*notcot - 03.02.11 , 17:40 -

Ultimate Factories: Bentley

ball0.jpg Since i’m missing the screening in NY tonight, surprise DVD just arrived from the lovely folks at Bentley, and i just lost about an hour totally engrossed in their factory process. Who doesn’t love Ultimate Factories on National Geographic Channel? There’s something beyond mesmerizing about the tiniest details of how these larger than life objects are made! Tomorrow’s episode focuses on how the Bentley Mulsanne is made, and takes you from the sketching, to the clay, to the wood shop, paint shop, leather shop, details of how the engine is assembled and tested, to the assembly line, customization shop, on the road and more. It really is quite incredible how much detail goes into each step, and how many facts and digits they manage to throw at you in a mere 50 minutes, and nice to see how much pride their craftsmen take in their work!

I couldn’t even figure out which parts to show you pics of… so decided to show you a sneak peek of my favorite part! The WOOD! From 3’ diameter root-balls of nearly hundred year old trees… shaved paper thin… to show some incredible marble like patterns, which are then cut and hand matched (magical stacks cut perfectly and mirrored to blend together)… before going through being fused to the panels… Anyhow! Check out the Bentley Mulsanne Ultimate Factories on National Geographic Channel tomorrow night, and take a sneak peek into it on the next page!

--> to more images

*notcot - 02.02.11 , 09:40 -

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition Limited Edition

porsche1.jpg Ah, nothing like a nice dose of morning car lust. Porsche always has such dreamy photos of their cars, for some reason this one feels like it fell out of a Hardy Boys cover. I’m also a sucker for Porsche special editions, especially in black… this is the latest limited special edition with 320 hp - Only 987 cars: Porsche Boxster S Black Edition! “The colour concept of the Boxster S Black Edition is consistent in every detail. The rear side air intake grilles are painted in black as is the twin tailpipe of the exhaust system. The model lettering painted in black on the rear luggage compartment lid identifies the Black Edition as much as the embossed Black Edition model designation on the side of the fabric hood. The roll-over bars are painted in black, too.”

Also noteworthy, their microsite for the car is a fun take on automotive photography. It allows the viewer to step behind the camera, tweaking settings to take the perfect shot of the stunning car with a beachy backdrop and big lights… See screenshots and more of the beautiful pictures on the next page…

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.28.11 , 08:40 -

Jawbone Era: Unboxing

era0.jpg Sorry i went quite a few days here, internet has been a bit frustratingly spotty, and between all the snow and running around catching up with people, this week has been a little bit more working offline than on! BUT, this post is a fun unboxing of the new Jawbone Era in my Bowery Hotel room! As always, beyond their product design and engineering mastery, the packaging of all things Jawbone never ceases to amaze… this one practically unboxes itself and presents the new headset to you! I had to make a little video to show you just how fun it is! New in this latest bluetooth headset model, shake and tap controls ~ the latest in Noise Assassin technology ~ ability to listen to music/calls and more in HD ~ and more apps and updates to play with through MyTalk. Check out the video on the next page as well as more details!

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.17.11 , 20:42 -

Dyson Digital Slim DC 35

dysonslim0.jpg Wow. On fun packages that arrived this weekend… i’m currently fascinated by the Dyson Digital Slim DC 35 Multi Floor… it’s a cordless vacuum, it embodies my favorite parts of all of things Dyson, and is an evolved version of my most used cleaning tool, the old DC 16 hand held. It’s like a smaller version, with more sucking power (dual power modes even!), has a removable battery, an extension tube, and a ball jointed, motorized head with carbon fiber bristles like the full vacuums. I won’t deny i’m more of a fan of the matte metallic blue accent vs the old glossy yellow as well. Ready to see the unboxing and details up close? Take a peek at the next page… there’s also a comparison shot of it to the old DC 16.

P.s. This is definitely replacing my poor old DC 16, and seems to be doing a pretty good job on carpet with the motorized head as well… so perhaps it will take over my other vacuum as well…

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.16.11 , 04:30 -

Sunset + Beach + CLS 63 AMG

sunsetamg0.jpg Mmmmm. Another late late night (4:30 already?), but bubbling with inspiration and giddiness, i had to share these pictures with you before sleeping. Spent about 6 or so hours cruising around with the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG today… from Rancho Santa Fe wandering east into the mountains to Julian (mmm pie) and down and around through more rolling hills right up to the border of Mexico before looping into downtown San Diego for lunch at the Andaz, a quick jaunt through Coronado… and then i couldn’t resist and raced over to my absolute favorite car/beach spot from my college days (you used to find me there listening to music and curled up reading in my car), where you can pull right up to the sand and nearly touch the sea… the ideal sunset spot to make everything in your mind seem irrelevant in an instant.

