Nicole Martinelli - page 60

Seek shelter for your iPod Nano with a case made from a recycled cassette tape.

These one-of-a-kinds cost $45 each, with a $5 rebate for viral marketing. Only about a dozen are left.

They’re from Contexture Design in Vancouver, the smart folks behind cases made from old 45s for iPods. Those have already disappeared faster than mini-bruschettas at a press conference, however.

Contexture’s Nathan Lee told us the 45 iPod classic cases were a limited edition project and that they don’t plan in cranking out any more.

So get these while you can. Similar cases for newer Nanos to come, so keep an eye out.

Looks like the Apple logo, clears the air around your desk. Not sure how clean it’ll really keep the five cubic meters that surround you, but maybe it makes a nice white noise to drown out your office mates.

$22 from Brando.

Via Geeky Gadgets

Victoria’s Secret models Gisele Bundchen and Alessandra Ambrosio in between takes on an ad shoot busy with Mac laptops.

Nice to know that Brazilian beauty Bundchen — aka “I’m a Mac Home Movie” — hasn’t fallen into the Charlize Theron trap.

Funny how big those lap tops look poised on those tiny, model laps.

Seen an iCelebrity? Let me know.

Photo Credit: Gabriel Galvao

Apple products are so good-looking, they act as an integral as part of the interior design of your home.

That seems to be the idea, at least, behind a photo spread in October’s Casa Amica, monthly design supplement to Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

The Italians call it a “tecno minimal” look (click on photo for larger view), where your iPod Touch is the perfect complement to the gres coffee cups. You, minimalist homeowner, sip espresso while ogling an aluminum and marble Doimo kitchen from the screen. Or browse for a new kitchen with your iMac, perhaps this one with a slightly institutional feel, probably distracted by the lovely Philippe Starck glasses for Driade on your counter top.

Not so sure I buy the concept, but love the white ceramic espresso maker.

Spotted any Apple products in magazines, ads or movies? Let me know.

Hillary Duff is often papped with her iPhone 3G. This time, we’re pleased to note that Duff, who used to play clumsy but lovable Lizzie McGuire, appears to have a firm grip on it. And that no permanent damage was caused when she let the phone take a tumble.

Via Macenstein

A Canadian tech school with an apple logo was sent a letter from Apple lawyers, claiming the school’s green and blue symbol violates Apple’s trademark.

It won’t settle the lawsuit, but they’re posting the legal letter, news reports and a poll asking people what they think.

Over 6,000 people have voted, about 75% of voters in favor of the school.

Lawyers aside, The Victoria School of Business and Technology could probably benefit from a better-looking design.

What do you think?

Via The Mac Observer

Bally previewed Gismar, a hand-stitched calfskin leather case for the MacBook Air during Paris fashion week.

Available in black or white with a signature Bally clasp, the sleek envelope design wouldn’t look out of place in the clutches of Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.

Leathergoods company Bally, which started out as a Swiss silk ribbon weaving outfit in 1821, has been trying to rejuvenate its prestigious, if slightly creaky, brand. Designer Brian Atwood’s third collection launched this fall was decidedly more “Hotel California” than Silversea Cruise.

Available in Bally stores worldwide in December, price not available.

Thin is in.

For those of you who thought the Diamond Shuffle was a bit much, Swiss luxury accessories brand DEOS launched these diamond-encrusted covers designed for iPod and iPhone earbuds.

Prices for these handcrafted covers, which slip on earbuds, start at $4,500, for black and white diamond versions, climbing to $60,000 for earbuds dripping with pink, yellow or black diamonds.

Sure, they cost more than the actual device. Which is why some of the models, like the DEOS 32W, which has a full carat of diamonds and costs $5,000, comes with a complimentary Shuffle.

If you’d like to add a little splash to your morning run but don’t have the cash, Swarovski crystal versions run from $110 (demi-dipped) to $200 for the Full Monty.

Steve Goldstein, founder of the Geveva-based DEOS (Defining Expressions of Sound), said the idea is one whose time has come:

“Today there are more than 152 million earphones in the world. [It’s] a marvellous way of making a fashion statement. When you meet someone the person sees first your face and then looks at your ears…”

Don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that bling.

Via The Moodie Report

LOMME (Light Over Matter Mind Evolution) is cocooning for the aughts, or “a unique sleep experience and rejuvenation environment,” as the designers call it.

