Updated with prototype pics!

So what about this spinal support system? Herman Miller calls it a Kinematic Spine. The rib cage-like design flexes as you lean forward and back. There are no adjustments. They’ve simplified the ergonomic chair into what all chairs should have done years ago when that word first started floating around – it just works. Sit down and it hugs your spine. The mesh doesn’t cut into your skin yet provides plenty of support. Ever sat in a cheap generic mesh chair? They quickly lose their form. You get what you pay for.

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit about the design is the inspiration – the nautilus shell. I have a huge interest in biomimicry and I can definitely see how it applies here. The nautilus shell provides the soft body cephalopod with protection without hindering movement and all in a compact structure that uses the least amount of materials. The technology translates beautifully here since it only makes up a fraction of the structure yet is literally the backbone to the entire design.

As with almost all Herman Miller chairs, there are options galore. I have the basic model which is more than adequate for everyday use. I love how weightless it looks and the slow, soft, cushy feel every time I sink down. It’s impeccably constructed too – no squeaks or creaks.

What we loved:

• Bio inspired design
• High quality construction
• Simplified ergonomics that work
• Strong mesh support, no sagging
• Only adjustment is vertical height, no other adjustment necessary
• Priced to move $650

What could be improved:

• Armrests may not work with every body type. Sometimes they get in the way

Designer: Herman Miller (Buy it here)

 

As I said before it’s almost too thin. If it weren’t for the softly bezeled edges the Adamo XPS might also be the world’s sharpest notebook. Weighing only 3.2lbs with the 20WHr battery installed is quite impressive but my favorite feature is the capacitive latching device. Por que? There’s no button or indentation to lift open the Adamo XPS. Just swipe your finger across a touch sensitive bezel and the lid magically magnetically unlocks.

The design is quite interesting. In lieu of the usual perpendicular form most notebooks take, the Adamo XPS opens up to an angle. The keyboard is raised for better ergonomics and all that space underneath facilitates cooling. The screen is slightly recessed because the entire keyboard plane folds into the display. When you look at the Adamo’s profile, what you’re really looking at is the screen housing.

I’m avoiding the phrase “wafer thin” because that implies flimsiness. The Adamo XPS is far from it. It’s incredibly sturdy and any give comes from the carefully seamed joints, alas the Adamo is not a unibody design. The keyboard looks almost like polished stone but it’s actually metal. How novel and appropriately chic! On the left edge is single USB  and display port. The opposite side has another USB port, an audio jack and power connector.

All the exterior sex appeal doesn’t mean diddly if it chugs during everyday use (cough – MacBook Air). I’m not a PC user so this was also my first experience with Windows 7. Upon start-up I was greeted with a facial recognition option. I didn’t try it because I was in no mood to see my mug in the incredibly bright 13.4″ HD (720p) screen. Once in, Windows 7 looked like a supremely clean version of Vista. All the nonsensical gadgets were gone and the taskbar now had a companion ala Mac OS X dock. I don’t want to make this a Windows review so lets just say I browsed, interneted and emailed without pause. The Adamo XPS is fast.

Dell has been on a roll lately releasing computers that step outside the proverbial grey box. The Adamo XPS looks like a winner in most areas but since we’re a design site, lets get picky. The corners are a little bit too rounded. The trackpad is too small. The speakers are too quiet. The bezel around the display is too noticeable. You’ve got the grey aluminum on the exterior and the black hugging the display. This double whammy makes the screen feel smaller. It would also have bee nice to move the Dell logo off the display area down into the keyboard because it’s way too distracting where it is. What Dell deserves snaps for is the beautiful, crisp screen. The keyboard is a dream to type on and that capacitive latch is like concept finally making it to reality. It’s unnecessary but design is only half about function – the other is emotion and that latch immediately introduces the idea of a computer far more advance if not a little cooler than anything else out there.

Specs:

• 13.4″ HD WLED (720P) display
• Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4GHz
• Integrated Intel graphics
• 4GB DDR3-800MHz RAM
• Thin Micro SSD 128GB
• Integrated webcam with security face recognition
• Full size keyboard with touchpad gestures
• Built-in 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1
• 2x USB 2.0, audio, DisplayPort
• 20WHr li-ion battery
• Windows 7 Premium 64-bit OS
• 3.2lbs

Optional attachments:

• VGA, HDMI i/o
• External optical DVD+/-RW, Blu-ray Disc

Designer: Dell

 

Mmm nice hot freshly made tea. Nothing better than that, well maybe except for freshly made hot chocolate but that’s besides the point. The Modenn FLO Tea Set consists of a pot, creamer, and sugar pot. It’s strikingly modern. Every curve looks as if the smoothest hands guided each arch into place. Everything is beautifully bezeled, from the lid to the handle. I believe the set is made from white ceramic porcelain because even the blackest of teas didn’t stain it – a problem I’ve had with other white tea sets.

