Spotlight on simple, sensible living

HONG KONG — Here we are at The Philips Simplicity Event in the behemoth Asia World Expo in Hong Kong ready to be dazzled. As in its past two Simplicity Events, Philips does not disappoint. Fact is, at this Simplicity Event, you’re simply stunned and end up asking yourself, "Now, why didn’t I think of that?"

That’s the question you keep asking yourself from the moment you walk into the Tomorrow Bar that’s awash in white and bright lights. Did I just die and go to heaven? Attendants garbed in ethereal white ply guests with assorted hors d’oeuvres enough to warm the heart and the belly. We stuff ourselves as if there’s no tomorrow.

Then again, tomorrow is here and now. And Philips treats members of the lifestyle, business, and health media to a sneak peek of some of the brightest simplicity-led design concepts in keeping with the company’s "sense and simplicity" brand promise.

But you may ask, "What is simplicity?" This simple reply comes from Andrea Ragnetti, Philips Domestic Appliance CEO and chief marketing officer: "It is a mindset that demands of each and every one of us that daily we ask ourselves, ‘How can I simplify?’"

Simplicity is freedom from complexity.

Simplicity is knowing what matters and what doesn’t.

Simplicity is no easy task, but it’s worth the effort.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

It certainly makes sense to: listen to your body, move your body, care for your body, relax your mind, and share experiences (and create and collect memories).

Yes, let there be light — healing light! Dim lights can calm frayed nerves while bright lights can wake up lethargic muscles and send you bouncing out of bed at sunrise. Like the Wake Up Light, a medically proven lamp that simulates the rising sun in your bedroom. Rise and shine with a bedside light that sets in the evening and rises in the morning. Now, if only our bodies can function with such clockwork efficiency.

Philips takes up the challenge to make the healing qualities of light part of people’s daily lives to enhance their sense of positive well-being. No more blues — or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder caused by the lack of sun); now there’s only the energizing blue light to refresh you when you’re feeling tired. Simply stand before Sunshine’s blue light and open your arms to receive the light. The more you open your arms, the more light you get. Let the sunshine in — Sunshine brings the outside in, translating the changes in natural light rhythms and color into seamless light with its ambilight ring. For a quick fix anytime, anywhere, try the Trans Light, a pocket-size version of Sunshine’s energizing blue light.

Now comes the next challenge: How can we use the benefits of natural light to care for our skin?

Philips’ answer: Look Good, a therapeutic system that both cleanses and rejuvenates facial skin, reducing wrinkles.

It’s not commonly known, but it’s scientifically proven that specific wavelengths of light affect skin in different ways. Red light stimulates and soothes. Blue light cleanses and tones. Infrared light helps with pain relief.

But of course, it’s not enough to look good, one must feel good, too. Feel Good is a three-in-one floor lamp that soothes and rejuvenates aching muscles and joints. Or you may simply put on this wearable masseur called Soft Therapy which combines infrared heat and vibrational massage. Ahh, call it massage-to go!

But don’t just sit there, move your body! Yes, you can have fun exercising even at home, and get into shape with In Shape, a fitness system that consists of two exercising weights powered by kinetic energy and remotely linked to a display base that guides individuals step by step through fitness exercises using simple animation. It even congratulates you for a job well done by raising the balance bar at the center of the base, much like a virtual coach. Now, that’s raising the bar in fitness equipment!

If you haven’t been listening to your body, it’s about time you did with some help from In Form, a system of motivational tools that monitors your physical condition, gives updates, and offers personalized daily tips. It’s got a scale that you can put in the bedroom or bathroom, a three-in-one measurement stool, and a Shape-a-Body measuring tape. They’re linked to Reflect, a mirror that reflects your measurements back at you. Now, you have your personal coach/trainer. On the other hand, In Form’s Body Cycle could be a woman’s best friend as it is designed to help women understand their cycles of ovulation, fertility, and menstruation.

What about the children? Kids can be a handful. They love to paint (or doodle), but why should they be restricted to a small piece of paper? Wouldn’t it be fun if a whole room became their canvas? Now you may wince at the thought of a small child running around your home with some paint and a paintbrush and painting all over the walls. Fret not because here comes Drag & Draw, a set of digital drawing tools that turns a house into a home with larger-than-life kiddie artworks. It’s even got a magic wand to bring the drawing to life. Now, you can let your child’s creativity shine but with none of the mess that’s every mom’s nightmare.

Introduce your hyperactive kids to the Versa Tiles, interactive modular tiles for active floor-based games that can be enjoyed at home. At least you know where your children are.

And what’s life without music? Music can help us unwind and entertain guests at home. The Music Spectrum does all that with a simple touch of a button (yes, no need to scroll through your entire music selection). Indeed a brilliant gadget, it can fill a room with surround sound from a single speaker placed anywhere in the house. The control allows you to choose your music according to your mood.

For the ultimate in relaxation, there’s the Light Spectrum, a lighting system that allows you to create light ambiences that speak of a whole gamut of feelings. You can even add texture and transport yourself to a different location — you could be lying under a tree on a hot summer day. Cool!

Then there’s the Chameleon, a lampshade that matches any color shown to it and can be synchronized with the Light Spectrum.

At the end of the day, it’s all about sharing experiences and moments, creating and collecting memories. The family album is something you love showing to friends. What if you had one that you could share with family and friends around the world via interactive photo frames? Tap on an image and listen to a loved one singing Happy Birthday or a friend saying "Wish you were here."

And to keep in touch, there’s nothing like In Touch, a family message board on which you can leave — or send and receive — messages. Using a stylus, a virtual notepad will appear, where you can write or draw. When you’re done, drag and drop it onto the image of the recipient’s face, located at the top right of the display. Message sent! Certainly a neat, high-tech alternative to those scraps of paper you love sticking to the refrigerator door.

This challenge may boggle the mind but not the brilliant minds behind Philips Design: How do we integrate the benefits of technology to enrich one of the oldest forms of bonding — storytelling?

Answer: The Storyteller system enhances a spoken narrative with sound and light effects so that a child’s imagination can have wings and fly. It recognizes spoken words, which prompt its lantern to add sound and light effects and its torch (held by the child looking for the characters in the story) to project visual clues. Surely, bedtime for kids has never been this fun!

Drawing inspiration from other countries’ traditions and other people’s aspirations, Stefano Marzano, Italian CEO and chief creative director of Philips Design, learned a lot from his grandfather. "He was a tailor in a small town in Italy," he relates. "As I played under his cutting table, I heard how he got to know them, understanding their hopes and the context in which they lived. Later, when the customers returned to try on the finished suit, I saw how delighted they were with the result. It taught me that getting into the customer’s mind can help you meet and exceed their expectations."

It’s as simple as that.