Category Archives: gadgets

Geek Gift Guide 2011

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
4

It’s my favorite post of the year! (or one of my favorites anyway) Every year I post a Geek Gift Guide to help you out with what to buy for all those geeks at heart in your life. My usual disclaimer, keep in mind that geeks aren’t always just about gadgets, we appreciate good design and clean lines. Everyone has something that they geek about about from food geeks to fashion geeks.

1. Inkling by Wacom:

The Inkling digital sketch pen captures a digital likeness of your work while you sketch with its ballpoint tip on any sketchbook or standard piece of paper. Designed for rough concepting and creative brainstorming, Inkling is ideal for the front end of the creative process. Later, refine your work on your computer using an Intuos4 tablet or Cintiq interactive pen display.

In addition to capturing your sketch, stroke by stroke, Inkling allows you to create layers in digital files while you sketch on paper. Digital files are transferred to your computer using the Inkling Sketch Manager software, and later, exported to applications such as Adobe® Photoshop® and Illustrator®. Files can also be opened with the included Inkling Sketch Manager software to edit, delete, add layers or change file formats.

It’s the perfect gift for anyone who is a designer, or would like to improve their graphic design skills, and anyone who likes to draw. This is gets filed under ‘something I want, but really have no use for at the moment’. The Inkling appears to be currently unavailable, but keep checking Amazon for product availability.

2. iPad Card Readers:

As someone who shoots with a DSL and has an iPad, this is something that I’ve wanted for some time. This small gadget plugs in to the 30 pin connector in the iPad and lets you upload photos right from your SD or CF card. No more transferring files to your computer just so you can get them on your iPad. Buy the iPad CF and SD Card Readers at the Photojojo Store!

3. Ceramic Pig Speaker:

Now, I can’t explain the strange connection between geeks and pigs (and pork products) but you’ll just have to trust me on this one!

This little piggy is more than just a sweet sculpture, this Ceramic Pig Speaker works with any mp3 player. An audio jack in place of a tail is a clever twist on form following function.

4. HardCraft Heritage iPad case:

I’m in love with this iPad case! The felt combined with the leather brings amazing texture to this simply crafted case. A simple case with the perfect amount of detailing to distance yourself from the masses and shows that you know exactly what you’re talking about when it comes to style and the appreciation of high quality materials. The leather detail on the front is a handy pocket for your phone. Also fits the iPad 2 with a smart cover on.

5. Jawbone UP:

One of this year’s most talked about pieces of technology. The new Jawbone UP tracks your physical activity, your sleep patterns and what you’ve been eating. It’s the perfect gift for someone who aspires to live a healthy lifestyle.

6. Buckyballs:

I’ve coveted this little desk toy as it sat on my bosses desk. It’s the prefect little gift for anyone who works at a computer all day. Sometimes stepping away from it all and playing with this little toy can be just what you need to get the creative juices flowing.

Featured in Rolling Stone, People, Maxim, Esquire Magazine, each Buckyball cube contains 216 powerful Rare Earth magnetic balls that can be shaped, molded, torn apart and snapped together in UNLIMITED WAYS.

7. Thinksound ts02 Headphones:

I’m a sucker for anything with wood detailing and these headphones are too perfect.

Thinksound ts02 headphones flaunt a small 8mm speaker diameter and reduced housing size to provide better ergonomics, upgraded acoustics, and a wider sound-stage. The ts02 also featuresPVC-Free cables and a hand-crafted, sustainable wood housing for more accurate sound reproduction.

Lastly, if you are still stumped with what to get that special geek in your life, you can always check out my gift guides from years past (2010, 2009, 2008). Also keep in mind that your geek may have a Svpply or Pinterest account. This are places where he or she might have already started a wish-list of items just ready for you to pick from. 

And if you have a vintage lover you are shopping for, head over to my store that is full of vintage housewares and accessories that make great gifts!

Geek Gift Guide 2010

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
7

It’s that time of year again, time for my annual geek gift guide. Keep in mind that geeks aren’t always just about gadgets, we appreciate good design and clean lines, there are food geeks, and fashion geeks, tea geeks, all kinds. So the perfect gift for the geek on your list might be easier than you think. Now I’m warning you in advance, this years guide is a little Apple heavy (but that’s just me).

1. Number one on my gift guide is something that’s also at the top of my wish list. The iPad (I know, Oprah and I agree on something). I was going to wait for version 2, but so many people I know say that it has changed their everyday experience that I don’t see a reason to wait. If you want one, or know someone that wants one..it’s the perfect holiday gift.

