This week’s Digital Content Expo at Miraikan is one of the less corporate tech shows on the Tokyo calendar, so it’s no surprise to see some pretty kooky engineering like the Funbrella from a grad-student team at Osaka University.

Kansai’s finest came up with the concept of ‘tele-rain’ to allow anyone holding the Funbrella to experience what it might be like to get caught in a hailstorm on a sunny day, a shower of marbles, or even a downpour of snakes and hamburgers. Er, yeah.

If that makes no sense at all, then check out their vid for an explanation – skip to 1min 40secs in if you just want the hardcore science. Basically, they’ve connected a computer and a vibrating mechanism based on audio speaker technology to an ordinary umbrella and let their imaginations run riot.

I asked Associate Professor Yuichi Itoh what started it all: “The main theme of our laboratory is to develop novel user interfaces with virtual reality technology. So, our students decided to create something new with the technologies researched in our laboratory.”

But why the umbrella theme? “At that time, we had lots of so-called [sudden downpours of] guerrilla rain [in other parts of Japan]. The TV news spoke of its impact on our daily lives, but we had never experienced it, [so] we decided to develop the Funbrella to experience various kinds of rain, with the technology generating accurate vibrations.”

More romantically, the team suggests it could help folk separated by physical distance share the feeling of gutsing out the same storm together, perhaps while talking on the phone.

As for commercial applications, there aren’t really any yet, but Itoh and his crew are all ears if you have any suggestions for the Funbrella.

(Via Osaka University)

PS Itoh-san – glad to see you fixed that address

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Although it’s not exactly our remit on Digital World Tokyo to cover iPhone cases, the latest high-end protector from Europe is so exceptional, it’s clearly worth a quick rundown.

The gorilla tube from German startup Gorilla came about when former racing cyclist Tobias Wittkobf decided to use bicycle frame carbon to build a protective shell for his laptop. When the iPhone hit the market, however, the tube was born instead.

First observation is that this is one slick-looking iPhone case like no other. Made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer, the tube is as tough as nails, or as the company itself rather honestly says, “super strong, light and very expensive.”

That last bit explains the hefty price tag of 80 euros ($117/¥10,480), but is it worth that kind of outlay?

In short, if you’re interested in the most unusual, eye-catching iPhone case on the market, then the answer is yes, but there are caveats.

The gorilla tube is, essentially, an open-ended sleeve that grips the iPhone tightly, with a nylon strap called the flipstrap passing right through the case and stopping the phone falling out the bottom.

The idea is that you pull the flipstrap to make the phone pop up and into your hand. You can see it in action in the YouTube video below – a slick piece of design engineering.

However, the fit is really snug and it took me around a week of use before it eased up enough to make using the gorilla tube a comfortable experience. That’s probably because my iPhone is already protected by an invisibleShield skin from Zagg, so do keep that in mind if you have any kind of shield on your phone now.

That minor gripe aside, the gorilla tube is now my iPhone case of choice for two reasons – it’s tough and it looks amazing. There are two varieties – the black Carbon or the wood-look Nature Edition – and a generous offer from Gorilla to refit the case should the felt inner or flipstrap get worn at all. What’s not to like?

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Everything from tiny Ubuntu laptops to awesome pictures (well, I took ‘em…) of DoCoMo’s HQ in Tokyo – that’s what you’ll find in this month’s selection from Metropolis magazine.

Issue 810 of Tokyo’s English-language free paper is out next Friday, but you lucky readers can click the image below for a PDF of my latest Tech Know Japan technology column and here to check out the rest of their fine site.

(Thanks Steve)

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Panasonic has a long history of supplying high-tech medical devices to institutions throughout its home country of Japan.

Combine that expertise with its emerging robotics know-how and this is what you get – the world’s first robot bed that lifts the occupant up when needed and transforms itself into a wheelchair that can move off on its own.

Panasonic’s press release explains the thinking behind the project:

“As the robot can transform itself from a bed into a wheelchair and vice versa at the command of the user, it eliminates not only the need for the user to transfer between the bed and a wheelchair but also the risks and burden associated with the transfer.

The robot can also expand the user’s range of activities. Now, the user can join the family meal by converting the bed into a wheelchair and moving to the dining table without the need of assistance from other people.”

