Funky Find Of The Week: Handmade Decorative Keyboards

Made to order from Japan come these three lovely artful but functional computer keyboards. Each is handmade and costs just under $165.00 USD.

The Nishiki:




The Usagi:




The Karakus:



Order them here.

Took Long Enough! A High Tech Lite Brite From Bandai: Luminodot

The japanese company Bandai has come out with a high tech HD led version of Hasbro's Lite Brite. The toy that lets you add clear colored pegs to a light box backing to create glowing pictures.


above: the original Lite Brite toy

Lite brite was one of my favorite toys as a kid and believe it or not, I still have my original. However, this new one by Bandai, the Luminodot, is sorely tempting me to purchase it. With 1600 colored pegs and a sleek screen, it retails for $179.00 USD.

Like the original, you can use templates to place on the light box under the perforated screen to follow as a guide or randomly create your own designs.






They have Disney licensed templates too:



a few examples of some of their downloadable templates.


They have several templates to choose from. see their downloadable templates here.

Features (as described by audio cubes):
Bandai's Luminodot is the Lite-Brite we always knew we wanted. This 70 by 50 pixelated board is supported by a bright LED backlight. With 1600 bulbs in 12 different colors, each dot is important to finish the master piece. Any type of images can be projected onto the Luminodot, from a simple 2D picture to perspective art works. Featuring a private software that helps the user to create and preview the image. Luminodot is designed with a removable front panel, which allows the user to place the printed image underneath. A one-of-a-kind interior decoration. Available only from Japan.

Specs:
Power: AC adapter
Accessories
1600 color bulbs

In Japan, buy it here.

In the US, buy it here.

After Months of Promotion, The Sony Ericsson New Xperia X1 Is Here

PRNewswire/ — Sony Ericsson North America announced the arrival of the highly anticipated Xperia(TM) X1 to the U.S. marketplace. The Xperia(TM) X1 delivers a range of multimedia and communication experiences that have long been coveted and in demand by consumers

The Xperia X1 will be available unlocked through Sony Electronics and its authorized retailers beginning on "Black Friday," November 28. This premium device will be sold unlocked for the MSRP of $799.99, giving consumers the freedom to choose their own mobile operator and data plan. You can pre-order it now from the link at the end of this post.



The Xperia X1's unique panel user interface is at the heart of the device's ability to create and adapt consumers' personal choices. With up to 9 panels, it's easy to find and enjoy the information and entertainment content they want. Sony Ericsson is busy working with third-party developers to create a wealth of new applications and new panels that will soon be available for download.

By incorporating the Windows Mobile(R) 6.1 Professional operating system, the Xperia X1 frees consumers from their home and office, allowing them connectivity to their content wherever they are.



As Sony Ericsson's most advanced phone to date, the Xperia X1 brings together a large, 3-inch wide VGA display touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard all wrapped into a sleek silver metal- finished arc slider handset. The Xperia X1 supports fast 3G networks, enabling audio and video streaming, high-speed internet surfing, multimedia messaging and email on the go. In addition to delivering 3G mobile broadband speeds, the Xperia X1 supports WiFi to meet the needs of consumers' always connected lifestyles.

In the tradition of Sony Ericsson, the Xperia X1 offers consumers the ultimate multimedia experience with a 3.2 megapixel camera, video streaming, video playback and video recording, and the ability to enjoy all their digital music.



Beginning last September, they promoted the Xperia with a competition centered around a series of online webisodes featuring a character named Johnny X. Although the competition and a chance to win a phone is over now, you can still watch the episodes. Go here to watch them.




Sony Ericsson Xperia(TM) X1 - At a Glance


Camera
• Auto focus
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Photo light
• Video recording


Above: Although originally rendered in black, the phone is silver

Multimedia
• Bluetooth(TM) stereo (A2DP)4
• Media player
• Music tones
• Windows Media(R) Player Mobile
• 3D games
• FM radio
• Java(TM)
• Video streaming
• Video viewing


Internet7
• Internet Explorer(R) Mobile
• RSS feeds
• Opera(TM) 9.5



Communication and Messaging
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Video calling3,8
• Email
• Picture messaging (MMS)9
• Predictive text input
• Text messaging (SMS)9


Design
• XPERIA(TM) panels
• Optical joystick navigation
• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Touch navigation



Organizer
• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Document editors
• Document readers
• Flight mode
• Handwriting recognition
• Notes
• Phone book
• Tasks
• Touchscreen

Connectivity
• aGPS
• Bluetooth(TM)4 technology
• Modem
• Synchronization
• USB support
• WLAN

Windows Mobile(R) Operating System
• Microsoft(R) Outlook(R) Mobile: email, contacts, calendar, tasks
• Microsoft(R) Office Mobile: Word Mobile, Excel(R) Mobile, PowerPoint(R) Mobile
• Windows Live(TM)
• Microsoft(R) ActiveSync(R)
• Voice control
• Utility Applications: file explorer, calculator, pictures & video, notes



Above: Although originally rendered in black, the phone is silver


• Size: 110 x 53 x 16.7 mm (approx.)
• Weight: 145 grams (approx.)http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
• Available colors: Silver
• Main screen: 65,536 color TFT
• Resolution: 800 X 480 pixels
• Size: 3 inches (approx.)
• Phone memory5: up to 400 MB
• microSD(TM) memory card support

Networks:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850/1900/2100 MHz

Pre-order it here now.

Freehands; Gloves For Mobile Device Users. Keep Those Hands Warm While Texting

Josh Rubin (of Cool Hunting) and his father, Stanley, have designed gloves with a patent-pending design which enables everyone with a mobile device to keep in touch, literally. A quick flick exposes your thumb and forefinger without removing your glove. Small magnets keep the tips from getting in your way.





The gloves are available in three materials and five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL. Fleece retails for $20; Stretch for $30; and Leather for $40.

Leather, $40.00 a pair:


Stretch, $30.00 a pair:


Fleece, $20.00 a pair:



In case you're wondering.. which apparently some people are... Josh says that "the magnets are just strong enough to hold the finger tips back, but not so strong that they’ll interfere with watches or gadgets"

Buy them here.