12 amazing creations made from computer chips and circuit boards

Artists have their own passion for creating oddities that they know will definitely impress. We have seen people coming up with amazing creations from electronic waste and here we have 12 amazing creations made from discarded computer chips and circuit boards. Hit the jump to see the beauty of the rejected chips and circuit board creations.

1. Circuit Egg

This 7-foot-tall sculpture created by Brazilian artists Adriana Varella and Nilton Maltz bleds technology and art together. Installed in 2005 at Lytton Plaza in Palo Alto, the Circuit Egg is made using recycled circuit board.

2. Gabriel Dishaw’s funky Nike shoe

Recycle, reduce and reuse is what we have been listening to for quite some time now. Gratifying the logo is Gabriel Dishaw with Nike-inspired Frankenstein Terminators junk art, a shoe made from circuit boards.

3. Mono Lisa from motherboards and chips

Proving that junk art isn’t a legacy of the sculptors alone, Asus has put some dead motherboards and chips together to create what is considered an unsolved mystery in art – the Mono Lisa.

4. Solar panels from computer chips

IBM has come up with an ingenious idea of creating solar panels from waste computer chips. Each chip has tiny bit of silicon on it that can be used to make solar panels. IBM estimates that 3 million silicon wafers are sent to landfills annually, which if transformed to solar panels can power 6,000 homes.

5. Circuit-board jewelry

Christoph Koch has designed contemporary jewelry using circuit boards. The designer created two chic circuit-board necklaces, making a great fashion statement.

6. Photo-frame from recycled circuit board

It’s unimaginable how the parts that were made to head for the landfill has taken an elegant place in your bed room or drawing room desktop! This attractive photo frame is made from recycled circuit board.

7. Fabio Renaldo’s computer chip dress

For the Eco Chic fashion shows in Jakarta a designer collected discarded computer chips and shaped it into a beautiful dress. Fabio Renaldo has balanced the heaviness of the shimmery metal and light flow of the silky material perfectly.

8. Circuit board bench

Did you ever imagine that circuit board could be good to sit too? Well, this circuit board bench exemplifies that. Not only does it look durable and comfortable, but also aesthetically pleasing.

9. Eco-Green Clock

Done at the TEcoArt, this Eco-Green Clock wears a mirror-finished disk platter with hour and minute hands and a zigzag second hand over a circuit board base.

10. Wild life out of circuit board

Brenda Guyton has breathed new life into computer circuit boards and chips. The artist has beautifully transformed computers parts that are considered nothing more than waste into unique sculptures like Jack the jack rabbit, K-9 a good dog and guanagator.

11. High-tech dinosaur

Bringing the memories of the dinosaurs back to life is the High-tech dinosaur. This sculpture brings the discarded circuit boards into life. Not only does it divert trash from ending up in landfills, but also exemplifies beauty.

12. Clocks and lighting from computer circuit:

Clocks, accessories, decorative items and chic lightings, all under one roof. And what are they made of? Circuit boards and chips…Isn’t that wonderful. Each piece is exceptionally beautiful and green.

12 iPad competitors that will fire up the tablet renaissance

Apple iPad has been reviewed to the core in this week with features being scanned for their viability and other criteria. There are some things missing in the Apple iPad, like the lack of multi-tasking, Flash support, camera, USB ports, and much more. Jumping the gun and purchasing the iPad right now may not be such a wise decision, considering the past history of first generation Apple products. The PC tablet market is already filling up with other tablets and product announcements (to be released soon or working prototypes). So a sensible advice would be to hold forte and keep your options open if you are planning on buying a tablet PC. Let’s have a rundown on the Tablet PC’s that will catch eyes in the coming months.

# HP Slate

Revealed to the technology experts at CES, Hewlett-Packard’s tablet PC runs on the Windows 7 operating system platform. HP Slate is more of a scaled down PC as compared to iPad, which is more of a scaled-up smartphone.

# ICD Gemini

If you thin iPad is good, then ICD Gemini is definitely going to impress you big time. Sporting 1GHz Tegra SOC and running on Android platform Gemini is far better in features list when compared to iPad. ICD Gemini has support for FM Radio, SD Slot, HD Video, Flash support and GPS; all of which are missing in the Apple iPad.

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# Fusion Garage’s Joo Joo

Launched just within few days of the iPad launch Fusion Garage’s Joo Joo tablet PC is in the same price range as the Apple iPad. Joo Joo has a 1366 x 768, capacitive 12-inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB solid state drive. Talking about the flash Joo Joo has full screen Flash video playback support courtesy the Atom processor coupled up with NVIDIA Ion graphics.

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# Microsoft Courier

Deemed as the dual-screen book-type tablet PC, Microsoft Courier is going to be launched probably in Q3 or Q4.

