Last week, Imogen Heap accepted her 2010 Grammy while wearing a dress with scrolling LED text on a large collar. She designed the dress so her "fans could accompany her to the award show" she wrote on Twitter that morning. The dress has its own twitter feed (#twitdress) which displayed the twitter pics from fans in real-time as she accepted her award. What do you think?
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iHeartSwitch.com is giving away a free copy of Switch Craft and a 10" x 10" swatch of fiber-optic lighted fabric from Luminex to one lucky person. We have a nice number of responses, but we'd like a few more so we've extended the deadline to the 12th of February, the winner will be announced on February 20th, so stay tuned!
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(Above: Me taking a break with the cast and crew on the MyHome2.0 set in 2008)
BACK for ANOTHER EPISODE for the tech home makeover show MYHOME 2.0! I worked on 5 episodes in 2008 creating unique interactive systems, with my fellow Gurus Brian and Lloyd and made five families lives better through technology. Like before, we get only 48 hours to seamlessly mesh the new computer equipment, one-of-a kind interactive designs, and install Verizon FiOS into the newly redesigned home.
However, this season, the show has a fabulous new cast of characters. The Makeover team is now made up of a Head Guru, Scott Martian Brooks, the show Host, Tiffany Smith, Design Guru Mark Montano, a local FiOS Guru, and a Tech Guru - which is me for this episode. The Tech Guru used in the episode depends on the families needs and what type of installation they looking for. Brian is the mega metal headed mechanical technologist, Lloyd is the computer genius who can connect and code any home for an upgrade straight into the future, and then there is me, the
Techno-Fashionista, who softens everything up with personalized electronic designs that focus on aesthetics (of course!).
(Brian, Lloyd, and me hugging it out before the big reveal!)
You can watch the older episodes on Vimeo. Some of the projects you will find there include a
FiOS-Enabled Emotion Detector, an infrared digital harp, a digital Memory Wall, a whimsical PB&J Machine and more!
Girls in Tech Conference(GIT) attendee looking surprised. Maybe they were learning about making money with online gaming? [photography: femmefotographie.com]
One of the hot topics of the GIT Conference was gaming. In the early gaming days, the majority of the players were male but that was because the developers were/are male. However, today women spend more hours per month gaming than men. In fact, the vast majority of this is due to online gaming (like Facebook and Yahoo Games). This online gaming industry is mainly women between the ages of 35 - 45 and the console players are not far behind with 40% being women with the average age being 32 (see chart below). This is a big change over the past 10 years. There is a lot of growth in this area for women because men do not know what women want or what peaks their interest.
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This week, Switch welcomes Tiffany Lawson as our guest blogger from San Francisco! Tiffany is a smart and stylish account manager for Sonic.net, an Internet Service Provider based out of Santa Rosa, CA. She spent yesterday gathering up the latest trends, news, and topics from the Girls in Tech: Catalyst Conference and will be sharing them with Switch readers tomorrow and Friday.
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If blinging out your cell phone doesn't do it for you, what about crystalized tweezers?
I love things that are pink. I love things that sparkle. And I love beauty tools that are fun and make my daily routine feel less like torture. But in 2010, we do not all necessarily have the luxury of paying $100 for these super, cute bling travel tweezers from Tweezerman.
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Yet another luxury phone is coming to market. The Italian fashion house Versace plans to introduce its first in a line of mobile phones to the public in May. The phone will cost around $5,000 and according to their press release, will be crafted to the client’s expectations with the highest quality of materials such as leather. (ZDNet) Designed in collaboration with with ModeLabs, who creates tailor-made handsets for brands like Tag Haur and Dior, Versace follows in the heels of luxury branded mobile phones from Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Armani.
Luxury phones, such as these, are in high demand in Asia, Russia, and the Middle East, but honestly this launch just feels like hype. I guess if you have billions of dollars it makes sense to have a phone that represents your status and lifestyle, but I think telecom companies and manufacturers can do better than flashing up the exterior with leather and ice.
Of all the luxury phones on the market so far, Prada and LG win the golden ticket.
