“Unique combination of electronic entertainment device – the cult iPod touch – and a modern fridge freezer from Gorenje opens up new dimensions of living, fun, cuisine, and household tasks. Specially designed and developed Gorenje fridge features a docking station that enables charging the iPod, playing back music and video through built-in speakers, and connecting to the world-wide-web, if wireless connection is available in the kitchen. iPod has conquered the world, and new Gorenje appliances with interactive functions are conquering contemporary kitchens as they anticipate and set new trends.”

What a complete crock of horse crap.

As designers, we hang our heads in shame that someone related to our profession can either think up shite like this or be so dominated by a marketing department that they agree that it’s something worth doing.

Phewey.

The success of a product can be measured by how cool it becomes. The cooler it becomes, the more people must have it and the more people that have it, the less col it becomes… until something comes along to make your’s that little bit cooler than everyone else’s.

Part with your cash to attain some of Apple’s coolness and then part with more to make sure that you are cooler then the person next to you.

What a wonderful web of one upsmanship (is that a word?) is being woven in the world of consumer products.

Does that come with flames?

[iphone/pod reinvented]

Those who know me know that have little than less regard for the whole ‘made in China’ thing. Put simply. while I understand why Western companies go to the East to make stuff, I have little to no respect for the Chinese value system when it comes to business, IP and all that. Ya know, if you don’t have the ability to do it yourself, either go and learn or stop trying to do it.

Cases in point

One (from the Japan Times via Core77.com)

Two (onCore77.com)

While it might be amusing, it’s costing the West and more importantly impacting jobs all over the place.