There are so many reasons I want an iPad, but I won’t bore you with all of them. The main reason is I think it’s a great device for consuming content, and it continues to get better every day. The apps that have been developed for the iPad are simply amazing. I look forward to seeing what this device can do.

2. If you know someone who is just sick of smartphones, I know the perfect gift for them. John’s Phone. John’s Phone is billed as the “worlds simplest cell phone”. The phone has no screen on the front, it doesn’t send text messages, you can’t play games on it, it just makes phone calls. The buttons are big and easy to read, and it has a simple display on top so that you can see the number of the person who is calling (similar to a beeper display). It’s a unlocked phone and it will take any kind of SIM card. Another cool retro feature is that it has a paper address book on the back and it comes with a little pen-stylist.

Just think about how funny it will be when everyone is pulling out their latest device, and your friend pulls out a John’s Phone. It’s the perfect anti-smartphone!

Now we move on to accessories for all those gadgets that the geek in your life has.

3. The Glif. Glif is a tripod mount & stand for your iPhone 4. I found out about the Glif when the creators started a project on Kickstarter. They ended up raising $137,417 which was 1378% of their goal! Most of that funding was because people wanted to buy the Glif. If you pledged $20 or more you were essentially placing a pre-order for a Glif.

The Glif will allow you to mount an iPhone 4 onto any standard tripod mount, as well as act as a simple stand for the phone. Check out the video below which shows you some of the amazing uses for the Glif!

4. Moleskine cases for the iPad and iPhone. I love Moleskine notebooks, so when I saw that they made official cases for the iPad and iPhone I was super excited! The downside is, right now they only have a case for the iPhone 3G and not the iPhone 4. I also am not sure if I’d want my phone in such a bulky notebook case, but the iPad case looks pretty sweet!

Each cover is combined with blank notebook pages. They are designed to make using the device easier, by combining analog and digital functionality.

5. iPad foot. Similar to the Glif, the iPad foot is designed to make it easier to use your iPad by propping it up at and angle.

I love how simple this product is. I’ve seen a few iPad stands, but they usually are pretty big. This is a tiny product that does a big job and does it beautifully. But what I love most about this product is the price. It’s only $25! It comes in white, black, green and red.

Now we move on to a few stocking stuffers.

6. I have two USB keys to show you. The first is the Clé USB. It’s a more feminine design. I love how simple and beautiful it is. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear it around my neck as a necklace!

It has a 2GB capacity and it costs $50. I know it’s a little pricy for a USB stick, but I still think it makes a great gift!

The second USB key has amore neutral design. The LaCie iamaKey USB Flash Drive is an 8 GB flash drive and it’s only $27.21 on Amazon!

What I love most about it is that you can actually fit it on a key ring, and it blends right in. It’s also much thinner than a traditional flash drive.

If you are looking for a more personal gift to give I have a few suggestions.

7. The first is a very personal gift that is one of a kind, an original piece of artwork. My good friend Brandon Friend was recently commissioned to make this portrait of a little girl. He really enjoyed creating something special and personal for someone else and thought, what better gift for the holiday season. If you are interested in giving the gift of art this holiday and want to turn a digital photo into a timeless object you can contact him at brandonfriend(at)gmail(dot)com.

8. Lastly, if you are shopping for a geek in your life chances are they might have already made it easy for you to find out what they want. Check to see if they have a wish list on Amazon, or maybe they have a Svpply account where they share the things they want.

Do a little research, they may already be telling you what the perfect gift is.

I hope you enjoyed this years Geek Gift Guide. I’d love to know what’s on your wish list this year, and what you are planning on getting for all the geeks in your life!

Geek Gift Guide 2009

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
7

Last year I put together my first Geek Gift Guide. Take a look since most of those gifts would still make great gifts for the geeks on your list. But here is my latest list of perfect gifts for the geek in your life, or the geek in you.

Paper product: Action Method

Price: $5-$15

action methodAs much as I love my laptop, I don’t use it to take notes in every little meeting I am in. What I love are Action Method notebooks. The Action Book was designed by the Behance team and is based on the Action Method. The four distinct zones on each page provide a flexible template to get the most out of meetings and everyday brainstorm sessions. Each page of the notebook is divided up into 4 sections.

