Decepticon! Toshiba's 5-in-1 concept PC previewed

Another gem from CES 2014, this is Toshiba's concept for a more than meets the eye PC that's notebook, desktop, tablet, canvas and TV in one. It is definitely one of the more inspired convertible designs we've seen so far and it would be cool to see this come to market. In the meantime, we can enjoy the photos of this ingenious take on a 5-in-one PC.

Photos by Alex Davies, shot with a Sony Cybershot RX10

Sensory Fiction concept to help you physically experience books

We’ve all heard of Smell-O-Vision as an idea meant to enhance the viewing experience. But we also know that is far from reality at the moment. But what about a book that lets you feel the plot? Well, MIT Media Lab researchers want to make that a reality with the Sensory Fiction prototype. In order to feel the book, the reader will have to wear a vest that is filled with actuators and sensors that are meant to change skin temperature through local heating; to express looseness and tightness through airbags; and simulate increased heart rate or shivering through vibration.

The researchers used the sci-fi novella “The Girl Who Was Plugged In” to pair and demonstrate the abilities of the vest. The book even comes with LED lighting to create ambient lighting for the reader.

Source: The Verge

Samsung aims for TV flexibility with bendable TV

Credit: Sarah Tew for CNET

Samsung doesn’t just want to sell you curved TVs (although they already have a few of those), they want to give you the power to bend your TV at your will. Well, you will need the remote control and the new concept from the Korean tech giant. CNet reports you just need to press a button on the concept TVs accompanying remote and a servomechanism on the back of the screen bends the TV to a curve or flattens it out like the current crop of HDTVs.

The demo unit of this concept was an 85-inch LED LCD with 4K. Samsung has managed to make a bendable screen without OLED. We are excited for the possibilities of this new idea and what it entails for the future of television viewing.  

Phonebloks concept challenges smartphone customizability

Smart televisions have started to tackle the idea of customizability by offering kits that can upgrade a TVs software without changing the set itself. What if you can do the same thing to your phone? Take away the parts that no longer work or upgrade those that need to be upgraded. Dutch designer Dave Hakkens’ Phonebloks is a concept smarphone that has Lego-like blocks for the different smartphone parts. You need a battery upgrade, you change that block. You want a new camera phone, you swap that block. 

Aside from being most likely cost effective in the long run, Phonebloks will help reduce waste. And it can keep up with the constantly changing trends in the mobile industry. It is currently just an idea but it’s an idea that has been gaining a lot of support through the site Thunderclap.