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#EAFT Magic Tile

Tegra-2 based tablet EAFT magic Tile runs on Android platform, sprots a 7-inch touch panel (1024X600 resolution), 1.3 MP camera, in-built accelerometer, Bluetooth, HDMI output and USB port. The battery life is around 8 hours during peak usage and it is scheduled to be launched in Q3. No details on the usage at this point.

# Notion Ink Adam

Notion Ink Adam is yet another 10-inch tablet that runs on the Android platform powered by Tegra 2 processor chip. Notion Ink Adam has a unique screen technology from Pixel Qi that aids in low-power reflective mode for maximum readability in direct sunlight. Slated to be released in second quarter this year Notion Ink Adam will come in the price range somewhere between $300 and $800.

# Compal Tablet

Nvidia announced the Compal tablet at CES, which is a working prototype running on Android 2.0 and powered by Tegra 2 processor. Other specifications include 512MB of DDR2 RAM and 3 megapixel camera. The Compal tablet may be released in Q3 of this year and no rveals on the price range yet.

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# NAV 9 Slate PC

Having 8.9-inch multi-touch LCD display with 1024 x 600 resolution and powered by Intel Atom N270 running at 1.66GHz, NAV 9 Slate PC will come at the price of $599. The 2GB memory RAM and 16GB SSD (upgradable up to 128GB) makes the NAV Slate PC for office users. Other specifications include expandable SD memory card slot, WLAN Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional 3G module for seamless internet connectivity.

# Archos’ Home Tablet

The ARCHOS 7 and the ARCHOS 8 home tablet are two new Android™-based multimedia tablets specifically designed for home use to enhance one’s digital lifestyle. The best of web browsing, multimedia, live information, social networking and applications for in-home use for as little as $199

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# ICD Vega

Developed by Innovative Converged Device(ICD), Vega tablet PC has 15.6″ Touchscreen, NVIDIA Tegra processor, 512 DDR / 512 NAND 32GB, internal SD 1.3 MP Web Cam, Micro SD Bluetooth 2.1 and USB 2.0 port.

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# EkrooET10TA10 tablet

Italy-based Ekoore is shipping a tablet PC that runs Ubuntu Linux or Windows on an Intel Atom N270. The Ekoore ET10TA10 tablet PC offers a 10.2-inch, 1024 x 600 backlit touchscreen, as well as 1GB of RAM, flash expansion, a 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), and WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and USB connections. The ET10TA is being sold in Italy with Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP Home for 479 Euros, or about $642 US, says Ekoore. A trial version of Windows 7 is also offered. The 3G module is available for an additional 114 Euros, and the GPS module is another 54 Euros.

# Asus T91 Tablet

Eee PC T91 is one-off tablet PC with a keyboard has a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU, It also has 1GB of RAM, Intel GMA500 graphics, a 16GB SSD and a lithium polymer battery. Other than that, it’s also got 802.11 B/G/N Wi-Fi, 10/100Mbps Ethernet, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.

# Dell Streak

Probably one of the best eye candy tablet PC thus far, Dell Streak will come in a range of attractive glossy colors. Sporting a 5-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, capacitive touch front buttons, front-facing VGA camera (for video chatting) and the 30-pin docking connector this can be considered as mini tablet PC..

# Google Chromium OS tablet

Google is not going to be far behind in the tablet PC wars with its Chromium OS tablet, which is still in its concept stage.

From what I have got on this tablet so far, it is going to have zooming UI for multiple tabs, multiple browsers on screen using a launcher and contextual actions triggered via dwell.

10 best iPad apps for geek chicks

The app world is all for the geek girls, who’ve now become the proud owner of the iPad. Top luxury & designer brands and ace fashion mags are being haughty about luring the fairer sex through iPad that sold 300,000 pieces on its opening day. The choice is daunting but here’s the list of best apps, which match the dynamic women’s ergonomics to quite an extent.

1. Gilt Groupe

Those who love shopping at Gilt would love scrounging through their range on their iPad.

“With our iPad app, users feel like they are physically touching the products. What’s also amazing, especially for our members, is the speed at which they can browse through the sales and add items to their cart”, says Jag Bath, vice president for product management at Gilt Groupe. The first 10,000 downloads will also a $10 credit from Gilt, which is great as the app can be downloaded for free.

2. Gap 1969 Stream

The denim fans must have the Gap app which offers to teach new ways to wear jeans. And, loads of easy shopping goes without saying. Get the Gap 1969 Stream on iPad for free.

3. Epicurious Recipes And Shopping Lists for iPad

The app enables you to access 27,000 recipes from both Gourmet and Bon Appetit. It’s like a complete digital cookbook on your iPad. You can save and add your favorite recipes and also mail them to friends. Download it for free from iTunes.

4. eBay for the iPad

The eBay freaks would appreciate the big thumbnails, proper placement of the product image with close-ups on the eBay for iPad. The app allows augmented functionality with the iPad’s touchscreen. With the price table at the bottom you can narrow you search to your preferable range. It’s available for free at iTunes.