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Make a fun glow-in-the-dark writeable wall! PaulBo over at FangleTronics has a really simple DIY for making a glow in the dark wall you can write on. The wall is made by adding a few coats of Glow-In-The-Dark Brush-On Paint and any type of light or LED pen will light up the wall. This is a seriously fun project for the whole family and FangieTronics does a great job of explaining how to make it.
For those without electronic skills, purchase an LED light pen or LED key light to use to write on the walls instead of making one from scratch.
via: Makezine
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With the advancement of a new micro solar cell, sequined dresses of the future may not just indicate a fashionista on the loose, but instead, an environmentally conscious go-getter with a fully charged cell phone.
The scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, makers of all things sci-fi, have created tiny snow-flake looking solar cells (pictured below) for possible applications in textiles and clothing. These cells are being designed to be less expensive and have greater electronic efficiencies than the current cells on the market. The micro cells require cutting edge manufacturing techniques to ensure quality. Even so, their miniscule size makes it so that there is a minimal loss of power production if one were to be damaged. Compare this to today’s large rectangular solar panels, where if one goes down, the whole unit has a huge loss in power production. Instead with these new cells if one went down it would just be a small percentage of the overall grid.
This is defiantly a technology to watch. I see a future of sparkling rooftops, glittering light poles, and fashionable sequined shrugs. What do you see? What would you make with solar powered sequins? Leave a comment and let us know.
Source: Inhabitat
Dress image from stellarmagazine
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Mr. ArduinoFun has posted a really great tutorial for the electronic seamstress on Instructables. The concept, based Ethan Dicks from theFusefactory.org's emergent Sheep Sculpture project, is a scarf that detects when you are near your loved one.
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I am loving this sexy silk dress from Aniomagic. Not only is it pretty, but just a swing of the train controls a hidden iPod. It may look hard to make, but it's EASY! Aniomagic sells everything and has the directions up on their site and on instructables. Go ahead and turn that LBD into the next glamtronic super machine!
GET THE MATERIALS:
]]>It is 2010, and there is no better time to create your own video chatting controllable robot. Designed by artist, Marque Cornblatt, Sparky Jr. is completely open source, which means all the software, diagrams, and technical specifications are available for free on their website. Also, be sure to see his other "Gomi Style" designs on his YouTube site, H2oboy1. Watch out for Zombies!
]]>Make a Flip Book from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.
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I had a chance to talk to Paige from MommyCast.com about the innovative projects from SwitchCraft and iHeartSwitch. You can watch our chat in the video below. (Hint: Don't miss bloopers at the end!)
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Sparkle Labs has come up with the sweetest little light up paper Christmas tree for the holidays. It is easy to make, just use your Discover Electronics Kit for the lights and follow the directions on this page.
If you missed Hanukkah, its not too late! There are still a couple days left to make this beautiful paper Menorah! Download the instructions and template off the project website.
Tonight on Carol's Corner on Technology, Co-hosts Lloyd Emelle and Stephanie Lowe are discussing technology gift ideas on a budget. I'll be there discussing not only gifts that you can get online or at the store, but also gifts that you can make in your spare time using supplies from your local electronics and crafts store. If you are struggling with gift ideas, this is the episode you don't want to miss!
Create a cute, bright, lighted bow with saran wrap, hot glue, and a couple of LEDs. Yup, you heard me… saran wrap and hot glue. It is the perfect holiday craft for mom’s and daughters to do together, without breaking the bank.
Watch the video below and learn how to make a light-up bow. I promise that it is so easy, you won’t want to make just one!
DIY: How to Make A Lighted Holiday Bow from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.
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Get your holiday started right by beading a beautiful LED snowflake ornament by Syuzi Pakhchyan. This project is perfect for jewelry buffs and those who like details and shiny things.
You can find the tutorial on Syuzi's site, fashioning technology.
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Photography by Michael Sinterniklaas
Aloha! I am posting from the beautiful island of Kauai today where I am celebrating the wedding of my friends Julia Howe and Dekker Dryer. Julia came to me a few months ago and asked me to design her wedding dress with one special feature, it had to light up. Of course, I jumped at the chance to make a lighed wedding dress!
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What goes with an outfit made out of white leather straps? Laser shooting shoulder pads, of course!