There’s nothing online yet, as the new machine will make its debut along with the latest high-tech beds at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (H.C.R. 2009) in Tokyo between September 29 and October 1, 2009, but you can download the press release [PDF] right here.

{extended}

We love tees because they have so many rooms for creativity in terms of design. As designers who always strive to maintain originality and uniqueness, we are sucker for creative stuff, that includes what we put on.

When was the last time we you walked down the street and people start checking out your attire? It doesn’t have to be something branded, a creative and catchy t-shirt will do, really. Here’s a collection of creative t-shirts you can buy and add to your wardrobe this holiday season. Full list after jump.

Interactive Tees

Wi-Fi Detector Shirt

You can display the current wi-fi signal strength to yourself and everyone around you with this stylish Wi-Fi Detector Shirt. The glowing bars on the front of the shirt dynamically change as the surrounding wi-fi signal strength fluctuates.

T-Qualizer

A fully functioning graphic equalizer in a handy t-shirt format. Party like it’s 2999 with the glowing display on the T-Qualizer that dynamically changes with any ambient sound or music.

8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt

During your normal activities two and a half pixelated hearts will light up on your shirt. But get within hugging distance of your significant other wearing the matching shirt and suddenly the hearts on both of your shirts start to light up until you’re fully powered up.

Electronic Drum Kit

Hit the drums on this shirt with your finger and they play through the built in speaker simple but amazing. With 7 different drum sounds you’re ready for a personal drum solo on your chest.

T-Sketch Light Up Flashing T-Shirt

Whatever you draw or write on the special section of the shirt will be converted into an illuminated message or design.

Transformers Light Up Flashing T-Shirt

Whoever you go with, you will love these t-shirts, they actually light up! The bright logo is sure to attract the right sort of attention and will look stunning at the cinema, at parties, or out clubbing.

Animated Retro Table Tennis Shirt

Amazing animated glowing old skool gaming on your chest. The two automated computer players are very talented and never seem to miss a shot.

Geek Tees

There’s no place like 127.0.0.1

Sometimes you just have to get away. Just close your eyes, click your heels, don this fine t-shirt and all your troubles will flow by the wayside just like those luser files piped into /dev/null.

Turn Me On T-Shirt

The "On button" on monitors from nerdy girl.

Error 405 T-Shirt

HTTP Error 405 – Method not allowed.

Invisible T-Shirt

This is what would happen if you use the Photoshop eraser tool on yourself!

Apple Timeline

It’s easy to forget that Apple is 30 years old. Lets take a minute to remember the 20th Anniversary Mac.

Binary Tree

A binary "tree" which displays a tree data structure.

No One Cares Blog

Tell it like it is: No one cares about your blog. No one reads your blog. Enough about your blog already. Your blog is not special or interesting. Your blog is boring.

HD DVD 4by4 T Shirt

09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0. Wear it with pride and look stylish-geeky too.

Bathroom Blogger Funny T-Shirt

Confess it! You’re a toilet clogger and a bathroom blogger. It’s so wrong but it feels so right!

G33K HOODED PULLOVER

PHP code made for geeks.

Geek inside

Geeks rule.Support geeks with this awesome shirt.

Internet People

The Internet – where awful people meet.

They Use Photoshop

They may or may not perform medical experiments on eccentric rednecks, but they are here, they are among us, and they use Photoshop.

In Your Base

Pinkos capture your territory. Aren’t they supposed to be all about sharing?

Gaming Lifestyle

Drool marks and blood-shot eyes along with slowly decomposing junk food are hallmarks of a late night gaming session too good to stop, until you pass out that is.

DaVinci Hax

If recently uncovered sketches prove to be authentic, that nefarious DaVinci guy may have been the unwitting inventor of our future doom!

RRoD

If you’re not careful, your 360 may jettison you out an air-lock.

My first time

My first time. It’s all there on a spacious 1.2MB floppy disk.

Social Media Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram showing the psychological forces at work among users of social networking tools

1 Random Thing

1 random thing, because 25 random things is 25 too many.

Extra Lives

Don’t worry, I have extra lives.

Can’t sleep, ghosts will eat

For anyone that grew up in the 80s or anyone that has ever played Pacman. For the retro gamer in all of us.

