Here is another retro gadget from Etsy in the form of the Recycled Fischer Turntable Clock. Measuring 17-inch x 14-inch, the clock features a Quartz clock movement and can be hung at the wall with 2 wall hangers on the back. If you are interested, you can purchase this old-fashioned clock for $89 each.

VIA: ETSY

House on the Water by Poland-based Formodesign is a stunning floating home that relies on the surrounding sea and radiating sun to keep it self-sufficient in terms of energy and h2o. Accessible only by boat, the cantilevered home rests offshore from a beautiful beach and is intended to be used as a rental home for those seeking a life offshore.

Designed for the Mediterranean off the NW coast of the Greek Zante Island, this eco-friendly and self-sufficient home maximizes the use of solar energy through orientation of the structure as well as solar panels on top. Other eco features include water desalination, natural ventilation, tidal energy systems, and water recycling, all with the express purpose of reducing energy and water consumption. The floating home also has a high-tech shading system that is computer driven and runs on rails which are the the vertical lines on the facade.

Inspired by luxury yachts, the project’s architecture is white and pristine, and looks as though it would need a deck hand available at all times to keep it scrubbed down. Made from concrete and steel, the structure cantilevers from a central core, which is a concrete counterweight foot stabilizer with the sea bed pile system. The dock underneath floats with the help of rails installed in the core structure and can rise and fall with the tides. From the deck a stairway leads up to the main floor of the house, which has a cool and contemporary feel. Seems like all the benefits of yacht living without the constant rocking.

Via ArchDaily

Little Prince machines are programmed to act with full life! They are made for Mars, each one holding a plant, caring for it as it finds a place more hospitable than itself. Each on these little pods is also capable of speaking with the others, learning as one unit, creating a huge collective consciousness of Prince knowledge!

This design is one of the finalists in the 2009 Electrolux Design Lab.

Designer: Martin Miklica

Yes, the form of the camcorders has certainly toned down, but the Pioneer Hi-def seen here takes the cake. It’s palm-sized, high-def, has a lens that pivots up and down with a display that is fixed at an ideal angle. What’s nice is that the form is symmetrical, so that both lefties and right-handers can use it conveniently. And since most of the controls are accessed via the touchscreen, they come alive only when required.

Designers: Dan Harden, Sam Benavidez & Hiro Teranishi for Whipsaw Inc.

Concept watch by Max Germano makes perfect sense. It fits across the back-of-the-palm and its selling points are easy access to the dial, and a clear view to the heart-rate, stats etc. The flip-side is that it could compromise the grip of the racket or whatever it is that you are holding as the straps may interfere. However, since the watchband is made from super-soft elastomer, it just may-be comfy.

Designer: Max Germano

By SousaSantos Architects.
Portugal based SousaSantos Architects have sent us some photos of the Y House they designed.

This house is a vision device. A system that rules the way the inhabitant sees the outside world and simultaneously frames the way the outside sees the dwellers. The design of this object was focused on this theme. The big curved window is this statement vortex, it creates a visual path that, like a camera traveling, reveal the image of the landscape.

The programmatic development of the house reflects the classic bourgeois organization promoting the clear division of rest areas leisure areas and work areas. This division creates tree limbs that are united by this design morphing that develop the two big windows of the living room.

The idea of landscape as an image and its importance in the domestic living were the main design focus of this scheme.

Via: contemporist

Let’s be frank: We all know Apple’s hosting a September event, as it has for the past several years. But this year’s keynote is shaping up to be a bit more interesting than usual, thanks to the frenzy of iPod, iTunes and tablet rumors. Plus, of course, the return of Steve Jobs.

True to form, Apple hasn’t confirmed a thing — not even the existence of an event on Sept. 9 — leaving us to assess the rumors based on the best evidence we can find.

Of all the predictions, which are likely to come true? Let’s take a hard look at everything you can realistically expect from this event, which will reportedly take place Sept. 9 at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center.

New iPods With Cameras, Microphones

Apple’s September events have traditionally revolved around iPods and iTunes, so it’s obvious this will be the theme of the event. But what, exactly, about the iPod? There’s a pile of evidence suggesting Apple will release new iPod Touch and iPod Nanos with cameras.

Wired.com in July received an inside tip from a well-connected source claiming Apple would soon add a camera and a microphone to the iPod Touch, which would bring it closer in line with the iPhone. Additionally, several other publications reported similar rumors about the Touch and the Nano getting cameras. And the latest iPod-related rumor comes from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, which claims that not only will the Nano and Touch receive cameras, the iPod Classic will, too.

