Design Innovation from Vauxhall

As the launch of the all new Vauxhall Astra draws ever nearer, it’s worth bearing in mind how daring its re-interpretation of the revolutionary Insignia’s design is: their conversion of all of the advantages of a saloon into a compact model has been turning petrol-heads’ heads across Europe.

With its warm and inviting wraparound interior (cosy enough to curl up in on those icy evenings when you just can’t face the commute), an elegant finish is suggested by its curvaceous fitted decor and quality trim.  Clearly, concerns regarding storage space were also a critical consideration – Vauxhall have actually gone to the trouble of patenting their ‘Flexfloor’ adjustable boot space system and ‘Flexfix’ bike carrier and there are bespoke cubby-holes located throughout to accommodate everything from your MP3 player to your first-aid kit and coffee cup – while the ergonomic driver’s seat and improved handling (a consequence of their innovative Watt’s link rear axle – specially tailored for the twists and curves of Britain’s roads) ensures the ride is as seamlessly smooth as the sporty finish promises.

Externally, sculptural surfaces interplay with crisp lines of precision. The new Astra produces 13.3% less carbon emissions than its predecessor, primarily because of the specifics of this exterior design – 600 hours in a wind tunnel have resulted in optimum aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency. The soft nose is optimised for crash performance and pedestrian protection, while the sleek profile and sporty precision of the bodywork accentuates the car’s planted and athletic stance. As the build-up to the launch in the new year continues, check out all the latest news and reviews at www.torqueastra.com.

YuuWaa

YuuWaa, a creation of Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, is an innovative solution for securely storing, backing up and sharing all types of multimedia data from one single interface. 

In modern times it can be quite challenging to manage and share large quantities of photos, videos, music tracks and documents. Although files can be centralised on a PC, what is mising is an easy-to-use and cost effective way to carry, share and backup the data.

To read more click here…

iFood Assistant

It’s smart. It’s fun. And now it even helps in the kitchen. The most appetizing app on the planet — iFood Assistant powered by Kraft — brings simple, delicious food ideas, anytime and anywhere you go.

Whether you use how-to videos, smart 1-2-3 recipes, shortcut tips or the built-in shopping list, you’re going to save time. So redefine eating and use iFood Assistant powered by KRAFT to make life delicious. Everyday. Only $0.99.

Download now (http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore/)

Wikitude – an Augmented Reality!

Wikitude AR Travel Guide, launched along with the G1 phone in October 2008, is a mobile application for the Android platform utilizing location-based Wikipedia and Qype content. It is a handy application for planning a trip or to find out about landmarks in your surroundings; 350,000 world-wide points of interest may be searched by GPS or by address and displayed in a list view, map-view or cam-view.

 Wikitude AR (‘augmented reality’) Travel Guide provides two search options:

• Simple Search allows users to initiate a search just by pressing “Start Search”
• Advanced Search offers users additional search options (category, distance, and search term)

Search results are displayed on a map (normal or satellite mode) as orange dots. A text bubble appears, containing a short description next to the selected point of interest.

To read more about AR Travel Guide please go to May-June 2009 issue of Avantoure – (page 18-19) – click here.

Responsible Consumerism

Raisio,, one of the Europe’s most innovative grain companies and a pioneer in plant-based and ecological food, launched the use of a CO2 label indicating the amount of CO2 emissions caused by the production of its Elovena oat flakes and Elovena snack drinks. By doing so, Raisio is helpings consumers to make environmentally friendly purchasing decisions and gives them the opportunity to monitor the environmental impact of food they buy.  For example, currently the level of CO2 emissions for Elovena’s oat flakes is 37 grams per 100 grams of the product, an extremely low emissions level.

 
Introduced by Raisio in April 2008, the CO2 labelling was very well received and generated a great deal of interest and talk among consumers and decision-makers.

 

“I believe that in 2009 consumers will continue to shift from words to action in their consumption habits. Food production accounts for around one-third of all CO2 emissions. However, plant-based, nationally produced food can reduce CO2 emissions and decrease the ecological footprint of each of us. We believe that CO2 emissions labelling will soon grow more common on food packages alongside the price and nutritional content labels already in use.” – says Raisio’s CEO Matti Rihko.

Read More – Filippa K Second Hand Shop, Cigarette Butt Couture, Seaglass Jewellery – page 24-25

iSoaps – the 21st Century’s version of the radio drama

 

Once upon a time, storytelling was a pastime shared by everyone.  There were no critics, no censors, no keepers of the publishing gate. It was a field open to any good storyteller.  If you started your story and it wasn’t good, you were alone in the woods, literally.   The best part about this, way back then, was that it was available entertainment at little or no cost, and the last judge was the public.  The oral tradition was a democracy of shared lore and legend.

 

Then came the publishing companies, the gatekeepers.  A handful of people who read the same stuff, hung out at the same restaurants and talked the same talk. It was they who decided what you were allowed to read.  An elitist paradigm had taken over.

 

Not anymore.  The web has since democratized the publishing industry.  This is the age of streaming audio after-all

Read More – Page 22

Fujitsu’s E-Reader

Fujitsu’s e-reader is based on “FLEPia” technology from Fujitsu Frontera that incorporates the color screen with a wireless data management system. And that screen is about as large as the average magazine page–making it far more suitable for browsing magazine-style info or even e-newspapers. That’s certainly why Mainichi Newspapers Co. Ltd. is involved in the trial of the e-papers currently underway in a Tokyo restaurant to see how the public accepts it.

The Termina Kinshicho Fujiya restaurant has a dedicated “BB Mobile Point” wireless LAN installed to serve content to the e-readers–this includes diverse stuff from newspapers to adverts to train timetables and weather reports.

Hardware-wise the e-reader is pretty sleek–it’s got a narrow bezel. It also has a touch-sensitive screen. Inside there’s Wi-Fi and USB 2 for connectivity, an SD slot for memory expansion, stereo speakers, and the entire Windows CE5. The device can go for 50 hours use on a single charge.

Groovin’ City Cars

Driving your car on the street of the world’s cities is increasingly an exercise in futility. As rural populations invade metropolitan areas, the highways and by-ways of modern cities are clogging like an artery after a lifetime of eating French fries. This, combined with rising gas prices, has forced carmakers to adapt, focusing on maneuverability and flexibility rather than churning out those hulking behemoths that resemble tanks. Goodbye Hummer, hello Smartcar!

 

What started with the remix of the Cooper Mini – immortalized by that chase scene in the Italian Job remake was nothing but five-minute long commercial demonstrating the versatility of the automobile – has become a booming cottage industry. Avantoure took a look at some of the latest trends shaping the fledgling business and cars to hit the city streets.

 

 

Read More  (page 62-65)

MEET AT THE APARTMENT

 

If ever there was an industry in need of a groundbreaking idea, it is that of the high-level corporate meeting.   Often deemed mind-numbingly boring, they’re the ugly stepsister of event planning.  But in the creative hands of Sara and Marc Schiller, they have been entirely reinvented and infused with unmistakable energy and a refreshingly offbeat SoHo sensibility.  Meet at the Apartment is a revolutionary new approach to meetings that comes to life in the heart of SoHo on cobblestoned Crosby St. in New York City. 

Read More… (page 20-21)

Pi Book – new media convergence device

 

 

 

”While I was watching Harry Potter, I noticed that the newspapers people were reading had moving images in the layout. At this moment I said to myself that “THIS” should be the next big thing in the development of the digital applications.”

- Richard Paraiso, the founder of Microsystem.

 

Read More…