Search giant Google has acquired Gecko Design, as part of its Google X Projects initiative. The California-based firm is known for designing products for a number of clients including Aliph’s Jawbone, FitBit and HP. Basically  it works at the mechanical design work It is known to have done all the mechanical design work for the original FitBit tracker.

“Gecko was founded in 1996, and the company has worked with Yves Béhar’s Fuseproject and Frogdesign on past projects, firms which had a hand in the development of some of the most iconic gadgets brought to market in the last decade,” states Techcrunch. 

Some of Google’s most ambitious projects, including Google Glass and its driverless car, diabetes monitoring lenses have come out of the Google X projects labs. With Gecko design in its fold, we should soon expect some more cool hardware from the tech company. 

Initially, there were rumours that Google was looking to buy a wearable device maker like Jawbone, but later decided to team up with a partner instead. It has now teamed up several OEMs like Motorola, Samsung and LG, who are building wearables running Android Wear.

Moreover, the company will require design expertise for its other projects like Glass that it aims to make a mainstream product. “Google X needs design expertise as it works to shape cutting-edge technology into consumer and commercial products. Examples include Google Glass, the connected eyewear; Iris, the smart contact lens; and Loon, the high altitude balloons that provide Internet access to remote locations,” reports The Wall Street Journal.

Google hasn’t disclosed any details regarding this acquisition including the financial terms. Gecko President Jacques Gagne is expected to join Google’s X research division with four other employees next month.  

You may wish it away, but the selfie is here to stay, with tech companies, social media sites and even products all jumping on to the ‘I love my own face and I will photograph it’ bandwagon.  And it’s not been too hard to do, given that almost every phone out there comes with a fairly decent front facing camera.

So creating cameras that are just for selfies is really just a logical first step. And really, why not make it look different? And while we’re on the topic… Why not shape it like a perfume bottle? That seems to be the logic behind Sony’s decision to create – yup you got it – a selfie camera designed like a perfume bottle.

According to a report on Engadget, Sony is hoping to capture the trend in China where selfies for girls are the norm. Interestingly the girls also love to put a “Chanel perfume bottle case onto their phones,” adds the report and this is what Sony is hoping to capitalise on.

According to the report,”Sony is seizing this opportunity by releasing a new Cyber-shot camera that not only looks like a perfume bottle, but its big lens — encased in a clear brick with a gold accent — can also be flipped around to suit your needs.”

The camera could be launched on 22 August and Sony has put out a teaser for the same on its Chinese website. The camera is also likely to come with WiFi, NFC connectivity.

Another report on The Verge points out to an earlier Japanese report by Digicame Info, which said that camera called “the KW1 would have a small 1/2.3-inch 19-megapixel sensor and a 23mm-equivalent f/2 wide angle prime lens.” It appears to be more than the regular point-and-shoot camera according to The Verge report and will come with Wi-Fi, NFC, and app compatibility as well.

From the image on the China website, it looks like the Perfume bottle camera is for real.

More photos that claim to show components Apple will use in its iPhone 6 have leaked online. After publishing a set of leaked images last week, Feld & Volk - a company that sells luxury modified iPhones - has posted a new set of clear, high-resolution pictures showing the iPhone 6's front panel and power button.
There's not a whole lot we can gather from these photos (via Mac Rumors), but they do appear to be consistent with previous leaks we've seen. The images showing the front plate suggest that the iPhone 6 could have rounded edges similar to that of the iPad Air.
Here's what the inside of the iPhone 6's front panel supposedly looks like.

Feld & Volk via MacRumors

And another shot of the front shell showing where the home button would be. Notice the rounded edges.

Feld & Volk via MacRumors

This image supposedly shows a component Apple will use for the iPhone 6's Touch ID home button.

