Fibre optic star field

This is a rather bizarre, but interesting and entertaining product that is perfect for the bedrooms of children. It allows you to turn a ceiling into something that resembles the night sky, in other words a mini home planetarium.

The Fibre optic star field arrives in a sort of kit form and comprises a large number of small fibre optic cables, all sourced from a central supply.

The cables arrive amassed together and you simply remove the packaging, separate the individual cable strands and start your project.
The way it works is very simple, but quite time consuming. You make a plan of the position of the stars on the ceiling and then drill small holes (large enough to take the optic strands) at the points where you want the stars to appear.

The cables/strands are then fed into each (star) hole from above to produce a complete mini solar system.

For complex designs two or more kits can be combined and suppliers of these "fibre optic star fields" will usually make up custom designs for those who want them.

The same kits can also be used in other rooms and on other surfaces, e.g. walls, to create a range of eye catching and entertaining effects.

For more reading etc, you can check out his website: http://www.starceiling.co.uk/star_kits.html.

3D Photos

Three dimensional photos are nothing new, but in the past they have been quite crude and simple with a main foreground object, like a person or pet, projecting out from the rest of the picture.

Things have moved on though and aside from paying for the transposition of a standard photo into 3D, you can now buy software for your PC that does the very same thing – and displays it on your high definition monitor.

This kind of technology is still in its relative infancy and the conversion of 2D to 3D is far from perfect. Even so, very good results can be obtained and from comparatively cheep software.

3D Galleries
Another variation of this 3D theme, but one that you can only use on your digital equipment, is to create a 3D gallery.

You can see some examples of this at http://www.mypictures3d.com/galleries.html, but in essence you are able to hang your favourite picture in a range of amazing 3D environments that include the interiors and facades of building, plus nature scenes and some spectacular futuristic creations.

Many of these 3D galleries can also be saved or converted into 3D wallpaper of even screen savers for your PC.

Gadget coffee tables

You may not be aware of it, but there are a number of coffee tables out there that include some kind of gimmick or gadget. In other words an extra feature or visual accessory that goes beyond their normal use.

Most coffee tables are small low tables and you use them for the purpose of conveniently holding cups, mugs, or a plate or tray of biscuits at arms reach. There are though some much more interesting coffee tables that will appeal to the gadget buff, or simply someone looking for something a little bit different.

First of all, this page http://www.perfect-coffee-tables.com/index.html will tell you a little bit more (with a list of table links towards the bottom), however in summary, here is what you can get.

Lift up coffee table

A lift up coffee table has a table top that lifts, cantilevers or slides to one side allowing storage or some hidden facility to become visible. This kind of table may also have a look that belies a secondary use. E.g. This kind of multifunctional table may convert in to a PC table or have a top surface that can be elevated for working or writing.

Heater table

This kind of table is even more novel and can include a central open heater that simulates a circular hearth with burning embers and real heat. Obviously this is an outdoor patio coffee table, but it still provides a major variation on the coffee table theme.

LED table

This one is a real show stopper and it sees a glass topped coffee table populated by LED lights. To make the gadget even more inspiring, the LED’s are motion sensitive and only light up when a hand or object is placed on them or passed over them. They make an unusual talking point. See this http://www.becausewecan.org/LED_Coffee_Table_The_Wave link for more info.

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Manifesto

I will be using this blog to look at and review a range of new, novel and hopefully interesting products.

Some of these products will be new, others will be variations on a theme, and still more may be established products, but those where it is worth taking a look at how technology has influenced or changed them.

The kinds of products covered will include technology driven items, household utilities and the kind of purchases that you may never contemplate making!

As a couple of examples of things to come, here are two products that I intend to review in the near future.

Garden heaters, i.e. those tall and space age looking items that throw out heat in the middle of winter and make a garden usable all year long – at least in theory.

Designer radiators, i.e. radiators where function is often superseded by design criteria and the need to look good.

I will also cover some much more mundane purchases and my selections will not be determined by price, aesthetics or any commercial influences, but rather by what interests or intrigues me.