MacBook Nano, Better Than MacBook Air?

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Well, this concept MacBook Nano you can see below seems to be work of the fellows from Stuff magazine, also responsible for that beautiful PSP Phone I’ve shown you the other day. This may be a conceptual device, but I have two questions for you: what’s with all the hype surrounding it and why is the text around it written in Czech?

Everyone seems agitated after seeing the photo on Flickr, but why? Was it announced and I missed it? Is that DVD drive so important it’s worth dying for? Or is it the touchscreen and familiar UI making the word go out? I doubt that Apple can still squeeze an optical drive into such a small device and since they’re keen on flash memory anyway, there’ no reason to go back to such options.
[via flickr]

PlayStation Power on an iPhone-like Device, branded Nvidia

You might already know that Nvidia showcased its latest chipset during the Mobile World Congress 2008 at Barcelona and it seemed to be running smoothly on a neat and good-looking device. It even faced the challenge of being connected to a 60 inch plasma screen display graphics that would even make a PlayStation console jealous.

The fact is that Nvidia’s new device powered by the APX 2500 chip managed to run a high definition H.264 720p version of Monsters Inc. on the above-mentioned plasma screen. Place this baby at the heart of an iPhone and we’ve got pure gold and a device that’s good enough to bury any PSP Phone out there. In case you’re interested, here are the specs of Nvidia handset: Windows Mobile OS and a 65nm chip composed of 4 parts.

Yahoo Phone… Brand or Concept?

While the Google Phone is somewhat closer to becoming a real device, the YahooPhone or the YPhone is barely a trademark, which belongs to wireless phone developer Hop-on Inc. from February 5, this year. Anything associated to this brand is also under their trademark, so Yahoo! are up for one neat legal action if they’re going to release a beauty like that.

We might as well be dealing with a company that will develop Yahoo! phone, but given the reputation of Hop-on and its passion for trademark/patent disputes, I highly doubt it. Just hope that Yahoo! won’t “pull a Skype” on us and announce/release the phone all of a sudden without too much fuss.
[via trademork]

Couple-IT is a Dual-Device Concept

We’ve heard about dual-touchscreen devices, about dual-SIM handets and even about phones that can use up to 3 SIMs, but a dual-device is surely new for us. Couple-IT is basically a twin gadget, that includes a dual-touchscreen cellphone and a laptop-style smartphone, introduced for the first time at Mobile World Congress 2008, in Barcelona.

Each of them uses a SIM, but all of your content and information will be stored on both devices, as they’re permanently synchronized with the aid of the network in use. This concept was created by Alloy and it seems to be a sollution for those seeking an alternative to the Palm Foleo, or just another companion to ease your work. The dual-touchscreen handset is a clamshell device, while the “mini-laptop” is an ultracompact smartphone.
Truth be told I fancy the clamshell phone more than the smartphone, as I was never a fan of companion devices and PDAs, in the era of handset shrinkage and slimmer phones.
[via phonemag]

Samsung Gaming Phone Takes on the N-Gage and PSP Phone

Still recovering from the shock of almost seeing a real PSP Phone, we stumble upon yet another piece of info announcing a gaming cellphone. This time we’re dealing with a patent showing a Samsung device, surprisingly enough a clamshell that has nothing to do with the PSP Phone or any N-Gage-based handset.

Forget the PSP Phone and any attempt at turning Nokia phones into real gaming devices, as Samsung’s got a new idea and a cool patent. This clamshell features an inner display that’s not fixed, being able to swing and reveal a set of gaming controls. That leaves enough room for an extra speaker and allows gamers to play in landscape mode, if portrait doesn’t do it for them.
Ergonomics and control are surely going to be a problem in the case of this device… I can’t see myself handling the control system easily and I bet that the fragile display will at some point get broken, since you can toy with it so much. What’s your take on this patent?
[via unwiredview]

Portable Concept Speakers for Your iPhone

LiveSpeakR is the latest concept portable speaker system that will turn your iPhone into a genuine boombox. It’s been introduced by D&G solutions and it was created by Erik Groset. This device runs on 2 AAA batteries or gets its “juice” with the aid of an AC adapter.

