Friday, January 2, 2009

The Crazy Future Of The Washing Machine

The washing machine. Its a pretty regular thing. White. Square. Not usually the type of object that anyone could get excited about. Until now, that is. It just so happens that the last few years have seen some crazy advances in the industry, and the future looks even more interesting. So whats up in the world of the washer?

LG Washer and Ironing Machine.
In 2006, Korean electrical giants LG announced the arrival of cheap washing machines that can iron as well as wash. By incorporating a unique hot steam system that starts after the rinse cycle, the creases that develop during washing are quickly eradicated, not only saving you time on ironing, but also meaning that your clothes will never shrink again. The machine is also available with a floral pattern to further stand out from the washer crowd.


Eco Egg
The Eco Egg, developed by the Chinese company Jiangmen Hanyu Electrical, is a curious thing. As the name suggests, this mini-washer is egg-shaped, pink and looks edible. The manufacturers are proud of its environmentally-friendly and its disinfecting function making it safer for cleaning baby clothes. It also means that instead of having to wait for a full load, one or two shirts can be washed whilst still being eco-friendly.

Whirlpool Mobile Phone Washing Machine
Another in a long line of smart goods, Whirlpool have developed a washer that can be controlled by SMS. By using a home network, the machine alerts you if it has stopped by either sending a message to your mobile, TV or computer. The user can then either attend to the situation manually, or if he/she is not at home, they can send an order back to the machine, for instance a fluff or dry cycle.

The Sfera Spherical Washing Machine
In a revolutionary turn of washer design, the team at Electrolux have invented a completely new mini-washer. The Sfera is a wall mounted ball that entirely revolves. The few graphic representations that have been released show the machine attached to two walls in the corner of a bathroom of the future. But it remains to be seen that when the design comes to fruition, whether it will be able to carry the weight of wet clothes or will be able to be mounted on any kind of wall without breaking it when in use.

The Washup Washer/Toilet
The Washup is another future design. In simple terms it is a washing machine and toilet in one. The machine sits atop the cistern and once it has finished washing, uses the water from your dirty clothes to flush the toilet. The design is also space-saving and easier to use without any crouching or bending down involved.

Xeros
Finally, the University of Leeds has been testing a machine to be released in 2009. Amazingly, the full-size machine uses just a cupful of water in addition to plastic chips that absorb any dirt and are collected at the end of the cycle. Clothes are nearly dry as soon as the cycle is finished.

By: Sarah Maple

Where Can I Find The Best Price On Wii?

Every year, the rush to get the game or game system that is the most popular and to get a good price (if you can find it at all) is the new Christmas story! The best price for Wii is again the race to Dec. 25th. With the invention of Wii Music, Guitar Hero 3 Complete Band and Rock Band games, those people who don't have a Wii or want to add another one will be looking for the best price of this gaming system.
Finding the best price for the Nintendo Wii.
The best place to start looking for the best price on a Wii is one of the auction sites. Here you can find the best price because you can bid for the price you want and you get to choose when you want to have it delivered. The best auction site is Ebay. Here you can find the best price for Wii. Not only can you find what you want, you have options like new systems, bundled systems and used systems. There are so many sellers on Ebay, you can't miss in finding the best price for a Wii on the auction site Ebay.
Plus, Ebay is especially nice if you don't mind trying a used system. Because of the strict regulations for selling, if you do buy a used one you'll be sure to know what you're getting. Sometimes the used systems are just like new, hardly played at all!
Using Ebay to find the best price for Wii is a good idea also because when the gaming systems get hard to find you can normally find one there. And this is not a big deal even if you have to pay a bit more, because you pick your own options.
You can shop your local retail stores, but will probably pay more. The good thing about local is that you will be able to leave with your purchase, even if it is not the best price on Wii.
Amazon Marketplace is another great place to try. At Amazon, you have the benefits of ease of use, reliable shipping, and easy returns if something is wrong. Amazon also has the choice between new and used systems. And don't forget to buy your games there, as well. The selection of additional merchandise you can get for your Wii is unbelievable at Amazon.
So here are a couple of ways for you to find best prices on Wii. A warning - start your shopping now! If you wait, both finding a Wii and getting a good price may be long gone.

By: Matt Hellstrom

Japanese Earthquake Engineering

The tremendous devastation that followed the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, more popularly known as the Kobe Earthquake where more than 5,500 were killed and over 26,000 were injured, further opened the eyes of the Japanese people to the need to develop structures that would be able to withstand these deadly temblors that hounded their country every now and then.

In response, Japan's engineers and architects set down to develop building designs and architecture that are "earthquake-resistant." Using modern technology and state-of-the-art construction methods, these "earthquake-resistant" buildings were erected in such a way that they would be able to withstand any earthquake regardless of intensity.


In modern-day Japan, these earthquake-resistant construction techniques are steadily being applied to residential homes and high-rise condominiums more in response to the clamor of buyers than as part of an overall plan.

Features of modern earthquake-resistant condominiums include not just the application of earthquake-resistant technology but the addition of such important elements as a storage room for food supplies, wells and emergency heliports.

Dwellings that carry these earthquake-resistant features cost a lot more than the average condominium unit. In spite of this, however, the demand for these types of homes remains quite high forcing major construction companies to revisit approved plans and create more of this disaster-preventive type of dwellings.

Construction Method Used

A highly sought after earthquake-resistant condominium building in Japan uses a construction method known as base isolation which decreases the impact of the shaking movement caused by an earthquake or a hurricane. This method utilizes a structure made up of thin layers of rubber and steel plating that lie in between the building and the ground thus cushioning the impact of a strong earthquake and serving as a buffer.

Overcoming a slow start, research and development of the base isolation method in Japan has steadily increased following the construction of the first base-isolated building in 1986. Although these types of building require a lot of permits and approvals from Japan's Ministry of Construction, it is quite amazing to note the great number of buildings that have applied and been approved for construction.

Safety a Must for Home Buyers

The rapidly increasing popularity of earthquake-resistant residential buildings is a clear indication of the importance that Japanese homebuyers attach to their family's safety. The consequent demand for these structures has moved a number of construction companies to revisit their development plans and, when necessary, alter these to include more of these earthquake-resistant homes.

To make the condos even more attractive to buyers and appeal more to their desire for a safe haven in times of earthquakes, building contractors and architects also incorporate other elements that prove "earthquake-resistant" in the long run.

This includes the addition of other disaster-prevention features like a large storage area for food supplies and an emergency heliport.

With the image of the devastation that befell the nation after the Kobe earthquake still vivid in their minds, more and more condominium buyers look to the disaster-safety component as the most desirable feature and requirement for the home they intend to buy.

By: Tom Takihi