Super Geek

It’s Super Geek. Give this gift to the special geek in your life.

Having an iPhone has completely changed the way I poop

Alt of Ctrl

Alt of Ctrl shirt shows your wild side in computer keys.

Your skill in Reading

This one is for all the MMORPG freaks out there. Now you can share that rewarding experience with those around you as they read your shirt!

Cancel or Allow

Without mentioning any names, we know that some of you are a little frustrated with the newest version of a certain operating system.

Explosives Man

Haven’t you had enough of those pesky machine gun-building, health-healing, quick-running, disguise-wearing, rocket-launching, flame-throwing hooligans? Exact revenge with your own style of renegade justice: KA-BOOOM!

Insomniac Innovation

Insomniac Innovations, is the perfect tee for anyone who likes to stay up during the weee hours of night all the way into the early morning.

Refill Required

Every laptop battery monitor will let the user know when it is getting low. Your coffee could use a similar system so your coffee cup never ends up empty just when you need it most.

Modern Pirates

Show your support for the piracy scene with this Modern Pirate t-shirt.

The Last Supper Pacman Videogame Shirt

It wasn’ t until PacMan ordered a giant white ball that Mr. Ghost knew something had gone awry. Disastrously awry.

I Don’t Wanna Grow Up

If peter pan had the option, he’d wear this shirt every day.

Twitter Tees

That’s what she Twittered

Display a tweet of what she twittered right on a shirt.

No-One Reads Your Stupid Tweets

The truth hurts, but people need to know it. Even if you’re being (slightly) immature about it.

Drop Tweets Not Bombs

Friends Don’t Let Friends Tweet and Drive

It’s totally safe to tweet and text message while driving. 

History never reTweets Shirt

A funny play on lyrics from an old song mashed for twitter lovers.

I’m Not a Blogger I Just Tweet A Lot.

I’ll Suck Your Tweet

Fail Whaling

When Twitter experiences an outage, users see the “fail whale” error message image.

I T Therefore I Am

The philosophy of twitter users.

In space, no one can hear you tweet

Don’t tweet in space.

Typographic Tees

IM In UR Blank

Reclaim the phrase for the humans by captioning yourself. This shirt is full of write-on, wash-off goodness.

Alphabet Hi T-shirt

Hi! is highlighted to attract attention.

Spell Dyslexia T-Shirt

This funny dyslexia shirt is perfect for that friend our family member always claiming to have dyslexia.

Fluorine Uranium Carbon Potassium

Thanks to phosphorous, “P” was taken, leaving “K” for potassium (obviously)…

PHP (pretty hot programmer)

So many memories so little RAM

Sex Drugs Helvetica Bold

Sex drugs helvetica bold, white print on black.

Will Kern for Food

Will kern for food, white print on black.

Tetris Taught Me the Fundamentals of Architecture

Funny Novelty Tees

Durtbag Punchline Shirts

A funny novelty tee where a priest, a rabbi, and a horse walk into a bar.

Durtbagz Zombie Shirts

Give this for super funny holiday gifts to prevent others from accidents. Hitting them just makes them want to eat your brains.

You Can Count On Me

I’m old school reliable, baby. Like an abacus, you can count on me.

Oktoberfest Serving Wench T-shirt

Stop Following Me! (Evolution)

Wear the Evolution 2 design with the caption “Stop Following me!”

Be Rational! Get Real!

Pi and i argument. What would happen if Pi and i got into an argument.

Can’t Touch This Equation

Finally, all that math you learned in high school is getting put to use.

Find X

Perfect t-shirt for anyone getting ready to step into a math test. You can never be wrong with this funny find x tee shirt!

Invisibility Shirt

Your invisibility t-shirt will come as invisibility shirt currently deactivated.  Remember turn it on at your own risk!

Tuxedo T-Shirt

This funny tuxedo t-shirt is great for parties, weddings, or other special events. Dress up by dressing down.

Muscle Man T-Shirt with Real Nipple Ring

Biker Chick Coverup

The Biker Chick Cover-Up features a hot and sexy bikini.

Misc Creative Tees

Barcode Colour T-Shirt

Abstract and colourful barcode printed on a black tee.

Apartment Building

Living in the city, we might be merged into the urban environment better when putting on the skin of the city.