  1. Capture Action steps, relentlessly. During a brainstorm/meeting or on the run, ideas can come and go unless they are captured as action steps.
  2. Tend to your Backburner. Keep a “Backburner” to catch ideas that may someday become actions. Whether it is an idea for the future or some small errand you want to remember, put it in the backburner and then forget about it.
  3. Think beyond lines and boxes. The dot matrix on the front and back of each page serves as a subtle guide for your notations and sketches.
  4. Preparation and Focus Items. Plan for meetings beforehand and be sure to address your focus items.

The Action Method was designed to help us push projects forward by organizing our ideas and focusing on action steps. The Action Book is used by leading creatives in the agency/advertising world as well as at top design studios and innovative companies across industries. The 2008 TED Conference also featured a limited edition TED Action Book to help participants make ideas happen.

Artwork: DNA Portraits

Price: Starting at $199

photogallery_dna_01The perfect gift of original art that no one could ever replicate! I love these portraits because they are simple and modern and yet would fit in almost any home setting. Here’s how it works.

  1. Go to their e-store to begin customizing your art piece.
  2. Order your complete DNA collection kit.
  3. Collect a cheek cell swab using the swab they provide. It’s painless & effortless.
  4. Send the sample back to them and take care of the rest.

If you are giving the artwork as a gift, when placing your order simply select “this is a gift” instead of selecting a color. Then the person who is receiving the gift will get the DNA kit in a nice metal presentation box.

Gadget: Magic Mouse

Price: $69

apple-magic-mouse-side-viewIt wouldn’t be me if there weren’t an Apple product on this list. The Magic Mouse is the world’s first Multi-Touch mouse. Need I say more! It’s the perfect gift for anyone with a Mac who uses a mouse. It’s a great upgrade to any computer. It will change the way you use a mouse.

Apple Gift Cards are always good too.

Organization: Grid-It

Price: $22

grid itEvery geek has a laptop bag, or a back pack, or something that they keep all of their gadgets in. But the hardest thing is not organizing your gadgets, it’s organizing all the wires, chargers, and other accessories that you have for them.

The Grid-It organization system is a unique weave of rubberized elastic bands made specifically to hold personal objects firmly in place. Designed to provide endless configurations of digital devices and personal effects. Slim design and conveniently sized for your current laptop bag or travel case, lets you easily find what you need. It also has a rear zippered pocket for additional storage.

I hope you enjoyed my little gift guide. And keep in mind that geeks aren’t always just about gadgets, we appreciate good design and clean lines, there are food geeks, and fashion geeks, tea geeks, all kinds.

Take a look at what I got Drew for his birthday. It’s a print by an Etsy artist from Drew’s favorite movie Say Anything. It was the perfect gift. Not the most expensive, not the most “geeky” but just right.

So pay attention to the geek that you are shopping for, many times the best choice is the one you wouldn’t expect, the one that comes from the heart.

I hope you find the right gift for your geek this holiday season.

Let me know what you are shopping for in the comments.

I want a netbook

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
14

CES this year sure was an exciting show, but the product that interested me the most was the HP mini 1000 Mi Edition. I have been very happy with my computing combination of iMac and iPhone, but lately I have been traveling around a lot more, and it would be nice to have a small laptop to surf the web with. What I like about the HP is the fact that it is very small (only 1″ thin and 2.25 lbs), but with a reasonable sized keyboard (92% of full size), it runs on linux, and the price starts at $329!

I don’t think after being such a hard core apple user that I could go back to windows even for a small netbook so I am happy that HP is giving consumers the opportunity to try a new OS. But I still find myself scratching my head, where is Apple on this?

It would appear that there are two arguments in the “where is the Apple netbook” debate.

#1 The macbook air is as close as apple is going to get to a netbook, it’s small and portable, yet powerful enough for apple to sell it.

#2 The iPhone and iPod Touch are Apple’s versions of a portable internet browsing device.

Now while these both seem like good arguments, I still don’t buy it. I don’t think Apple is trying to get into the netbook game because they have stated that they can’t build a computer for less than $1000 and be happy with it. Now while the Macbook Air is very portable, it is also very expensive. And while the iPhone has good internet capabilities, it doesn’t match the kind of work I can get done when I have a keyboard and a webcam.

These factors are really making me lean toward the HP. Apple give me a break on this, I would gladly pay $600 for an Apple netbook than ran OSX, just throw me a bone here.

What would you do? And how do you feel about the whole netbook catergory of laptops?