enlarged multitouch pad actually allows both hands & fingers to work simultaneous as different input devices.

One of the positive aspects that I liked on this was the introduction of a pre-defined language for interaction, pretty much like the ones we have on mac’s today, where same actions can be invoked in different apps by using the same keyboard combinations.

I’m wondering, when are we finally going to ditch the 46yo Mouse!

Philips Design Probes

A Design Probe by definition needs to be as provocative as possible in order to attract and generate enough discussion and ideas around it as possible. A Design Probe will eventually lead the researchers to insights into our (people/consumer) mind and in particular get insights on future preferences.

Therefore Philips seems to have conceived a full program around the concept of Design Probes, certainly in an effort to continuously tap and track future trends that may open doors into mainstream issues and potentially future business solutions for them.

Here’s two of the several examples coming out of the program:

Future of Food

Off the Grid

if you’d like, you can read more about the Philips Design Probes Program or simply join the discussion at Ning.

Coca Cola Fountain of the Future

Seems that great design is all about creating a bond between shape, product and end-users!

Coca-cola is one of the most renowned brands all over the world, but isn’t prune to the fact that it’s user base seems to be increasingly moving away from it’s core business: the carbonate sodas! Their response comes in the form of the new Coke’s Freestyle fountain machine:

I’m sure that in a near future we’ll probably find machines like this pretty much everywhere and not just for drinks. But I’m delighted with the overall ideas that went behind this project:

The fountain features a vast array of beverage choices, apparently more than a hundred, which means CUSTOMIZATION! It allows local merchants to tailor the selection of drinks to fit the peculiar tastes and wishes of their customers.

It’s set to use a new, smaller syrup packaging. Coke has one of the biggest, if not the biggest supply chain in the word, therefore savings at this level are good for everyone on this planet, plus less space means a lot more variety in the machines!

As every other 21 century machine, it needs to be connected! The new fountain features an onboard computer allowing for seamless and remote monitoring, it’s the dream come true for all marketeers and supply chain managers, the perfect tool for data mining customers behaviors.

In a world about to see the end of mass production and the return of customized, local goods, it’s very interesting to see Coke joining the ranks of other companies aiming to simplify our user experience but still get a high quality service and product by redefining the way we interact with these machines.

Oh well, I’ll probably need for a while to be able to test one back here in Europe, but I confess I’m eager to test one…