If you missed Rihanna's performance of "Wait Your Turn" at the 2009 AMA's you can see the video on YouTube.
Photo via: SingersRoom
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Obsessed with finding the right fabric? I am too, and this was no exception for the fabrics I used in my book Switch Craft. Each material was meticulously chosen for its color, pattern, sheen, and weave, while bringing vibrancy to the normally dull subject of electronics.
I have put together a guide to help you get the best fabric for your next Switch Craft project.
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Tomorrow night, November 16th, I have 5 minutes and 20 slides to share everything I know about creating a tech savvy DIY for a non-techy crafter. Can I do it? You’ll have to tune in find out.
Ignite NYC VII
When: 11/16, starting @7PM
Where: New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street
What: 15 five minute presentations that geeks and techies will love
Admission: FREE
If you like geeky British guys working in the basement of a corporate office run by an narcissistic idiot, then you are ready for The IT Crowd.
The British based comedy, created by "Father Ted's" Graham Linehan, is over the top silly foolishness that mocks our internet addictions, technological ignorance, and the social ineptitude of nerds. The story centers around an IT support staff working in the forgotten dingy basement of a large corporation called Reynholm Industries. Jen (the dimwit), who doesn't know a keyboard from a mouse pad, is brought in to run the IT support department which consists of Moss (the geek) and Roy (the slob).
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It has finally happened, the Twitter invasion has spread to our bodies, specifically, it has circulated to our legs with Gabby and Tal's Twitter stockings. Each pair has the cute Twitter bird logo and the words "Follow Me" printed down the leg. Donning this legwear is sure to invite strangers to actually follow you. If this is something that doesn't bother you, and as long as they are not creeps, seize the moment to turnaround and give them your Twitter handle. You'll have hundreds of new followers in no time!
Each stocking is made by hand and are sold at their Etsy shop for $18. They sell out quick, get your order in now for the Holidays.
Via: styleguru
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Artist and designer, Jie Qi, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at Columbia University, created an inspiring electronic pop-up book while studying at the MIT Media Lab last summer. I love her sense of color and youthful illustrative style. She displays each interactive concept with a simple color scheme and an easy to understand visual story. The stories include pollinating bees, the lighted solar system, a flashing big city, snapping Venus fly traps, twinkling musical moon & stars, and sparkling underwater life. Watch the video of the orange book page in action below. Afterwards, scroll down and see her beautiful blooming paper flowers video as well.
Via: zachlieberman
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Tired of the winter blues? Does your skin and mood need a pick me up? Use a blue light treatment, like Philips goLITE BLU Light Therapy Device or Tandas Light Therapy Treatment. This light exposure helps your body release hormones that can improve your mood and energy levels and kill nasty acne causing bacteria. Philip’s goLITE BLU and other similar light therapy treatments are specifically designed to thwart the winter blues by giving you the added benefits of the sun without the harmful UV rays. You will not get a tan, but the treatment is safe and pain free.
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Tonight at 6.30 PM EST Benedikta and Nora of BurdaStyle.com are giving a talk in the “Networked Design” Series at Parsons, organized by the ASS Graphic Design department. The talk will be on “The road to collaborative fashion design." Don't miss it! If your not able to pass by? Watch the live stream of the event.
Find out more information here
BurdaStyle is a stylish open source community website with free fashion patterns, examples, and contests for people who sew. There is a very supportive member community and for inspiration be sure to see the member uploaded photos.
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Need a clean slate? Let a gentle motorized cleansing brush remove the left over remnants of Halloween makeup for bright healthy looking skin. The rotating bristles are supple and bring benefits way beyond just clean skin. After repeated use, users reported marked improvement in skin tone and texture, fewer blackheads, and reduced pore size.
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[Photography by and of Melaena Giraldo, also known as Cherryyy pop! on Flickr.]
After a weekend of horror, candy, and heavy make-up, are your pores and tresses more frightening than the next-door neighbors withered pumpkins? If so, you are not alone. Halloween costuming can be fatal to hair and skin, and with the holiday marathon that follows it’s important to get your beauty regimen back on track.
Not to worry, over the next week Switch will be bringing you a list of at-home treatments and products good enough for even the serious beauty buff.
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