Designed by Philips alongside Stella, a project that is developing flexible electronic substrates for the medical world, Skintile jewelry is an adhesive body adornment that can light up depending on your mood. Everything is contained in the substrate—energy supply, sensors, actuators and display, and Philips rather saucily claims that it is "arousal enhancing." Well, I guess if you wind the design below round your erect penis to signal that you've got a hard-on, then yes, I guess it is.
A lot of designers have taken a minimalist approach when it comes to wall clocks these days, and China's Yiran Qian certainly fits into that category with his "Vice Versa" clock. However, being gadget geeks, we do appreciate the inclusion of a digital interface on the hands. It's a truly unique way to blend the aesthetics of an analog clock with the functionality of a digital. It's only a concept at this point, but I wouldn't mind glancing at this clock in the morning when I'm running late. -Sean Fallon [Designboom]
Japan is set to launch it's first building-mounted free-fall ride in an exterior wall of Osaka's $157 million 12-story namBa H!PS entertainment complex set to open this December. The ride will provide guests with a beautiful view of the city right before it drops them 200-feet down the side of the building at 50 mph. This will undoubtedly result in an all-natural, and rather rancid type of graffiti adorning the building--not to mention one seriously pissed off janitor. -Sean Fallon [Pink Tentacle]
Japanese toy firm Gakken has brought out a light-up version of the Tokyo Tower for you to build. And if you don't fancy having a 3'4" red and white version of Godzilla's favorite phallic object owning a piece of your floor, then you can always turn the waffle-shaped bricks into three other things:
The BBC continues its push into the digital age today by inking a deal that will allow everyone to access BBC Online content for free from Wi-Fi hotspots.
The broadcaster has allied itself with The Cloud, which will allow folk to get BBC Online content for free at more than 7,500 hotspots in the UK, from MacDonald's to airports.
As long as your device is Wi-Fi enabled, you can view all of the content. Downloads though, at least initially, will be provided via the Beeb’s controversial iPlayer service, which can only be used on Windows-based laptops for now. There are plans to allow downloads to mobile phones and other devices in the future.
BBC Director of Future Media & Technology, Ashley Highfield Ashley Highfield said:
"We're delighted to be partnering with The Cloud in what we hope is the first of many such partnerships across the UK. This is a new environment for the BBC and one which we believe will be hugely important for our future success. This venture enables us to offer free Wi-Fi access to BBC content on the high street, furthering the BBC's commitment to make its content as widely available as possible to our audiences wherever they are. For instance they can catch up on Strictly Come Dancing whilst having a café latte in Coffee Republic."
Owen Geddes, Group Director of Business Development at The Cloud added:
"Wi-Fi is emerging as the technology of choice for media and content owners wanting to extend their reach beyond traditional channels. The explosion of media-capable devices, coupled with the high bandwidth and low cost Wi-Fi offers, means high quality video and audio can be delivered to people wherever they are.”
The Beeb is also planning to hook up with more Wi-Fi operators.-Martin Lynch
Rock gods Led Zeppelin have finally decided to cash in on the online music boom by finally allowing fans to download their tunes over the Net.
The group, which is doing a one-off charity gig next month in London, will start selling its 8 albums online through iTunes and others from November 13. Oddly, the songs will first be available as ringtones, and full downloads, from Verizon Wireless. Guitarist Jimmy Page said:
"We are pleased that the complete Led Zeppelin catalog will now be available digitally. The addition of the digital option will better enable fans to obtain our music in whichever manner that they prefer."
Led Zeppelin will also release ‘Mothership’, a 2-CD collection of tunes from the band’s career and a remixed soundtrack to The Song Remains The Same live gigs, filmed in 1973.
The decision coincides with the end of a protracted bidding war over who will to oversee the lucrative digital distribution. Sources claim that Plant & Co will pocket up to £30 million alone from Warner/Chappell Music for giving them 10-year rights to the music. Nice.-Martin Lynch
Apple’s Steve Jobs recently laid bare just how green Apple really is, following a right good bollicking from environmentalists, Greenpeace.
Expect a few sparks to fly again this week then following Greenpeace’s grim report on the new iPhone. Verdict: Not Really Green.
According to the Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner:
“Steve Jobs has missed the call on making the iPhone his first step towards greening Apple's products. t seems that Apple is far from leading the way for a green electronics industry as competitors, like Nokia, already sell mobile phones free of PVC."
Dr. David Santillo, Senior Scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, added:
“Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified in Europe as 'toxic to reproduction, category 2' because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals. While they are not prohibited in mobile phones, these phthalates are banned from use in all toys or childcare articles sold in Europe. Apple should eliminate the use of these chemicals from its products range.”
So, hands up who think Apple will make any green changes before the arrival of the iPhone here on November 9?-Martin Lynch
Billed as the world’s smallest wireless colour camera, the Fingercam is around the size of a penny, making it a doddle to hide in books, radios, smoke detectors – hell, even sunglasses for some portable spying.
Although the camera is small (15 x 15 x 20mm) be aware that it stills needs a 9V battery pack concealed somewhere too. Still, the video quality is a claimed 628 x 582 pixels, which is not too shabby for a device this small.
It comes with a wireless receiver to plug into the recorder of your choice, a battery clip and various cables for £50. For another £200 you can plump for the world’s smallest DVR and be like, you know, a fully-fledged field operative. Or something.-Martin Lynch
Japan is set to launch it's first building-mounted free-fall ride in an exterior wall of Osaka's $157 million 12-story namBa H!PS entertainment complex set to open this December. The ride will provide guests with a beautiful view of the city right before it drops them 200-feet down the side of the building at 50 mph. This will undoubtedly result in an all-natural, and rather rancid type of graffiti adorning the building--not to mention one seriously pissed off janitor. -Sean Fallon [
As long as your device is Wi-Fi enabled, you can view all of the content. Downloads though, at least initially, will be provided via the Beeb’s 
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
