The UK’s newest electronic music tour that’s worth shouting about
A brilliant new initiative that’s as exciting as it sounds, Make Noise aims to raise awareness about the importance of recycling electronics by supplying the UK with a host of free club nights around the nation this November. The project is the brainchild of Heavenly Recordings and European Recycling…
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Worry-free and dead simple photo and video storage on the go
A valuable solution for the traveling photo or video nerd, Drobo’s brand new Drobo Mini is the world’s smallest full-featured storage array that operates off combined disk and solid-state technologies, making it also one of the fastest. Like Drobo’s other products, the Mini has four hot-swappable drive bays that allow you to manage as much storage as you can afford to purchase.
The sleek data-protecting design features automated SSD acceleration, as well as Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 interfaces—a first for storage arrays. Not only is it optimal for connecting several devices, but the completely redesigned software and hardware also aggressively enhances processing capability. Additionally, Drobo created a “carrierless” system that allows you to easily join and remove up to four 2.5″ drives.
Along with the Mini, Drobo has also released the 5D, a mega storage solution that works with up to five drives and has an extra SSD bay, making it able to hold up to 32 million photos.
The Drobo Mini and 5D will sell online for $599 and $799 without drives.
Shimano introduces electronic shifting to city cycling
Originally developed to build on Shimano‘s top level component group Dura Ace, the Di2 electronic shifting system changed the roadie game with unmatched speed, accuracy and precision. Now with its third iteration, Di2 makes its debut for internal gearing systems by joining Alfine, Shimano’s premium-level component group for city cycling. The Alfine Di2 Shimano introduces a whole new way of thinking about how a commuter bike can be built.
Like traditional internal hubs, the Alfine Di2 internal mechanism is made up of a series of stepped planetary cogs in an oil bath that when engaged replicate the resistance of multiple high or low gears. Rather than relying on wires physically pulled at different forces to leverage gear change, Di2 releases a burst of electricity that engages a small, light weight motor mounted on the outside of the hub, increasing reliability and performance while decreasing the chance of mis-shifts.
As the first electronic-controlled internal hub, the 11-speed Alfine Di2 increases city commuting efficiency with a wider gear range for terrain adaptability—our road-test conquered the hills of San Francisco with ease—on a single lithium ion battery charge estimated at more than 1,000 miles, which is longer than Ultegra and Dura Ace iterations. Plus, the sealed internal hub drive train can withstand much harsher weather conditions with less wear and tear than a traditional gearing system.
Another first for internal hub systems, Alfine Di2 offers two shifting options to accommodate both flat handlebars with a push button system and dual-control levers for traditional road-style drop bars, both compatible with mechanical disc brake systems. Sitting atop these bars you’ll find a specially designed LED readout ready to inform of both battery life and current gear status. The advent of these options make for a sleeker new school commuter unlike the clunky wire-ridden beasts of yesterday.
Not to be outdone, Alfine Di2 not only boosts performance to a level never before seen, it improves on aesthetics as well. By taking advantage of the new generation of E-tube internal wiring and the option for an internal seat post mounted battery the already clean design of the Alfine group is made even more sleek—an underrated tack in making a city bike less of a target for theft.
Just announced earlier this month, the Alfine Di2 component group will be available Fall 2012 in specialty bike shops, direct through Shimano dealers and presumably on a range of higher end comfort commuter bikes from big name manufacturers.
Award-winning USB adapter reduces size of bulky British power plug design by 70%
Designed in 1947, the British plug firmly holds its place as one of the world’s largest three-pin power interfaces, escaping the grips of design innovation with the equally clunky editions continuously rolled out. Now, however, product designer and illustrator Min-Kyu Choi of Made in Mind has created The Mu—a folding USB adapter with a minimal, refined design that reduces overall object size by more than 70%.
The streamlining is achieved with a rotating central pin that allows the adapter to fold flat for travel and storage. This clever, space-saving innovation earned The Mu the title of Product Design of the Year and Overall Design of the Year from the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Awards. Even the packaging on the sleek, white Mu is slender and attractive.
