The only thing a father cares about more than his kids is his kids wasting electricity. And it was Australian dad David Rowe's obsession with monitoring his home's power usage that helped him bust his daughter's secret New Year's eve party.
Using a $120 device called a Fluksometer—which connects to a fuse box and wirelessly reports your home's energy use to an Android app—he was able to see a spike in power consumption while he was in a restaurant 500 miles away.
Rowe knew his kids were supposed to be staying elsewhere that night, and he wondered if the recent hot weather would cause a jump in electricity use in an empty house—say, an extra cycle on the fridge. He logged on remotely to find electricity consumption that looked more like the patterns he recognized from time spent running the air conditioning, lights, and television at the same time. That meant one of two things: Either someone had broken in and made themselves at home, or his daughter was hosting a party. And of course, it turned out to be the latter. So remember kids, if you're lucky enough to have a geek for a dad, don't try to pull any fast ones. We're always connected, and we always know. (Maniacal laugh.) [Rowetel]
Every once in a while a product comes along that truly enrages the Gizmodo staff over how pointless and stupid it is. So congratulations Cuisinart, today your two-slice toaster with a motorized lift really angered up the blood here:
Sam B.: f*** that thing, pardon my french. that seems LESS efficient than a spring Jesus: that thing is awful and dumb and awful Casey C.: I feel sympathy for this toaster now
Is it worth tearing your hair out just because this toaster automatically raises and lowers the bread with a simple button press? Probably not. But $100 for a toaster that's overly complicated and even more inclined to break is just ridiculous and unnecessary no matter how you feel about it. [Cuisinart via 7Gadgets]
The flight deck on an aircraft carrier is like a perfectly choreographed ballet. And to ensure that unmanned autonomous aircraft fit right in, researchers at MIT are developing a system that will let drones recognize and follow gestures from the flight crew.
The hardware and software developed by MIT's Yale Song, Randall Davis, and David Demirdjian works a bit like Microsoft's Kinect—but on a far more advanced level. Your Kinect might be able to recognize when you're heading a soccer ball, but I doubt the military would entrust it to land their next-generation bombing and reconnaissance aircraft.
Not only does their image recognition software have to determine the position and shape of the flight crew's arms, but it also needs to be able to discern gestures made with their hands and fingers. And to make the challenge even more complicated, the carrier's flight deck is always a flurry of activity, so the person making the gestures will usually always be in motion. So far the system has been trained to successfully recognize 24 different gestures, with an accuracy of about 76 percent.
And while an accuracy of 76 percent is impressive in the lab, when it comes to the real world application there's no room for error when million dollar aircraft are trying to land on a multi-billion dollar boat. But the researchers feel there's lots of room for improvement as their system continues to hone its skills and improve its accuracy. [MIT news via Popular Science] Photo: Associated Press/Richard Vogel
This year don't waste your spring break lying on a sunny beach in Florida. Instead, spend your week off trapped inside a volcano-shaped hotel that could erupt in a deluge at any minute.
The unique resort, known as the La Montaña Mágica Lodge, is located in the middle of a 120,000 hectare UNESCO biosphere reserve. So while its thirteen rooms provide all the amenities of home, you'll actually be situated smack dab in the middle of a bona fide jungle. There won't be any MTV-sponsored parties, but when was the last time you spent the night inside a volcano? [Huilo-Huilo via Inspire Me Now]
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new way to recycle printed documents by simply vaporizing the toner off the page using laser pulses. The process can erase an entire page leaving the paper ready to be printed on again.
You may recall that Toshiba has been developing a similar technique using special toner that can be erased from a page when heated. But the drawback to its approach is that it requires all printers to use its special toner formula.
The method developed by the University of Cambridge instead works on the existing toner recipes already used in photocopiers and printers around the world. As well as regular old copy paper.
