http://www.psfk.com Your Go-To Source For New Ideas And Inspiration Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:43:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/robo-to-video-caller-status-updates.html Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:03:38 +0000 Robo.to, is a mobile service that allows visual status updates with 4-second videos and multi-platform integration. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/lessons-from-the-netflix-prize.html Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:04:35 +0000 Netflix recently awarded their $1 million prize to a seven person group of statisticians and computer scientists for improving the accuracy of customer movie recommendations by ten percent. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/video-technology-and-convergence-facts.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:57:44 +0000 We recently covered what the internet is killing and this video we came across shows through various statistics how the internet is changing our lives. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/laser-assisted-microphone-makes-next-leap-in-sound-technology.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:03:00 +0000 David Schwartz, a digital audio pioneer, will soon be unveiling a new design for a microphone that is aided by lasers to isolate "pure sound." ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/best-camera-iphone-app-by-chase-jarvis.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:31 +0000 Chase Jarvis, a world-renowned commercial photographer, recently launched an iPhone application, book and online photo community to convince everyone that the best camera is the one that's with you and absolutely anyone can snap a remarkable image.]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/tristin-lowes-inflatable-fabric-whale.html Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:21:37 +0000 Tristin Lowe, an artist based in Philadelphia, unveiled a massive project earlier this summer that pushes the limits of its room in the Fabric Workshop and Museum.]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/the-portraits-of-stefan-hobmaier.html Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:30:59 +0000 Stefan Hobmaier, a photographer from Germany, has a new series of photos called Dorfjugend that covers young people growing up in small towns.]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/city-rendered-in-3d-using-photosynth-flickr.html Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:08:07 +0000 A group of computer scientists from the University of Washington's Graphics and Imaging Laboratory have created an algorithm that improves the technology behind Microsoft's Photosynth to render massive environments in 3D. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/retro-cameras-from-the-streets-of-tokyo.html Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:31:44 +0000 Old cameras are becoming a stylish accessory, and in Japan the youth eagerly show off their retro cameras to the Tokyo Camera Style blog.]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/list-what-the-internet-is-killing.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:58:03 +0000 The Telegraph recently featured a list of fifty things that are being destroyed by the internet. The article is hardly surprising given the massive shifts the internet brings to society, but it does raise a debate about what will be missed from a bygone era and what will be rightly forgotten. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/hyperlocal-peer-to-peer-piracy.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:45:47 +0000 The Pirate Kiosk is a local and public backup of the Pirate Bay's torrent catalog broadcast from a WiFi router, allowing peer-to-peer file sharing without the need for the internet. ]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/tangle-proof-ear-bud-design.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:05:03 +0000 Image credit: Getty Images, Dan Banda Lee/Flickr Lee Washington, a product design student currently studying in London at Central Saint Martins, recently posted a video describing an ingeniously simple concept design for headphones that will not get tangled. Essentially, the idea is to apply the same technology of a Ziploc bag to the two separate wires, allowing users to seal them together before putting them away. Hopefully it will make it’s way to production, and we can all stop fumbling with tangled ear buds, or even bother with learning the best way store headphones. It’s one of those great inventionsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/the-bicycle-photography-of-san-francisco.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:04:17 +0000 Mash SF, a hardcore group of cyclists, have produced a particularly stunning collection of images from around the world of their tightly-knit community.  The mostly black and white photographs portray their culture and obsession with all things bicycle.  Massan, a prolific photographer of their crew, has amassed a great collection of images on his personal site, including the photographs displayed below in the gallery.  The vibrant society of bike messengers and other worshipers of fixed gear or even brake-less bicycles have bred some incredible media and it’s a pleasure to see the content produced.  The rider and assumed photographer MassanRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/manage-your-online-media-with-thismoment.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:01:12 +0000 Most social networks or media sharing sites thrive on their unique offerings or exclusivity, but a new site called thisMoment hopes to bring together their disparate functions into a single portal.  thisMoment offers traditional ways of uploading photos or video to the site, but can also pull in material from other sites like Flickr, Facebook or YouTube.  The interface for thisMoment resembles a Flickr slide show with more options and the comment system is arranged to share emotions under an entry starting with “This moment made me feel…” as well as the usual space for snarky Internet one-line comments.  TheRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/chipotles-iphone-app-returns.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:00:52 +0000 Chipotle, the immensely popular Mexican grill, redesigned and relaunched their iPhone application for mobile food ordering.  Back in January the app was pulled just days after launch due to unknown glitches and design issues.  We didn’t grab it fast enough to review last time, but this new version is certainly smooth. The app tracks down the closest Chipotle and then you go about building your dream burrito, bowl, taco or salad, throwing in more ingredients than would be polite to ask for in the restaurant itself, even letting you include special instructions.  The menu is quick and intuitive, even allowingRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/joey-roths-ceramic-speakers.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:52:43 +0000 Joey Roth, a designer based in San Fransisco, recently unveiled a new design for a pair of ceramic speakers.  The simple form contains 4″ full-range drivers in a white porcelain and cork enclosure.  For curious audiophiles, the speaker system is based on the Tripath 2024 T-amp and include both RCA and 1/8″ connections.  The uncomplicated design is common in Roth’s ultra modern approach and set his products apart from the competition. Roth built some serious design credibility and got loads of press for his unique, modern teapot design called the Sorapot.  Since that first foray into the professional design world,Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/nasa-considers-outsourcing-space-travel.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:03:20 +0000 With NASA facing massive budget cuts, the scientific powerhouse must now consider ferrying cargo and astronautics into space through private companies, a first for the agency.  Proponents of the outsourcing idea argue that non-governmental organizations would foot the bill for research and hope to make profit from providing services or creating products with the resulting developments.  As seen at the 50th anniversary of NASA, the research provided by the governmental agency has brought many modern products to fruition. Private companies must often react faster to developments to stay viable, while NASA relies on huge government expenditure.  While a presidentially appointedRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/air-canadas-travel-iphone-app.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:02:19 +0000 Air Canada recently released a dedicated iPhone app that keeps passengers updated on flight information, makes check-in simple and even allows for an electronic boarding pass displayed on the phone. To update the flight status simply shake the phone and the integrated functionality ensures a smoother departure process. The 2D bar code boarding pass image can be scanned at the airport and other travel information like other flights, renting a car and important travel bulletins are also accessible through the mobile application. Many airlines have mobile-optimized websites, but this application integrates mobile functionality with a more efficient check-in. While thisRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/sunset-for-the-pint-glass.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:01:49 +0000 If there is one place that doesn’t like meddling, it’s the local pub, and in Great Britain the growing number of glass related pub injuries has led the government to investigate changing the beloved pint glass into a controversial plastic pint.  According to recent statistics, over 5,000 pub-goers a year get glass related injuries from bar altercations, a figure that government officials believe can be lowered with a newly designed pint glass or simply changing the material.  Design Bridge, the firm working on a plastic alternative, must tread carefully over this touchy subject due to the sense of tradition thatRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/the-last-production-polaroid-camera-kit.html Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:32:46 +0000 After Polaroid announced it was stopping production on the iconic camera technology, avid fans have struggled with the news, making fake Polaroid apps popular and even going so far as to create The Impossible Project to purchase all remaining film production material in a Dutch factory.  Now, after Polaroid moved on to digital versions, Urban Outfitters will soon sell a limited edition kit include the last production run of Type 779 instant film and Polaroid ONE600 cameras. Only 700 sets will be sold and hopefully the Impossible Project can get the production of film up and running by next yearRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/nikes-recycled-cardboard-packaging-design.html Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:01:06 +0000 At the 2008 Nike exhibition in Beijing, the sports retail giant utilized a unique packaging design, hoping to reflect their goals of sustainability and lightness.  The recycled cardboard packaging was designed by Zack Klauck and Emile Molie from 2×4, Inc.  The multidisciplinary design studio produced an exhibit that chronicled the four decades of Nike’s pursuit of new materials and technology. The bags themselves are a mesh wrap of cardboard that are designed to hold a shirt and a windbreaker or a pair of shoes.  The sizes are written by hand and special attention is paid to the amount of materialsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/embedded-video-ad-in-print-magazine.html Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:31:09 +0000 In the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, a CBS advertisement features the first video player embedded in a print magazine.  The tiny video screen automatically plays when the reader turns to the two page spread promoting the coming fall lineup of CBS shows. Americhip developed the paper-thin hardware and the loud video begins after a brief pause when turning to the page.  The battery powered technology allows the player to show up to 40 minutes of video, including sneak peaks and featurettes.  The advertisement will only be featured in magazines sold in the New York and Los Angeles markets. Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/speaker-system-in-swedish-crispy-flat-bread.html Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:04 +0000 We recently came across this video of an audiophile troubleshooting a speaker system he built on some knäckebröd, a Swedish type of crispy flat bread.  The noisy cracker is actually an object built for a three day Sound Sculpture workshop at the Neon Gallery in Brösarp, Sweden. It doesn’t produce a very pleasant harmony and the wiring looks quite haphazard, but for those pushing the limits of experimental sound, this could be the music their waiting for.  Who knows? Maybe the next revolutionary speaker system will be built out of matzah, we’re already seeing cell phones made of corn.  WithoutRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/long-range-wi-fi-through-unused-tv-spectrum-fragments.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:30:15 +0000 It may not look like much, but that little box could be the answer to long distance Wi-Fi connectivity, possibly from a mile away.  Yesterday, at the SIGCOMM Conference in Barcelona, the Networking Research Group from Microsoft Research presented their WhiteFi project to expand wireless capabilities through unused portions of the TV spectrum. Image credit: Getty Images, Joshua Caldwell/Flicker As television stations migrate to digital broadcasts from traditional analog signals, they free up space on the lower and longer traveling frequencies.  The empty fragments of the spectrum can be utilized to broadcast a broadband wireless internet signal, though serious technologicalRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/the-return-of-the-house-call.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:00:47 +0000 Royal Pains, a new show on the USA Network, follows the course of a fictional doctor who makes house calls to the rich and famous.  House calls are a foreign concept to most modern health care professionals, but in Manhattan there is a so-called “concierge doctor” named Ronald Primas who whips around the city in a luxury Range Rover with a bag full of necessary instruments. Dr. Primas, 49, has a group of wealthy longtime patents who crave this unique attention in the comfort of their own homes, but Primas also ventures out to make house calls for as littleRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/pulse-assisted-piano-playing.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:30:26 +0000 Concert Hands, a new product for teaching music, hopes to assist musicians struggling to learn the piano by gently guiding fingers to the correct keys with a system of finger sleeves, pulses and software.  The rather cumbersome series of wires and wrist pilots will introduce music to those that learn best through direct muscle memory. The system uses software that converts a song file into a key combination for the piano that a controller box then distributes to the wrist and finger pilots.  The repetitive motions stimulate muscle memory and apparently work well with anyone from 8 to 80 yearsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/internet-pawn-assest-backed-loans.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:00:49 +0000 Image credit: Getty Images, Todays like no yesterdays/Flickr In her book Payback, Margaret Atwood writes that loans are “like air, it’s all around us, but we never think about it unless something goes wrong with the supply.”  The similarly intangible internet is expanding to bring a pawnshop to consumers struggling in the United States. Enter Internet Pawn, a new website that offers a range of loans based on personal assets.  Simply FedEx your valuable and the company will determine their value and offer a loan ranging from $500 up to $250,000.  The loans can take as little as 24 hoursRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/carved-magazines-by-nate-page.html Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:15:52 +0000 Nate Page, an artist based in New York City, recently unveiled a new series of magazines with different layers carved out that are on display at the Jen Bekman gallery.  Page removes layers from magazines and billboards, revealing the rainbow of colors behind the images.  These topographic assemblage designs focus on eyes and strip away the collections to their core. In the artist statement, Page describes his desire to investigate the dichotomies between materiality and images, occupied space and presence, and potentiality and reality.  He transforms the everyday objects into personal expressions and informs his work with “personal memories andRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/dr-whippy-serves-more-ice-cream-to-sad-customers.html Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:22:03 +0000 At the ARS Electronica festival in Linz, British artist, Demitrios Kargotis, unveiled Dr. Whippy, an ice cream machine that serves customers based on their stress levels.  The unique machine that has traveled across events for two years, measures how unhappy the user is based on voice stress analysis and then serves up a dollop or heap of ice cream based on its diagnosis. The machine asks several questions and after assessing the patient, immediately prescribes its dose for effective results.  The project was funded in part by the Royal College of Art and will hopefully continue to circulate as crowdsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/brainwave-assisted-binoculars.html Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:39:58 +0000 The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)  awarded more than $10 million to defense contractors working on intelligent binoculars (not pictured) that utilize the users brainwaves to filter relevant visual information. While details of the project are obviously hazy, the developing technology hopes to capitalize on the unparalleled ability of the human brain to differentiate between battlefield objects and movement. A soldier’s ability to spot a threat will help train the binoculars to recognize pertinent information and bring it to the attention of the user.  The high resolution wide-angle binoculars will feature electrodes inside the helmet to monitor brainwaves andRead more...]]>