“Double Up” Comfy Slat Couch...

Italian Company Sturm Und Plastic, designers of some pretty snazzy furniture has released an innovative new couch/bench called the “Double Up” that is equally as comfortable as it does cool. The backing of the seats is comprised of a series of colorful slats that fit in the seat slats when pushed down. The user can do anything they want with these slats such as create half bench, half sofa, or fan them out to create a stunning presentation. It is made from soft, self-skinning polyurethane, which gives it a cushy feel. There are some unknowns here, such as what self-skinning means, or how much this will cost, but it is currently available to the public. [Via LikeCool]

Lacie Internet Storage...

Ever need more digital storage on the road? Does that new netbook lack the storage to hold your whole movie and/or music catalog? Well, Lacie’s latest network drive doubles as internet storage so you can retrieve and save files from your hard drive at home remotely, wherever you’ve got an internet connection. Coming in both 500gb and 1tb models, this product will allow more of us to jump on the pricey solid state harddrive bandwagon in new netbooks and laptops because we won’t need the space physically in your rig. The new product is only showing up on the UK site and will run ya 134.99 and 179.99 pounds for each model. [via GizMag]

Monaco House by McBride Charles Ryan...

Completed just last year, this beautiful four story building is located in the East end of Melbourne, Australia. Designed by the architects of McBride Charles Ryan, the Monaco House is an extremely interesting spectacle which utilizes every square inch of its small land allotment of only 6.1m width by 17m depth. This is another post that is all about the pictures, so peruse the pictures to see the outrageous angles used in this visually stunning piece of the architecture.

Tanya Vlach’s plan for an “E...

Tanya Vlach is a blogger like myself, however she sees things in a very different perspective. In 2005, she lost an eye in a car accident, and since then has run a blog called the “monocular life.” She currently has a realistic acrylic prosthesis but she is planning for a huge change. On her blog she challenged her engineer readers to design an “eye cam” for her prosthesis. That’s right, a webcam built in her eye that is capable of recording her daily life with DVR recording on a mini SD card. Now that is awesome. Her doctor has cleared it and it’s only a matter of time before the first person in history has a recording robotic eye. Very Cool. [Via Engadget]

Bacon + Mayo = Baconnaise...

There are a few indisputable facts in this world. The earth is round, the sky is blue and bacon makes everything better. In that vein, the self-proclaimed Bacontrepreneurs at J & D’s have come up with a baco-lutionary new product, Baconnaise. (too much baco- for you? never!) This takes the delicious flavor of bacon to a whole new spreadable, dip-able level. Channel your inner Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and slather it on pizza. Or pour some on your pancakes as an homage to Homer Simpson. I kid, I kid, for us mere mortals baconnaise is great as a dip for french fries, onion rings, calamari, even veggies. Smear on a sandwich or use in place of regular mayo (aka sucker’s mayo) in potato, macaroni or egg salad. Check out their website for recipes, retail locations or to buy online.
Props to the guys at J & D’s for being equal opportunity bacon providers: Baconnaise is vegetarian and kosher. FTW!

Rip Curl H-Bomb Heated Wetsuit...

After three years of extensive research and development, Rip Curl has released an innovative product known as the H-Bomb. As a surfer, I know what it’s like to be freezing during a surf sesh. You are sitting on your board in NorCal waiting for the next set to roll in, but its absolutely freezing and the 2 mm wetsuit aint cuttin’ it. The H-Bomb, the worlds first power heated wetsuit would be ideal for situations like this where warmth is truly needed. When your body is faced with extreme cold conditions blood flow is restricted to your core to protect your ograns. This decreased bloodflow to your limbs results in numbness and discomfort. With the H-Bomb wetsuit, your core is kept warm which means that your body will continue to pump valuable blood to your extremities. It works using a non-metallic carbon-fiber heating element that is built into the back of the suit that’s coupled with a high-stretch titanium lining that reflects the heat from the elements onto your body. It is powered using lithium ion batteries which provide about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours of heating depending on the intensity level you use. Rip Curl actually teamed up with a waterproof camera housing manufacturer to develop a 100% waterproof low-profile casing that ensures that the heating element and battery will remain dry even at depth. The Rip Curl H-Bomb wetsuits retail for between $1,000 to $1,100 depending on the size. Be sure to check out the H-Bomb website for videos showing how it works, the thermal technology, and other cool media features. [Via OhGizmo]

Dosh 09 Polymer Wallets...

Perhaps the coolest, most innovative wallets we have seen yet have made their way to the marketplace. Dosh Wallets of Australia have revealed their ‘09 line of wallets which are a extremely unique in its design, packaging, construction, and appearance. They are made from a blend of flexible and semiflexible polymers, which result in a durable, flexible, and waterproof wallet. And thanks to the very wide array of technicolor options, you can choose exactly which wallet suits your taste. The pictures tell the rest of the story, so enjoy and check out the website to purchase one. They are about 100 bucks give or take, depending on the model.

An Ergonomic Sack Seat, Ball Bench...

Tired of wiggling around at your work desk in an attempt to rearrange your goods? It is most likely due to that uncomfortable flat seat without natural curves that we need. Alas, a seat has been designed for men that will keep us comfortable all day long. If this isn’t ergonomic, I don’t know what is! No word on pricing or availability, so this one is for the sole sake of appreciation. [Via LikeCool]

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5...