Okay but my LOVE LOVE LOVE feature is the spout. Why? I wish I captured this on video but it’s elegantly formed to give you one continuous stream of liquid, sort of in a high arch. Basically the set not only looks good but makes you look good. I totally looked so PRO moving the stream from cup to cup and without spillage. As soon as you set the pot down, the stream stops. No dribbling or running down the neck.

Mmm this tea still tastes good. Epiphany! I could use this for hot chocolate too! Stay turned kids as I try and figure out where you can purchase one. This would be a fantastic holiday gift. HINT HINT.

What we loved:

• Beautiful organic minimalist design
• High quality white porcelain doesn’t stain or crack
• Nicely weighted when pouring
• Price point is on the money ($80)

What could be improved:

• Include a spoon
• Include a couple tea cups

Designer: OHM (Buy it here)

One of the key features of the LunarGlide+ is the cushioning support Nike calls Dynamic Support System. The tech comprises of Nike’s ultra cushy LunarLite foam core providing support for both neutral and pronate runners. The “+” denotation indicates compatibility with the Nike+ iPod kit.

With my textile background, I easily recognized the tried-and-true materials of choice for footwear. Mesh uppers and microfiber layers provide exceptional support and are incredibly breathable. They also stretch quite a bit since feet tend to expand once the pavement pounding starts. The rear outsole is made of hard rubber which is perfect for me since I overpronate. The outside corners of my shoes always wear out first so it’s nice to see Nike has mastered this aspect without weighing down the shoe. The LunarGlide+ weighs a scant 10.6 oz.

I took out a whole month to use the shoe. It doesn’t come with the Nike+ iPod kit but a quick visit to the Apple store and a fresh pair of crew socks and I was ready to go. It is extremely comfortable, like air and with every step I felt some artificial spring. At times it gave me the forward momentum I needed while simultaneously cushioning my feet. If I didn’t know better I’d swear there was some sort of gel pad in there but no, it’s the LunarLite foam. It does it job very well.

That’s the real key behind all the accolades. It’s extremely lightweight, encompasses the latest Nike tech, combines great design and priced right in the middle of Nike’s range. In my month of everyday use, the shoe still looks new. The inner and outsole are intact and the foam cushioning hasn’t deteriorated one bit. At $100 it’s a bargain. I have continued to run even after my review. The shoe has converted me so that’s one more accolade the LunarGlide+ can add to the trophy cabinet.

Designer: Nike [ Buy it here ]

 

The earbuds reside on a 20″ long cord with a built-in mic. Wearing it in front or wrapped behind your ear (sport is what they call it) is personal preference. The cord is rubberized and pretty thick so there’s no need to worry about accidentally tearing it apart. Like any bluetooth headset, pairing it with your phone or computer depends on the receiving device but to activate pairing mode on the earbuds, just press and hold the mic button on the cord until a you see an alternating red/green light.

They’re smart enough to know when to turn off and last over a day with full use which surprised me because the battery cell must be TINY. They’re hidden inside the earbuds and to charge them, you flip open the right bud’s cover. Inside is SE’s standard 2-pin charging port. Charging takes several hours tho which is the crappy part but I guess if you do it overnight, it’s not as bothersome.

In use they sound fantastic. Music was loud and clear. Phone calls seamlessly switch without a hiccup and the caller could not detect any unusual audio artifacts. These earbuds are excellent. The buds come with silicone caps to fit different shape ears too.

Why would anyone want these over the large selection of bluetooth headsets currently on the market? First off these guys are stereo and they fulfill two duties – handling phone calls and play music the way they were intended to be heard. $140 may seem pricey but when you consider those two factors, you’re actually getting a bargain. There are plenty of worthy headsets for phone calls only but all the wireless earbuds for music are terrible. These are by far the best ones on the market.