The speakers you see above can rotate and expand/contract as you switch from portrait to landscape mode and back. What’s neat about this system is that the accessories can even fit inside your pocket, taking portable fun to a new level. Don’t be sad about the fact that this is only a concept, since D&G Solutions are looking for a manufacturer to mass-produce LiveSpeakR.
Think we’ll see these speakers hitting the market in time for the summer holiday?
PS: Family Guy Rocks! (couldn’t help it)
[via cellphonebeat]

Atlas Kinetic Cellphone Concept Is “Mobilis in Mobile”

It may be a beauty but does it have features to match its design? This good-looking concept phone was created by Ricardo Baiao, who manages to blend a modern style with the green technology that’s so hip lately, specially since Nokia 

The Atlas phone is made of aluminium and glass and its central glassy surface is made out of (surprise, surprise) sapphire glass. This concept device is powered by kinetic energy, just like many modern watches, using an “oscillating weight to power a mainspring” as the designer states.
Atlas many not have the multimedia features (or at least mid-range features) you were hoping for, but it’s good for one thing: keeping its owner in motion. Stay put for too long and the device’s power will run out, making you have to turn the handset up and down in order to get the kinetic rotors going.

[via yankodesign]

SaY Mobile Phone is One Funky Fresh Concept

Bluemapdesign introduces a pretty good-looking concept phone, named SaY and it’s (according to the designers) a mobile phone that “expresses an open-minded attitude”. Well, open your mind to this cool-coloured handset below:

The SaY concept features a rubberized body plus glossy keypad and a 4 megapixel camera. It’s also got stereo speakers, arranged in a pretty original pattern. Bluemapdesign’s device is a trendsetter’s perfect gift and seemingly an ideal multimedia device, provided the handset has all the needed features underneath that beautiful skin.
[via]

Bellperre Phone Brings the Crocodile Leather Luxury to Your Pocket

At first glance I thought that the phone from the image below is ugly, but some of you are easily impressed by the fact that a handset can really be made out of steel, gold, hardwood and … crocodile leather. How’s that for a fashion phone, courtesy of Bellperre?

Also, it seems that these Bellperre phones will be customized according to the customers’ preferences, you know, just like putting some extra ketchup on a burger:

Duros Tablet PC, The Hulk of Tablets

Ever wanted to go to the North Pole or to the centre of the Earth and blog from there? Well, you’re lucky I came over this device you can see in the picture below, the Duros Tablet PC, environmentally sealed and ready to take a serious punch. It’s designed by Roper Mobile Technology and it’s the largest tablet PC with such an “attitude”.

It features WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity plus the classic GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS and it’s got a GPS, so you’ll never get lost on the way from the North to the South Pole.

Edge Fashion Phone Comes With a Stylish Design

Feeling trendy? There’s a new concept phone in town, ideal for the fashionista in you and it’s called the Edge phone. Don’t mistake it for the connectivity type as it’s only a name coincidence. The Edge was designed by Chris Owens and it will surely draw people’s attention towards you, if it ever comes out (and you have one).

The device features a glass keyboard that can be slided in order to answer an incoming call. Edge also features an LED, that illuminates the keypad numbers/characters with the aid of refraction, adding a special glow to them. It’s a cool design we’re dealing with and a nice cellphone that anyone who loved the famous LG Prada Phone would surely adore.
[via yankodesign]

Concept Toaster Phone is Half Baked

After seeing the movie “Juno” and that famous Cheeseburger Phone, someone must have thought that a toaster phone would be more than fit to please the fans of the previously mentioned device. That “someone” is designer Renata Quintela, the creator of the handset below.

The toaster phone is a concept that includes 2 coloured handsets and a base station that looks like a toaster. Basically they should have called the devices “Toast” phones since they’re more “bread” than cooking appliance. This concept sure looks like a child’s toy, if you ask me, but hey, it’s a non-existing handset so maybe it has some super features we yet don’t know about.
How about a frying pan UMPC as the next concept?
[via dvice]

Mystery Sony Ericsson Prototype Slider Leaked

After a prolific announcement session at Mobile World Congress 2008, Sony Ericsson seems to be readying yet another device, seemingly leaked thanks to the folks of the SE4M forums. The handset is branded “SE 123″ meaning it’s only a prototype for now, but I have to say that this is quite a strange design for a SE device.