Feld & Volk via MacRumors

We expect to learn more about the iPhone 6 next month, when Apple is rumored to hold an event to introduce its new smartphone. In addition to a larger and thinner design, rumors suggest the next iPhone could come with a scratch-resistant screen made of sapphire and some improvements to its camera. Apple is expected to release two new iPhones this year, one with a 4.7-inch display and another with a bigger 5.5-inch screen, but it's unclear if they'll debut at the same time.

The much talked about Samsung Galaxy Alpha 
has been made official and it will go on sale in 150 countries from September. However, at this point, it is not clear which countries are likely to get the Samsung Galaxy Alpha first.

The leaks regarding the Samsung Galaxy Alpha had been pouring in for a while. At just 6.7 millimeters thick, it takes more than one or two design cues from the iPhone.

The features of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha are:

4.7 Super AMOLED Display

Octa-Core Exynos (1.8 GHz Quad + 1.3GHz Quad) processor; can include 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor in select markets.

12 mega-pixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front camera

2GB of RAM, 32GB of Storage

1,860 mAh

Fingerprint sensor, heart rate monitor, nano SIM, USB 3.0, 4G LTE

Android 4.4.4 KitKat

"The Galaxy Alpha was built and designed based on the specific desires of the consumer market. With an entirely new appearance, the Galaxy Alpha focuses on both beauty and functionality combining a stunning metal frame and slim, light weight design with the same powerful hardware and features users expect from a flagship Galaxy mobile device," said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communication at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha will be available in five color options - White, Gold, Silver, Blue, and Black.

A man in California has spent $35 000 turning his home into an amazing cat paradise. He is the owner of 18 cats who may now be the happiest cats in the world! The renovations include a spectacular and complex cat walkway. The walkway was designed by Trillium Enterprises.  There are also miniature cat stairways, spiral ramps, crawling spaces and a ventilation system designed to keep the cats healthy. The decor consists of bright natural colors and there are lots of plants. The home features four bedrooms and it is surrounded by lush gardens. If you like the idea of adding a cat friendly element to your home you can SEARCH FOR CAT FURNITURE HERE.

The new Terminal 3 building at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has recently captured everyone’s eye. The design by Rome-based architects, Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, took three years and a budget of US$1 billion dollars to complete.
With an internal area of 500,000 sq. meters and a length that runs 1.5 km, the new terminal building will increase the airport’s capacity to 45 million passengers per year. With an unusual form that is very similar to the double layer skin texture of a manta-ray, the airport has three-level concourse with a roof-span of 80 meters, all wrapped in a brilliant white double-layer shell perforated with metal and glass hexagonal shapes. Theses honeycomb-shaped panels provide natural light to fill the entire terminal (which is somewhat unusual for airport terminals), and the voids between the three concourses allow the light to reach even the bottom floors.
The internal details of the terminal all harmonize with the overall design, with white tree-shaped structures that serve as air-conditioning vents and check-in islands with stainless steel gates which bear the honeycomb design. The interior is just as futuristic as the rest of the building with curving roofs and conical support columns which have a cathedral-like look. They prevent travelers from feeling depressed or as if they are locked in a terminal. The honeycomb pattern is carried out throughout the entire building so that no voluminous spaces are left hollow. The vast and open interior, according to the architects, gives a feel of fluidity while also focusing on practicalities such as processing times, walking distances, ease of orientation and crowding.
The new Shenzen Terminal building shows not only the growing prominence of the surrounding area but also of China being a country with a continuing penchant for high-end architectural design. The Shenzen Airport Group is so thoroughly delighted by the design that they have decided to copyright it. As for the two designers, they are about to be launched into the front-line of high-design transport terminals thanks to this amazing feat of architectural design. Pictures of the new terminal can be seen below.

View of the new terminal from the top

Inside the spacious and naturally lit terminal

Tree-shaped structures are used as air-conditioning vents and check-in islands

Outside the terminal

Futuristic design

The honeycomb-pattern has been used extensively throughout the terminal

The design is both futuristic and sleek

Nowadays there are so many companies with instantly recognizable logos, but few people actually know the meaning behind these corporate symbols. Here are 10 modern day examples of company logos and the meanings behind them:
1. Amazon

The arrow which looks like a smiling face in Amazon’s logo has another meaning behind it. It is a representation of the wide range of items available for retail by Amazon, from A to Z.