So. PERFECT sunset. PERFECT beach spot. And PERFECT car. Driving the CLS 63 AMG is absolute bliss. The growling purr of the engine can’t help but make you grin… and it seems to have solved my dilemma where cars have been one of my hardest design objects to shoot passionately. Apparently i just hadn’t found the right one to inspire me. But after an incredibly fun day of driving and exploring rural east county goodness and reminiscing about my san diego past, pulling up to the sunset at my favorite car/beach zen spot… and catching sunset by mere moments… the glow was utterly magical to say the least. And the way the sunset lit and reflected off the cars curves was mind blowing. Naturally, i couldn’t help taking a bunch of pictures… take a peek on the next page!

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.15.11 , 00:59 -

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63

amgnight0.jpg After a lovely dinner and some macallan, most wandered off to sleep before tomorrow’s adventures begin… i couldn’t help having a little midnight photoshoot alone on the croquet lawn with the CLS 63 AMG… the cut away of the engine block is so beautifully lit in the night. Isn’t it gorgeous inside and out? Anyhow, 1am, and i really ought to sleep, but figured i’d leave you with some lustworthy pics… explore the next page, and i’ll keep you posted on pie tomorrow (we’re wandering out to the delicious Julian!)

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.12.11 , 11:12 -

Rocstor RocSecure Hard Drives

rocstor.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

I have no idea what type of data i’d have that would need to be kept this securely. Or if i did, i probably shouldn’t tell you! But somehow, everyone’s inner bond must secretly have something worth protecting, or just love the look of a hard drive that just screams “top secret information”… When i saw the Rocstor booth, there was a gravitational packaging/soft touch/designy hard drive pull i instantly succumbed to. Then i saw keypads and pass keys and usb keys, and i was hooked. And the RocSecure line is filled with encrypted portable hard drives! My favorite is definitely the new RocSafe MX, with real time hardware encryption, and the need to authenticate via a pin number (and a card!) on the hard drive itself before the computer can even see it. Others look sleek and have usb key tokens that are required to boot the drives… Regardless of whether you are hiding secrets, or just your family photos and music, doesn’t it just seem more fun? Take a peek on the next page at the booth, packaging, gorgeous hardrives, and more details on these super secure devices!

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.11.11 , 22:00 -

Urbanears Unboxing

urbanears00.jpg We first looked at Urbanears a while back when their stunning color themed ads started circulating… then, their CES booth was hard to resist. Well now, in the same beautifully colorful, minimalist design… i couldn’t resist showing you the origami like unboxing experience and product details. So much attention to detail, and clean playful designs! It literally unfolds and presents itself to you. Love the matte boxes, and the soft touch details… the extra connectors… and the built in microphones mean you never need to miss a call! Take a peek at the unboxing of their Tanto and Plattan models on the next page!

--> to more images

*notcot - , 20:00 -

Urbanears & Marshall Headphones at CES

ueces00.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

There’s something irresistible about a matte black wall covering glowing cubby holes… with ears in them… and gorgeously colorful headphones/earbuds… Such a visual and tactile wall of goodies at the Urbanears booth at CES! You can see their Tanto and Plattan over heads, their Medis that you twist to lock into your ear, and a peek at the new Bagis! They are also behind the much circulated Marshall headphones and earbuds, and had a fun amp display as well… A close up look at the smart packaging and products here… but first, check out the booth on the next page!

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.10.11 , 10:22 -

Sony Mystery Monolith

sony1.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Walking the show floor with Acquire Mag ~ he started describing how there’s this square thing over at Sony and it has shapes show up on it, and its on a bunch of slate… and of course i’m making fun of his vagueness as we wander towards it. Until we get there. Then there’s that moment of… oh. I see. Square mirrored thing… on a bunch of slate shards… and, oh, wait! Shapes. It’s a screen. Oh, it stopped… basically, only to realize his descriptions were pretty good, considering! Honestly, this monolithic mirrored screen object was begging to intrigue curiosity and frustration from all who stood there confused and mesmerized. I was half expecting someone to throw a piece of the slate into it, or knock it over. Instead, everyone just stood and stared and circled.

