Considering how small consumer technology now is, there’s no reason for us to use old models of design. Big and boxy forms don’t make much sense anymore. Apple has even manufactured a tubular desktop computer. The Christofle Sphere from LaCie will probably startle you. I assure you it’s an external hard drive, you know, one of those uninteresting, square-shaped devices that you use to backup your music library. But the Christofle Sphere looks like it was made by aliens or the most exceptional craftsmen. Continue reading →

The Pulse Wireless Sound System from JBL looks like it was designed 500 years in the future. At only some seven inches tall, the cylindrical speaker with a black body looks like a very benign piece of consumer electronics. But it is actually the future version of that very groovy invention, the lava lamp. Continue reading →

What is made with fine Italian wool that rings out sound at 120 watts? The Libratone Loop. A beveled, disc-shaped speaker that can be mounted on the wall or supported by a removable stand, the Libratone Loop is a marvel of color and sound. Continue reading →

Resembling a bicycle handlebar grip from the days when I remember pedaling around the neighborhood with friends, the Grip LED Flashlight is a simple hand torch. Continue reading →

The Parrot Flower Power will be the new obsession for amateur botanists. A dowsing rod or stem-shaped device that waits in your plant’s pot, Flower Power is capable of measuring soil moisture, temperature, sunlight levels, and even soil electrical conductivity, something you should keep in mind for fertilizers. Continue reading →

Imagine being able to shoot cinema-quality film from a camera that is only five inches wide and with a weight of 12.5 ounces. There’s really no need to imagine. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema camera will permit cinema-quality film in a compact form without any problems. Continue reading →

While there is much to be admired about the portability of the iPad, and especially the iPad Air, it is a device that requires two hands. There are also many iDevice accessories that add important features to the user’s experience. But most of these accessories commit to only one really specific task.
The Gripster Wrap for the iPad (including Mini & Air) is a multi-functional grip, stand, and screen protector. And it’s described as multi-functional because there seem to be about 100 different things you can do with The Gripster. Continue reading →

Nest is an adaptive thermostat and smoke alarm that seems like the first installment you’d have in a “Smart House.” Designed to change according to your heating and cooling habits, Nest will create its own schedule to save energy.

Instead of having a siren-like wail warn you that the toast you already know was burnt is smoking, Nest warns you with a pleasant voice. Continue reading →

Never have I seen a wireless keyboard that is designed for use with an iPhone. But there is the Wireless Slide Keyboard from Elecom that surprised me. The keyboard is similar to other wireless versions in its basic controls. Using a Bluetooth connection, the keyboard can be paired with any other mobile device or laptop that functions with a wireless keyboard. But what astonished me the most about Elecom’s version was its deliberate design for the iPhone. Continue reading →

The phonograph, or gramophone, was introduced in 1877 as an early device to record and playback sound. It’s a memorable piece of technology, well known for the huge horn that amplified the sound. These days, Gramophones might not be useful to anyone but the most intense collectors. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it’s iconic shape, still. Continue reading →