Archive for the ‘blog’ Category
Coffee Cup with Built in Sleeve
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
One of our favorite inventors and designers, Scott Amron, has done it again. Using innovate materials and design to create a simpler product with better functionality.
Scott has created a disposable coffee cup with a built in sleeve. When a hot beverage is poured in the cup the sleeve swells to pad your hand from the heat.
Check out the video below to see it in action…watch to the end to see the product taken to the extreme 
RosePad
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
I remember back in the day when we first started using computers in school. I think my classroom had a Mac Plus and it was an instant hit with all my classmates. At the time, the applications were simple/intuitive to the point where simple point, click and drag was all we needed to do. We used it to draw and play games like Oregon Trail and Bolo (my all time fav).
A lot has changed. Students use computers in their everyday lives at school, home and in some cases keep one in their pocket. Whats going on in the world?…Oh I’ll go to Hulu and watch the latest Daily show; what is everyone up to? …lets head over to Facebook. Literally at their fingertips, students can find what they need courtesy of the web.
But has the classroom changed all that much? We have replaced handwritten papers with word documents and library research has been swapped with Google. But my fear is that schools have been too slow to adapt to newer web technologies and are quickly realizing that students are learning and creating in much different ways that in the past. Students are so connected outside of the classroom that they are fully immersed in online social networks, games and creating real content (blogs, tweets, status, videos, etc).
This disconnect or what we consider a gap…is what sparked the RosePad idea. Along with my other partners (Matt and Guillermo) we decided to create an education platform for secondary schools. We will take many of the features that social networks have such as messaging, collaboration and applications but focus that offering for schools. The applications are really the key as we plan on creating dynamic apps that allow for students to work together in real time whether it be a paper or simply a debate practice. See an example here http://www.rosepad.com/our-screencast/
3 weeks ago this journey started …keep posted on our progress with @rosepad ; also huge thanks to my incubaker family for supporting us.
tap water
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
The other day I was working out at the gym and was going attempting to get water into my mouth from the lousy water fountain. Seriously low arching water fountain with a weird taste…my face was basically touching the thing. The funny thing is that I have been experiencing this my whole life…the crappy water fountain with no water pressure and funky taste or color…WTF. Also, the water coming out of those things isnt as appetizing when you are watching the person in front of you is basically putting their entire mouth over the faucet…you know who you are.
Why are we using the same fountains as I had when I was 7 yrs old? The answer cant be using bottled water coolers…it cant be. The water is in this country is perfectly fine coming out of the tap…I live in SF and enjoy some of the best. A quick glance at google shows me that all current retailers are selling same fountains as the 1980’s. You would think that some of the manufacturers are thinking, why is the pressure always low, does it get worse over time?
The bottled water market
has literally exploded over the last few years and the factors range from public perception to “health” benefits of the bottled water. I think that we should add crappy water fountains to that list. Isn’t it true? If I cant find places to fill out my water bottle quickly and cleanly, why wouldn’t I buy a bottle.
What will get people to stop using bottled water? What would be more hygienic and efficient?
I just want every building to have a some sort of water bottle filler. Maybe it is something like the kinds you find in fast food restaurants or maybe its a bit fancier and you insert your bottle and take out a filled one. Force people to purchase refillable bottles to use the free taps. Im sure some cobranding could increase the amount of people who use tap vs bottled water (i.e. brita branded water fountain). Lets replace these ancient water fountains with a product we can use.
By the way…I love what I’m seeing out of NYC from Tapit which displays places in the city to refill your water jug. Their mission “But the TapIt network is not just about going bottle-less; less bottles, less recycling, less water privatization and extraction, it’s about understanding why those things are a problem and finding new and sustainable 21st century solutions.”
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You are 5 Minutes from Inbox Zero
Monday, January 11th, 2010
The Issue:
On a day to day basis, I find that I am most productive when I start by jotting down my priorities for the day. I often then try to budget how long each priority will take and make a schedule with it before responding email. I typically look at the number of emails I have, double it and that’s how long I estimate responding will take that morning. This is rarely accurate. The truth is, it tough to know how long clearing an inbox will take- until you go through each email.
Proposed Solution:
A Gmail labs/ plugin that tells you approximately how many minutes worth of emails you have to get to the coveted inbox zero. It may not be super accurate the first week or so, but overtime it could be. I’m not a developer, but I would guess it could consider many variables to do this, including:
- number of emails
- who they are from
- the length of the email
- the time or day you are responding
- emails you are cc’d on vs directly to you
…to name a few.
I imagine that it could eventually be able to even give you the number of minutes it has taken you to respond to an email in the past.
PS- Google people… if you’re reading this, I would also love the ability to ‘link’ to emails in from past conversations.. instead of copying & pasting large text blocks or forwarding separate emails.
PPS- I’m a gmail lover / user.. but I suppose this concept could work for any email platform.
Sponge in Style
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
A while back we interviewed Priscilla Barton, creator of the OXO MagTacks a genius product that added functionality in its simple style. Well, she has done it again!
We are loving these Smart Sponges with their retro styling. The sponges come wafer thin and expand before use saving space till you actually need them. The best part is each sponge is labeled so you never forget what you use it for! No more getting confused on which is for the countertop and which for the dishes.
Here is an excerpt from the Smart Sponge site on the sponges:
If you have guests or roommates that don’t have the same level of germ-consciousness as you do, i.e. if you’re a little OCD, these sponges will not disappoint. Keep your roommate from using the counter sponge for dishes. Or even worse, keep them from using the toilet sponge for the bathroom sink! Yuck!
