Hasta La Ideas

The most exciting new hardware launched by Apple since the iPhone, the iPad presents a brand new platform for consuming online content. To perfectly tailor our publication to the touch-screen medium, we developed the Cool Hunting application—a free app (downloadable now from iTunes).

Pulling off a project like this takes an amazing team. In our case we worked on the design with BBH and development with Front-Ended. None of this would have been possible without our launch sponsor Cadillac or our ad network Largetail.

Combining the strengths of the iPad with those of our recently re-designed site, in landscape mode you can scroll laterally through all of our stories or filter by category. With a simple two finger swipe, you can move from one story to the next, with images bordering the top and information displayed on the left hand side. Videos expand to consume the entire screen, taking advantage of the iPad’s gorgeously crisp display. While the horizontal view is more visual and immersive, the portrait view puts the focus on headlines, allowing you to quickly scan articles.

While many publications are taking a more literal approach to translating their content from print to pad (or web to pad), we chose to create an interface that best suits the user experience and creates new opportunities for our advertising partners. For Cadillac, the first brand to leverage our custom, single-sponsor approach, we worked with BBH to create a section that contains weekly updates of iPad-only Cool Hunting stories, advertorial and content specifically about the CTS-V Coupe.

Available for free from iTunes, we couldn’t be more excited about the application and the seemingly endless possibilities presented by the iPad.

After checking out the new collection of user-friendly routers from Belkin this morning, the model most after our own hearts is the top-of-the-line Play Max, a dual-band device that makes both experiencing and downloading large media files easier. Their Video Max HD technology takes advantage of the simultaneous networks that the Play Max creates, upping both performance and speed when watching HD movies and the like.

A series of software turns the router into a system for managing incoming media, using an app called Bit Boost to prioritize how it handles different types, for example. But those who regularly leave files downloading overnight will especially love Torrent Genie, a feature that will continue downloads to a hard drive without a computer.

Other fun features introduced with the new line, and included in this model, range from automatic backups, wireless printing, and music streaming to enabled devices like PlayStation 3s and Xbox 360s.

Due out this April, the Play Max will sell directly from Belkin for $130.

The first device for playing outdoors as well as inside, Swinxs provides hours of recreational use with lights and a built-in voice that explains games, recognizes players and serves as a referee.

Announced in 2008, launched in Europe last year, and now making its U.S. debut, the portable, screen-free device accommodates up to 10 players and features 26 games broken down into three categories—active, educational and adventurous. It includes classics like charades, hide-and-seek, and tag, along with new options such as Flyswatter, which sharpens fine motor skills, and Swinxsball, a mash-up of dodge ball and critical listening.

The games themselves encourage good old-fashioned fun and social interaction, while computer connectivity keeps things fresh and makes the accessory relevant to today’s wired youth. Kids can download more games (for free), exchange tips and experiences, and keep track of personal scores. With a pretty robust dev tool set, the brand clearly hopes that others will likewise start making new games. Interactive books (already available in Europe) will also soon come available once the rights get sorted out.

Designed for ages four and above, Swinxs sells online for $150 and includes the console, four wristbands, a USB cable, an adapter and 10 pre-installed games. Check out the video for a full look at Swinxs’ many capabilities.