The fiberglass egg-shaped bed emits soothing sounds (from a built-in iPod), beams tired eyes with “color-therapy filtered lights,” and offers a variety of massage options.

All functions are controlled by a specially-programmed iPhone.

Created by a design trio based in Liechtenstein, only the price may not make you rest easy: around 40,00 euro, or about $55,000.

The Oscar-winning actress looks great, even with no makeup, unmatched sweats and tangled up in the cord of her iPod touch.
Got to wonder about that book she’s lugging titled “Diagnosis and Treatment for Multiple Personality Disorder.” Maybe it’s for new part, or maybe for juggling the life of a star-mom-perfume maker….

Next time she might try going for cover under an iPhone.

Via Celeb Slam

From Juicy Couture, the people who made terrycloth sweat suits hot, come three iPhone jelly cases in bright pink, blue and yellow with logo tags.

Hopefully some of the butter-fingered celebs who made Juicy famous will protect their iPhones with these, declaring “iChoose Juicy,” instead of “assistant go get me another phone” to the world.

$55 for a set of three. Available for pre-order.

Movie stills for forthcoming chick flick “Confessions of a Shopoholic” show star Isla Fisher sitting in front of a MacBook. She’s pretty in pink and so is her computer case.

The movie, based on Sophie Kinsella’s book of the same title, is about a 25-year-old financial journalist who can’t stop overheating her credit cards. And finds a wealthy husband. Or something like that.

Film producers didn’t have to go too far to put a Mac in the movie.

On page 335 of the book, the Becky Bloomwood character has “a crisp copy of the Financial Times under one arm, a pair of tortisehell glasses perched on my head, my clunky executive briefcase in one hand and an AppleMac laptop (sic) in the other. Maybe I over did it.”

Nah, we think it’s just the right touch.

The iPhone 3g arrived in Russian stores Friday. They cost a pretty ruble — 23,000 and 27,000 or about $900 and $1,000 for the eight and 16 gigabyte versions — causing some early adopters to spend as much as they make in a month on the gotta-have-it handset.

Retailers weren’t expecting long lines, though. Apple resellers are using a don’t call us, we’ll call you approach, asking potential buyers to leave contact details.

“We already have more than fifty people on our list, so it is better to leave your number and we will call you when your phone is ready for pick up,” he said. Most dealers, such as Evroset and Svyaznoy are also accepting advance orders.

This is a good thing, since temperatures in Russia are already brisk and wet.

Videos show a few very subdued customers waiting in bank-like settings for their new phones.

Although the arrival of the 3G version was sufficiently hyped (as per the “iSoon” billboard above) retailers don’t expect a stampede because uber-early adopters have already bought them on the gray market…

Sales expectations for the former U.S.S.R. are 3.5 million handsets by the end of 2009.

Via Moscow News

Designers have tried before to integrate tech with clothing, mostly resulting in stuff you should buy, stick in a box and sell 20 years from now rather than wear today.

Exception made for Julieta Gayoso’s Indarra line, which includes this Touch Pad Jacket with wireless controls for your iPod that allow wearers to pump up the volume, turn it down or skip tracks while on the move. (The controls even look like Apple icons, so people won’t think you’re randomly poking yourself).

The design’s simple and practical enough to actually wear, with a waterproof finish, zip-out 3M lining and plenty of pockets. The limited-edition numbered topper, which also comes in also comes in “iron moss” and black, retails for about $275. Argentine Gayoso, who started designing tech-friendly clothes in 2006, also offers a line of basics for women.

Smart clothes that actually look smart. Now there’s an idea.

Via Reuters

A baby bottle with Apple logo for all those budding macists…
Perhaps they should’ve gone with something more like iNourish?
Also easy to see how “suck different” is open to a host of interpretations. Cute idea, though.

Via Kockicica

If you’re the logo type, Louis Vuitton has launched a new iPod Widescreen case.
It’ll set you back $290, but hey it’s got “Armagnac leather lining.” And a belt loop.

The next time you’re stuck in traffic, start stumping for Obama.
That’s the idea behind the Obama for America iPhone app, free for download on iTunes.
It organizes your contacts “by key battleground states” and keeps an anonymous record of your virtual campaign trail. And if you haven’t got a move on yet, it’ll tell you where the nearest Democratic headquarters are and keep you updated on local events.

