Schema Seating from Isu

We’re getting excited about the upcoming London Design Festival, it begins this weekend, and we can’t wait to see all the new designs that will be revealed.  Looking back to last year, there were many product launches, such as the Schema range of seating from British furniture manufacturer, Isu.  The seating range was introduced with two dining chairs and matching stools.  Within a few months of the show, Isu had announced that the Schema seats were being used in some new bar and restaurant projects.

See photos of Isu’s booth at last years show – here.

Your Own Personal Peanut Butter Machine

Mmmm, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I’ve eaten tens of them. And nearly a dozen more peanut butter and banana sammies. So why not invest in my own personal $50 nut butterer?

Make your own warm, delicious peanut butter at home–for much less than store bought butter! Fill the top bin with your favorite shell nuts (you can also use macadamia, sunflower, cashews and more) and select chunky or smooth texture. In minutes you have creamy, all-natural nut butter perfect for baking, sandwiches, and crackers. Hopper holds up to two cups of dry nuts.

Oh man, this reminds me of the time my college roommate made a Nutella and penis sandwich and tried to seduce ducks by the pond. Seriously though, somebody invent a bread machine and I’m set for life. UPDATE: Ha, turns out bread makers already exist — mine should be home any minute! Make Your Own Peanut Butter [slipperybrick] Thanks to Silver Sided, who thinks gold is tacky.

Lenovo CEO says no plans to buy Dell factories

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Lenovo Group (0992.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world’s fourth-largest PC maker, said on Tuesday it has no plans to buy computer factories from rival Dell Inc (DELL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), its Chief Executive William Amelio said on Tuesday.

Lenovo has enough capacity, Amelio told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Singapore.

Dell is trying to sell factories around the world to cut costs and improve profitability, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Amelio also warned that the weakness in the global economy could affect tech spending by companies.

“The only thing I would caution is that we are coming into a budget cycle now,” he said, adding this could mean companies would be reassessing their operating expenses.

Lenovo posted a 65 percent rise in first quarter earnings that ended June, the slowest growth in a year, as it copes with a U.S. slowdown and weaker Chinese demand after a devastating earthquake.

HP unveils latest notebook on the catwalk at NYC Fashion Week

It’s Fashion Week here in NYC and that means tons of models and plenty of parties to crash. Tonight, HP and Vivienne Tam introduced the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook. It will launch in October, but no other details were disclosed and I’d say it’s somewhere between eight and 10-inches. Oh, it comes with a “complementary embroidered storage sleeve.” Designer Vivienne Tam had this to say,

“When I was approached by HP to create a special edition notebook, I could see the design in my head instantly. The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. I wanted to create a notebook that would appeal to women of all ages, ethnicities and income levels across the globe.”

Gadget That Turn Your Empty Kid’s Room Into a Den of Depravity

No matter what bed you choose, the Karmasheetra is a good accessory. It’s like an even more perverted version of Twister. Available for about $35. Kind of like Twister for grown ups, the Karmasheetra is covered with pink and blue marks for hands, feet, knees and bottoms, all numbered so you won’t get confused.

Just spread out the Karmsheetra, grab a partner and try it out. Fun and frolics for playful, bendy people.

Plastic Logic Reader Looks Like Kindle Killer

Here is what the clunky Amazon Kindle should have been since the beginning: a simple, ultra-sleek full-page 8.5-inch by 11-inch electronic book and newspaper reader with a flexible plastic touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the ability to read regular Office documents without conversion of any kind. As we said yesterday, Plastic Logic showed it at the Demo Fall 08 conference in San Diego. Seeing it up close and on its side makes me want to have one. Badly.

According to the company, the reader is tough enough to resist getting hit with a shoe, which is exactly what I wanted to hear because that’s how I test the toughness of my devices. Hitting them with shoes and/or toasted baguettes with butter and apricot jam.

While the device seems solid and ready for manufacturing, the only question here is when is this actually coming out, the price, and what kind of content support it will have from publishers. Which is why, for now, it just looks like a Kindle killer, rather than being the Kindle killer. Alternatively, Jeff Bezos should buy these guys and smash his frankenbookreader.

TG Daily is covering Demo Fall 2008, so they have more pictures of the device and promise a video soon.

CGOTW and $50 Winner are…

Last week’s coolest gadget was a close one and for a change it was won by relatively cheap and what could be called “sensible” gadget, the stash reef sandals. Submitted by S2999, these sandals are ideal for hiding valuables, that is until everybody knows about them.

The idea is brilliant: they have a little “drawer” inside the sole where money, credit cards or keys can be stashed. I’ve never ever heard of shoes being stolen from the beach, so your valuables would be much safer than anywhere else. High quality footwear that’s more than just a pair of flip-flops? Win.

Master Lock iCage Locking Skin For iPod

Master Lock has released a style of combination lock designed specifically for iPods. The iCage is built of durable metal, and clips around the outside of an iPod’s body. The lock allows users to set their own combination for convenience, and features a cable that secures an iPod to a fixed object. Each iCage also comes with three full-body thermoplastic iWRAPrs for scratch protection. The iCage comes sized for the 4GB and 8GB iPod nano as well as the iPod classis in all capacities. The device retails for $14.99 for the nano models and $19.99 for the iPod classic models.

[Via: Masterlock]

Microsoft Arc Mouse To Be Released This Month

Still remember the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 that we mentioned several months ago? Microsoft has recently unveiled their new mouse in the form of the Microsoft Arc Mouse. The mouse comes in a unique design and connects to your PC or laptop via the 2.4GHz RF and relies on laser tracking. The device also features the three buttons on top and two side buttons. Available in black and red, the Microsoft Arc will be released later this month for $60 each.

iPod Touch 2nd Gen

Apple has also released the 2nd gen iPod Touch. Yes similar to iPhone 3G. Slimmer, lighter and has a back chrome aluminum case. Wow, that looks nicer than the iPhone 3G back case.

Improvement
Built-in speaker ~ lets you hear the music, dialogue, and action without headphones, perfect for casual listening.

Volume control
Volume buttons are built into the left side of iPod touch, giving you easy access to the most frequently used controls.

Longer battery life
Provides up to 36 hours of audio playback or 6 hours of video playback

Rock ’n’ run with Nike+.
iPod touch now includes built-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your run. The sensor communicates wirelessly with your iPod touch, tracking your time, distance, and calories burned. It even gives you voice feedback on your progress.

The new iPod Touch is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB and priced at $229, $299 and $399 respectively in US.