This year we asked other journalists to imagine the future of Apple hardware, but in our January issues from 2008 and 2009, we designed fauxtotypes of our own conception (see here and here). But even though our friends in the tech community did the heavy lifting for us this month, we couldn’t resist going at least as far as “the cocktail napkin stage” with a number of ideas. In the illustrations below, we present six product concepts that imagine clever simplicity in industrial design. Or at least we hope our ideas reach that quality level--looking at some of these drawings, it appears that a few of us may have had cocktails with our cocktail napkins.
Susie Ochs, Senior Editor
The HoloRad is a wrist-mounted hologram projector that conjures up a realistic 3D image of Princess Leia (other hologrammed luminaries--such as Ben Franklin, Steve Wozniak, and the robot from the Short Circuit movies--are also available for purchase). The hologram character will read your email, RSS headlines, weather forecast, and other up-to-the-minute content. The HoloRad uses an always-on, next-gen wireless connection combining 4G networking, Wi-Max, and Wi-Fi. Sophisticated kinetic charging provides power for the device: Every time you move your arm, that energy is harnessed and stored by a micro fuel-cell battery.
The HoloRad. Because in the future, only suckers read email with their eyes.
Roberto Baldwin, Online Editor
The Apple Orb will replace the current Apple AirPort Express as the quick and easy way to create or expand a Wi-Fi network. But instead of just giving you an extra Wi-Fi signal, the Orb also creates a halo of wireless electricity that can be used to charge your latest Apple devices. Step into the 20-foot "power radius" with Apple devices in your pocket, and they'll wirelessly charge without requiring you to lift a hand.
Science fiction, you say? Sony just announced a prototype that achieves wireless charging via magnetic resonance.
Paul Curthoys, Editor-In-Chief
I can't wait to chuck my MacBook and iPhone 3G for the iMag, which crams all their functionality into what looks like a sunglasses case. When you pull on one side, a bendable OLED touchscreen display unspools. With wireless earbuds delivering audio, you can Web-surf, play music or videos, fire off your latest 140, or make a video phone call. But the best part comes when you tap a laptop icon and iMag creases, converting its bottom third into a touchscreen keyboard. Turned vertically, it cradles in your lap like a netbook, and the ultra-reliable 4G Verizon cloud connection pipes down all your files, so you can get some work done.
Jon Phillips, Editorial Director
Modern kitchenistas are fools for clever industrial design, and I think Apple could do serious damage with some kind of counter-top appliance that marries a slick human interface to features we've never seen before. The iCuisine is essentially a cylindrical device with slots for up to four different appliance cartridges. The iCuisine's "caddy" handles all power and fluid interchange, and you can swap in different quarter-circle-shaped components at will, accessing the one you want by turning the device like a lazy Susan. Whether you want an eSpresso or some iFried zucchini sticks, iCuisine will do you up in style. The iCuisine ships with one appliance cartridge, and there are nine more to choose from.
Ray Aguilera, Reviews Editor
Mac Helium is a full-fledged Macintosh in an ultraportable package. About the size of two iPhones stacked together, Helium features a touchscreen on the top surface for basic functionality and running mobile apps--contacts, calendars, Peggle, and other essentials. When you place it on your desk and activate the built-in pico projector, Helium displays your Mac's Desktop on a wall or screen. It's perfect for everyday use, corporate presentations, or showing movies in the backyard. The bundled Bluetooth keyboard and mouse give you full desktop functionality in your pocket-size device with enough juice to last a full day.
Florence Ion, Associate Online Editor
This seemingly standard MacBook Pro--we'll call it MacTouch Pro--comes with its own multitouch display located directly on top of the chassis. You use the built-in touchscreen like you would an iPod touch or iPhone: Check the weather, get turn-by-turn directions, and stream music from your iTunes library, all without actually booting up the laptop itself. Sure, it squeezes the Apple logo a bit, but that's a small price to pay for convenience.
Got some prototype ideas of your own? Think you can design better products than Apple? We've got a challenge for you! Be on the lookout for our upcoming January 2010 contest.
