The Parasolar concept by Oded Shorer serves two purposes - it keeps you cool by providing shade on those hot, sunny days while generating power from the very sunlight it is blocking.

It folds up into a case that can be used to carry it with ease. When in use, Parasolar plugs into the carrying case, which houses the battery and energy transformer, to keep it steady on the ground. The battery starts getting charged up as soon as the parasol is connected to the base. It can also be taken out and used as a regular umbrella if any rain decides to interrupt a sunny day.

Energy is generated from the photovoltaic laminated panels integrated in the synthetic cloth that serves as the “umbrella” portion of the device. Parasolar’s carrying case sports a 12 volt output as well as two USB ports for connecting your gadgets.

This looks like a perfect way to power gadgets and maybe even a laptop when camping or at a picnic. Change the strange green design of the umbrella and you’ve got us hooked. Check out a few more pictures after the jump. Read more »

The Kitchen Sync concept by Noah Balmer combines computers and online recipes with old-fashioned cookbooks for the perfect way to cook in the 21^st century.

It features a small, flexible, washable screen with a dock. The Kitchen Sync allows you to view recipes online and follow links to buy whatever products you may need to concoct your favorite dishes. It eliminates the need to print out recipes or bring your expensive laptop into the kitchen only to get it covered with food.

Kitchen Sync takes full advantage of its wireless internet connection -besides downloading recipes, you can also chat with other users cooking the same dishes for a richer cooking experience.

Balmer received an International Housewares Association design award for his concept. We hope to see the Kitchen Sync make it to production as it would be an instant favorite of cooks worldwide. More pictures after the jump. Read more »

We’ve seen some wild concept phones before, but this is probably one of the more unique designs of that bunch. The Caps concept cell phone looks like a little tube and features a tiny projector to let you view images and video at a larger scale.

Designed by Jean-Jacques Chanut, Caps features a small, rounded screen with a simple menu that should be easy to navigate via the touchscreen. A pico projector (perhaps this or this one) can show images and movies from one end of the phone, and a headphone jack is on the other side to listen to tunes and movies.

Obviously we’re a ways away from such a small phone, but sometime in the future a little tube like this might be what we’re all using to chat to each other. We do have one question though: how do you talk on the phone? Perhaps sticking it in your ear might do the trick, or maybe it’s only intended to be used with a headset. Another picture after the jump.

Read more »

Designers Shane Ellis and Terry Brown have come up with an interesting way to remind us when we’re not being green - a power outlet that glows red when plugged-in appliances are consuming power.

Many appliances and electronics continue to use power even when they are off, and this power outlet would be a great way of reminding us of that. The higher the power usage is, the brighter the built-in LED will glow, reminding you to unplug that toaster you won’t be using for another week.

Of course, if you get tired of the nagging simply press a little button on the outlet and it’ll stay white until you turn it back on.

This is a great idea that could help us all save a little power here and there. It would be interesting to see if this product would take off if someone began mass-manufacturing it. Another picture after the jump. Read more »

A Dutch design student has dreamed up a simple remote that can control a TV without being touched at all - perfect for sitting in a kitchen where the cook’s hands may be covered with food.

The remote adjusts volume when you move your hand over or under it, tilting itself at the same time. It changes channels when you flick a finger through the cavity in the middle of the remote. Finally, it turns the TV off when two fingers meet in the middle of the cavity, and turns it back on when two fingers spread apart from the middle.

Of course, we’re years away from such a remote. Nevertheless, it looks like a great idea for the time when we can finally create such a gadget. Check out a video of the concept remote in action after the jump. Read more »

The folks at Studio Roosegaarde have designed an interesting contraption called Liquid Space 2.1. The sculpture is an interactive artwork that changes its appearance in response to humans.

Studio Roosegaarde’s description: “Liquid Space 2.1 is an interactive space which physically changes its form in relation to human sounds and motion. This interactive fusion of mechanisms, embedded electronics and software creates a real-time dialogue with its visitors. In this play of defining and letting go the space evolves its behavior towards the visitors, creating a sensual co-existence.”

Liquid Space 2.1 uses a variety of LEDs and electroluminescent lighting to create the effect of movement. Sensors, embedded electronics, and special software combine to control a mechanism which responds to the presence of humans. The sculpture measures in at 4 × 4 × 4 meters.

It will be interesting to see what this work of art will look like when humans are interacting with it. Liquid Space 2.1 looks like a great addition to a museum of modern art, or even as a tourist attraction in a famous city.

[via Studio Roosegaarde]

Microsoft recently showed off their LucidTouch concept technology that lets you control a mobile device via touchscreens on the front and back.

Although currently just a concept (the proof-of-concept device shown has a clunky camera sticking out from the back to monitor the user’s fingers), Microsoft hopes to eventually implement the technology in a small portable gadget. Read more »

Designer Joel Escalona has created Seven, an alarm clock that won a Volvo for Life Design Award. It’s mostly a regular (although rather bulky) alarm clock, with one exception - it will continue trying to wake you up until it sees you moving around.

The alarm clock will begin to play a selected MP3 tune when it’s time to wake up. If its motion sensor sees you lying still, it will continue to raise the volume of the music until you (and possibly a few neighbors) are awake.

Seven also shows the outside temperature and humidity on its display.

This concept is a great way to wake up the heavy sleepers among us. I know a friend or two who could definitely use one of these alarms. If only it wasn’t so huge.