Now a note of caution. These are not fully compatible with the iPhone or iPod Touch. They pair just fine, calls come in, music plays but there’s no volume control. The touch-based volume buttons on the iPhone and Touch never appear leaving you stuck in volume limbo. It’s only a matter of a simple software update on Apple’s end but that has yet to happen and I can’t say when it will. It’s not anyone’s fault really – just a case of software oddities. I still firmly believe these are the best stereo bluetooth earbuds on the market.

What we loved:

• Great design, compact case
• Solid metal and plastic construction
• Long battery life
• Easy pairing
• Noise canceling technology
• Awesome sound, crystal clear
• Snug fit good enough for exercise

What could be improved:

• More color options
• Battery charge time
• Seamless switching between music and phone calls

Designer: Sony Ericsson ( Buy it here )

Straightening hair is damaging. Hair is strong but it wasn’t meant to be heated up at over 100ºF over and over. All irons have the same basic construction – a tong shaped tool with two metal plates that sandwich hair between them. The KQC Turbo II is different because the plates are ceramic and tourmaline. Ceramic performs as well as metal but creates a reaction when in contact with protein – the chief compound of hair. The resulting negative ions seal in moisture and protect the hair shaft, two benefits you can’t get from metal plates. Tourmaline is a mineral gemstone that evenly conducts heat preventing static which is a huge problem with cheaper irons.

Since I’m Asian, my hair is pretty straight. I only straighten it to produce certain styles. To put the KQC Turbo II to the test, I asked my friend Manaja to be my test subject – or rather her hair. Manaja’s hair texture is dense and curly. She’s straightened her hair before but avoids it because it breaks easily. I had already used the iron on myself so I gave her my assurance.

This iron is a dream to work with. It’s incredibly lightweight (thanks to ceramics) and heats up insanely fast (also thanks to ceramics). All I did to prep was brush Manaja’s hair and mist it with a heat protectant. As soon as I clamped the iron down on her hair, none of the sizzling or steaming prevalent in cheaper irons appeared. In under 20 minutes her thick hair was straightened. It would normally take her close to an hour with a regular iron. Her hair came out extremely silky and shiny and to her surprise and relief – no breakage.

What we loved:

• Ceramic and tourmaline technology unique to KQC
• Quick to heat up, quick to cool down
• Comes with safety stand and pouch for travel
• Extremely lightweight
• Affordable considering cost of other professional irons
• Easy to clean
• Multiple heat settings

What could be improved:

• Longer cord

Designer: KQC ( Buy it here )

 

Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble from Long Tran on Vimeo.

There isn’t anything I didn’t like about this toy. The plastic is incredibly durable and the purple webbing design is slightly rubber-rized to protect floors. The size is just right for medium to big dogs but I don’t see why little dogs couldn’t enjoy it either. My only suggestion for improvement is to make the rubber prongs in each opening adjustable without having to snip them. They control how much and how fast food dispenses. I made the mistake of cutting too much off and the “game” ends way too soon for my dog.

Designer: Premier Pet (Buy it here $18.80)

ioSafe is known for its enterprise lever disaster proof storage. With its latest offerings aimed towards the consumer market, disaster safe storage places itself within reach of ordinary folks like you and I. The drive is fireproof up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour to take on a house fire. In the case your automatic sprinklers kick in, it can also be submerged in fresh or salt water for three days at a depth of 10 feet. Hurricane Katrina, anyone?

When I was offered the opportunity to review the ioSafe Solo, I jumped at the opportunity thinking what fun it would be to torture test it. Torch it. Dunk it. Hammer it. Things quickly changed when the box arrived at my door. Weighing in at a hefty 15 lbs and emitting a satisfying thunk when hit, it was obvious this drive was going to need more firepower than I can legally produce in the neighborhood. It’s futile. Men dressed in black suits knocking at my door ain’t worth it. Don’t fret, the WSJ has a great video to show off its capabilities.

Setting up the Solo was a breeze. Included in the box was the 500GB Solo with an engraved serial number name plate, USB cable, power adapter and user manual. Plug it all together, flip the power switch, and Windows detects it within seconds like any USB stick you throw at it. Not to worry Mac users, it works flawlessly with the Apple logo too!

Copying data to and from the Solo yields transfer rates approximately 30-32 MB per second. On par with any other quality USB 2.0 external drive enclosures. Although the Solo lacks an eSata connection, a future version may be able to take advantage of the increased bandwidth.