Beijing Satellite

Wearing a SQY-T Useful Information t-shirt, you might be more helpful to those who stare at your t-shirt.

Map of Shanghai

Google map of Shanghai. You’ll never get lost again in Shanghai.

Love Is Colorblind Heart

You Complete Me

This shirt helps you show your softer side in the most nerdy way possible. With a galaga t-shirt!

The Hangover Movie Funny T Shirt

Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon!

You Rock My Small, Self-Centered Universe

Tell the one you love that they’re almost as important as you are.

Points of View

Realist, idealist, capitalist, communist, conspiracist, sexist, nihilist and opportunist, each with their own witty opinion of the glass half full or half empty.

Milky Way

Exit

Exit from rain on your shirt.

RedDot Boxing Gloves

RedDot Boxing Gloves Tee features the illusion of crimson boxing gloves strewn around the neck.

Bulzeye Headphones V-Neck Tee

This Bulzeye Headphones V-Neck Tee in Vintage White features crystallized headphones on front and Bulzeye logo on back.

Wish You Were Here

The title says everything.

Journey to the City of No Horizon

A surreal concept where there is a city of no horizon with endless flow of river towards bottom and infinite extension of sky towards top.

CutMe

Hands Down

Nice colors and placement for a hand skeleton.

Photocast Network
Photowalkthrough
Déclencheur
Martin Bailey Photography

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Insect photography is challenging under the best circumstances. Think about it: you’re taking photos of something that is likely smaller than your little finger (and at largest is still probably smaller than your hand), has no reason to cooperate, and likely views you as a predator or is oblivious to your presence entirely. And even if you’re taking photos of dead insects, it still takes a lot of skill (and a good macro lens) to get the right focus and lighting.

The photographers who managed to snap the photos below all deserve some serious respect. They’ve managed to capture the beauty and complexity of some of the most beautiful specimens in the insect world. Look at their coloring, their structure, the way their bodies are segmented, and let them inspire your designs. Whether you simply borrow a color scheme or go for something a bit more obvious, insects can serve as a wonderful source of artistic inspiration, one that is often overlooked.

Here are more photography related entries you might be interested:

• Macro Photography Part I
• Tilt-shift Photography
• Urban Decay Photography
• Night Photography
• Black & White Photography

Full list after jump.