After some trial and error, the researchers at Cambridge found that green laser light, with a wavelength of 532 nanometers, worked best when fired in pulses of just four nanoseconds. It successfully vaporized the toner on the surface of the page, without damaging the paper fibers underneath.
The technique can be used on a page multiple times, though after four or five laser treatments the paper could start to yellow as its fibers are damaged. And like Toshiba's approach which requires a special machine to heat the paper, this laserasers will either have to be built into a printer or copier, or require a separate unprinting machine to blank a page. [The Royal Society via New Scientist]
According to the BBC, a handful of small towns in the UK are installing pink lighting around shops, and other areas where teens hang out and cause trouble, because it makes acne and skin blemishes more visible.
Since teens are already incredibly self-conscious of the way they look, the last place they'll want to hang out is somewhere that's going to emphasize what makes them worried about their appearance.
The approach is not unlike the technique where speakers are used to play a high-pitched whine that only younger persons can hear, also deterring them from hanging around. But, neither approach is an actual solution to the problem. Unless these towns install pink bulbs everywhere, kids will always find a place to loiter. And it does nothing to deter the more attractive teens who aren't dealing with the unfortunate side effects of puberty. [BBC via Neatorama] Photo: Shutterstock/Dolly
You'll need to finish the look with a short-sleeve dress shirt and tacky wool tie, but this iPhone transceiver will have you radioing dispatch for backup like a cop out of a Beastie Boys video.
It's basically just a $20 speaker with a built-in mic that connects to your iPhone's, or any modern phone's, headphone port. Pressing its large button lets you answer or end a call, and there's even a clip for hanging it off your shirt pocket so you can talk hands-free during an exciting car chase sequence. [Strapya World via 7Gadgets]
If I had to sum up my favorite things from my childhood, this would be it EXACTLY. Lego: the best kid's toy—bar none. Soundwave: the awesomest and most imitated Decepticon. And Game Boy: the first handheld gaming system that didn't suck. (I'm looking at you Tiger Electronics.)
And Lego builder Julius von Brunk has managed to merge all three into a single Lego creation that has me reaching for my credit card, even though I doubt they'll sell it. Domaster and Tetrawing, as they call it, is a near perfect Lego replica of a Game Boy, complete with insertable batteries and game cart. But it transforms into a perfect Soundwave clone, complete with its own version of Laserbeak from the Tetris cart. I need building instructions, and I need them now. [MOCPages via GoNintendo]
After the disasters that befell the country last year, Japan has been focusing its efforts on designing self-powered products that will still function during an emergency. Including water-dispensing vending machines that can be charged via a vigorous amount of cranking.
The vending machine being demoed was developed by a company called Sanden, and it requires about seventy full turns of the handle to generate enough power to dispense just seven bottles of water. That's enough to tire even someone who's in good physical condition, let alone someone who's just endured a disaster.
There's some merit to the design when the country has experienced a random power failure. But requiring so much physical effort is completely ridiculous when the power loss is a result of a recent earthquake and there are injured persons requiring fresh water. In that case, a large rock would probably work even better than the crank. [Japan Trends]
Kikkerland must have joined a work release program with their local prison. Because what else would explain the inspiration behind this $6 flattened LED flashlight that looks like it's particularly easy to smuggle.
I assume flashlights are considered contraband in prison. So this one could be easily slipped into a ham sandwich, or between the pages of a book, and passed to an inmate. Or, you know, more creative methods of sneaking something past the guards. [Kikkerland via The Green Head]
First of all: don't do this, it's dumb. But if you absolutely HAVE to spend three days camped out in front of your local iStore to get your hands on the new iPad, here's everything you're going to need to survive the soul-crushing ordeal.
With three days to kill you're not going to spend the entire time standing. You need a comfy place to sit, and a folding lawn chair isn't gonna cut it for that long. We recommend Sumo's over-sized beanbag chairs instead, which are actually filled with polyester fibers in lieu of beans so they won't compress over time.