Smart Sponges are now available. Put an end to sponge anonymity!
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Smart Phone, Smart Car…Why not Smart Volume?
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
As I was driving around sunny Southern California, running errands with my windows open, blasting music, I realized that at each stoplight my music was too loud, so I would turn it down. Then, when I started again, the music would be too quiet. I did some research and found that the cars already have a system to compensate for this. Lexus and Toyota have “auto sound leveling” which I did not know that I had on my prius. I tested it out and it seems as though it does not compensate for having the windows open- only for speed. I still have to turn the volume up when I open my windows, and sometimes even when I enter the freeway. Hopefully we see more speed related options coming out on cars. For example: the windows rolling up and A/C turning on at a certain speed.Future of Retail
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Increasingly I find people are going into stores with no intention of actually buying anything. They are going to stores to touch, try and ask questions about a product in person then jot down the description of the ones plan to buy so later they can go online to purchase it for less $ and have it sent directly to them. A trend like this which provides so much benefit to consumers is likely to grow, even at the detriment of retail stores.
What if stores just stopped holding inventory or distributing physical products all together? By taking the ‘Experience Store’ concept to the next level, stores could still offer an opportunity for customers to come in, look at sunglasses, try them on, ask if they float – and if they like them, they could even complete the transaction in the store (or opt to have the product info emailed). In this model, no products ever enter or leave the actual store. Instead of making profits from selling inventory, they would make money by leasing space directly to manufacturers who want to drive awareness and get products into consumers hands. Orders placed in the store could be referred directly to fulfillment centers managed directly by manufacturers.
Why stores might love this..
> they would save a great deal of space that would otherwise be taken up by inventory/ stock rooms. Thus allowing them to offer more product variety
> they would no longer have to worry about the risks of managing (theft, loss, damage, returns) / forecasting inventory (overstocking or stocking out)
Why manufacturers might love this..
>By side stepping the need to sell their products wholesale (typically 1/2 the retail price) to store fronts, they will be able to reap much much higher profitability by selling directly to the customer
>getting closer to the customer end consumer means they will be able to ramp up, cut or tweak production faster
Why consumers might love this..
> More product variety in stores
> Since stores will need a much smaller margin to cover their overhead (as they no longer carry inventory costs) the end price to consumers would be significantly lowered
> less shopping bags!
Despite all the pro’s there are still potential drawbacks to this strategy…
> It completely disrupts the way traditional distribution systems have been built, meaning lots of upfront $$ will be required to perfect it
>there are those times when we all like to have products immediately, in which case this system would not cut it.
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young innovation contest
Monday, August 10th, 2009
I was recently browsing thru the entries for the James Dyson Awards and came across some neat new concepts that I wanted to share. If you are unfamiliar with the award, it is a contest to uncover the best new product design, industrial design and engineering university level students all over the world.
Shrinking Milk Jug – I have actually seen this one on a few other blogs as well. The idea is the milk jug collapses in size as you drink more milk leaving less air trapped inside. As a result, less air means less milk spoilage…great concept for the US and under-developed countries.
Steady Grip - This was a funny one that really makes sense. It is meant to replace cheap flimsy shopping baskets that you find at all grocery stores. The design of the basket helps distribute the weight of the basket so it is easier to hold and it doesn’t hit your legs with each stride.
Refridgerator – This neat fridge uses a transparent door and holds food in many different sections to minimize the about of opening and closing (and your utility bill)
learn more
Monday, July 6th, 2009
What do you really learn in elementary school? Parents spend so much time stressing out over picking the perfect school district or program that they sometimes follow the “book” too closely. Should we be concerned at getting the highest test score or reading above your grade level? A few innovative programs challenge the norm and focus on inspiring the creative and lifestyle qualities in young learners. I really find them interesting and hope to find more programs budding up in our local neighborhoods.
The Blue school is a program created by the same people who brought us the Blue Man Group theatrical production. This NYC school flips the education model upside-down by letting young students pick the things they want to learn while making sure the innovative and creative process is started at any early age. It wouldn’t be out of question to see yoga teachers, bench building to poem writing.
The mission says it all, “to cultivate creative, joyful, and compassionate inquirers who use courageous and innovative thinking to build a harmonious and sustainable world.” Read more about the program here and check out a sample lesson from the Blue School.
Another great program is called The Edible Schoolyard, which teaches middle school kids in Berkley, CA about the benefits of creating a sustainable garden and inspire students of the important connection between food, health and the environment. In addition to growing a garden, kids learn cooking tecniques and the importance of understanding where your food comes from, balancing a meal, cooking and sharing in joy of eating. Read more about the program here.
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We’ve Moved!
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
Thanks to the amazing people at Arnold Worldwide, we have moved into our new office space here in NYC. The air is fresh here on the 11th floor, and we are excited to continue to creating from this lovely space! The three floor office we share is full of inspiration, and overflowing with technology, books, and and some of the most creative people in the city, we couldn’t have dreamed of a better space!
So, if you are in Union Sq. shoot us an email (tank[at]incubaker.com) and we can meet up, trade stories, share ideas and who knows, perhaps we can change the world
If you aren’t in NYC, but still wanna share in the fun feel free to send cookies and cupcakes to:
Arnold Worldwide Mailroom
ATTN: Incubaker (11th Floor)
110 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
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