2. Apple

The Apple logo is derived from the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible. The bitten apple represents the fruit from the “Tree of Knowledge”.

3. IBM

IBM’s logo has a hidden message for the whole world hidden in the Big Blue logo that represents it’s company. The white lines passing through give the appearance of the equal sign in the lower right corner, representing equality.

4. Mobil

Mobil’s logo itself does not represent anything, but the colors do. The red represents strength while the blue in the logo represents faithfulness and security.

5. FedEx

The FedEx logo looks simple and it’s hard to see what could be hidden within it. But looking closely at the space between the ‘E’ and ‘X’ in the orange Ex shows an arrow pointing forward. This arrow represents moving forward toward to the future.

6. Audi

Many have wondered what the four circles in this automaker’s logo mean. Well the four circles represent the 4 companies that were a part of the Auto-Union Consortium in 1932, namely, DKW, Horch, Wanderer and Audi.

7. BMW

BMW’s logo is a tribute to the company’s history in aviation. The logo shows a propeller in motion with the blue part representing the sky. This is due to the company’s role of building aircraft engines for the German military during World War II.

8. Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes’ tri-star represents the companies dominance over land, sea and air.

9. Toyota

There are three ellipses visible in the company’s logo. Each ellipse represents the heart of the customer, the heart of the product and the heart of technological progress.

10. Volkswagen

The Volkswagen logo simply shows the letter of the company’s initials. The word “Volks” is German for people, while “Wagen” is German for car.

Buying a smartphone that’s right for you can be a major hassle. Everyone uses their smartphones differently and hence prioritize the features they want from their new phone. Here is a list of Top 10 Smartphones that have been released in 2013 to guide you through your journey of choosing and purchasing your next smartphone.

10. Sony Xperia z1

What makes this Xperia so famous is it’s waterproof and dust resistant casing, a first for smartphones. The high powered 20.7 megapixel camera, along with the 2.2 GHz quadcore processor, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage along with a microSD slot make this a heavy performer. The downside is the 5 inch display which could be of better quality considering the high-end nature of the phone. The Sony Xperia Z1 can be bought from a Sony Store without a contract for $649.99 and is available in black, white and purple colors.
You can get one here

9. Motorola Droid Maxx

With a 3500 mAh battery, the Droid Maxx is one of the longer lasting smartphones in terms of battery life. Some of the exclusive Motorola features found in this phone include active notifications, always-on listening and Motorola Assist. The Motorola X8 processor and 32 GB internal storage allow for heavy data usage and processing. The 5-inch AMOLED display and Qi wireless charging capability make it standout from the other smartphones and the 10 megapixel camera is adequate for everyday use. The cost of the phone without contract is $499.99, which means the Droid Maxx is reasonably priced too. You can get one here

8. Samsung Galaxy S4

The Samsung Galaxy is one of the most popular smartphones nowadays, and is an amazing all-rounder. The 5-inch display is amazing and huge yet the phone feels compact in one’s hand. Samsung have also offered flexibility by including a microSD slot and a removable battery. The S4 also has many software enhancements which make it standout from all the other android smartphones in the market. The popularity of the phone means there is a large variety of accessories available for the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S4 costs $627.99 without a contract. You can get one here

 

7. LG G2

The G2 is slightly minimal, but the performance and the more than adequate camera make it a decent phone. The 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display looks amazing and the phone comes with Android 4.2.2 (a common software for LG phones nowadays). The downside of this phone is the placement of the power and volume keys on the backside of the phone which takes some time to get used to. The glossy finish of the phone may put off those of us who tend to have smudgy or sweaty hands. The LG G2 is available for $603.99 at full retail price. You can get one here