The Gamer model pictured above has already proven itself as the perfect place to plop down for long gaming sessions, so it should easily endure a three day wait with fanboys who will put console devotees to shame. $200
As excited as you are to talk about how amazing the new iPad is going to be all day long, at some point you're going to need to sleep. And if you're lucky enough to be located between a couple of street poles, this hammock sleeping bag is a great solution.
It keeps you off the ground away from the local wildlife, and it's engineered so the sleeping bag's padded lining doesn't get smooshed against the hammock, minimizing its insulating properties. In other words, you'll stay warm, safe, and probably even look extra obnoxious to passing strangers. $180
This photo-blocking beer cooler was designed to prevent photos of your late-night drunken antics at the club from showing up on Facebook. But it will work just as well when it comes to preventing local bloggers from photographing and mocking your devotion.
It uses sensors to determine when a camera's flash has gone off, then immediately fires its own bright LEDs which will completely over-expose any photo someone tries to take of you. It will of course also keep your beverage cold, but since your line is probably in a public place you'll need to stick to filling it with soda and water instead of beer.
A water bottle isn't going to last for three days, particularly if you're lined up outside in the sun all day. And since there will probably be no place to plug in a water cooler, your next best solution is a CamelBak pack that can store up to three liters of water, accessible through a shoulder-mounted straw.
The pack can hold all of your other gear as well, and when it's filled with water you can even use it as a pillow, recreating the feeling of your waterbed back home. $150
Speaking of having nowhere to plug stuff in, if you're stuck on a sidewalk outside a store there's no way you're going to find a free outlet. You'll have to bring your own, and K-Tor's pedal-powered Power Box kills two birds with one stone.
Not only will your continuous pedaling keep your laptop, cellphone, and other gear powered, but it will also counteract the fact that you'll be sitting like a sloth for three days straight, subsisting off of fast food. The last thing you need is those doors to open on Friday morn and you not able to run into the store because your leg muscles have atrophied. $TBA
What? You don't think Starbucks is going to get tired of you using its bathroom? And what if some unscrupulous individual ignores the law of the line and cuts in while you're taking a bathroom break? You need to come equipped for every situation, and I mean every situation.
You'll have to get used to relieving yourself without any privacy, but these Luggable Loo buckets are a cheap way to answer Mother Nature's call without giving up your spot in line. The prospect of relieving one's self in a bucket is a little gross, I agree, but do you want the new iPad before your friends get one or don't you? $20
Let's be honest here. If you're devoted enough to Apple to wait three days in line for a marginal refresh of its tablet, you probably did the same for the original iPad, and the iPad 2.
And as long as you get a version with a mobile data plan, or camp close enough to an Apple Store to use its free wi-fi, you're all set to stay on top of early reviews of the New iPad, unboxing videos, tear-downs, and anything you can get your hands on to help justify wasting three days of your life. $399 Photo: Associated Press/Paul Sakuma
For some outdoors types the thrill of hunting comes more from stalking and outsmarting their prey than the actual kill. So the KillShot camera lets them capture photographic trophies instead of carcasses.
The camera was invented by three brothers—Randall, Daniel, and Michael Gregg—and is built to look exactly like a hunting rifle, right down to the scope on top, complete with crosshairs, which serves as the camera's lens.
Besides providing proof that a hunter was able to get close enough to an animal for a kill shot, the camera will also document where it would have been hit, and how safe the shot would have been based on what was in the background. Because the last thing you want to do is pull the trigger if there's the risk of hitting someone beyond your target. So besides providing a humane way to hunt, it also doubles as a great way to teach rifle safety.
At the moment the KillShot only exists as a Kickstarter project looking to raise $15,500 in funding to get it off the ground. And if you're interested, you'll need to pledge at least $150 to get your hands on one when they're available. If it's a success, who knows, it could lead to a version for fishermen so they could finally have photographic proof of the one that got away. [Harmless Hunter via Gizmag]
Even though jetpack pilot Nick Macomber gets smoked by this Renault Megane RS in a 400 meter race, it doesn't matter. Jetpacks will one day be the de-facto mode of transportation because they're awesome and I say so.
