Author Archives: Stephen Hackett

Fender Squier Usb Stratocaster Guitar

Before the USB Stratocaster Guitar, hooking up a guitar to a Mac or iOS device required a USB-ready break-out box, but no more. This $200 axe includes a regular 1/4-inch passive output, but also a Mini-B USB port, so plugging right in to a computer or iOS device is a snap. The high-quality headphone amp lets you listen to the output without…

iPad Mini Sleeve Case and Cover Organizer

Since switching to an iPad mini, I've been thinking about what to carry it in. My current satchel is for an 11-inch Air, and pretty floppy when I toss my new iPad in it. Looking at Etsy, this project popped up. Part sleeve, part case, this hand-made wool felt product has a main compartment for the iPad mini, with pocket space for…

The Field Notes Archival Wooden Box

I've filled up over a dozen Field Notes notebooks over the last year or so. I keep all of them in a Ziploc bag in my desk, with the dates written on the covers for future use. (I also scan them and keep them as PDFs) Admittedly, it's not a great system, but it works. The guys over at Field Notes have…

LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia

Lots of Star Wars fans are also LEGO nerds. For those who are (my hand is raised), this book should really get the juices flowing. This illustrated encyclopedia features images of over 300 LEGO Star Wars minifigures, explaining how they are built, and detailing all of the little design touches we've all come to love and appreciate over the years.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883

I've never owned a motorcycle, but if my wife would let me, I'd be all over the Iron 883. The American bike is just want I like — it's dark and simple. There's no flash here — just good looks. Weighing 573.2 pounds, it gets 51 mpg. I can't think of much that is this handsome and this green, all at the same…

The TGT Wallet

We've featured a lot of minimal wallets here on T&T, but the TGT might be the smallest of the lot. TGT is actually a line of wallets, and all of them are minimal and good-looking. The 1.0 is a elastic band designed to keep your cards and cash nice and neat, while the 2.0 adds a pocket made of "fine Italian leather."…

Bond On Set: Filming Skyfall

This book provides a unique, behind-the-scenes of the newest James Bond film, Skyfall. Photographer Greg Williams worked during the shooting of the film to capture the crew, actors and scenes that make up what looks like a killer new film. Skyfall is the twenty-third Bond film and marks the fiftieth anniversary of the movie franchise. If you want to add something to…

A Book of Beards

With the second week of No Shave November underway, we though you could you use a little encouragement. The Book of Beards is a $45 showing off 86 beards on 125 pages with 18 written contributions. The man on the cover of the book is fighting testicular cancer without health insurance, so the proceeds of the book are going to him to…

Tweetbot for Mac

Tweetbot is a well-known iOS Twitter client with loads of features like muting, iCloud sync and more, all powered by a beautiful and charming interface that only Tapbots could deliver. Tweetbot for Mac brings all of that to the desktop. Complete with Retina support, multiple-column views and all of the great iOS features (including sync via iCloud), it's the best way for…

Wrist ID Elite

With a silicone band and watch-style metal buckle, this ID is a great-looking way to stay safe running, biking or rock climbing. In fact, I don't do anything without mine on; thanks to its handsome looks, I can even wear it dressed up. The metal plate is designed to contain information that would be vital in the case of an emergency. If…

Caffeine Chemistry Coffee Cup

This 8-ounce mug has a handy reminder that it's time for more coffee imprinted in the bottom — the molecular structure of caffeine. The graphic is permanently fused to the mug, so the science lesson won't come off with repeated use. It's microwave and dishwasher safe, and is just $14 on Etsy.

Doxie One

Shawn and I are both big fans of the Doxie Go, a great little portable scanner. Now the Go has a sibling — the Doxie One. The new colorful scanner stores everything on an SD card, and documents can be downloaded via USB, or via Apple's iPad SD Card Reader. While it lacks some of the options found on the more expensive…

‘The Amazing Spiderman’ on Blu-Ray

The Amazing Spiderman is out on Blu-Ray next week, bringing the Web Slinger's reboot to a living room near you. Peter Parker's origin story is re-told in what many to believe a much better way than it was back in the early 2000s when Tobey Maguire was in the suit. The Blu-Ray includes deleted scenes, commentaries, screen tests and stunt rehearsals. It…

Gentleman’s Beard Care Gloss

With No Shave November upon us, it's important to know how to care for your young beard. Once you get a real wooly mammoth look going, it's important to care for it, keeping it neat and conditioned. This Beard Gloss promises to be able to do that. Made from all-natural ingredients, if you want to treat your beard right, running some of…

Polaroid Z230 10MP Digital Instant Print Camera

This 10 MP digital camera combines the benefits of a digital camera with the fun of the old-school Polaroid instant cameras. Equipped with a 3-inch LCD and the ability to upload custom borders, creating fun creations to pass out at a party has never been easier. The 2x3" prints are ready in under a minute.

Light by Moore’s Cloud

Inside this little cube lives a Linux-powered brain, fifty-two LEDs in two million colors and a battery. To change the settings of the LEDs, simply connect to the device over Wi-Fi and make changes to the color and patterns. Snap a photo with your smartphone, select a color from it, and the device can match it. Thanks to its support of REST-based…

Darth Vader Mini-Figure Alarm Clock

Bummed about Disney buying Lucasfilms? A Darth Vader Mini-Fig clock should restore balance to the Force. With a two-year battery, snooze button and the Dark Lord himself, let your loved ones or coworkers know you're serious about being on time.

Philips Hue Smart LED Bulb

The Philips Hue Smart LED Bulb is an iOS-controlled smart bulb that can be set to one of multiple colors or temperatures, making it easier than ever to get the look you're going for. The $59 wireless-enabled bulbs connect to your home Wi-Fi network and are rated for 15 years of use. Light switches are so boring, all of a sudden, aren't…

Duluth Pack’s Scoutmaster bag

Readers of T & T will know that I'm a sucker for a good bag, and man, does the Duluth Pack's Scoutmaster look awesome. With 15oz canvas, roller buckle closures, cotton web shoulder straps and a padded laptop sleeve, the bag makes a great choice for MacBook-toting guys who care about what their bag looks like. Made in America, the Scoutmaster will…

Looj 125 Remote Controlled Cordless Electric Gutter Cleaning Robot

I spent part of my weekend cleaning out my gutters, and man, would have this thing come in handy. The iRobot 12501 Looj 125 Remote Controlled Cordless Electric Gutter Cleaning Robot is a battery-powered, 5-pound robot designed to clean gutters quickly. The iRobot Looj cleans up to 150 feet of linear gutter on a single charge, and is waterproof up to a…

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