Much anticipated, The Mu launches today, 17 February, for £25.
Seven new products to enhance home living
While most of our CES coverage has gone to the latest tech advancements for your wrist or camera, we’ve also set aside an assortment of our favorite accessories for improving life at home. From heated toilet seats with retractable bidet spouts to energy saving outlets, the following are seven home product highlights from the 2012 CES.
For many Americans, the lawn is a highly visible extension of one’s personality. Mohzy’s Petal solar lights blend into the surrounding nature with a pop of clean design. The little green fixtures recharge daily, going on automatically at dusk and deactivating at dawn. The Petal light comes in two sizes and will be available in the coming months.
Fitbit’s Aria smart scale allows you to accurately track your weight, body fat percentage and BMI. Small electrodes in the surface glass send safe signals through the body to precisely measure your body’s fat and lean mass. Aria also uses wi-fi, so users can track their progress online, or with the iPhone app, with graphs and tools to help reach their goals. Pre-order is now available from Fitbit for $130.
Another bathroom accessory that caught our eye was the Swash, an “advanced bidet seat” to add a bit of luxury to your throne. The eco-friendly Swash features a heated seat, automatic lid, retractable bidet with heated water and customizable settings. And yes, it also has a dryer option. The Swash sells for between $180-$600.
Disguised as a digital photo frame, the Sonamba is a well-being status monitor and communication center for senior citizens. The touch-screen device offers medication reminders in easy-to-read text with email options and a personalized emergency response system. Plus, it actually shuffles through digital photos when not in use. The Sonamba is available for $550 with a monthly data plan for web-based access.
To cut down on the massive amounts of energy wasted by unused appliances left plugged in, Modlet automatically shuts on and off on schedule and wirelessly sends status reports to your computer to help monitor appliance efficiency. Modlet starts at $50 for the home model and includes software for graphing and tracking your energy use.
As the most intriguing design piece of the lot, Leon Speakers’ Trithon Reyn TVblends old-world aesthetics with the latest television technology. Accented wtih genuine python skin, the rich walnut, steel and brass tripod TV makes a strong statement standing more than eight feet tall.
For a considerably lighter-hearted home accessory, the Solarbulb turns discarded water bottles into renewable lights. The solar-powered bulb screws onto most bottles to offer a fixed level of LED light. The curious little light fixture is not yet available, but should be expected in the months to come.
Two lithium-ion powered boards that cruise up to 20mph
Nestled among the many iPhone gadgets and advanced home accessories at this year’s CES were a couple of companies taking a less conventional approach in the realm of outdoor activity. We spotted a pair of electric skateboards for those seeking the thrill of riding one without exerting the necessary physical effort.
The soon-to-launch ZBoard might be the closest thing to riding a regular skateboard, with an intuitive, hands-free electric motor that accelerates and decelerates as the rider adjusts their body weight forward or backward. The weight-sensing Pro board is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and can reach upwards of 17mph with a range of more than ten miles.
The Classic boasts a more modest set of specs, reaching 15mph with a range of five miles on sealed lead acid batteries. Both boards are kept under control by regenerative braking. ZBoard aims to launch their electric boards on 1 March 2012 with an impressive sticker price of $800 for the Pro and $500 for the Classic. Pre-order is now available with a $100 deposit.
The more customizable Metroboard offers the rider the choice between shorter cruiser-style boards and standard long boards. By going with a 27″ or 32″ board the rider gains agility, while the longer 36″ and 41″ boards are more stable, but limited in their maneuverability. Metroboard equips all models with rechargeable lithium batteries that support a max speed of 19mph.
Unlike ZBoard, Metroboard requires a wireless remote control to adjust speeds. This remote—closely resembling those for the Nintendo Wii—uses Bluetooth signals to communicate with the board beneath your feet. If you drop the remote while riding, the regenerative brakes automatically engage once the board is separated by more than 10 feet to prevent runaway boards. Depending upon the size, Metroboards are now available online for between $545 and $500.