In fact, Nick is able to get up to around 62 miles per hour in the jetpack, but he loses this race because he first needs to get to a safe height of around 160 feet off the ground. And since he's only got about 30 seconds of fuel on board, he can't just hover around aimlessly in the air waiting for the race to start. But, stunts like this are just precursors to the day when Nascar replaces stock cars with jetpacks. Mark my words, it's gonna happen. [Stuff.co.nz via Geekologie]
If you've ever wondered what life was like for Ewoks as the Empire built another Death Star near Endor, this ad for Toys R' Us gives a pretty good idea at what it's like to stare up at an artificial moon.
It's not the first attempt to combine shaky amateur video footage with cable access-quality computer graphics, but it's effective nonetheless. At the least, it's far more entertaining that going to see The Phantom Menace in 3D. [YouTube via Buzzfeed]
NASA and GM's last collaboration was the recently deployed Robonaut. But the two are teaming up again to develop a robotic glove that will make working with heavy tools in space, or on an assembly line, a lot easier.
The Human Grasp Assist device, or K-glove, or Robo-Glove (they really need to make up their minds) uses pressure sensors in the fingertips that automatically tighten actuators in the fingers, providing extra grip. Without the glove an astronaut or assembly worker might need to exert 15 to 20 pounds of force to grip a tool, but while wearing it that would be reduced to 5 to 10 pounds. And that leads to less fatigue in the hands, allowing them to work longer.
The current prototype weighs in at two pounds, which of course is two more pounds the wearer has to lift while using the glove. So GM and NASA are working to make it lighter and sleeker so it's less cumbersome to wear. Now all they need to do is finish the rest of the body so the Iron Man suit can be a reality. [GM via SlashGear]
Hahn, an Australian brewery, is obviously in the wrong business. Instead of focusing on crafting fine ales, it should be further developing and commercializing this
stabilizing arm that guarantees you won't spill a drop when being jostled about in a bar.
That is, if the arm was actually more than just a clever visual effect appearing in a Hahn commercial. But the same technology exists for video cameras, so there's no reason why it couldn't be adapted for a night of partying. [YouTube via The Awesomer via Reddit]
Like a high-tech version of Boo, this heartwarming little 8GB flash drive hard drive is an adorable miniature version of the real thing. Except that instead of taking the internet by storm, it's content to just store your PowerPoint presentations.
It comes in just a single 8GB version for $22, complete with a metal housing and glowing accents that don't actually exist on the real thing. (Don't look inside your computer, you'll be disappointed.) [InfoThink via GeekAlerts]
Apple employs countless designers and engineers who do everything they can to squeeze as much functionality into the iPhone while keeping it slim and pocket-friendly—only to have case makers come along and create monstrosities like this ridiculous half mug.
Its website points out that the handle makes the iPhone easier to hold, provides a place to wrap your headphones, and can be used to prop it up for hands-free enjoyment. But it fails to mention that it makes your phone about five times as thick—ensuring you'll never squeeze it into your back pocket again—and will make you look like a fool while placing a call.
So there's your pros and cons. For $22 you can completely destroy your iPhone's sleek industrial design for the rare time you can't be bothered to hold it. [Connect Design via Holycool]
Taking wrong to a whole new level, a company called First Impression Molds is responsible for this utterly horrifying $15 silicone baby mold that can be used to make everything from soaps, to chocolates, to the worst centerpiece you can imagine.
