Crave

(Credit: Case-mate)

Marketing and PR folks take note. In one of the more brilliant publicity stunts in recent memory, iPhone accessory maker Case-mate is going downscale. Really downscale. And green, too.

It's created a 99-cent cardboard "recession" case along with free "Sharpie Script" personalization (yes, some dude or dudette will inscribe your case by hand). And these babies can be bought in bulk: Case-mate is offering 10 for $7.99.

I'm impressed. This is something you'd expect to see from the Onion News Network, not from a real tech company. And while the recession has hopefully ended, plenty of people are still hurting, even a couple of iPhone owners.

Here's the FAQ on the case, in case you want to buy one:

Q) Is it waterproof? A) No, so don't put it in the dishwasher.

Q) Is this case flammable? A) If you light it on fire it is.

Q) Does it come assembled? A) No, see our animated gif for a step-by-step demo!

Q) What device does this case support? A) iPhone 1G, 3G, and 3GS.

Q) How does this case stay together? A) It has locking tabs at the bottom and top of the case, as well as an adhesive strip to keep the case held together.

Q) Can I use this case to microwave my frozen pizzas? A) I don't see why not, although we can't ensure quality taste.

Q) Will this case make me awesome? A) I think that goes without saying.

Q) Is there a warranty? A) No, it is cardboard, after all.

Q) Can I get a paper cut on my ear while using this case? A) My first guess would be no, but anything is possible, we don't promote unsafe use of the recession case.

Q) How long will the case be sold? A) As long as it needs to be to get us out of this recession! Or while supplies last.

Q) Does it come with a screen protector? A) No, we are in a recession!

Q) How long will the product last? A) Forever as long as you don't destroy it!

Q) Is this case made from recycled cardboard? A) 100 percent of only the best for you!

Q) Will the product scratch my device? A) No! its cardboard not brick!

Q) Is the CM logo impressed on the case? A) This is known as the "people's case."

Q) Will this product be sold at Case-mate retail locations? A) Nope! The recession case is sold exclusively here at case-mate.com!

Comments?

(Via Engadget)

Classic brown cardboard will replace elaborate plastic packaging for some Amazon.com items.

(Credit: Amazon.com)

Sometimes the greenest technology improvement is going back to the old low-tech option.

Amazon.com announced Monday it's working with retailers to cut back on the packaging you'll need to open to get to your goods.

The Seattle-based company plans to start shipping items in plain brown cardboard boxes, instead of putting a pre-boxed or plastically sealed item inside another Amazon box. The cardboard box will have Amazon, and in some cases the retailer's name, on the front.

Memory cards, for example, are often sold in disproportionately large clear plastic packaging to prevent shoplifting at physical stores. Transcend's memory cards when bought via Amazon will be shipped in a recycled cardboard envelope. Children's toys, such as a Fisher-Price pirate ship set, will be shipped in a plain brown box with cardboard padding and a plastic bag holding the toy people and whatnot.

So, in addition to being less annoying to open, the new packaging will also be more environmentally friendly, according to Amazon.

Bloxes cardboard cut outs can form walls, furniture and more.

(Credit: Bloxes)

A start-up launched on Friday aims to make furnishing an office as simple as assembling a cardboard box.

Bloxes are the latest option in cardboard furniture (see photo gallery), which is gaining a toehold in the world of 'green' design. The corrugated cardboard puzzle pieces lock together to form sturdy shapes such as chairs, walls, and play forts.

Bloxes founder Aza Raskin turned to his childhood for the idea, toyed with as an art project by his father Jef Raskin, known as the "father" of the Macintosh computer.

The junior Raskin is using Bloxes to furnish the lofted Chicago office of digital design firm Humanized, where he is president (Mozilla hired Raskin and Humanized co-founders in January to work on Firefox and other projects.)

With a little help, Bloxes are strong enough to drive over, said founder Aza Raskin.

(Credit: Bloxes)

"You could go out and get yourself a set of cubicles and it'll be boring," Raskin said. But Bloxes, on the other hand, enable creativity on a whim. "It's pretty amazing to see when we need a desk or a workspace, we can build it in 10 minutes."

