546. Bright Idea: the Tornado Potato September 28, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.1 comment so far
From Korea: a potato, cut into a spiral, deep fried, on a stick. Though it may be awkward to eat (getting around the stick) and hard to dip in my favorite sauce, I just booked my ticket to Seoul. Via Neatorama.
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545. Bright Idea: in Watches September 28, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.1 comment so far
Here are a bunch of watches with novel time-presenting ideas:
1) Botta Uno Automatik: one-handed watch. By Botta (€230+); via CoolHunting.
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2) The Radar Watch: The outer arc is the minute hand, the inner arc, hours. Actually pretty similar to a regular analog watch, replacing the hands with arcs. Buy it HERE eventually (Novel Japanese watches); via Ubergizmo.
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3) Reveal Watches: These tell time as the separate discs independently rotate to reveal the underlying time digit via an opaque window. The dot in the middle indicates seconds. Buy it at their website HERE ($80); via Technabob.
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4) The Fusion Watch: basic and easy to read. The outer dot ring indicates the hour, the inner ring: minutes, the center rows: seconds. Buy it HERE ($150); via Technabob.
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544. Quickie Web: Video: Reflection September 28, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Quickie Web, Video.1 comment so far
Here is a funny 2:30 Rorschachish clip. Creative and simple. By JamesNintendoNerd.
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543. Bright Idea: Smart Chopsticks September 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.2 comments
Both these chopsticks, though neither that essential, are smartly designed.
A) Restless Chopsticks.
Like the utensils I posted on recently (HERE), these chopsticks are designed to stay off of the table (When? Mostly between courses, especially at an Asian restaurant, I guess). Get them HERE ($12); via SwissMiss.
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B) Froggetmee Chopsticks.
MMM…ramen. Whimsical, these guys…but I tend to bring the bowl to my face to get at the soupy part, so I doubt I would use these. Buy them HERE ($8); via Smidgy.
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542. IdeaSpark*: Cellphones for pockets September 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in IdeaSpark*, Product.6 comments
Let’s face it: for guys, cell phones go in pockets (women have purses). Having them clipped to your belt looks and feels awkward. But most cell phones, while they look cool, aren’t designed for pockets.
IdeaSpark*: Design a cell phone specifically for the front pant pocket. This means:
- The phone body is slightly curved to hug the thigh and limit protruding edges and corners.
- Have curves all around the edges (like the pictured phone, called the Au Infobar, via Core77), also to limit pant bulge.
- Make the shell silicone or rubber, for softness, and for more friction to prevent sliding around in the pocket.
- The shape of the cellphone would be designed to fit in the pocket the same orientation everytime (i.e. with the top facing down, so when pulling it out of the pocket, it is ready to use).
- A small cord or tab on the bottom of the phone, which will be easy to grab when you reach into your pocket.
Yes, I am suggesting substance over style, here. RAZRs may look cool; I want my phone using experience to be cool.
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541. Bright Idea: Dripstiks September 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.add a comment
No more messy hands and clothes when your kids eat ice cream and Popsicles. Invented by a mother of four, find the Dripstik website HERE; you can buy them HERE ($4.50)
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540. Bright Idea: Cool-Ups September 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.1 comment so far
Here is the idea: Scoop up some ice cream with this Cool-Up, then eat the ice cream like an old-school push-up pop. It also comes with a cap to save uneaten ice cream for later.
If it really works (easy to scoop; no leaks and no mess) then I think this idea is pretty bright.
Buy it ($5) at their website HERE; via CoolBusinessIdeas.
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539. Bright Idea: Rotating Power Outlets September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.7 comments
True Story: when I was in the airport last week, I was walking around the terminal looking for an outlet to charge my portable DVD player so I could watch Disc 2 of Heroes on the plane. I finally found one, obscured by the benches, at the same time a young lady came upon the same outlet, to charge her cell phone. I saw her charger adapter in her hand, and immediately knew we both couldn’t use the same outlet. So I moved on.
At that moment, we could have used this Bright Idea: Smarthome’s rotating power outlet. Only $10, buy it HERE; via Gizmodo.
