Humorous at first, then ingenious at second thought. That was my impression on this tie from self confessed “pasta-philic” project, I Love Pasta. The tie gives the impression of an over-zealous pasta eater who just couldn’t keep the noodles in his mouth. Uniting the power of culinary yummy-ness and modern design, the pasta tie is a brilliant use of visual stimuli which definitely caught our eye. This tie doesn’t exist yet in any market, but we sure hope to see it available eventually. Next we want to see the “I Love Bananas” Pants. — Andrew Dobrow

I Love Pasta tie / Cookbook [Design Spotter]

Here’s a really cool design concept from designer João Sabino. The Helium Lamp is made out from a latex balloon material, which then has conventional lighting installed inside. The 1.8m balloon creates the illusion of beautiful floating light that dazzles spectators and house mates alike. We can imagine in sucking horribly if it were to float away or pop. — Andrew Dobrow

Helium Lamp [João Sabino, via Neatorama]

Reading through our site recently, you might have built up some paranoia from some of these inconspicuous GPS devices we have talked about. If you’re convinced you’re being followed, the All In One Counter Surveillance Device could help give you some peace of mind.

The device can supposedly track and notify of any real time GPS devices. Though what paranoia device would be complete with just a GPS notifier? Besides finding stashed GPS devices, the device also warns of CCTV video cameras, phone line taps including Internet and IP phones, and laser eavesdropping equipment. It can also be used to prevent audio bugs. And if all fails, you can use it to hit those in the head who look at you odd.

If you’re ready to take your paranoia to a new level, pick up one of these Counter Surveillance do-dads for $350 and allow yourself a good night’s sleep. Even if it will cause everything else electronic related to malfunction and jam. — Andrew Dobrow

Product Page [Amazon, via NaviGadget]

The Stewart Milne Group has revealed their design prototype for a luxury house which is environmentally healthy as well. The house is equipped with wind mill turbines, a chimney solar panel, and devices for water conservation. The Milne built house will be a totally carbon free powered dwelling. The house has upper floor terrace balconies to enhance the amount of outdoor room in urban areas and super insulated walls for optimal heat and energy use.

The Milne Group says that the design of this house is to demonstrate that eco-friendly homes with low to zero carbon emissions is possible for an affordable production price. The flexible interior spaces allow for easy alterations without affecting the structural soundness. The renewable energy sources allow the house to be a luxury quarter for the green man. The evironmental add ons do add an additional 20% on to the price of the house, but for saving the planet, that’s hardly something to stick your nose up at. — Andrew Dobrow

Company project Page [Stewart Milne Group, via Luxist]

It’s no surprise that most household plants end up being crooked because of their affinity for growing towards the sun. This is a sign of novice design. People forget to rotate their potted plants to ensure a steady growth on all sides. The Sun Tracker takes some of the burden off of the plant owner.

The lopsided potted plant gets placed on the Sun Tracker’s platform and slowly rotates to follow the sun’s rays with the plants’ needs. The Sun Tracker has two different speeds (depending on your distance from the equator?) and can hold up to a morbidly obese plant weight of 40 lbs. All you need is 3 C batteries and you’re good to go. Hopefully your plants don’t start calling you off the hook for treating them so well. Check it out and own it for $30. — Andrew Dobrow

Sun Tracker Plant Swivel [Improvements Catalog, via Home Improvement Ideas]

Who hasn’t had the dream where they are walking around naked in a daze and no one seems to notice, only to realize that you are in outer space building a space station. Anyone? Anyone at all? Ok, well, maybe that’s just us. The point is that this dream doesn’t have to be a dream for long, or at least it will be somewhat possible. Space Station Tycoon (by the creators of popular PC game, Roller Coaster Tycoon) is on its way to the Wii, says IGN’s, Matt Casamassina.

Along with the game will come a whole new world of colorful characters and environments. According to Casamassina, players will take the role of “a wet-behind-the-ears kid named Shawn, and his sarcastic monkey friend Tam.” Wow, it’s so eerily like our dream that it’s scary!

Space Station Tycoon project manager, Brent Fox says:

“We have always been drawn to the creative spirit of Nintendo. They have been willing to try something new and different and support the kind of games we want to make. Everyone at Namco Bandai Games has been a lot fun to work with on this wacky project with monkeys and pirates in space. I can’t think of a better fit for this game other than the Wii. I know a lot of people give an answer like this, but they’re all speaking the truth - working on this system rocks.”

The game will include 30 main characters, a funny story line and of course, some major space station customization. There is also expected to be a co-op and party mode which would allow teams among the online world. This game looks like it’s out of this world.

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Musicians are a different breed from the rest of us. They drink, they drug, and almost all of them seem to smoke. Which makes this Smokey Amp so fitting for the traveling musician. Shaped conveniently like a pack of cigarettes, so you’ll never lose your “cool” factor, the Smokey Amp is a high performing amp (for its size), packed into a cancer stick sized box.

While the Smokey Amps are not technically “affiliated” with any cigarette company, they might as well be. Available in a selection of popular brands, including Camel. One of the little square batteries will give you 10 hours of playing time from its 0.5w output. Reviews of the little guy seem all around very good, despite the lack of spec information on the product’s site. The Smokey Amp is available for $45. Check it out for yourself! — Andrew Dobrow

Smokey Amp Product Page [Firebox]

German bankruptcy administrators issued a statement today saying that they have given up finding buyers for the failed BenQ Mobile company in Germany, so what’s going to happen is that the company furnitures, pot plants and computers will go on eBay. Yes you heard that right, it’s eBay literally. Some of the assets will also be sold on the Insolvency’s website, with bargains starting at 1 euro. If you would like to pay your last tribute to the company, this is your chance. –Sam Chan

Artlcle [Reuters]

 

We have seen fridges that can defrost chicken and grow strawberries, but we have never encountered the one John Cornwell built, a fridge that can launch beers.

Have you ever gotten up off the couch to get a beer for the umpteenth time and thought, “What if instead of ME going to get the BEER, the BEER came to ME???” Well, that was how I first conceived of the beer launching fridge. About 3 months and several hundred dollars later I have a fully automated, remote controlled, catapulting, man-pit approved, beer launching mini-fridge.

He’s also been getting thousands of fan mails trying to order the fridge from him, which would cost 2500USD. Ouch, we’d rather place our fridge next to the couch.

Building parts explained [John’s personal page]

Heck, how does that work? No photoshop, no fancy tricks; works on any of your lights at home, too.

We have the answer after the jump.

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