Futuristic Denon Blu-ray player / receiver concept

Denon isn't typically known for throwing out any futuristic pieces of AV luxury, rather, it tends to side with the more traditional, classy look. Of course, there's always a first time for everything, and while we're highly doubtful that this supposed Denon rendering will actually come to fruition, it certainly is a sight to behold. The two-piece kit consists of a rumored DVD-HD8910 Blu-ray player up top, with a 2TB AVR-HD8910 media center / receiver below. The 7.1-channel box also claims to handle iTunes music files and offer a direct connection to the iTMS, and while it's understandably simple to brush this all off as a fanboy's fantasy, Denon's no stranger to stuffing unusual extras in uncommon places.

[Via AVSForum]

Design Concept: Ring, The Vibrating Alarm

Design Concept: Ring, The Vibrating Alarm

Here's a design concept that we're wondering why no one has thought of yet: it's a vibrating alarm that you wear on your finger, bypassing all that morning racket for a gentle jostling. Each of the two rings can have its own separate wake-up time, designed for comfort with an elastic band so you'll hardly know you're wearing it.

When you wake up, place the ring on its charging stand, and its indicator light lets you know when its power's replenished.

This design is especially appropriate for two bedmates who must awaken at different times, or for the hearing impaired. However, some users may sleep so deeply they don't even feel that tingling on the finger. Perhaps it could also be designed with aTaser-like electric shock. On second thought, that may not be very popular feature. [Yanko Design]

Captain Planet's Hotel: Eco-Friendly Hotel Being Built Within an Abandoned Quarry

Captain Planet's Hotel: Eco-Friendly Hotel Being Built Within an Abandoned Quarry

Looking for a comic- book style hotel to stay in on your next trip to China? Then check out the Songjiang Hotel. It's being built within a quarry. A quarry! Why not just call it a layer. The Songjiang, scheduled to be completed in 2009, not only has your traditional spas and conference facilities, but also features bungee jumping off of the top of the quarry, a few underwater guest rooms, a grass-covered roof, several waterfalls (one of which flows down the front of the hotel) and even geo-thermal energy extraction that should be able to power most of the hotel's needs.

Come on US, where are our geo-thermal quarry hotels? All we have are the dancing fountains outside the Bellagio in Las Vegas. [EcoGeek]