Hong Kong
The late Steve Jobs is quoted as saying “Design is not just what it looks like or feels like. Design is how it works”. An item that is all form and no function is nothing but a pretty face, and simply striving to create a nice looking product often results in a finished unit that feels shallow or useless to the consumer. With this in mind, it’s time to look at the best designed products of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair & ICT Expo so far.
Product: Pedic
Manufacturer: Kee Utility Inc.
This beautiful looking set of monochrome lattice tubes are so elegant that it would be difficult to guess their true purpose: they clean shoes. “We wash our feet every day when we shower, why not your shoes?” is the mantra of the south Korean company and their technological and design innovation certainly makes cleaning your shoes each day a much more appealing prospect. Simply take a cylinder from its cradle, place it inside the shoe, press the button on the top and in less than ten minutes the germicidal lamp inside each tube will eradicate any bacteria or fungus (the main causes of foot odour) with 99 per cent efficiency.
Product: S71 MagiCam
Manufacturer: AEE Holding Limited
Attempting to knock GoPro off their action-cam throne is the S71 MagiCam, a tiny camera with big ambition. Seen above beside an average sugar packet, and with it’s even smaller brother resting on top of it (which, though still unreleased, weighs less than 50g), the S71 attempts to improve over their better known cousin in every way. Incredibly, the S71 shoots video in 4K resolution and has a 12x digital zoom, while also containing a number of other unique features. Unlike other action-cameras that are controlled via a small panel or screen on the rear (meaning that a camera already mounted to a person has to be removed to be set up), the S71 places switches for the most popular functions right on the front for easy and quick access.
To avoid the annoyance of forgetting to hit record, the camera incorporates a new ‘G-Sensor’ which, once activated, automatically starts recording when it detects that the person wearing it is moving, turning off again after a user set length of inactivity. A sophisticated microphone port allows the S71 to keep recording crisp sound even when encased in a waterproof plastic shell. And for those hesitating to make the switch after investing in a great deal of GoPro equipment, don’t worry: the S71 is compatible with all GoPro accessories.
Product: Quibo Mini Dispenser
Manufacturer: Egoman Digital Corp
Perhaps the most striking kettle around, the Quibo Mini Dispenser’s deep mahogany colour and elegant patterns conjure up images of a traditional Japanese tea house. The Quibo (seen above inserted into an optional carved wood tea tray) is not just beautiful as it is able to do something quite remarkable: it can heat water from cold to boiling in less than three seconds. Cold water is quickly sucked through a superconducting crystal tube that has been heated to over 200 degrees celsius, and the result is boiling water in less time than it takes to say ‘Could I have a cup of tea, please?’. Skeptics visiting the Egoman Digital booth were invited to make a cup of tea while submerging their hand in the kettles water supply. This journalist’s lovely cup of tea, and still-intact hand, are a testament to the Quibo’s amazing design.
Product: K8200
Manufacturer: Velleman
One of many 3D printers on display at this years fair, the K8200 stands out due to its simplicity. Designed to be as straightforward to use as possible, the design of this machine is exceptional for two reasons. Firstly, as the product is meant to be assembled by the user (much like Ikea furniture) the K8200 contains less parts than other commercially available 3D printers, opting for a streamlined approach without compromising on features. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, this simple design (and Velleman’s decision to make the entire machine open source) means that most replacement parts for the printer can be made by the printer itself. The machine is almost entirely self sustainable, only requiring a power source and separately bought plastic filament. And unlike other products on this list, the K8200 is already on sale in Australia, for around $800.