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.
Ten ideas from the members-only product-sharing site
A newcomer to the crowd-sourced shopping scene, Nuji has set itself apart from sites like Pinterest and Svpply with a tightly-edited array of goods selected by its invite-only members since its launch a year ago. Created by European trio of creatives Dean Fankhauser, Anton Meryl Nithianandan and Vincent Thome, the site features a global assortment of finely crafted leather goods, stylish design-focused items and an array of quirky objects in between. To celebrate the site’s talent for proffering distinctly covetable wares, below are 10 items found in our Cool Hunting Gift Guide that we sourced from Nuji.
Berlin-based architect Sigurd Larsen designed The Shrine (€4,000) as “a product of the labyrinthine courtyards of Kreuzberg.” He moves beyond the traditional record player cabinet to include a maze of drawers where you can keep records, headphones, an LP player, whiskey and more.
The ultimate spy scope, the Clap Mini USB Camera ($55) allows you to capture snapshots on the go and easily upload them to any laptop. The tiny device runs on a rechargeable Lithium ion battery and shoots 1280×1024 resolution images.
Kurt Geiger’s Isla Mittens (£35) are a delicate balance of form and function. The soft leather mittens unzip to reveal knitted fingerless gloves, sure to keep you warm even when fashion is the focus.
Known for their supremely crafted leather goods, Portland-based Tanner ($82) turns the classic camera strap into a handsome accessory that will only look better with time. The strap comes in natural leather (pictured) alongside a slew of other hues like oxblood, black and olive.
Originally from the 1980s, this salvaged six-digit inventory stamp ($22) has been reconstructed for modern use with any medium that needs a little extra ink or old-school numerical detailing.
A “representative of the era of the music cassette,” the RE-BO ($1,200) is Bootleg Objects’ interpretation of Jacob Jensen’s Beocenter 1400, which he designed for Bang&Olufsen in 1973. This cleverly updated version now houses a smart card reader in place of the cassette slot, a DVD drive and a 16:9 TFT display.
Handcrafted in Italy from Florentine Vacchetta leather, Travelteq’s sophisticated roll-up case (€65) holds 19 choice pencils and keeps them from rolling off the desk when not on the go.
Ikou Tschüss’ signature crochet-trimmed scarf designs (£309) were borne from the Swiss label’s desire to weigh down the accessory while riding a bike. Each is lovingly knitted by hand by “a network of grandmothers and passionate home-based workers.”
Waterproof Aqua Notes ($13) are the perfect gift for those whose best ideas happen in the shower, or your favorite sailor.
A beautiful combination jewelry box and ring holder designed by Swedish architect firm Claesson Koivisto Rune, the brass “Belle” ($120) spins around like a toy top for added effect.
A review of Gibson’s latest attempt at marrying technology, design and acoustics
The new Gibson Firebird X marks the iconic brand‘s latest venture into a range of new technologies by building features typically associated with studio recording software directly into the guitar. Having heard mixed reviews, we felt compelled to enlist our friend and lifelong guitar player, Luke Janklow to weigh in. After spending a few days hands-on with the Firebird X Janklow, admittedly a purist and tough customer, lands firmly in the negative camp. His experience reinforces the idea that, while this particular iteration may go down as more of a stepping stone towards the evolution of a truly advanced, beautiful and acoustically sound instrument—most would agree it’s just not there yet—the shift it’s taken in the world of electric guitars maintains its overall relevance. Janklow even went so far as to call the Firebird X “an important, if not watershed moment in the guitar’s modern evolution.” Whether this version becomes the harbinger of change in the field remains to be seen, but in the meantime, Janklow had the following comments to make on the current model.
“This is a fantastic bit of technology, but not necessarily a great guitar just yet,” he says. “The Gibson Firebird X is a fantastic effort, loaded with an astounding range of sounds and flexibility, but it’s ultimately not completely successful as a musical instrument.”