6. Moto X

The Moto X not only feels good in your hand, but it also has one of the best voice control functionality and active notifications display on the lock screen. The specifications for the Moto X are not the highest in today’s market and the camera had some issues at first (which were later fixed by an update). However, The Moto X has a very decent battery life and and feels good in your hands. The price of the 16 GB model without contract is $499, making it a great choice for those of us with a limited budget looking for a smartphone. You can get one here

5. Google Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 is the first phone to be released with the latest Android KitKat 4.4 software. With a Snapdragon 800 quadcore processor and 2 GB RAM, the Nexus 5′s performance is one of the best. The 8 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization means you can take decent photographs whenever needed. The phone comes with a lot of other features including Qi wireless charging. The price for all this performance is amazing value for money, with the the 16 GB version costing $349 and the 32 GB costing $399 (both prices are for SIM-unlocked phones). The Nexus 5 is amazing performance at a low price. You can get one here

4. Nokia Lumia 1020

With the best camera in any mobile phone to date, the Lumia 1020 is the phone of choice for those of us who use their smartphones primarily for photography. The 41 (not 14) megapixel camera with enhanced Carl Zeiss optics allows you to take the most high definition pictures out of any phone on or off this list. The only drawback is that there are limitations when it comes to compatibility of certain devices with Windows Phones (such as smartwatches), but Nokia has provided its own host of apps in an attempt to make up for the shortcoming. The Lumia 1020 can be yours, without contract, for $851. You can get one here

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung has put everything into the Galaxy Note 3, which is both incredible and frustrating at times. The Note 3 is the most powerful and capable Android device available in the market today with a 1.6 GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor and 3 GB RAM. The display is an amazing 5.7-inch Super AMOLED HD display. With a 13 megapixel camera, a storage capability of up to 64 GB (including microSD) and a 3200 mAh removable battery which allows you to go longer without having to charge, the Note 3 is a heavyweight in the world of smartphones. The non-contract price of the Note 3 is a reasonable $699.99. A small price for such a heavy performer. You can get one here

2. HTC One

With Android 4.3 software and a beautiful, well-built body, the HTC One is one of the best phones to come out this year. The 4.7-inch Super LCD display is something other manufacturers have been trying to replicate for years. The phone can perform too, with a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. The phone comes in 32 and 64 GB versions with no microSD slot. Dual mics, front-facing speakers and a camera with optical image stabilization are just some of the features of the HTC One. The only downside to the phone is the lack of depth in the photos taken from the 4 megapixel camera (which is very low for such a high-end phone). The HTC One costs $550 at full price. You can get one here

1. Apple iPhone 5S

The iPhone 5S has the same body as the iPhone 5, but comes with an improved 64-bit A7 processor and a home button which acts as a fingerprint reader. The Touch ID central home button makes it easy to unlock your phone and purchase apps. The already popular iPhone camera has been upgraded for the 5S along with improved iOS 7 software. The plus point of the iPhone is that most apps are released first for the iOS platform and with Apple’s hardware regulations, users are guaranteed consistent performance no matter which app they use. The high price is the only downside here, but with a non-contract cost of $849 for the top model, the iPhone 5S is well worth the extra dollars. You can get one here

Like children playing with paper by simply cutting and folding it, the ’peacock’ chair designed by canadian firm uufie is constructed from a single sheet of acrylic composite material. Taking its namesake from the feathered animal, whose billowing tail opens into an expanse of pattern and color, the recliner’s back rest fans open in the same way, propelling in a sweeping curve. a delicate, lace-like motif spreads throughout the framework, yet the design is only optically fragile as its material is made structurally strong through the thermoforming process. The woven-like arrangement casts dramatic shadows onto the surface of the floor. The seating unit is available in three versions, a limited edition in large and smaller sizes, in both color and white. uufie is presenting the variations of ‘peacock’ at design miami/ as part of galleria rossana orlandi collection, and is also currently on exhibit at spazio rossana orlandi,