Archive for September, 2009

Touch wood phone from Japan

Touch wood phone

All these phones are make from the surplus wood of trees culled during thinning operations to maintain healthy forests. This concept was a joint project between Sharp Corporation, Olympus Corporation and “more trees,”. This project was name reforestation and is founded by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and others.

The authentic cypress wood body of the prototype, which is named TOUCH WOOD, features excellent durability and resistance to water, insects and mildew thanks to special three-dimensional compression molding developed by Olympus Corporation. Conventional natural wood is not suitable for use as mobile phone bodies because they tend to wear out quickly.

Each TOUCH WOOD handset features its own distinctive grain patterns and natural coloring. No artificial colors or paints are used, so the cypress retains its original natural appearance and aroma. The wood also has an attractive shine that is created during the compression process.

It will will not be long before this type of phones start to appear at consumer store. In my previous post Japan has introduce the NoPoPo battery and seen like this Touch wood phone is another step taken to promote Eco-friendly environment.

via ubergizmo

NoPoPo Eco Water-powered AA Batteries

Nopopo Eco Water Battery

Nopopo mean No pollution Power battery. This is another move by Japan to promote an Eco-friendly environment. This battery is amazing, it can be recharge by almost all kind of water. For example water, beer , cola and the inventor also mention human urine!! Once the battery is fully charge it is capable of powering up a LED flashlight. If the battery is flat, simply use a syringe to suck your liquid of choice up and then squeeze it into the battery. That it. very simple.

Specifications

• Two sets of two batteries (4 AA batteries in total)
• Proprietary NoPoPo hydro-electric battery from Aqua Power Japan
• Holds charge up to ten years
• Also charges with beer, sake, cola, or even urine
• Size: 9.65×2.75cm (3.75×1.08 inches)
• Current: 60mA-300mA
• Capacity: 1.6Ah-0.6Ah
• Voltage: 2.1V
• Can be charged up to five times
• Manual: Japanese

via japantrendshop

Yorozu Audio Sound Revolution kit

This Yorozu Audio kit allow you to transform almost anything to act as a speaker! Take for example by placing the vibrating extension on a cardboard it greatly enhance the sound. Instead of carrying a mini speaker around by just bringing this Yorozu Audio kit you can turn almost anything to a speaker and it is more portable also. Create instant speakers out of paper, posters, boxes, white boards, suitcases…you name it!

Yorozu audio sound revolution kit

via japantrendshop

Create a Battery-Powered USB Charger

For just a few dollar this DIY USB charger will give you the extra minutes you need for your gadget. Find any tin that is similar to the one show on the picture.

Parts and equipments you need

Below are a list of things you need to complete this DIY usb charger project:

• A 9V battery clip
• A +5V voltage regulator
• A female USB connector
• A 9V battery
• Insulated copper wire
• Soldering equipment
• A Dremel tool
• Hot glue

Step 1 Make a hole for the female connector

Using the Dremel tool make a hole at the side of the tin that is just enough to hold the female usb connector.

Step 2 Wire the Circuit

This step is pretty simple even for someone not familiar with electronic. Follow the diagram properly if you do not know the V “in or out” get someone to help you. As for soldering the the circuit you just need a few try and you will get a good solder.

Final Step

After finish soldering, make sure the circuit is arrange neatly inside the tin. Do a test charging on one of your gadget. After that use the hot glue (blue colour gun) to hold the wire in place. For a more detail guide you can find it at maximumpc

How to hide your hard disk?

Gamboy Harddisk 1

This should be by far the best way to hide your hard disk. Those who want to steal your hard disk will never think that you would keep it inside a Gameboy case. Moreover this mod fooled quite a few people because it appears that the device still plays games with the drive stuffed inside of it. But in fact the reflective backing has been removed from the screen and replaced by a piece of paper with a graphic printed on it.

Gameboy harddisk 2

The above pic show how the hard disk is hidden within the Game boy case.

via hackaday