The case features a hand-cut strap made from a full hide, which has been hand-burnished and oiled. The interior of the case is lined with soft wood felt. The bamboo has been hand-rubbed so its finish is as hard and as smooth as possible.

Silva uses 100% solid Carmel bamboo that has been CNC machined and hand assembled. It’s definitely an attractive case, and since it’s made out of bamboo, it shouldn’t weigh too much.

While it may be natural and made from sustainable wood, it’s not cheap. The Silva MacBook Case for the MacBook Pro costs $179.99(USD) over on their website. It’s also available in an iPad 2 version for $129.99.

[via Swagfresh]

For now, they offer stands for iPad 2s, iPhones 3GS, 4 and 4S. The thinking behind these semi-durable stands is that you’ll eventually end up upgrading your smartphone, so why should your stand outlast your gadget? Often, stands aren’t compatible with the new versions of your favorite tech, so it makes sense to recycle them when necessary instead of adding more junk to our landfills.

The cardboard stands are available from Weltunit, but you’ll have to sign up for their newsletter in order to find out how to get one.

[via Bookofjoe via Likecool]

I mean, you’re supposed to feel that way about people and not objects. But designer Julius Tarng has this precisely in mind (the former and not the latter statement) with his Modai phone concept, which is supposed to further humanize smartphone technology.

The Modai is a versatile mobile companion with a friendly looking UI that can switch between two modes: Fundai (social mode) and Prodai (work mode.) Content, messages, and files will be sorted into the two different screens, and switching between the two will be a breeze (or so, says Julius.)

According to the designer, the Modai was inspired by human behavior and was designed to last, both physically and emotionally. (This is, however, the first time I’ve ever heard of a smartphone having emotions. Say what?) Modai is supposed to form a meaningful bond with its owner, making it less likely that its owner will dispose of the phone and upgrade within 18 months. Modai help form a bond by helping its owner through their day, and also reflecting its own “mood” using an avatar to represent things like battery status or volume.

The phone would even feature a built-in stand embedded with memory wire, which can be used to let the phone express itself through physical gestures. For instance, it would gradually rise up to wake you up in the morning.

Assuming you do form a bond with your Modai and don’t want to ever let it go, you’d still be able to upgrade its technology, thanks to a modular design with replaceable internal components.

The Modai is just a concept for now, and while it’s got some elements that I believe will be pretty hard to achieve, it’s still an interesting design all the same.

[via Yanko Design]

These ‘phones were the result of a collaboration between EOps, Michael Young and the Paris-based design store Colette. These somewhat large headphones includes 50mm titanium-coated HD driver drivers with a neodymium iron-boron magnet that will generate a pleasing sound. They’re also coated in titanium to prevent unwanted vibrations. The headphones include a microphone and are ready for your iPod or iPhone, since they come with the required three buttons.

The EOps Noisezero O+ Eco headphones are currently available from Colette for €140 (~$189 USD w/VAT).

[via MOCO Loco]

There are four different LEGO-style boxes in the series, two smaller onces in blue and green, which are supposed to be use for aluminum and glass respectively, and two larger ones in yellow and white, for paper and plastic. The models are specifically color-coded for the Italian recycling system, but they can be modified for a bunch of different uses.

Since they are based on the interlocking structure of LEGOs, they can be easily stacked in a variety of different configurations. My only question is this: with enough of them, could you build a house out of them?

[via designboom]

We’ve previously featured earrings, textiles, skulls, jackets, and even a Rubik’s Cube made out of old keyboards, but here are a couple of new ideas.

The brazier-like top of this dress uses keyboard keys and was showcased during Ecofashion 2011, last March. It definitely looks interesting, but I wonder how comfortable it is. Then again, I don’t have to wear it.

Another unusual use for old keyboards is the The Typographic Wall Calendar. For his design, Harald Geisler arranged thousands of keys in a grid to indicate the days and day of week. It’s really cool looking, but not exactly the easiest thing on Earth to read.

