Awesome Concepts

TAG Heuer’s marks its 150th birthday with the Pendulum watch; it’s the first mechanical movement without a hairspring, opting instead for an invisible spring derived from magnetic fields.

The idea of a notebook with a handle isn’t new, but Zhang Shouze’s Briefcase Laptop is both aesthetically and functionally awesome: the handle also tilts and elevates your lappie.

While we liked both Wired and Sports Illustrated‘s take on the tablet magazine, VIV Mag’s iPad Demo is a real page- and head-turner; it’s an all digital publication concept.

Dana Gordon’s Itch Chair concept has got your back: users can control a scratching actuator with a broad selection of servo-powered “fingernails” using a touchpad at the seat base.

If you can get over its Noby Noby Boy look, Robert Dabi’s ZERO Wrist Watch is an interesting minimalist concept with only two discs to tell time: one each for hours and minutes.

After a long hiatus, Tokyoflash is back with a slew of watch concepts; our favorite is the E-Clock, which melds flexible e-paper technology and readability with minimalist sci-fi design.

Digital and analog needn’t be mutually exclusive with Art Lebedev’s Segmentus Clock concept; it’s composed of 24 analog clocks whose hands rotate to form digital-style numbers.

Sebastian Krabbe’s Rockcrystal Watch may be a concept, but man do we want it: minimalism is the key, with 100% original colors (no paint) on the wood band and steel case.

Citroen’s SURVOLT concept boasts an all-electric powertrain, but that’s not all that’s polarizing: the supermini’s looks are nouveau-Tron with a low-slung near-Exige-sized frame.

Porsche’s 918 isn’t the only mean-yet-green roadster today: Lotus’ 414E Hybrid sports twin motors good for 400+ hp and goes 0-60 in 4 seconds while claiming a range of 300 miles.

Get fast and eco-furious with Porsche’s 918 Spyder concept: it boasts both a 500 bhp V8 and 218 bhp electric motors, good for a 0-62 of 3.2s, 198 mph top speed, and 94 mpg.

J. Yeom’s Aurora Watch seems to be missing parts, but it’s actually Dr. Evil’s preferred timepiece: the hands are made out of frickin’ laser beams that are activated by tapping on the bezel.

Honda’s 3R-C may be a minimal urban transport vehicle, but maxes out with sci-fi coolness; the three wheel single seater features a battery electric drivetrain and a low center of gravity.

Feast your eyes on Mercedes-Benz’s next CLS-Class: the F800 Style concept sports an SLS AMG nose, 400+ hp plug-in hybrid system, traffic jam assist, and 360 degree Pre-Safe system.

Noteput lets you literally play with your music; the interactive table uses a camera that tracks the position of marked notes, which are then outputted via MIDI to sound software.

If you liked Sports Illustrated’s tablet magazine concept, you’ll be happy to know that Wired, our favorite geeky magazine, also plans to go tablet; note that this is an Adobe AIR app.