Link love for March 30

The Pattern & Shape project brief was to design a t-shirt using a geometric shape and incorporating pattern (above).

Plants affect ecology from the bottom up.

Raiding Eternity by Joel Johnson.

Michael Lewis writes about a handful of Wall Street outsiders who realized the subprime mortgage business was a house of cards and found a way to bet against it: Part 1Part 2.

A team of scientists has succeeded in putting an object large enough to be visible to the naked eye into a mixed quantum state of moving and not moving.

Add MoviePeg to your iPhone, adjust the angle and like magic you’ll be in relaxed viewing heaven.

Phone numbers, shortcuts, tips, contact info, reviews, and customer service details for thousands of companies worldwide.

Unlocking the secrets of Jupiter’s Giant Red Spot.

For the first time, researchers harvest raw electric current directly from algae.

Planet Money on NPR tracks its very own toxic asset.

Get Lamp: The Text Adventure documentary looks interesting.

CB2′s new outdoor collection.

Slate ad critic Seth Stevenson tries out a Google service that allows you to run your own commercial on national TV for as little as $100.

MIDIPad turns your iPad into a multi-touch MIDI controller.

Link love 2009-04-07

Rick Poynor looks back at The Designer Republic’s work (above) and assesses its lasting influence.

The new Nine Inch Nails iPhone App shows that Reznor and crew grok how to connect with fans and build a community around their creative work.

Drobo releases the bigger, better, rack-mounted and faster DroboPro.

Boks is an AIR application that provides a User Interface for Blueprint CSS framework.

iPhones among us

iPhone imageYes, I want an iPhone. No, I’m not rushing out to buy one yet. Most of the reviews I’ve read have been glowing, with its sleek form and usability being at the top of the list. AT&T EDGE network limitations and activation glitches aside, Apple seems to have exceeded most peoples’ expectations. I’m most drawn to having a Wi-Fi enabled web browser in my pocket than its other features (OK, I’m also itching to replace my second generation iPod).

But, I’ve found it’s often better to wait about six months before purchasing any new product line. That way there’s time for any bugs to get fixed and necessary features to be added (not to mention a potential memory bump). I guess I’m a conservative-early-adopter. Still, it seems Apple has once-again reinvigorated a banal marketplace with its design research and expertise. Hats-off to that,