W Power 2024

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

A collection of notable events, latest consumables and interesting websites

Published: Mar 12, 2010 08:33:32 AM IST
Updated: Mar 26, 2010 02:46:00 PM IST

LIVING


What a Tap!

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

Algae isn’t something one associates with home decor. But Dutch designer Mandy den Elzen uses it to stunning effect with the Algae Vase. It is made from Laminaria leaves which are boiled and processed when still moist, moulded, and coated with acrylic resin which gives it strength and resilience. While the material’s translucency lends itself to use in illumination, it can also be used for indoor wall panelling and the manufacturing of various forms of artwork.

For more details: mandydenelzen@hotmail.com +31 6 4633 2859

New Leaf

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

Gessi’s new Goccia series, designed for Gessi by Italian designer Prospero Rasulo, is inspired by the fluid quality of water and the shape of a drop. Goccia saves 50 per cent water, thanks to the electronic sensor tap with a self-powered illuminating LED. On placing your hands under the spout, water (coloured blue or red via the LCD lighting, depending on the water temperature) automatically flows through. Goccia comes in chrome-plated brass, brushed chrome, velvety white and velvety black finishes. Looks good enough to place in the living room.

For more details: FCML India, Tel: (011) 2680 0482/92. or Email: store@fcmlindia.com


CAUSES

Tax-Savers
GiveIndia (www.giveindia.org ), a non-profit itself, conducts due diligence on charitable organisations, offering potential donors feedback reports for their donations. In short, they help the philanthropically-minded to find trustworthy charities in India. This March, they are hosting the India Tax Saving Challenge, to help non-profits take advantage of tax-saving investment time. GiveIndia will be making matching grants (up to a total of Rs. 20 lakh across categories) for NGOs that raise the most funds, that attract the most donors, and so on. They tell us that a similar event in September 2009 got more than Rs. 90 lakh from around 5,000 donors.

For more details email tarika@giveindia.org.

TECHNOLOGY

The Big Picture

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

Epson’s new EH-DM3 home is an all-in-one home cinema projector.It is a projector, DVD player and speaker system in one unit. (Quibble: We’d have preferred a Blu-ray player built-in.) At any rate, the mouth-watering price puts an end to any misgivings we may have harboured.
It features:
- A contrast ratio of 3,000:1 and high brightness of 2,000 lumens means you can still enjoy Sleepy Hollow with the
lights on
- HDMI input and supports 1080p. However, it can only output a maximum resolution of 960x540 pixels
- A lamp-life of 3,000 hours in normal mode and 4,000
in eco mode
Rs. 49,900, www.epson.co.in

Courtesy T3

Simple Back-Up

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

Seagate’s new backup appliance, the Seagate Replica, eliminates the need to learn, manage, or dedicate any time to the backup process. It automatically and continuously stores up-to-date copies of everything, including applications, the OS and settings. Connect a single USB cable, click OK to the software license and the entire PC is backed up. The Replica continues to run behind the scenes so that no further interaction is required.

Price: Rs. 9,000 (single user, single PC).
Website: www.seagate.com/replica

Courtesy Chip

 

Extrovert

 

Algae Vase, Motorola Backflip and a Trustworthy Charity

First the Droid and now the Backflip! Motorola surely knows how to christen its phones. This unique Android phone opens like a book. But unlike its peers, the full QWERTY keyboard isn’t on the inside, but on the back of the phone and hence the name. Moto promises that the keyboard will take to the rigours of daily life with ease. The package also includes a 3.1-inch touchscreen, 5-meg camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 2GB internal memory and a 3.5mm audio jack.

TBC, www.motorola.com

Courtesy T3


Imaging: Minal Shetty

 

(This story appears in the 19 March, 2010 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

Post Your Comment
Required
Required, will not be published
All comments are moderated