So, i’ve been stuck in CES land the last few days with minimal web… have YOU heard anything more? Sounds like the Gizmodo guys were confused too… i mean it IS next to a row of stunning TVs… the ones that sit so elegantly like a painting on a stand… is THIS the next TV? Is a pile of slate with no cables showing the stand? Is it an art piece? What do you think? See more pics on the next page…

--> to more images

*notcot - , 10:00 -

Oakley 3D Optics + Macallan 25 at CES

oakley3d1.jpg CES was a lot more relaxed this year when Friday night i hid out with Oakley’s 3D Optics Team and Macallan in a suite party and so many amazing friends popped by too… also the perfect way to get a relaxed, fun view of their new 3D glasses while sipping some delicious Macallan 25 (omg, so good) and also play with their ice balls… and the vegas views from up in the Aria were a gorgeous sparkling backdrop! And in between, i couldn’t help taking a bunch of silly pictures you’ll have to peek at on the next page!

Oh! And i learned a lot about the 3D glasses world too… i’ll admit at first i couldn’t understand why i needed some if i didn’t have a 3D tv, but imaging going to someone’s house who does have one (and not enough glasses for everyone) or bringing your own that are more comfortable, better optics (and definitely look better) than the ones in theaters? Also, who knows where those others have been??? Whether i’m ready to have a pair handy in my purse at all times remains to be seen… and imagine a sports bar looking like this? But i’m definitely warming up to the idea of having my own for when those 3D situations do pop up! Anyhow, back to the pics! See more pics of the view, the glasses, the Macallan, and more on the next page!

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.09.11 , 09:00 -

Joby Origami with Robert Lang at CES

joby0.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Truly one of the awesomest booth design discoveries in my first few minutes at CES, Joby’s newest iPad case Ori is so inspired by Origami, that they tapped THE origami guru, Robert Lang to help them make a stop motion origami video, as well as this gorgeous booth structure! The structure is an absolutely mesmerizing geometric multifaceted modular origami piece made up of 112 19.75” square sheets, one side mirrored, one side white. Each pyramid ends up about 12” per side, and the overall sculpture is 80” x 48” x 18”. It took about 2 days of folding and assembly! And they shipped it over WHOLE in a crate! Both Robert and the guys at Joby were kind enough to even send over making of pics… so check out not only booth pics and the stop motion video on the next page, but see it from a single folded piece to getting to the show floor as well!

p.s. Interesting how this piece and the Polaroid mirrored tessellation are similar…

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.08.11 , 17:25 -

Bluelounge’s iPad Nest

nest0.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Bluelounge launched their new Nest for iPads. Continuing along their motto of “Simple solutions to daily problems, transforming the most everyday item into objects of desire,” they have designed a simple little tray with a grippy edge and a little slide out lip to hold your iPad any which way. And being a functional tray, it ca hold your tchotchkes as well! In their usual fashion, there is a happy color palette to pick from! See how it works on the next page…

--> to more images

*notcot - , 16:35 -

Polaroid Booth at CES

polaroid1.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Polaroid’s booth had some lovely design details this year. Just to get it out of the way first, let’s acknowledge and move on from the whole Lady Gaga creative director and the grey label products press event. Ugh. Anyhow, what i liked over at their booth are the weird geometric mirrored tessellation growth protruding from within, their use of what looked like black painted raw wood which was a great contrast to the techy textures, and fun graphic design! Oh, and their huge polaroid framed screens really made me want one in my office flipping through NOTCOT.org posts! Take a peek at the details on the next page…

--> to more images

*notcot - 01.07.11 , 10:20 -

Syfy at CES

syfynew.jpg This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Syfy at CES! Giant sphere. Moving panels. So. Much,. Purple. And you can go inside! How could i resist? And then instead of staring at the barely clad girl dressed like a video game character i probably should know… i was staring at how the tracks worked to keep the sphere panels shifting… Also, the pictures don’t do it justice without seeing it in motion, so made you a little video on the next page too…

--> to more images

Copyright NOTCOT INC 2005-2019 - Privacy Policy - Work In Progress! Please be nice!
Advertisement