The ioSafe Solo is priced at $150USD for 500GB, $200USD for 1TB and $US300 for 1.5TB. It comes with a 3 year standard warranty and a no questions asked $1000 data disaster recovery guarantee. With quality external drives that costing nearly as much, they definitely don’t come with peace of mind knowing your data can survive the worst.

ioSafe currently offers a $50 rebate off the 1.5TB unit for US and Canadians expiring September 15, 2009. Canadians also have a 10% off rebate for any ioSafe Solo product expiring August 30, 2009. The two cannot be combined.

Physical:

• 5.0″W x 7.1″H x 11.0″L
• 15 lbs

What we loved:

• Fireproof & Waterproof
• Appears it can survive an earthquake
• Security cable attachment point
• Good build quality
• Excellent USB 2.0 performance

What could be improved:

• Hard feet at bottom can scratch surfaces
• Could use RAID, although available on more expensive units
• Short cables

Just like other clear plastic skins on the market, you get a kit; carefully die-cut sheets for every side of the Nintendo DSlite. Installation is a bit scary for the uninitiated because you do use spray glue and any floating particles nearby become mortal enemies. Steady hands are a must and messing up even in the slightest will force you to start all over.

Carefully clean the Nintendo DSlite so it’s free of dust and smudges. Take the glue which comes in a fine mist spray bottle and spray it all over your hands. Carefully peel off one of the sheets and spray both sides. Line it up and apply slowly. Use the supplied squeegee to push all the air bubbles out. Let it set for a few minutes before you start on the next section.

A tip I have is to keep your hands soaked in the liquid. Trust me, it evaporates quickly and will help from trapping dust. The softly rounded corners provid a small challenge. Another tip is to wait a few minutes for the sheet to dry out and become tacky, then carefully roll it over the edges.

The geometry of the Nintendo DSlite is pretty simple up top and sides. It is the bottom where things get tricky. The die-cut sheet looks more like a puzzle with openings for screws, the stylus pen and battery cover. You have to be really carefully and go slow. I must have tried 4 times before I realized my sheet didn’t exactly match the bottom of my DSlite. It was about 1 millimeter off, barely noticeable but definitely enough to annoy me to try again and again and again.

The great thing is you can hardly tell there’s a skin on after it dries crystal clear. You would have to get in pretty close with a macro lens to even see where some of the die-cut work went. The bottom is a differently story. That 1 millimeter offset really makes a difference. You can clearly (no pun) see the bottom is not as seamless as the top. For me the two screens are the most important since they get the most abuse and thankfully the supplied sheets fit them to a tee.

After a week’s use, the skin hasn’t peeled or discolored despite being tossed everywhere from the inside of my pocket to my bag. Tho installation was a bit complicated I’m glad I did it and would recommend this product to anyone looking for basic protection. The last thing I wanted was bulk so BodyGuardz are the perfect solution. They make skins for everything from phones to cameras too. Go check it out and let me know if you buy one.

What we loved:

• Not as messy as other clear skins
• Crystal clear
• Can easily peel off and try again

We could be improved:

• The bottom sheet for the Nintendo DSlite is slightly off around the battery cover
• $24.95 is pricey, especially in this economy

Designer: BodyGuardz [ Buy it here ]

Tape? Yes TAPE. One of the company’s mottos is “no tools, no rules” and they mean it. All you do is pull the boards out of the packaging, align them to form a box, peel off the 3M tape and stick them together. The instructions say to let things set for about 24 hours but in under 10 minutes, the whole thing was as strong as wood and nails. Color me impressed!

You’re only bound by your imagination. The zBoards are drillable, nailable, and paintable. I think I just made up a few words but I’m going with their “no rules” motto here. You start with a basic cube and can create anything from that simple geometry. It’s great for kids too. I mean how easy is it just to buy a bunch of modular kits, send them to their rooms and let them have at it?

The kits come in various colors and sizes but as I said, you’re only limited by imagination. The basic cube (the one I was sent) retails for $20. If you’re looking to build a full on shelving system, things can get costly. I will attest to the strength and durability. Trust me, I was very skeptical at first but I’m a 165 lb man and the cube didn’t waver at all with me sitting on it.

If you’re into it, go nuts. They’re having a summer sale right now (as of 07/29/09) and some kits are half off. Please let me know if you decide to purchase a kit. Let me know what you think.

Product dimensions
Length 11.34″ | Width 13.39″ | Height 12.60″

What we loved:

• Easy to assemble, no tools required
• Paint and decorate them like real wood
• Half the weight of particle board
• Durable and strong
• Mountable too

What could be improved:

• Drop the retail price by $5

Designer: Way Basics [Buy it here]