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This is an interesting personal computer concept based on the idea of a familiar and everyday device that could be improved with the next-generation technologies in order to create a high-end mobile companion.



It would provide the user with most computing functionalities but its shape limits its capabilities. For example you could use the cup-shaped computer for storing files, organize them, sharing and as a projector on the desk.



The technologies that could be used to create such a device include holographic touchscreen, infrared connectivity which removes the need for USBs, and an intuitive user interface.
The Cup uses the plate to integrate the battery charger, while on the cup we find the blue LED light which indicated when it’s On or Off, the holographic projector lens, a logo and the intuitive user interface system.



Do you think the Cup is a useful PC concept?

AlphaGrip is a concept of high-speed high-performance handheld computer meant for gamers, or people who work on the go and maybe who like pressing on buttons, like me.
It features handwriting recognition so you can use a stylus to write on the screen, 10-finger touch typing, thumb-controlled trackball, and buttons positioned in such a way to increase texting speed significantly with up to 200%, regardless on the user position, location or space around.



According to its designer, AlphaGrip provides full-size keyboard functionality in an ultra mobile computer, and with the back surface of the device housing multi-directional keys it enables typing 2-3 times faster than a thumb keyboard.

What I don’t like is the design. It seems to look more like a game controller rather than a mobile computer, and I’d prefer a convertible tablet PC look for such a device, but the designer wants to attract all market sectors, from software engineers and graphic designers to reporters and gamers.



I would choose it though because of its small form factor measuring 6 5/8 inches tall, 6 3/8 inches wide and 3 ½ inches deep, with the optional foldable display of just 3 inches in diagonal and 1 ¾ tall.



Well, i told you my opinion about AlphaGrip and now it's your turn.
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Smartchef is one of the finalists at NextGen PC Design Competition that started in 2007, finishing this year, and is meant to become the best technology solution for people who spend considerable time in the kithen, their or at restaurants.


You wouldn’t have to be a Chef at the restaurant to need Smartchef because it comes with all the features that help improve your lifestyle, health and cooking skills. You’ll see it is a complete portable PC concept for this specific use and is able to transform even laziest people into expert cookers.



This computer concept has two parts: the mart cutting board of 13 x 20 x 3 inches on which you cut the ingredients and the portable tablet measuring 8 x 9 x 1 inches which you can carry with you wherever you go.
But let’s get to the most important part of the story – what you would use Smartchef for.
In the morning you and your life partner have a plan about what you could prepare for the Saturday dinner when you celebrate 2 years since your first date. You already made the invitations so you know that some of your guests are vegetarians. You’ll have to satisfy both sides.



Smartchef’s touch-sensitive tablet is ready to show you tens of recipes you can choose from and you like them all because you have selected them last night from its database on the Internet.
Now you have to choose again depending on a few factors like number of calories contained in the ingredients and maybe change some of them or mix more recipe versions to create the best foods for Saturday.



After this step you go to the market place to buy what you need to prepare the foods and Smartchef will be there with you to show you details about each vegetable or meat type you buy, even the country where it grows and what other vegetables it is related with. It knows that you are on diet for a month and can recommend you what to replace with what in order to create a delicious recipe that doesn’t affect your health, increase the cholesterol and disturb fat equilibrium.
Back in the kitchen now! Place the tablet on the cutting board and follow the cooking instructions step by step!



Ooops! The cutting board’s sensors detected that the chicken meant is too fat. Smartchef tablet displays the number of calories and other details and recommends you to remove the fat on the margins.
Now you’re done and you know also how a few food arrangements that look good to impress your guests.
Don’t worry about the desert if you don’t have enough free time to cook it before Saturday, because Smartchef will take care of it too. It connects wirelessly with the cooking machines and knows when to stop the heating in there and alert you to come and get it.



If you loved the foods don’t forget to share the recipes with the other friends over the Internet connectivity!
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Have you seen Siafu before? If yes then you know it is not a very complex PC concept but it brings the basic functionalities required by people with vision impairment or vision loss, transforming a standard user interface into an intuitive one.


This is done via the digitally tactile interface from a flat surface encased in magneclay concept material, which can to morph upward into any shape, and you can translate this into the generating of infinitely refreshable Braille displayed in a book-like format.



People with this type of disability can access even 3D relief images and photo reliefs.
It measures 12 x 20 x ¾ inches and with this form factor it can replace the 5 devices existent on the market today, that are needed by visually impaired: monitor, keyboard, refreshable Braille output, microphone, and speakers.
The user can do everything that a person with no eye problems can, from browsing websites to navigation through menus, and this is done via the integrated keyboard and the full Braille page display.



Additional features improve the user experience making things easier and here we have voice commands, text reading software and the text-to-Braille convertor.
For its exterior the designer had the idea to add stained and polished teak wood because it gives a soft touch feeling and doesn’t get too cold, while the Siafu margins should be rounded so they can’t harm the user.



To sustain the idea of ergonomics the designer wants to use the magneclay material which would be a combination of oil-based synthetic agent with morphing capabilities, and with its loose molecular structure can rearrange when prompted by electrical and magnetic charges.
This conceptual material does not require maintenance and is also recyclable.



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ProsperPC is an idea of personal computer optimized to be used by the entire family, improving lifestyles and simplifying things.



It works as a central unit that monitors all your home environment and that can alert family members of wasted resources or regulates the energy usage when it passes the normal limit.
It not only connects and monitors all the other devices in your home but registers the levels of air and water quality using specially designed sensors embedded inside ducts, gas lines, water lines and all electrical outlets.



This type of detailed information would help the users know exactly on what appliances to save money and what consumes less.
The personal computer functionality refers at when ProsperPC helps those that live in the house to remember their schedules, sending them reminders via messages, or when it displays media on the TV for the entire family gathered in the living room.
It is an interesting computer concept that doesn’t look too futuristic in my view and it could probably be developed in the near future.



The designer sees it consisting of 4 main parts: the portable display unit of 9-ich high, 12-inch wide and 2-inch deep, a secondary unit, the remote control of 6 inches long, 2 inches wide and ¾ inches deep, and an appliance adaptor, with their construction made of injection molded recycled plastic housings with snap enclosure details.
Because for the internal elements co-molded rubber sleeves would be used, the device would be protected against shocks and noise.



For the user interface, ProsperPC comes with a full touch-sensitive surface with a displayed or projected keyboard for easy typing and each family member has to be authenticated through the biometric sensor before being able to control the computer.
The portable unit can be used as a normal laptop with embedded stand and cooler and it is powered by a battery that charges when the unit is placed in the special base that is hardwired into the electric system. Same recharging process is adopted by the remote control while placed in the holster hung below the base.



Here are the technical aspects detailed:
“If ProsperPC is hardwired into the electrical system, it has direct contact with the home’s breaker box to monitor electrical output. However, to update with future technology, the device could wirelessly communicate with intelligent breakers monitoring electricity for the home and appliances plugged in. An option for the system’s power is to upgrade to photovoltaic cell windows. Here the PV windows are intelligent and shade automatically to aid ProsperPC with the most effective means of climate control.”



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