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Cool Tools of Doom n’ Stuff: Episode 12

Friday, February 22, 2013 19:43

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(Before It's News)

Suddenly and without warning, you’ve finished that last sip of coffee. Not to worry! With all the energy you can muster, put the cup on your hand, run through the halls and tell everyone of the caffeine-infused goodness absorbed via SolidSmack’s Cool Tools of Doom n’ stuff! Have something cool you’ve come across? Don’t hide it in your neck skin! Send it on in to [email protected]. Kick it!

How to Watch/Listen
Hit play on the embedded video above!
Download the MP4 video or MP3 audio.
Subscribe to the Cool Tools podcast on iTunes.
Subscribe to the CTOD Feed!
Watch on Youtube or Vimeo.

The SolidSmack Cool Tools of Doom n’ Stuff is GO. This video is a sub-5 minute feature of the coolest finds we’ve discovered on the web.

This week we look at:

DESIGN
Project Glass – Google’s Project Glass website shows the view from behind the glasses in a real world environment offering everything from voice-activated text messaging to weather reports and driving directions. What will you see when you put them on? How can they be used? See how they feel, what they do, and how you can get your hands on one as an early ‘explorer’. $1500 buckaroos at google.com/glass.

Ion Lamp – While we love futuristic technologizzles, we also likes us some good old-fashioned design as well. The Ion Lamp from Schoolhouse Electric satisfies that need with its glazed ceramic base and design inspiration coming from Edison’s test socket for his lightbulb prototypes. Get yours at SchoolhouseElectric.com for $85 and you don’t even have to be electrocuted.

APPS
Haze app – If you’re a big fan of weather apps and desire a more colorful, psychedelic experience to get your day started right, you’ll want to get that weather report via the Haze app. Featuring a ‘see it’–not ‘read it’–interface of colors to communicate what the weather will be like today or the week ahead. Available in the iTunes app store for $.99.

Wake n’ Shake – How many of you use your iPhone for your alarm clock? The portability is nice, but sometimes it’s too easy to hit the snooze over and over again. Not anymore. The Wake n’ Shake app gamifies the waking experience by causing a disruption of noise, sound, and vibration that can only be turned off by rigorously shaking the phone back and forth. With weekly leaderboards and custom settings, waking up has never been this fun. $1.99 on iTunes.

DIY
Avocado bliss – Okay, who here loves guacamole? Well it seems everybody has their own ‘special guacamole’ recipe, but for those looking to mix up their avocado-butchering taste festival, head on over to the California Avocado Commision’s website. You’ll find a plethora of different guacamole recipes that range from texture and spice to regional-specific guacamole bliss. This is one project that will leave nobody hungry, including Smoth.

Cardboard Solar Oven – And in the off-chance that your stomach is still a-rumblin’, head on over to Instructables to check out aleutinwind’s Cardboard and Duct Tape Solar Oven project. Yes, with just an old picture frame, a box, and duct tape you can harness the power of the sun and make the most of the upcoming Spring weather. Hot dogs never looked better.

ROCK AWESOMENESS
Jony Ive on Blue Peter – What would happen if Apple made lunchboxes? We have no idea! But what we do know is that Jony Ive was recently featured on the British Children’s show Blue Peter, where he discussed children’s lunchbox designs in Apple’s top-secret prototype studio. Yes, in this rare public appearance Jony comes out to talk roll-up pencil cases and sandwich compartments. Definitely worth a look.

HAL 9000 – If one of your favorite movies of all time is 2001: A Space Odyssey and you’ve always wanted a HAL 9000, you’re in luck. Built from the original 1967 blueprints out of 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, this realistic replica of our favorite talking robot buddy features 15 unique phrases and is even voice activated–just like the real thing! $500 on ThinkGeek.com.

What’s on cadjunkie?
We’re in the finishing stages of our SolidWorks Remote control design series where we’re placing graphics and logo details on our housing. In our modo Studio Photography Series we’re moving forward with our preset development and light rig setups. Get that membership now at cadjunkie.com.

What’s on Engineer vs Designer?
What’s on EngineerVsDesigner? Loads of cool interviews. Coming up we talk with Chuck Cage of ToolMonger.Com! Listen on iTunes or at EngineervsDesigner.com.

Ask SolidSmack
And there you have it! Send your cool tool finds to [email protected], sign up for our newsletter there in the sidebar or ask us a question in the comments or via email about diy, design, tech or anything else. Smoth would love to help.