It's supposed to look like the baby is sleeping, but since your creations will be devoid of any breathing-related movement, I'm afraid they'll instead look like the baby is dead. I'd expect this kind of thing to turn up on Etsy, but Amazon? What kind of freak mart has Bezos created? [First Impressions Molds via 7Gadgets]
On the big screen you can stop someone from breaking into a room with a wooden chair jammed against the door. In reality, you might as well just hand intruders your keys unless you're using Daniel Ballou's specially-engineered Who's There Chair.
The back of the chair's made from steel tubing so it's extra strong, while a pair of gripped pivoting feet on the back legs help keep it in place. There's even a notch in the backrest designed to perfectly fit a doorknob so the chair stays in place long enough for you to slip out the window and safely jump five stories into a dumpster full of cushioning boxes and trash bags below—just like in the movies. [Daniel Ballou via bookofjoe]
Carl Groover is the Maverick of RC helicopters. He does things with a miniature chopper that seem to defy the laws of gravity and physics. It will seriously blow your mind, and not just because you lost an hour of sleep this weekend.
Carl is helping Smarter Every Day with a series of videos that take a look at the physics behind how a helicopter stays aloft. But this intro only serves to show off his amazing piloting skills. By the end of it you'll be less interested in how a helicopter works, and more curious how many RC helicopters Carl has wrecked while honing his skills. [Smarter Every Day via The Awesomer]
NEC has been dabbling in ultra-thin flexible batteries for a while now, but the latest version of its ORB, or organic radical battery, measures in at a mere 0.3mm thick. Making it thin enough to be used even in a credit card.
The ORB technology results in batteries that outperform even lithium-ions, and since they can be created using a special printing process, they can easily be integrated into circuit boards during the manufacturing process.
NEC envisions the latest generation of these batteries being used in electronics like flat screen displays, flexible ereaders that feel more like paper, or enhanced debit and credit cards. Imagine how convenient a Visa with a built-in display showing your current balance would be. Or if it had greater wireless capabilities so you wouldn't even have to take it out of your wallet to make a purchase. Wait, maybe that's not such a great idea after all. [NEC via Japan Tech Niche via The Verge]
Over on Scientific American, photographer Alexander Wild has a great tip for taking macro shots with your iPhone. Instead of buying a special case or a clip-on lens accessory, just place a drop of water over the lens and carefully invert your phone.
The results are actually pretty impressive given the hack literally only costs as much as a drop of water, but you'll have to be careful when trying it out. Propping your phone up somewhere secure is a good idea since even the slightest motions or vibrations will cause the lens to jiggle. And, it goes without saying that water and electronics are not good bedfellows, so be extra careful when placing or removing the drop. [Scientific American] Photos: Alexander Wild
Lucasfilm's merchandising department takes another step towards the bottom of the barrel with this officially licensed R2-D2 can coozie. All that's left now is somehow turning Darth Vader into one of those Big Mouth Billy Bass plaques.
The beheaded astromech droid features a metal outer housing and a rubber inner lining that promises to keep your beverages cool even if there's two suns beating down on you. It will be available come June for about $15, and will include disgusted head shaking by Star Wars fans for no extra price. [iKon Collectables via Technabob]
They say one is the loneliest number, and nowhere is that more true than with handguns. So Arsenal Firearms has created a double barrel .45 caliber handgun that delivers two simultaneous rounds every time you pull the triggers.
Besides looking considerably safer than just taping two handguns together, the AF2011-A1 has been engineered with custom parts and components that Arsenal Firearms claims makes it extremely accurate. From a range of 15 yards both rounds will hit a target about the size of an orange, making it perfect for hunting dangerous citrus fruits.
The gun also has twice the stopping power, since your target is actually being hit by two rounds at the same time. But that also means it will chew through ammunition twice as quickly. So in this case a bullet-filled bandolier is a must-have accessory, not just a fashionable accoutrement. [Arsenal Firearms via Uber-Review]
After a lackluster sequel the MIB franchise fizzled out of popularity. So a flood of tie-in merchandise will soon be hitting the market to drum up excitement for MIB 3, including this expensive $400 neuralyzer prop which sadly doesn't erase dumb purchases.