The interlocking forms are so strong that a car safely drove over a large form capped by plywood, Raskin said. Plus, the 'green,' recyclable building blocks can be packed flat for easy and inexpensive shipping.

Bloxes aren't ideal for outdoors use, although someone could probably coat them in waterproofing material, he said. However, similar shapes in plastic or another water-resistant material could work outside, Raskin added.

The 6-sided, 9.5 inch-square shapes are designed with CAD software and made in Chicago. Bloxes sells each case of 20 brown or white squares for $60, enough to build a form 36 inches by 45 inches.

With swift hands, Bloxes furniture could be assembled in 10 minutes.

(Credit: Bloxes)

The headquarters of Humanized features Bloxes workspaces as well as a virtual roman aquaduct, which help to absorb sound from a noisy heating and air conditioning system. Two other Chicago offices are using Bloxes, including news Web site Gapers Block. Raskin envisions Bloxes, which can be drawn or painted on, in kindergarten classrooms and college dormitories.

He sees an overlap between the worlds of sustainability and software. The Web 2.0 movement is refocusing people on design while offering highly customizable do-it-yourself tools for tinkerers, Raskin said.

"I guess you could say Bloxes are a physical representation of Web 2.0."

(Via TechCrunch)

(Credit: Firebox)

Even though most of us have converted to tiny MP3 players by now, you can still relive the good old days with this boombox, and it's even environmentally friendly. Why? It's made mostly out of cardboard.

The iPod Boombox comes flat-packed from Firebox at $30 a set. Batteries are included, but you'll have to provide your own iPod--and bell-bottoms.

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Suck UK)

Finally. After almost 30 years of waiting, there's a perfect tech solution for breakdancers: a boombox you can break down into a flat cardboard mat and cold bust windmills and headspins on.

The cardboard, AA-battery-powered Mini Boombox for iPod, designed by Suck UK, folds into an iPod speaker system. It can also be used with other MP3 players.

Pricing info is unavailable for the Mini Boombox for iPod. The system is slated for release in September.

We don't expect the speaker system to rival Klipsch's iFi in terms of sound quality or DLO's HomeDock Deluxe in terms of streaming functionality, but then again, those systems are made of noncardboard.

(Credit: SimonElvins.com)

If you just can't wait until September, or if you're a vinyl aficionado, a paper player already exists for your LP collection.

Designer Simon Elvins has created a fully functional, hand-cranked record player out of paper.

So yeah, if you thought beat juggling was hard, try doing it on two hand-cranked paper turntables. An organ-grinder monkey or two would come in handy.

The Ferrari FXX Millechili in front of an Enzo and the Ferrari F1 car

(Credit: Channel4.com)

In the race to make cars lighter, faster, and more economical, Ferrari is thinking outside the box. Well, it's thinking about the box, to be more accurate, as this week it unveiled a concept car made partially from cardboard. Looking very much like a squished Enzo, the full-size FXX Millechili also features a power-assist hybrid drive train (one in which electricity assists rather than replaces the gasoline engine), a carbon fiber frame, and plastic-and-cardboard panels.

Channel 4 speculates that the hybrid power train might be used in Ferrari's F1 cars in conjunction with regenerative braking systems in order to save fuel. The Millechili's active aerodynamic underbody, which relies on jets to channel air under the car and thereby reduce drag, is also a possible design element for F1 models, it speculates. Other lightweight, energy-saving features of the Millechili include smaller, ceramic brake discs and drag-resistant tires. The Millechili is being shown off at Ferrari's 60th anniversary celebrations at the company's base in Marinello this week, but don't expect it to be coming to a showroom (or craft store) any time soon.

(Credit: Studiomold)

TV sets aren't the only home entertainment products that have flattened out. The "Fret" audio system, designed by U.K. design house Studiomold, includes a subwoofer and two flat carboard speakers that can be mounted almost flush against the wall. Shiny Shiny says the pair, which comes in black or white, can be used with MP3 players or TV stereos. By the looks of this unit, it might work as a decent window treatment as well.