Core77

Today Samsung released their green "Eco-Phone," made of corn-based bioplastics and lacking in harmful lead, mercury and cadmium. They're also Energy-Star-rated, and an alarm feature beeps when the battery's topped off, so you don't leave it plugged in and drawing juice. For now, the Eco-Phones are only available in South Korea.

via akihabara news

Weekly finds from the 3D world:

Rhino
Ashlar/Vellum releases Grasshopper, a graphical algorithm editor for Rhino that requires no scripting

Multiple Packages
Google Trends analysis of major 3D CAD companies - results may surprise you

If you've ever seen a construction worker hoist a manhole cover open, you know why they're built the way they are. Here to provide some assistance is the Magswitch Manhole Lifter System, an ingenious combination of a simple lever and an on-off magnet; the 23-lb. tool will hoist 400-lb. manholes with no problem. And the price? "Very affordable when compared to the cost of injury," says the manufacturer's website. Wonder if that means it costs an arm and a leg.

via tool monger

As more and more design ideas trickle down from the megaplex into our living rooms (and vice versa), futuristic movies become self-fulfilling prophesies. The latest news? Sneakerheads and sci-fi geeks, come together in rejoicing! After years of pestering by concerned fans, Nike has finally dropped the Marty McFly Hyperdunk. Hold on to your hoverboard, this is the shoe from Back to the Future 2 (more or less - no automatic lacing). They're fly alright, but I'm still holding out for the jacket with extendable sleeves.

Bonus sneaker news from The Dieline: check out the packaging on this totally wacky lobster-themed Dunk edition, "inspired by the New England fishing community."

Whether you're a minimal purist or stuck in a small apartment with limited counter space, you might want to consider Plus Minus Zero's latest offering, an electric kettle. Bordering on the ordinary, the small cylindrical kettle would look perfect with a coupe of ±0 mugs.

View more from their 5th Collection.

Boing Boing TV gets a peek behind the scenes with Charles Ogilvie at Virgin America. As one of the most service focused airlines, they're about to offer wireless internet, and following the spirit of linux used to run their in-flight entertainment system, they're holding a competition for open source game submissions.

boingboing.net

Didn't prof's always say drawing shoes was like drawing cars? Take a look at the Virtual Shoe Museum for more proof that ID and fashion are closer than ever before. There's a ton of mind-blowing options you can sort through by color, material, use, type....the list is endless. Here's one of our faves, the Agila City Heels, by Luca Stappers for the launch of Opel's new Agila City Car.

A bunch more after the jump...

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A bite-sized list of what's happenin' now:

calgary herald
Architects forge path to sustainable spaces

h.k.d.c
Hong Kong Design Centre now open to the public

cosmo worlds
Decorate Life show in Frankfurt starts tomorrow

renewable energy marketing
Registration Now Open for National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference 2008

ample sample
"Rethink. Reuse. Upcycle." Ample Sample design contest winners

harrington immersion program
Designing the learning environment: 19 students, 5,000 sq. ft., 2 months, $600 budget

le cool
Le Cool's "Four Cities, Four Designers, Four Guidebooks"

The Ovei home cinema pod launched at this year's CEDIA UK show with a price tag of £50,000. Designed by Lee McCormack--founder of the online community 'designers are wankers'--and engineered by McLaren Applied Technologies, the pod has been in development for six years. Core was first introduced to the Ovei when it was formally known as the Oculas at the London Design Festival in 2006.

The pods immersive environment is customized to the client's specifications, tailored for gaming or home cinema use. The hand crafted leather interior features climate control, ambient lighting, 5.1.soundscape and personal computing all controlled via a Wi-Fi touch panel control system. Just choose a color scheme, drop in a PS3 or Xbox and you're good to go.

via KanYe west

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French design collective Duende have used a technique that can transform human or animal milk into plastic by solidifying the casein content. The 'Perle de lait' range of jewelry will be on display as part of their collection of objects exploring the relationship of food between mother and child at La Cuisine. This takes the concept of bespoke jewelry to whole new level.

La Cuisine
September 13 - November 15, 2008
3, place du Monument aux Morts
82800 Nègrepelisse
France

via gizmodo