It's a perfect 1:1 replica that even pops-up to reveal the flashy bits. And it includes a display case and plaque reminding you you're one of just 1,000 people who are irresponsible with their spending. [Entertainment Earth via Chip Chick]
Playing the James Bond theme was a neat parlour trick, but now it's obvious why those quadrotor flying RC vehicles really exist. And it's to make every Back to the Future fan insanely jealous of this miniature flying DeLorean.
That stainless steel bodywork has been replaced with copious amounts of lightweight foamcore, and while the glowing LEDs aren't powered by an equally tiny Mr. Fusion, suffice to say this RC toy would probably easily outsell a non-flying hoverboard replica. [YouTube via Make via Technabob]
You wouldn't bring your kids camping without the right equipment, so why would you even consider bringing your iPad without the right gear? After all, you spend so much more time with it, surely it deserves this CampFire sleeping bag case.
Your iPad 2, or new iPad, snaps into a plastic housing which is backed with a padded cushion letting you prop it up in any position. But an adjustable drawstring also lets you open up the cushion and flip it inside out so the $60 CampFire case surrounds and protects the iPad instead of supporting it.
There's no word on whether the case will protect it from bears, so you'll probably want to leave your passcode turned on just in case. After all, if they can easily access a pic-a-nic basket, they can just as easily circumvent your iPad's slide-to-unlock protection. [X-Doria via Ubergizmo]
Even the Tim Burton-era Batman films look a little campy compared to Christopher Nolan's take on the Dark Knight. But it's hard to argue that the Batmobile driven by Michael Keaton wasn't iconic, which makes this incredibly detailed model hard to pass up.
At 39 inches it's well over three feet long, making the collectible a 1/6th-scale version of the original. And at that size there's plenty of room to pack in the details like working lighting, a dashboard full of miniature instruments and dials, removable machine guns, and even the cocoon armor that everyone wishes their car had.
You can pre-order it now from Sideshow Collectibles for $630, but it's not expected to arrive until May 2013, well over a year away. So perhaps Lucius Fox himself is overlooking the final designs, and we all know how busy he is these days. [Sideshow Collectibles via Albotas]
Appealing to that small demographic who don't know the line between tasteful and tacky, Bridgestone has developed a new printing technology that lets drivers add custom artwork and patterns to the sides of their tires.
Unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, the technology uses a two-layer process including the colored artwork and a protective finish so the graphics aren't scuffed off as soon as you drive away. There's no word on how prospective buyers would submit artwork, place an order, or even how much the custom service would cost. But there's definite potential for some clever animated zoetrope-like artwork to be created. [Bridgestone via PSFK via Autoblog]
Not only do you not need tools like a screwdriver or a hammer to assemble this Gurtbett bed, you don't need screws or nails either. The pieces easily slot together and the whole structure is then held in place with ratchet straps.
So it totally one-ups Ikea when it comes to the ease of assembly and dis-assembly. You don't have to worry about missing bolts or screws that have disappeared under the dresser. However, its creators haven't beaten Ikea when it comes to pricing, since the Gurtbett will set you back just over $900. And that's without a mattress, but you do get your choice of white or orange straps. [Magazin via swissmiss]
Artist Cai Guo-Qiang has a thing for explosives. He's the man responsible for those mesmerizing daytime fireworks, but it turns out he also uses gunpowder and fire to create abstract works on canvas.
Usually it's kind of boring to watch an artist create a piece, but Cai Guo-Qiang's technique is sure to get your heart rate going. After covering a blank canvas with gun powder and strategically laid bits of cardboard, a giant stencil is laid over the entire piece before the wick is lit. Assistants quickly rush in afterwards to extinguish the remaining flames, leaving unique patterns and designs that aren't always planned. Like any good art piece the results leave a lot of interpretation to the viewer. But people see everything from tornados to volcanos in the scorched aftermath. And since he welcomes an audience during their creation, his art it as much a performance piece as something to hang on a wall. [Cai Guo-Qiang via NPR]
Designed by Gustav Widström and Marcus Heneen, the Slända pens always remain standing when you put them down so they're easier to grab the next time you need them. Solving a particular problem that, let's be honest, doesn't really exist.