Insect
by FockLove

Insect
by PauliusC

Insect Series 3
by Grugster

Insect 08
by Josgoh

Insect
by Phaedrus-42

Insect vs Spider
by Afri

Insect
by TheRedGirl

The Insect
by VerzaubertRocken

Leaf Insect Shot 2
by Jakwak

Unidentified Insect
by Gerald Yuvallos

Insect.
by Drvall

Insect On Wood
by Rockinxrebecca

Green Insect
by Abank

Insect
by Fuegomujer

Insect 01
by Josgoh

Insects With Attitude
by MJIphotos

Insect
by Diganta Talukdar

Spotted Cucumber Beetle
by Wolfpix

Metallic Green Insect
by Srini G

Insect Macro
by Publicenergy

Death To A Dragonfly
by Greekchickie

Dragonfly_Z19789
by Ennor

Dragonfly
by CW Ye

Nasty Insect
by Geaannunziata

Green Insect
by Jaszczura

Insect Eye To Eye
by Saddogeyes

Insect 7
by Mewlo

Insect.
by ZWincik

Insect 03
by Harry-Schoemaker

Spiny Leaf Insect
by Duskmoth

Macro – Dead Insect
by Noitu-lover

Cricket Macro
by Martin_Heigan

Insect Macro
by Salendron

Insect 33
by Josgoh

Hylotrupes Bajulus
by Selley

Tiny Red Cricket
by Garion

Insect Macros_021
by Josedeluna

Insect Macro
by Aidiwz

Shy Hopper
by James Jordan

Dead Insect
by Baton101

Insect Photo 3 – Set 3
by Blookz

Insect
by Mega-Ale

Rays Of Dawn
by Ageofloss

Mr. Insect
by MrStuart

He Can Fly
by Viand

Bottle Fly On Red Flower
by Erica_Marshall

Hawker Dragonfly Macro
by Mushi_king

Fly Extreme Macro
by Martin Heigan

Blue Fly in Flight
by David Reece

Blending In
by Kibondo

Bee
by DoeLay

Resting Insect
by Pusakal1402

Third Insect
by Owczak

Dragonfly
by HVargas

Dragonfly.
by Le-Voyageur

Dragonfly
by Jaydehawk

Red Dragonfly
by Sh0ggy

The Hanging Dragonfly
by SubterfugeMalaises

Dragonfly
by Indja-art

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly
by Motleypixel

Cinnabar Moth (Tyria Jacobaeae)
by Nutmeg66

Columbia Silk Moth
by Furryscaly

Male Golden Birdwing Butterfly Bangkok
by Travlinman43

Grey Dagger Caterpillar (Acronicta Psi)
by Nutmeg66

Saddleback Caterpillar
by Cotinis

Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysididae) Pollinating Euphorbia Flowers
by Martin_Heigan

Yellow-faced Bumble Bee – Bombus Vosnesenskii
by Maxi Millipede

Transparent Butterfly
by Thefost

Copper Butterfly
by Reini68

Butterfly In Hand
by DigiDragon

A well designed newsletter/email template can be the difference between success an failure. Whether its to update customers about a product, or to share information, having a well designed template can be a great starting point to guide your readers and give them a clear coherent flow when they read your email. This is crucial, considering how important the first impression is.

Here is round-up of some of the best free HTML newsletter templates on the Internet you can download without paying a penny.

Here are more related entries you might be interested:

• XHTML/CSS Website Templates
• Web Templates and Layouts

Full list after jump.

Top Five: Free Newsletter Templates We Like Best

• Campaign Monitor – 30 FREE HTML Newsletter Templates
  Here is a neatly sorted collection of 30 well produced templates which have been tested against all major email clients and web mail, for example Outlook, Thunderbird and Gmail. One of the feature is that it already pre-sorts all the templates into those with left or right sidebars, or single column templates

  

• Carbon Graffiti – 10 Free email marketing templates
  Carbon Graffiti is a great design website, and one of the cool resources theyve made available are 10 free email marketing templates. Designs range from very simple basic ones to custom complex templates.
  

• Aweber: – 5 Awesome Functional Newsletter Templates
  Aweber has some of the best newsletter templates out there, and some of them go beyond a good design and are pretty darn functional as well. Here are 5 of the best from Aweber.

  Download
  This is a great email template to use when sending over a note asking someone to download a file. This template also comes in 3 flavors – one for PDFs, one for audio, and one for any other files, as well as 6 colors – so youre able to easily customize your readers download experience.

  

  Welcome
  This is a perfect email template to use send when youre welcoming new members to your service.

  

  Blog Newsletter
  If you write a blog, this is a great template to share your info and updates in a newsletter to build a stronger relationship with your readers.

  

  Malibu
  This email template was specially built to communicate promotional offers in a quick and efficient manner.

  

  Outdoorsy
  2-column (right-hand sidebar) email template with an organic feel and navigation links available to use in the header.

  

• MailChimp – 4 basic flexible HTML email templates
  Mailchip four basic, flexible templates that you can use to get started. They’ve been tested to render properly in all the major email programs, like Outlook 2007, Lotus Notes, Gmail, and more.

  

• Cakemail – 17 Well Designed Newsletter Templates

  

More Free Newsletter Templates

Here are some other sites which also offer up free newsletter templates for download.

• Interspire – 30 Free Newsletter templates

  

• Stock Layouts – TechTimes theme
  This is a beautifully designed theme, although it requires you to register (for free) on the site.

  

• Octeth – 10 Free Email Templates

  

• Hot Email Templates – 28 Free HTML Email Templates

  

• Active Campaign – 11 Free Email Templates

  

• Mach5 – 4 Free Email Templates

  

• Omnistare Tools – 10 Free Email Newsletter Templates
  A variety of free templates, but it requires (free) signup.

  

• Benchmark – 3 Simple HTML Email Templates

  

• Delivery Success – 10 Free Newsletter Templates

  

• Templatesbox – 84 Free Newletter Templates

  

About Author: James Yeang is the writer of a Malaysian tech blog called Friedbeef’s Tech, and can also be found on Twitter.

Photocast Network
Photowalkthrough
Déclencheur
Martin Bailey Photography

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