Hasta La Ideas

There’s no denying it, our smartphones have essentially become an extension of our bodies. Thankfully, in recent years, a handful of companies have broken ground in waterproofing these fragile pieces of technology that we depend on so much. Whether you have a summer full of aquatic activities ahead or if…

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by Juan Orozco Packing a powerful punch of sound into a small, portable wood speaker, the Houd Passive is the exact opposite of what its name implies. The upshot of a collaboration between two talented Columbian designers: multi-faceted sound engineer, sound systems developer and photographer David Sandoval and industrial designer…

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Jawbone introduces a big brother to their family of intelligent speakers

Just released as a follow-up to the diminuitive Jambox speaker, Jawbone presents Big Jambox, a scaled-up version of the wireless speaker setup. In part a nod to the boombox speakers that gained popularity in the ’70s, the device delivers full sound in a portable package. The speaker pairs automatically with any bluetooth-enabled device, pumping out beats without the need for any additional cordage.

The design language of Big Jambox is drawn from the original version by Yves Behar, marked by a solid perforated steel grill around the body and high grade rubber on the ends and feet. A few simple controls allow you to pause, skip and adjust volume, though most commands come externally. A clutch feature for any mobile device, a single charge of the lithium-ion battery provides a staggering 15 hours of continuous playback.

While music may be the most apparent use for Big Jambox, the speaker also includes an echo-canceling microphone that can be utilized as a speakerphone through mobile phone calls as well as video conferencing clients like Skype, FaceTime and GoogleTalk. Jawbone is able to connect to two devices at once, and will remember the profiles of up to eight different devices.

Big Jambox is being offered in “Red Dot”, “White Wave” and “Graphite Hex”—each colorway featuring a different embossed pattern. The speaker’s “Live Audio” feature takes advantage of binaural audio to create a 3D listening experience. The heft and solidity of Jambox reduces rattle and vibrations even when blasting at full volume, and a set of precision-tuned drivers and opposing dual passive bass radiators help to deliver fuller sound.

Big Jambox is available for $299 from the Jawbone online store.

Images by James Thorne

Support a Kickstarter project bringing remote 360° panning and tilting to iOS devices

From Josh Guyot—Motrr co-founder and designer of Snow Peak’s SnowMiner headlamp—comes Galileo, a 360° degree panning and tilting mechanism for iOS devices. With multiple potential applications, Galileo-mounted devices can be controlled remotely by swiping the screen of a secondary device to pan and tilt. The spherical platform allows for infinite movement and any number of viewing angles. Guyot and partner JoeBen Bevirt also created Joby and the Gorillapod line of malleable tripods, proving their talent for ingenious tech accessories.

While the most obvious application is for video conferencing, Bevirt and Guyot see Galileo as a useful tool for baby monitoring, time lapse photography, iPhone movie making and virtual home tours. Conscious that the device may find other applications later on, Galileo comes with an SDK kit for app developers as well as a mounting screw for tripods and other camera equipment. Also acting as a charging station, Galileo comes with a rechargeable battery of its own for use in any situation.

Visit Galileo’s Kickstarter page to pledge your support and make the project happen, and watch this video to find out more.

Five add-ons to raise your level of mobile photography

While running around the labrynth of CES last week we noticed more than a couple standouts in the category of iPhone photography. From snap-on fisheyes and tripod-compatible add-ons to an app that sends physical post cards with the swipe of a finger, the following are five iPhone photo accessories that bring a new level of sophistication to cameraphone photography.

To improve upon the already-impressive HD video capabilities of the iPhone 4S, the Pico Flex Dolly allows the user to mount their device to shoot smooth tracking and panning shots. The pared-down roller sets up in 30 seconds, allowing you to conveniently add some cinematic magic to your next cat video. The comprehensive kit, which includes a friction arm, shark clip and carrying case in addition to the dolly, sells for $100 while the stand-alone dolly goes for $70 from Amazon.

Perfect for travelers, Postcard on the Run is a new app that allows users to send physical postcards with snapshots from their phone and a personalized message. For around $2 via credit card or Paypal, the app takes care of postage and mailing with a few swipes and taps. Plus, you can add a GPS location and, even, a special smell.

The latest from Liquid Image is the Apex Series of goggles with a built-in HD camera. Features include an adjustable 1080p camera and GPS that connect to your phone via wi-fi, which allows for the phone to act as a viewfinder for the googles to review footage. Although the exact released date has not been announced, the Apex Series is expected to retail for $400. Keep an eye out in the coming months for more info.

For more variety than Instagram’s filters can offer, the Olloclip for iPhone equips the camera to shoot in one of three modes—fisheye, wide angle and macro. The little gadget slips over the camera corner of your phone to produce the desired effect with its respective lens. Unlike the multitude of other removable lens adaptors, the Olloclip slides on and off without adhesives or magnets. Olloclip is available online for $70.

For a steadier shot or focused zoom we’re liking the Mosy Mount, a tripod-mountable adapter that offers stability without being too clunky. The Mosy Mount works with bost iPhones and Android devices, as well as with most tablets. Available online for $15.