While the infrastructure under the hood is extensive, the intricate stockpile of “amp sounds, effects, echoes, reverbs, compressors and acoustic-type sounds” aren’t configured to be played on the fly. Janklow discussed the the seemingly endless array, while pretty fabulous, also serves the source of the real problem. Having to memorize the location and combination that yields the sound you seek—triangulated by a dizzying combination oddly placed of switches, knobs and sliders—can be potentially clinical and distancing. “The process feels a bit nerdy and stilted, and I, personally, faced a steep learning curve to make it my own,” he says, adding that the inherent sexiness of guitar playing has been minimized for the sake of its powerful features when the physical and virtual should, ideally, be harmonized in a good instrument.
In Janklow’s opinion, the Firebird X (“meaning ‘X’ not ’10’, sadly”) showcases Gibson’s firm commitment to exploring, embracing and blending technology into its future. The company is throwing down the gauntlet and shaking the traditionalist foundations of guitar enthusiasts everywhere with this model, which marks an invitation to non-professionals to immerse themselves in a comprehensive library of classic sounds that are very alchemical and complex to create in the real world.
One highlight, for Janklow, were the sounds. “Firebird has an on-board backwards-guitar setting, and a crazy Jack White sub-octave pre-set, so how bad can it be?” he asks. On the other hand, while this guitar has a thousand convenient sounds, “they do all seem to belong to someone else,” he adds.
For $6,000, the Firebird should deliver on all levels, but Janklow found the strings to be hard and springy. “The guitar is a beast to play, and doesn’t seem to pack the potential for emotional, rocking tones in this current iteration” he confesses. “Playing guitar is an amazingly tactile and sensual experience, and if this model played and sounded more natural while housing all of its amazing technology and versatility, it would be a must-have piece.”
Janklow sums it up: “The Firebird X marks a brave and noble effort but it’s not there yet. The guitar world needs a meaningful transformation in the spirit of a holistic technology design mind like Steve Jobs. Otherwise, let’s just work with what we’ve got.”
This top-of-the-line wet/dry rechargeable shaver trims the competition
One of the best things about electric razors is their low environmental impact. I love to shave in the shower but am always concerned about wasting water, and even though the indispensable Razor Pit extends the life of overpriced razor blades I cringe every time I throw a pack in the garbage, knowing it will sit in a landfill for way too long.
Electric shavers can be a tough alternative though—there’s the tug factor, plus they’re noisy, hard to clean and often dry-shave only. Shavers are still evolving, and very few models have been able to do it right. Panasonic’s awkwardly named ES-LV81-K shaver surprisingly comes as close to perfection as any we’ve seen so far.
For starters, it’s a wet/dry razor, which gives you the flexibility to shave at the sink or in the shower. The cleaning mechanism uses a refillable water tank which mixes with the concentrated, solid cleaning solution—inexpensive, long-lasting and easy to install. Other razors use costly fluid cartridges that gunk up quickly and need more frequent replacement. Panasonic’s five thin foil blades give a shockingly close shave, especially compared to lower-end shavers, which favor one or two larger—and less effective—blades. The head pivots in all directions for help around the jaw, and because it has the fastest cycles per minute of any electric shaver, your whiskers get cut, not tugged. The small pop-up trimmer feels like an afterthought, though, and will do in a pinch but won’t replace a proper beard or body trimmer, and the shaver head feels a bit larger than necessary. Its design won’t win any accolades from Jony Ive or Dieter Rams, but it won’t offend either. Its simple digital battery readout on the front keeps track of your charge and use (I’ve gone two weeks without needing a charge), and a twist of a switch prevents it from turning on accidentally.
The ES-LV81-K is not an inexpensive investment with a retail price of $600 (you can expect to pay 20-30-percent off at most retailers) though it does appear to be a solid investment for years of eco-friendly shaving. It’s available from Amazon and other retailers.
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