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538. HumBugg: Non-working Bathroom stall locks September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in HumBugg.2 comments
Don’t you hate it when you find a bathroom stall with a clean toilet (flushed, with no urine on the seat), but the door won’t lock? So you have to do your business holding the door closed with your foot or arm to prevent two people from being embarassed. Really…how hard is it to make a lock that works all the time, even if the door sags or the alignment is slightly off?
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537. Bright Idea: Pecha Kucha September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Marketing, Video.add a comment
The rules are simple: for your presentation on whatever, you can only show 20 PowerPoint slides, at 20 seconds each. This emerging competitive art from was the Bright Idea of two Tokyo-based architects who wanted a venue for their ideas. Wikipedia it HERE; Wired article HERE; via Don’s Brain Blog.
Below is a sample Pecha-Kucha, about Emotional Signage, by Dan Pink. Like all Pecha-Kuchas, it is 6:40 minutes long. It is long, for a clip, but it presents an interesting idea, and serves as an example of this new media format.
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536. Bright Idea: the Dia Chair September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Furniture, Product.add a comment
This Dia Chair is made out of stainless steel and water-repellent fabric, making it perfect for indoors or outdoors. It is also stackable. And one simple tilt takes it from a high-seating position (for tableside) to a relaxing lounger. If you have money to burn, buy one HERE ($1,650).
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535. Bright Idea: the Tripp Trapp Chair September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Baby, Furniture, Product.3 comments
Made by the Dutch company Stokke, this chair’s name in English doesn’t have good connotations. But, the chair brilliantly adjusts as your child grows, always keeping your child at the perfect height at the family table. You can also purchase cushions, baby rails, and harnesses. Use it for 12 years, or more, for the same child. Stokke’s website HERE; buy it HERE
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…metapost… September 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
I just spent all day yesterday traveling to Charlotte, NC, to meet the folks at Enventys and Bouncing Brain, and my fellow inventors, for Season 2 of Everyday Edisons. That is why I hadn’t posted in a couple of days. I also plan to share more details about my travels in my neglected blog, MetaBugg.
Also, I just realized the SparkBugg mailbox has been full and maxed out for a while (via GoDaddy) so I cleared it out. Sorry if you have been emailing me and not hearing back.
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534. Bright Idea: the Fly Shelf September 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
I like my plasma TVs. But if I had to have a projection screen in my home, I would probably want to hide it somehow, like in this “Fly Shelf.” Via Ubergizmo.
Bonus: And if I am watching a sad movie and need tissue to blow my nose, I can reach over and get one, also hidden in a shelf. Buy it HERE
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533. HumBugg: No Shoehorns September 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in HumBugg, Product.1 comment so far
Traveling through airports yesterday reminded me of one of my biggest pet-peeves: no shoehorns available in the security lines. OK, I can appreciate having to take our shoes off, but please make it simple and easy for me to slip them back on. With security lines stretching on for miles, wouldn’t you think that airports would want to reduce traveler stress and save time, all by simply providing a couple of cheap shoehorns? This wouldn’t even be a Bright Idea, it would be a BASIC one. Having the long shoehorns available wouldn’t even require sitting down. Mind-boggling.
While I am venting here: how about shoehorns in dressing rooms (especially ones for men)? Am I the only guy who is too lazy to untie my shoes, then have to retie them?
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532. Quickie Web: Video: Unlocking a Door September 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Quickie Web, Video.add a comment
This college student came up with this Bright Idea on how to unlock a door. This clip is 50 seconds long, via Make.
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531. Bright Idea: the Wheelsurf September 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Transportation, Video.add a comment
The Wheelsurf is not exactly a speeding thrill ride (only 20 mph max), but it may be fun to try it once, especially to see if the balance and turning provides an amusing challenge. From the Netherlands, this novelty vehicle costs about $7000. Check out their website HERE; via Crave.
Below is a short video that shows it in action.