While these two ideas might seem completely random, they’re actually quite appropriate, since November 15th is America Recycles Day.

[via If It's Fly It's Here and In Focus]

It will protect your precious iPhone from bumps and scratches, and the back has a place for an RFID card, in case you need to use one for payments or access control. While it does come from the rubbish bin, it still looks pretty sweet. The design was inspired by the inrō, a Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) stacked accessory used to carry small objects.

Re-Case is available for the iPhone 4/4S in six different colors for $24.95 (USD) over at Amazon.

[via TUAW]

The cases come with a lining made out of sheep’s wool and a magnetic hemp closure. Since the covers are made from paper, you can sketch or paint directly on them to give them added character.

They’ll also capture coffee stains, fingerprints, etc. while you lug them around.

The MacBook Air sleeve sells for $58 (USD) and the iPad 2 sleeve sells for $47 over at Roots. There’s also an iPod Touch sleeve for $32, which might also fit iPhones, but it might be a tight squeeze.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via core77]

Once you’re finished with this product, it can be easily recycled and will pollute less than a plastic equivalent. The cardboard enclosure kits that BytePac provides include everything but the hard drive, so they’re an interesting solution.

You’ll find the BytePac enclosures and other accessories here. Unfortunately, they’re a bit expensive for what pretty much amounts to cardboard, some cables and a power supply. The basic kit comes with three enclosures and a single SATA/USB connection kit, and costs €39.95 (~$55 USD) and there are also kits that include a hard drive of your choice.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Ubergizmo]

The Recompute computer has a case made from corrugated cardboard, glued together with non-toxic adhesive. Amazingly, it’s more heat resistant than plastic. Can I get an Xbox 360 made from cardboard?

[Core 77 via Tom's Hardware]

GreenPix – Zero Energy Media Wall uses thousands solar photovoltaic capture cells attached to a grid of glass panels, each of which conceals an array of computer-controlled LEDs.

The wall was constructed for visitors attending the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and located in the Xicui entertainment complex, near the site of the games.

The display opens to the public this month, and will feature live and recorded video performances works by artists from around the world.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

GreenPix was designed and implemented by New York architecture firm Simone Giostra & Partners, along with global design and engineering firm Arup.

You can read more about the project over on the GreenPix website. (Check out this nifty simulator application if you want to get a better idea of how the display works).

[via PSFK]

The shelves are modular and are made of lightweight sustainable Finland plywood. You can choose a white or natural finish for the wood, and white or colored metal backs. They can be attached to each other, hung on the wall or left separately to create that I’m-a-casual-yet-stylish-gamer statement in your home.

Maybe if I had a set of these I wouldn’t be dreaming of arranging all those pieces in my head late at night during my REM sleep.

$1500 for a set of ten pieces right here.

via [LikeCool]

Litrospheres are tiny self-luminous particles which can be injection molded or embedded into paints. Brightness is said to be about the same as that of a 20-watt light bulb, but I’d imagine that would depend on how much surface area is covered with the particles. The material is extremely cost-effective, covering an 8.5 x 11 surface for about 35 cents. The particles can even be customized to give off just about any light color. There’s a good description of how the technology works over on PESWiki.

MPK, the company that manufactures this glowing goodness expects Litrospheres to make their first appearance in safety gear, but I’d love to coat all kinds of surfaces with this stuff. Can you imagine how cool it would be to drive down the street in a luminescent car?

[via Treehugger via Neatorama]

Created by the Belgian sustainable furniture design firm Utilia, the ScooterDesk gives you a solid work surface for your laptop, and lets you sit in a comfortable upright position while you work. The desk is also available in a dual version which lets you sit side-by-side with another person. Assuming you can agree on what direction to go in, the dual model could be a good idea for pair-programming teams.

While I don’t think you could sit on a bicycle seat all day while working at your computer, it’s an cool idea for quick tasks like filling out forms, taking meeting notes or sending the occasional e-mail.

[Yanko Design via Le Journal du Geek]