5. Interview Magazine

The app came loaded with the mag’s latest issue even before it hit the stores on April 12. After all, the iPad users deserve certain special treatment, so they’ve packed the app with 330 screens of images and a videos. It’s priced at $0.99.

6. The Sartorialist

You can scroll through exclusive Scott Schuman’s work on your iPad with the Sartorialist iPad app. The ace photographer’s street style work is something worth relishing on the iPad’s large screen. The app can be downloaded for free.

7. Calesco Fashion app

Walk down the aisle donning the Calesco number chosen over your swanky iPad. The appdisplays brand’s current bridal, prom and festival couture with, pictures photo shoots and live ramp walks . You’ll also earn discount coupons and a free pair of matching shoes on a purchase of a dress, plus there’s also an integrated shop locator for your convenience.

8. iBook

iBook virtually turns your iPad into an e-reader. You can access over 60,000 books and easily flip through the pages with your fingers on the touchscreen. The built-in dictionary and adjustable font size and color will give you a soothing e-reading experience on iPad. It’s available for free with many free books on offer.

9. Loopt Pulse

It’s an app for the event managers and the serious social networkers. With the Loopt Pulse you can track the details of location where you are and everything that’s going on around you. The list and map details of the places around you will be displayed on your iPad screen to help you plan events or meetings. The friends tab will allow you to see the reviews of your Facebook friends via Fcebook connect.

10. Internet Movie & TV app

The movie freaks can access the Internet Movie Database on the Amazon app of IMDb. The app offers over 1.5 million movie and TV titles with information on 3.2 million celebrities, actors, actresses, directors and crew members. Download it for free.

Unusual and Strange USB Drives

Are you a little bored of your regular old, dime a dozen, USB drive? In our latest edition of our Cool and Unusual series we take a look at some USB drives that are not so regular at all.

Mix it up with one of these USB drives. Check out our collection of cool and unusual USB drives below.

The Lighter and USB Drive

You are looking at the 4GB USB stick that hides your data inside a fully functional flip-top lighter.

The Accordian Like FLX USB Drive

The FLX USB drive has an “accordion-like sheath covering it that pushes back to reveal the plug when you shove it into the USB port, and snaps back when you pull it out.”

Mixtape USB Drive

These cassette Mixtapes actually have a USB drive in them. Don’t act like you don’t remember the cassette.

Steampunk USB Drive

The USB drive steampunk style. The pictures say it all. [ Source ]

Domino USB Drive

Each dot on these domino USB drives indicates 1GB of memory used.

Tasty USB Drives from Brando

These USB drives by Brando are available in your choice of strawberry, pizza, burger, biscuits, chicken wing, chicken drum stick and more.

The Self Destructing USB Drive

This drive automatically encrypts the data stored on it. The IronKey USB drive has a “self-destruct sequence that securely and permanently erases your encryption keys and data.”

The USB Bowling Ball Drive

This custom USB drive was made to protect from accidentally putting it in the washing machine. This one definitely goes under unusual.

USB Drive in a Card

This USB drive in a card is small enough to fit in your wallet can hold up to 4GB of data.

Kronos USB Watch

This analog watch has a USB drive in the wristband. That means more free space in your pocket.

The Sawed Off USB Drive

This USB drive makes it look like a USB cable got ripped short while it was still plugged into your computer.

The USB Cork

These cork style USB drives are hand made so that each one is unique. They have life in luxury inscribed on them.

The Scented Fragrance USB Stick

These scented Fruit-A-Roma USB drives come in 4 different scents: grape, green apple, orange and strawberry.

Memory Infinite Linkable USB Drives

This USB drive has a female connector on one end and a male connector on the other allowing you to infinitely stack them together.

Wooden USB Drives

These nature themed USB sticks are made from real branches that are hand picked and made into unique USB drives.

Lego USB Drive

This USB drive will blend in with a pile of Legos. Plus their is the nostalgic feeling some people have when they get to play with Legos again.

The Ducati USB Drive

This SanDisk Ducati USB drive looks fast standing still. It also features a 20MB/sec transfer rate.

The USB Thumb, Thumb Drive

The picture explains it all for this USB ‘thumb’ drive.

USB Drive With A Memory Usage Meter

This USB drive by Lexar has a meter to let you know how much memory is used up on the drive. They are available in up to 2GB. [ Source

Military Grade IronDrive USB Drive

The IronDrive is the ideal military grade USB drive “tested for high temperature, shock, vibration, caustic agents, submersion, EMI, and nuclear stresses.”

007 Bike Lock USB Drive

The 007 USB Flash Drive uses a lock similar to a bike lock in which the USB drive can be placed. It also has digital encryption for added security. The lock can be securely attached to a desk or large object.