Home media centers are the latest rage these days, giving users an opportunity to link up all of their media on one server giving an all in one multimedia experience for the whole family. High end audio company Bang & Olufsen has responded to this trend with what is perhaps the coolest media center yet. They officially announced the release of the BeoSound 5, a digital music system that combines high-end audio technology, your digitally stored music, and stunning art-inspired looks. The main interface is the BeoSound 5 controller, a wall mounted or table top 10.4″ touchscreen with an aluminum navigational wheel. The package is gorgeously attractive. The BeoControl 5 is the source of storage and power, which includes a 500GB music server which connects to your internet. But enough of the tech spec business. What does the BeoSound 5 do that others don’t? First off and definitely not foremost, it plays all sorts of audio formats, including lossless formats which delivers much better audio. But at the forefront of their new technology is B&O’s new intelligent playlist system dubbed “MOTS.” MOTS basically analyzes each song’s rhythm, syncopation, key tonality, and vocal harmony to create smart playlists that will evolve as the system begins to learn your tastes. If you want to play a relaxing sleep encouraging song, you might pick a song with slower rhythm, major (happier) tonality, and soft harmony, and the MOTS system will find songs with alike parameters to invite the zzz’s. Other than the MOTS system, the BeoSound 5 has beautifully designed software which looks to be a very exciting user experience. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 system will be available in March 2009, priced at around $5,400.

The World’s First Artificial Heart...

Recently it was announced the the first entirely artificial heart will be ready for human trials in two and a half years. With about 20,000 people per year in line for heart transplants, this is sure to be the medical breakthrough of the decade. The main problem with prototypes in the past has been that the immune system rejects the foreign device and it would cause way more harm that it would help the patient. But Alain Carpentier, head of the European research team that developed the device, is using chemically treated animal tissue so apparently rejection isn’t an issue. With help from aerospace engineers, the device is shaped just like a human heart and has the same blood flow rhythms. The heart has been tested on animals and in computer simulations and has shown no complications thus far. Very cool stuff.

Honda’s New Walking Device...

Today, Honda unveiled its second walking assistance device, which looks to be a stunning breakthrough. The device makes walking a whole lot easier by supporting the users body weight which takes off a significant weight load. I can see this device helping the elderly people get around. Part of the struggle with the older folk is supporting their own weight when walking. This device will make walking around town, going up and down stairs, and getting around a whole lot easier. As Honda states, “The new walking assist device with the body weight support system reduces the load on leg muscles and joints (in the hip, knees, and ankles) by supporting a portion of the person’s body weight. The device has a simple structure consisting of seat, frame, and shoes, and the user can put it on by simply wearing the shoes and lifting the seat into position.” Honda will now begin testing this device at its Saitama Factory this month, so lets hope to see this device hit the medical shelves soon. Check out the video below for a demo. [Via LikeCool]

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Studio Italia Design Lighting Fixtures...

And yet another home furnishings post for the day, but these are too cool not to write about. Studio Italia Design are specialists in both glass and metal works, and they combine these skills which result in a beautiful line of products. They manufacturer contemporary lighting fixtures ranging from table, ceiling, suspension, wall, and floor lamps, and they are all eye-catching. Above is 6 collections which we found to be above and beyond the rest as far as the overall aesthetic goes. There are showrooms located throughout the United States as well as international locations, so check out the showroom finder to locate a showroom near you.

The Lightning GT Electric Vehicle...

Lightning is an electric car company out of the UK who has just introduced its first vehicle, the GT. It’s got an electric motor in each of the four wheels totaling the equivalent of a hefty 700 horsepower total. A claimed 0-60mph in 4 seconds makes this a viable option to the Tesla roadster. No word on how long it will last in between charges but if it ends up being practical, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better looking electric vehicle. [via AutoBlog]

The Isola S from Toyo Kitchen...

Currently only sold in Japan, the Isola S from Toyo Kitchen are kitchen solutions for the cramped apartments we see in cities around the world. Sink, electric range, table/counter space and storage are all included in the Yin Yang designed kitchen set up. It’s all on wheels so you can configure the Isola S into any set up that fits your space best. [via DVice]

Inside Out Glassware...

I am a man who enjoys a nice martini. Nothing froofy, colorful or adorned with a citrus garnish; but rather a dirty vodka martini. Now there are a couple things that bother me about martinis, the glass being the main issue. In order to properly address my problems with the Martini glass, I am going to drink one, so be right back.

OK, so on my way back to my desk, the martini spilled three times. Perhaps that is because I’m already three deep, or maybe it’s because the glass is ungodly frustrating. The martini glass’s angle almost encourages liquid spillage – the slightest jolt of the arms will cause a spill. You have to constantly keep your body rigidly steady when handling a martini. Another issue is the view that people associate with a male martini drinker. People automatically and unconsciously make assumptions when they see a man with a martini. They think he is fancy, affluent, and sometimes even arrogant. Although this is mostly untrue, it is difficult to avoid this stereotype. Do you notice a trend with these issues? The Martini glass is what encourages spilling and false judgments. If we were to change the glass, perhaps we can avoid these issues while still maintaining the same level of luxury and distinction. That’s where designer Alissia Melka Teichroew comes in. Her inside out glassware is beautiful, elegant, and very cool looking, and it avoids my main problems with martini glasses. These well designed glasses sell for $65 a pair at the MoMA online store, or if your a member of MoMA, you can knock off an additional 7 bucks. [Via ProductDose]