(Credit:
Nintendo)
Nintendo is trying to turn an ugly duckling into a rose princess. Next week America Ferrera, the star of Ugly Betty, will be joined by Grammy winner Carrie Underwood in a campaign to promote the "Metallic Rose" edition of the handheld DS, which came out last year as part of a special package but is now being offered as a separate product.
Actress Liv Tyler will also be making an appearance in commercials for the red and black version, which also was released in 2007. It's unclear why these celebrities were chosen to promote these particular versions, other than maybe they just liked the colors. But what about some male representation? Recalling his scuffle with Fabio, our bet is George Clooney for black and blue.
(Credit:
FirstStreet)
If there were a polar opposite to the sleek good looks of Philips' home phones, this might be it.
Granted, the "Pro Amplified Phone Center" may well be packed with useful functions, including four tone levels amplified up to 50 decibels for those who may be losing their hearing, according to GeekAlerts. (We were tipped off by the fact that this came from FirstStreet, the catalog that carries such items as the "Lite and Motion Head Lite Cap" in fulfilling its mission to serve "Boomers and Beyond.")
But does it have to look like some kind of DIY ham radio contraption? As products like fashion hearing aids show, not everything made for the middle-age market needs to fall in company with tennis-ball walkers.
(Credit:
Pocket-lint)
Wow. If you though the customized MacBook Air from aptly named "Crystal Icing" molested the laptop's ultra-clean design, check out this number.
Dubbed "Golden Age," this custom Air has no fewer than 12,000 Swarovski crystals that are "specially coated with 24k gold from underneath so that the transparent crystals can reflect the true gold color," according to Pocket-lint. Classy. Designed by an outfit called "Bling My Thing"--we kid you not--it supposedly was inspired by a traditional Japanese pattern.
The best thing about it is its exclusivity, as only 20 of them will be sold, starting in the U.K. on March 18, for 20,000 pounds (or about $39,700). That means we'll probably never be forced to look at one in real-life.
(Credit:
Gizmodiva)
As much as we like the idea, there must be a more attractive way to design bags that use solar energy. As chic as these "Noon Solar" bags may seem on one side, their fashion points take a deep dive when it's turned over to reveal its industrial-looking solar panels.
That's only half the story, of course, as it can power all manner of gadgetry after six to eight hours of daylight. And the bag's green theme is continued through its construction, according to Gizmodiva, with "Bavarian sourced, chrome-free, naturally tanned and dyed, full-grain cowhide leather and naturally dyed hemp cotton blend." The perfect accessory for the upwardly mobile hippie.
Still, we think that something like this line from Picard or even the "Power Purse" satisfies both aesthetic and practical needs equally and discreetly, without looking like a tract-house roof. But if all else fails, maybe we should just wear the solar panels directly in our clothes.
It's design month here at CNET Car Tech, and as part of our analysis of the automotive design landscape, we've rounded up some of the least attractive autos on the road. While we're all for innovative styling, bold accents, and daring design cues, there are times when you just have to tell it like it is. Check out our slide show of the 10 ugliest cars to cross our garage threshold over the past year.
(Credit:
Uber-Review)
What's worse than a garish, tasteless mouse covered in fake diamonds? A garish, tasteless mouse that's accompanied by matching accessories.
As if this pink and white crystal-encrusted optical mouse weren't bad enough, it's offered with a calculator in the same ill-advised motif. Uber-Review suggests this ensemble as a possible gift for Mother's Day. We'd agree only if you had a miserable childhood.
Lost: looking good online.
(Credit: 2007 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.)Among the networks, ABC.com has been one of the most aggressive in terms of streaming full versions of its shows online after they've aired on TV. During those quieter moments at work--some call them smoking breaks without the smoking--you can watch episodes of Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and more, right on your computer screen. Until a few days ago, however, the picture was rather small. Now ABC.com has launched a new full-screen "HD-quality" video player, and the "broadcast" looks shockingly good.
Meanwhile, NBC also has spruced up its online video player, and it, too, has added a full-screen option. The big difference is that NBC's video player uses Adobe's Flash Video, while ABC's is built on technology from upstart Move Networks.
During a "break," CNET editors John Falcone and Matthew Moskovciak huddled around my 19-inch Sony monitor in my office for a quick look at a recent Lost episode and were duly impressed. The picture may not quite measure up to true hi-def, but step a few feet back, and you're looking at a very detailed, sharp image. It's the kind of moment that makes you think that someday you'll be able to ditch your cable or satellite provider and get your content from cheaper sources that also happen to be legal. What a concept.
For a more in-depth story on ABC.com and its video player, go to broadcastingcable.com.
Source: Broadcasting & Cable
Via: AVS Forum
(Credit:
Newlaunches)
When Evesham came out with its Sound Stage TV stand with its built-in speakers, we thought it might be a good sign that furniture makers would come up with some innovative ways to display the new generation of flat TVs. So far, that's proven to be overly optimistic.
Newlaunches says Yamaha, for example, has come out with its own TV rack that includes a full Dolby system of speakers, sub-woofer and amplifier, with an optional DVD player, for the Japanese market. It's more expensive than Evesham's stand system ($780 vs. $600), but our quibble has more to do with design.
Perhaps it's telling that Yamaha calls its product a "rack," because that's exactly what it looks like. Unlike Evesham's stand, which builds its audio equipment into the frame, Yamaha's version basically looks like some shelves with components sitting on them exposed. For that, we could go to Levitz.
(Credit:
Red Ferret)
You know a design trend has gone too far when you start to see products like this. We like technologies encased in wood as much as anyone but, like fine furniture, it's got to be done right to be any good. Case in point: the "iDear" wooden speaker, which Red Ferret says can apparently be hooked up to a phone or media player through its USB connection. Regardless of what this keychain-sized speaker sounds like, it's just--how can we put this delicately--coyote ugly. And we don't mean that in a good way.
(Credit:
Fareastgizmos)
We'll never understand the concept of a fashion statement through a USB key, but at least some manufacturers are getting a tad more creative with their designs. Rather than tacky gold or over-the-top diamonds, Transcend has chosen a finish in mother of pearl for its "JetFlash V90," according to Fareastgizmos. It even comes with two chains of different lengths so it can be worn around the neck. But we still can't see Paris Hilton flashing one on the cover of Us.
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