While it seems a little full-on for the armchair activist, kudos to iPhone dev’er Raven Zachary for the idea.

Via Cnet

Japanese designer Jun Takahashi’s all white collection for Undercover in Paris this week included a coat with a clear plastic iPhone ready pocket. In a nod to animé, Takahashi designed the clothes for an “alien race called the Graces,” according to a sign at the entrance.
Cool idea, too bad it is one of the more awkward offerings in an otherwise stunning collection. Next time make it iPhone friendly and gorgeous, kay?

Via Fashion Spot

Calling it the world’s first monthly comic series for children on the iPhone and iPod touch, EyeCandy is available on iTunes.

The $.99 comic, described as “goofy” by creator PJ Holden as he walks through features, can be stripped down to the ink or pencil layers for digital finger painting. It exploits the iPhone platform for sound, vibration and an accelerometer. Each issue comes with extras, like a pony toy (shake the iPhone and it whinnies) in the cowboy-themed first issue, so a lot of busy time for your buck.

EyeCandy is a heroic come back by Infurious Comics, whose MURDEDROME was rejected by Apple for sale on iTunes out of concern over adult content.

The boys in Belfast are valiantly trying to put a positive spin on the situation, describing safe for children release as “hot on the heels of the rejection” of the adult comic.

While we’re not against kiddy apps, it’s a shame there isn’t more for grown-ups who need a little displacement activity during meetings.

Still embarrassed for them, those nice Jonas Brothers sporting purity rings at the VMAs. These Hanson clones seemed determined to make the Aughties not very naughty. At least they have cool gear.

Here Kevin picks up shirts from a dry cleaners, keeping his iPhone 3g in hand. Remember, always true to you darling, in my fashion.

Photo: courtesy Bauer-Griffin

It’s soft. It’s cute. It’s an iPhone, in felt.

It has no practical purpose we can ascertain, unless you count baby geek toy or dog bauble. Oh wait, the guy who made it says it’s not suitable for either of those things.

Still, it’s one-of-a-kind and uber cute. (Did I already mention that?) And, unlike the apple-shaped iPod shuffle cover in felt, which is adorable but we can’t get behind because the colors are wrong, this seems about as faithful as you can get. Using felt.

If you have to have it, bidding starts at $25 plus $5 shipping on eBay.

Via Geekologie

Aptly named “wowPod,” this giant interactive sculpture of an iPod was created by Russian artists Aristarkh Chernyshev and Alexei Shulgin. The working iPod (inspired by this model?) with the fun-house mirror effect must especially good for those Grateful Dead tunes.

Via Make.

Too loud, too tinny, not any good. Our fault? No, way. Rusted rockers Metallica are blaming the iPod for ruining their sound, specifically the rattle and hum on latest effort ‘Death Magnetic.’ Fortunately, the WSJ is on the case (love the stipple portrait of Rick Rubin):

“The battle has roots in the era before compact discs. With vinyl records, “it was impossible to make loud past a certain point,” says Bob Ludwig, a veteran mastering engineer. But digital technology made it possible to squeeze all of the sound into a narrow, high-volume range. In addition, music now is often optimized for play on the relatively low-fidelity earbuds for iPods, reducing incentives to offer a broad dynamic range.”

Making Metallica’s clatter barely listenable on an iPod.
For better or worse, iPods have changed the way we listen.  The first time I really heard Mick Jagger singing backup on “You’re So Vain” it was on a secondhand first-generation iPod.

Anybody else?

Disney star Vanessa Hudgens plays peek-a-boo with the paps from behind her iPhone on the streets of Beverly Hills. Not surprisingly, after a few steps Hudgens needed to see where she was going and dropped the stance.

The iPhone, however,  continued to protect and serve as she speed dialed her mom (or therapist?)  for solace.
Funny, it doesn’t look like she was having a bad skin day, maybe she just wants to get in on the game of match the celeb with the cell phone.

The sharp-eyed folks at iphone savior spotted a MacBook Pro cameo on the season premiere of The Office.
In it, receptionist Pam appears in the Scranton branch from New York via iChat video.

While it’s easy to understand that Office followers — wry code monkeys and creative types alike — would appreciate the nod, Dunder Mifflin seems so much more PC than Mac.

How many places like that use MacBook Pros?