I dig that metal finish and I have to say that the handset looks like a mid-range or even low-end device, but it seems rather thick, if you ask me.
[via engadgetmobile]

Nokia Morph Concept Phone Revealed Today

Just when we thought we’ve seen everything from Nokia and their R&D section, we stumble upon this Morph concept, revealed today and created by Nokia Research Centre and the University of Cambridge. The device uses advanced nanotechnology and it’s a flexible handset, transforming into any shape you want it to. It can be seen at The Museum of Modern Art in New York till May 12.

It’s made out of flexible materials, features transparent electronic parts and best of all, it cleans itself! E-paper and Sony’s flexible display are so obsolete once you get to see this baby in action. Imagine turning your phone into a flat surface and then turning it into a normal handset, at the exact time you receive a call.

Nokia Scentsory Concept Phone Can Smell Trouble

The Nokia Scentsory concept phone has got to be one of the most original devices I’ve seen on the Internet. It was first spotted in 2006 and news about this prototype were scarce, at least till now, when we get a chance to take a second peak at the handset designed by Kimberly Hu.

Scentsory is a flexible handset and an ultra-thin one that comes with a couple of sensors which can translate odors into information. This process also works in reverse, as you send the info to another Scentsory device and it turns data into … odor. High tech and mobile phones were all about visual and audio experiences, but now things have reached a new level, so we can stimulate our senses once more thanks to this concept.
The handset includes 2 displays, an LED touchpad, stereo speakers, a camera and a temperature sensor. Sadly there’s no way such a device can make it to mass production, for now… Who knows if Nokia will ever pick up the scent of this beauty and allow us to experience some mobile olfactive delight?

[via boygeniusreport]

Nintendo DS 2 Concept, Too Good to Be Untrue

Since we’re tired of only hearing PSP 2 and PSP Phone rumours, let’s give good old Nintendo a chance and check out their new DS concept, designed by Phil Nolan. Can anyone say “crisp display?” It seems we’re dealing with a thinner device, which features a quality display plus the same control system Nintendo has been using for the past years.

Its designer states that the console is inspired by the Wii, PSP and iPhone. The quality of the graphics charms us enough to really want this baby for Christmas 2008.

[via philnolan3d]

Mitsumi Makes You Go Haptic

Ever wanted to control your cellphone with one hand only? Ever tried doing that and ended up writing poor text messages? Thought so. Mitsumi now has a sollution for you, materialized in the haptic input device you can see in the following image.

This device will be placed on the rear of your handset and it will basically give you one-handed control for your phone. The prototype is a tad thicker than we would have expected but Mitsumi promised to release a thinner commercial version. Meanwhile, as Engadget mentions, Mitsumi’s concept includes “a sheet with small protrusions, a resistance sensitive touch pad and switches”.
[via]

Real PSP Phone Surfaces in Stuff Magazine

Stardate 18-02-2008… These are the voyages of the starship Rumorprise, bound to find the PSP Phone any minute now. It’s barely reached planet Stuff (magazine) and it seems that the device will feature a 480 x 272 display, a mini analog stick and finally lack that useless UMD drive. We’ll be playing game via M2 and what you can see above are (as mentioned) scans from Stuff magazine, which I spotted thanks to the folks of engadget. There’s also a supposed launch date in the magazine: July-December plus a few other details you’ll find out by reading the rest of the entry.

Chute Concept Phone, Made Out of Bamboo

Ran out of eco-friendly gadgets? Check out the Chute Phone above, made out of bamboo and designed by Michael Laut. Seems that this material (the bamboo) is becoming trendy right now, as we’se seen more objects made out of it, so this smartphone is a fresh breath of air from all that metal and plastic. The concept emphasizes the fact that bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet and it’s also stronger than plastic in some cases, plus being a bio-degradable material. Sure reminds me of Nokia’s eco-friendly phone, but with a pleasant nature-based twist. [via phonemag]