We’re confident the Nano and Touch will be upgraded with cameras (and, of course, increased storage). Cult of Mac’s Leander Kahney had us convinced when he published a gallery of third-party Touch and Nano cases, which feature holes presumably meant for cameras. (See photo above)

However, we’re doubting the iPod Classic will gain a camera. It’s unlikely Apple would want to invest much more in this product, because its sales have shrunk considerably, thanks to the success of the iPhone. Last quarter, the iPod accounted for 18 percent of Apple’s overall revenue, compared to 55.5 percent in 2006. Also, the iPod Classic is the only hard-drive-based iPod remaining in the iPod family, and flash-memory prices are plummeting. Would a camera really boost this device’s appeal and make it worth the investment? We don’t think so.

One more thing: Because the iPod Touch is basically a phoneless iPhone that many use as a gaming device, the next logical step would be for the iPod Touch to get a performance boost to bring it up to speed with the new iPhone 3GS. We’re so confident in this prediction that we’re willing to bet a Chevy Chevelle on it.

iTunes 9

The current version of iTunes, iTunes 8, is nearing its one-year anniversary, and an update to version 9 is likely. The Boy Genius Report published a rumor report claiming iTunes 9 would sport new visual organization features to arrange iPhone apps. The blog also received screenshots (see right) purporting to reveal iTunes 9 would feature Facebook integration to share playlists with friends using the social-networking site.

A visual-organization tool would definitely make sense — it would mimic the ability to move around the iPhone’s icons on its springboard. We find Facebook integration probable as well. The latest versions of QuickTime, iPhoto and iMovie each have features that enable sharing media with social networks (i.e., YouTube and Flickr). And in general, an automatic playlist creator integrated in Facebook just sounds like a pretty clever idea.

More foggy is a rumor reported by Financial Times that Apple is working with four major record labels to boost music sales by reinventing digital album art. The collaborative effort is codenamed Project Cocktail, and the idea is to entice music fans with a compelling digital package that will get them to gather around notebooks to listen to music together. How exactly would album art do that? It’s unclear. However, Financial Times is a credible publication with solid music sources. Expect this part of the keynote to deliver the biggest surprise.

No Apple Tablet

Though the release of an Apple touchscreen tablet now seems inevitable, it’s unlikely this will be announced in September. Some publications cite anonymous sources saying an Apple tablet will be announced this fall, while others claim it will launch early 2010. We’re betting early 2010 is more realistic.

That’s because Apple is no longer participating in the Macworld Expo trade show to launch new products, and the company would be wise to save its biggest news to compete with other companies announcing new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Why fire all the ammo in September?

Apple’s rumored tablet, which has been described by tipsters as a larger-screen iPod, is shaping up to be the most anticipated gadget since the iPhone. It could make 2010 a very exciting year. We’ve speculated it will be the “year of the tablet,” citing sources claiming Dell, Intel, HTC and other tech companies are preparing tablets to compete with Apple.

The Return of Steve Jobs

We all miss Steve Jobs, even though his employees might not. Nobody can deliver a keynote quite like ol’ Steve. CNBC’s Jim Goldman said on Twitter that Jobs is “very likely” to appear at the Apple event. That’s good news, and if true, his return would make this a very momentous event.

Excited? We are, too, and we’ll keep you plugged in. Keep reading Gadget Lab, or follow @gadgetlab and @bxchen for updates on the upcoming event.

VIA: Wired

The Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that BMW will show in Frankfurt in a couple of weeks. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinder turbo-diesel engine. BMW claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds while scoring 62.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined test cycle. The concept uses a 1.5-liter turbodiesel, it is rated at a hefty 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a 6-speed DCT derived from the unit used in the M3 and Z4.

VIA: Autoweek

NEW YORK – DJ AM, a Philadelphia native and sought-after disc jockey who became a celebrity in his own right with a glamorous lifestyle, was found dead yesterday at his apartment, which had drug paraphernalia in it, a law enforcement official said. There was no evidence of foul play.

DJ AM, whose real name was Adam Goldstein, 36, was famous for past relationships with the reality TV star Nicole Richie and the actress-singer Mandy Moore.

He died nearly a year after surviving a South Carolina plane crash that killed four people.

In what may have been his last interview, Mr. Goldstein answered questions from Phrequency.com, Philly.com’s music spin-off Web site. The interview was posted Wednesday.

“I am incredibly excited to be involved in the evolution with Dusk at Caesars,” Mr. Goldstein said, referring to the new nightclub at Caesars Atlantic City, where his last appearance was Tuesday.

Mr. Goldstein grew up in Rittenhouse Square and told Phrequency.com that he visited Philadelphia often.

Dusk released a statement last night: “We are devastated by the loss of Adam Goldstein, our dear friend and valued member of the Dusk family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. He was a true talent who will be greatly missed.”

Celebrities and fans instantly shared their reactions on Twitter, where “RIP DJ AM” was the No. 1 topic yesterday. His Twitter page is http://twitter.com/DJ_AM