Technically they'll let you rid your desk of organizers and pen holders, but the Slända's unique design also means it's never going to roll off a table. Which could be its biggest selling point. Either way, for around $30 it should at least stand out enough (get it?) in your office for no one to try and steal it. [Gustav Innovation via Matomeno]
At first glance Igor Lobanov's Wormhole chair looks like an impossible object that could only exist as a computer physics simulation. But once you wrap your head around its zip-together design, it not only seems plausible, but also pretty genius.
Each chair is composed of two flat, but rounded, frame pieces that each fold into a C-shape and completely zip together. So they end up creating a self-supporting place to sit that looks like someone has torn a wormhole into another dimension. It won a much-deserved Red Dot design award, but is sadly still just a concept waiting for an unnamed yet popular Swedish maker of flat-pack furniture to license the design. [Igor Lobanov via Core77]
You'll have to cut a hole in your desk to install this retracting Levity task light. But that minor inconvenience is worth it for a lamp that's completely non-intrusive when you don't need it.
When you first pull on the cap it automatically raises four-and-a-half inches, illuminating a set of built-in power outlets for your charging convenience. But the lamp can be further extended to a full height of 21-inches, and angled to wherever you need it. Now the Levity unfortunately isn't as portable as the BE Light we brought you a few days ago, but at $517 it's oddly just as expensive. Did the price of LEDs recently skyrocket? [Byrne via Freshome]
Last year Andrew Capener designed a stunning Scrabble set with a minimalist wooden board and a lovely use of fonts on the tiles which had even Gizmodo alum Rosa wishing it was a reality. Well come August, it will be.
According to Andrew's blog, there was so much positive feedback online for the set that Hasbro has teamed up with a high-end licensee called Winning Solutions to put the Scrabble Typography Edition into production. Come August it will be available in two versions, a premiere set that looks almost identical to Andrew's original creation for $200, and a cheaper $50 version which will still use the unique set of fonts on all the alphabet tiles. Congratulations internet, you've done it again. [Winning Solutions via Polaroids & Paragraphs]
The 'keep it simple' mantra doesn't seem to apply to watchmakers. The more complex they can make a watch's movements and mechanics, the more impressive their creations seem. And Harry Wintson's new Opus 12 is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Instead of hands pointing at numbers on the Opus 12's face, the watch uses a series of spinning markers to indicate the current time. The markers—12 in total—are positioned at the five-minute marks in long and short pairs that distinguish between the hour and minutes. And each one flips to reveal a metallic blue finish which is how the wearer actually reads the time. At the top of every hour all of the markers rotate in sequence like a well-choreographed performance, but it's really nothing more than eye candy for the select few lucky enough to own one. Since Harry Winston only plans to produce just 120 of the watches, with a price tag that I'm sure will match their exclusivity. [Harry Winston via Perpetuelle]
Kikkerland must have joined a work release program with their local prison. Because what else would explain the inspiration behind this $6 
For some outdoors types the thrill of hunting comes more from stalking and outsmarting their prey than the actual kill. So the 
Like a high-tech version of 
Apple employs countless designers and engineers who do everything they can to squeeze as much functionality into the iPhone while keeping it slim and pocket-friendly—only to have case makers come along and create monstrosities like this 
Taking wrong to a whole new level, a company called 
NEC has been dabbling in ultra-thin flexible batteries for a while now, but the latest version of its ORB, or 
Designed by Gustav Widström and Marcus Heneen, the 
You'll have to cut a hole in your desk to install this retracting 
Last year 
