Jonathan Fincher
Keyboards have come a long way from the plastic dust traps of yesteryear. In just the past few months, we've seen virtual keyboards that project onto any surface and gloves that let users "type" in thin air. Now a handful of inventors have created the Qii, a thin, flexible keyboard that connects wirelessly to smart devices and rolls up into a portable case that fits in your pocket. Read More
At the recent grand opening for Disney World's new theme park expansion, New Fantasyland, spectators were greeted with a visit from a surprise guest: a giant, fire-breathing dragon. From the ground, onlookers watched as the mechanical beast soared through the sky, flapping its wings, roaring as it moved its head, and shooting fireworks out of its mouth. Read More
Tinkerbrick turns an iPhone into a working Lego piece
In recent years, Legos have gained a reputation as much more than just a child's toy. Almost everything from motorized wheelchairs to robots that forge bones can be assembled from the iconic plastic blocks. Now with the TinkerBrick case, you can actually connect your iPhone or iPod touch to any Lego piece to build interactive toys, useful attachments, and much more. Read More
NYNE’s NH-6500 iPhone and iPad dock doubles as a guitar amp
Home audio developer, NYNE, has revealed an all-in-one docking tower for iPods and iPads that promises to play music from a wide variety of sources and includes a convenient new feature for musicians. Aside from connecting to other devices using the typical Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5-mm connections, the NH-6500 speaker also converts into a functional guitar amp with the addition of a guitar control. Read More
This year has already seen a surprising number of innovations in vending machines, from the EatWave that cooks select items to the Let's Pizza which actually makes fresh pizza from scratch. Now one company has produced a vending machine designed for more discerning (and wealthy) palates. Gourmet food supplier, Beverly Hills Caviar, recently installed vending machines in select Los Angeles malls that serve up fresh caviar, escargot, and other exotic goods, with prices for products running as high as US$500. Read More
Aside from professional painters, it's a sure bet that painting can be a cumbersome and messy chore for most people. That's why hardware retailer Rockler has created the Mixing Mate Paint Lid, which attaches to a paint can to easily stir the paint, pour it out smoothly, and even seal it for later. Read More
In the wake of last week’s launch of the Wii U, Nintendo has announced a redesigned version of its predecessor. After several rumors of a "Wii Mini" leaked online, the company has now confirmed that a more compact Wii will be launching this year. Set to hit store shelves in Canada in time for the holidays, the Wii Mini boasts a smaller size, lower price, and sturdier design, but also sees a couple of Wii features omitted. Read More
The Leatherman Raptor: a multi-tool built to save lives
Having the right tool can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation, as multi-tool manufacturer, Leatherman, knows full well. That's why the Oregon-based company's latest product is a pair of medical shears designed specifically for military and civilian emergency medics. The Raptor is equipped with a range of features and tools aimed at helping field medics get people out of dangerous situations and into proper medical care as quickly as possible. Read More
Kata Revolver-8 camera bag stores lenses like a loaded pistol
A professional photographer needs to be able to grab their camera and any equipment at a moment's notice, and Kata has been producing camera bags with this in mind for years. For its newest lightweight bag, the company seems to have taken some inspiration from a style of handgun, to produce a backpack that can help swap lenses much more efficiently. The Revolver-8 PL backpack stores a DSLR camera and dispenses up to five lenses from a rotating internal chamber that can be readily accessed through a side opening. Read More
The world's most high-tech (and expensive) Scrabble board
With its basic game board and lettered tiles, Scrabble is about as low-tech of a game as you can get. But that hasn't stopped Mind Sports International from giving the game's iconic board a 21st century upgrade. For the company's upcoming festival in Prague, a new Scrabble board was built that uses RFID chips in each tile to detect where each letter is placed and transmit the data online almost instantly. Read More
