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Dream Machine by Microsoft?

What is the best way to fix the ill fated Zune “iPod killer”? Let’s start with cramming a mobile phone in it, then while you are stuffing it full of dreams, wishes and pixie dust, let’s shove in a mini-XBOX. Now we can take all three of those features, wave a magic wand, say “gibbidy gobbidy goop” and click our heels three times and we get nothing at all like this most excellent render from the fine folks at T3 magazine. One can only dream someone in Redmond reads T3…or at least Yanko Design.

Nintendo Wii 2010 Style

When it comes to the future of gaming, opposable thumbs are so passé. At least that is what the dreamers at T3 Magazine think when they started to commission future designs for their “future tech” feature. They are showcasing a Wii headset accessory that uses brainwaves to control characters and also features immersive in-ear headphones. They envision a streamlined Wii Remote with just the one button. Just point and press, and let your frontal lobes do the rest.

Gaming with Style

Often overlooked by product designers, casual non-digital bar games like darts, billiards and foosball, have always been good for intellect avoidance, drunken challenges and ice breaking awkward dates. Sadly, most of these games have seriously lacked aesthetic presence and look like they were designed by retired auto salesmen living in log cabins.

Designer: Gro Design

Foosball On Steroids

As if foosball wasn’t demanding enough designer Elia Marinucci had to go make one that uses magnets, audio commentary, and electric shocks! On either end of the table is a button which activates magnets along the field changing the ball’s path. To top that off, corner pinball bumpers knock the ball around and the final uber move is the KICK IT! (also the game’s name) which generates an electric pulse if you manage to knick your ball hard across the field.

Designer: Elia Marinucci

Video Gamer Throne

So somewhere between perfecting your gnome’s damage spells and trolling for a “lucky lady” on myspace, you managed to win the national lottery. Yay for you! So what is the first item you purchase to commemorate your new adventures into nouveau riche displays of ostentation? Of course, this beautiful one-of-a-kind video game inspired chair by Fredrik Olsson.

Designer: Fredrik Olsson

Dinnertime just got ballsy…

Pool Table manufacturers are constantly having to find new ways to justify their huge expense and massive real-estate usage. They also need to compete for attention from the internet, Video On-Demand and social-centric video games like Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution and pretty much anything on Nintendo’s Wii. Given these massive challenges, the Billiard Industry has looked to innovative design to save their ever shrinking markets.

Product Page: FusionTables

Water Slippers

When you put the words kids, bath, and entertainment together, the image of a rubber ducky might come up. That’s the inspiration behind the Vak-Vak. With a squish of your heel, water sucks into the duck. Another squish jettisons water in a stream of fun wetness.

Designer: Muzaffer Kocer

My Chair is Part of a Wonderland

The garden is one place that seems to be designed for adults only. Contrary to belief, kids like the outdoors too so designer Simon Joyau created an origami inspired chair simply called the “Paper Chair”. Made entirely of recyclable plastics, the Paper Chair becomes a little rocker when tipped over – sort of an abstract horesy for your kids to enjoy. It’s just a concept but not anything far outside the realm of immediate possibility. I just hope an adult size version is made because I would love to have a few of them.

Designer: Simon Joyau

Shooting Dice

I suck at rolling dice. If the game requires it, I know I’ll come in last. It’s like some celestial power is inhibiting any positive chance I have in what’s supposed to be a random result. Although maybe it’s because I’m a person of the computer age and numeric dice are just so yesterday to me. That’s where Jaehyung Hong’s keyboard dice come in.

Designer: Jaehyung Hong

Any Table Can Be Ping-pong Table

What if any table in your house could be transformed into a ping-pong table? Never mind its shape or size because all you need is a green table cloth and an adjustable net to hold everything down.

Designer: Tithi Kutchamuch & Luka Stepan

The Night Lamp

This is a phosphorescent lamp that glows in the dark, more for kids (or big kids…), this classical shade to hang is full of poetry. Behind the shade, you’ll find stickers showing shadowgraphs that will stay black once the lamp is turned off, and then it will start to glow in the dark…

Designer: Nathalie Dewez

Ping Pong From A Doorway

Doors can be fun. No seriously they really can. The Ping Pong Door functions just like any ordinary door except there’s an inner panel that flips down to make a ping pong table. Pop the little plastic net on and get your paddles ready.

Designer: Tobias Franzel

Interactive LEGOS

LEGOS have come a long way from the simple building blocks I remember from my childhood. Today they can become a total engineering feat which is why I gave up on them. Designer Jin Woo Han wants to bring people back and he believes autonomous interactivity could be the next big thing.

Designer: Jin Woo Han