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530. Bright Idea: Fancy French Fry Holder September 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.2 comments
Anything that enhances the French Fry eating experience is automatically a Bright Idea, in my book (of life). This portable holder includes two attached bowls, for either one condiment each for two people (sitting across from each other or walking side-by-side, for example, or two germophobic double-dippers), or two different condiments (garlic-mayo ketchup and nacho cheese, perschnaps?). Via Trendhunter.
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529. Bright Idea: Clipware September 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Kitchen, Product.add a comment
HumBugg: placing my spatula or spoon on a spoonrest during cooking, forcing me to clean the spoonrest when I am done.
Clipware is a Bright Idea that will save me from that pet-peeve. These cooking utensils attach to any rim, with all drips falling back into the pot or pan. Via YankoDesign.
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528. Bright Idea: Mikoto Knife Blocks September 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Kitchen, Product.3 comments
This knife block allows you to put all different sized knives in anywhere you please. Made of bamboo, designed in France, made in Vietnam, with a Japanese sounding name. I just wish it were angled (like most knife blocks), to make it more convenient to access the knives when the block is stored on the kitchen counter, underneath the cabinets (which would get in the way otherwise). Buy it HERE; via BLTD.
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527. Bright Idea: External Litterbox September 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
Keep your house from stinking by placing your cat’s litterbox outside. Just make sure it is covered, and your local climate is acceptable year-round. I wish I had one with grass in it for my dogs. Via UberReview.
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526. Bright Idea: Side-On Cutlery September 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.1 comment so far
These utensils are designed so the parts that touch your food don’t touch the table. Not only does it save your mouth from germs, but the table cloth doesn’t get dirty, as well. Via Gizmodo.
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525. Bright Idea: Sushi Rolling Machine September 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.1 comment so far
If you have ever tried to roll your own sushi (say, at a dinner party you hosted), you will agree that this product is a Bright Idea. Sushi…yummy, and healthy. Via RGS.
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524. Bright Idea: Bedside Table Gubi September 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Furniture, Product.add a comment
Free standing or wall-mounted, this bedside table is a Bright Idea for three reasons:
- Neatly holds your magazines and bedside reading.
- Obscures the other clutter.
- Has no sharp corners to poke your head and eye against in the dark.
Good design can make life neater and safer. Buy it HERE (€400); via Freshome.
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523. Bright Idea: Non-stick Gum September 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.add a comment
HumBugg: when you get gum on your shoe, pants, hair, and in your nose; and when it pock-marks public streets. The photo above shows one attempt at a solution: specialized disposal areas (i.e. trash receptacles).
Another solution: gum that dissolves in water (but not saliva). Invented by a British chemist, this gum is made out of a low-cost polymer that does not affect the taste or texture of regular gum. Maybe it will be legal in Singapore. Due out next year; via Gizmodo.
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521. Bright Idea: Dynamic Ambience (@ Club Twentyfour) September 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Experience, Service.add a comment
The walls of London’s club TwentyFour are covered with computer-controlled projections (which can provide various scenery, vistas, and images) and LEDs (to provide various light combinations). The variations in ambiance are infinite, and the images can also be controlled by the patrons. Like in these photos, it never has to look like the same place twice.
Check out their website HERE; via Geeksugar.
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520. Bright Idea: Blobbing September 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Experience, Plaything, Video.add a comment
I can’t wait to do this one day: get launched off an inflatable raft. Via Uniquedaily.
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519. Bright Idea: the Bikeboard September 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Transportation, Video.2 comments
The Swiss Bikeboard pictured here is modified for off-roading. But it can also be converted for snow and water (see the 2.5 minute clip below). Their website HERE (cost: about $1000); via The-Gadgeteer.
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518. Bright Idea: the Squirt baby-food dispensing spoon September 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Baby, Food and Drink, Product.add a comment
Fill the handle of this spoon with up to 3-oz of soft baby food, then give it a squeeze to fill the spoon. Feed your little pooper with one hand. Available in Oct HERE; via Crave.
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517. Bright Idea: Angled Bookshelf September 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Furniture, Product.add a comment
I am a sucker for angled bookshelves. I like the tidiness of it all, and not having to crane my neck too much. By David Ngo; Via Freshome.
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