10 years ago, I was a junior in high school. It was a very influential year in my life, and much of the music that I listened to while driving my first car around town still resonates with me. The Postal Service's Give Up was on constant rotation, first as a CD then on my first iPod. The poppy tech-laden tracks with…
I don't consider myself a gamer, but growing up in the late 90s with a PC in the house, I was exposed to some pretty great games. Age of Empires is one of the few that stuck. And now it's coming back. Due out April 19 on Steam for the PC, Age of Empires II has been re-mastered for an HD world,…
The RFduino isn't your everyday Kickstarter project. Hailed as "the world's first wireless coin-sized Arduino compatible open-source micro-computer that talks to your iPhone using Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy," it's not something your mom will probably want for Mother's Day. The RFduino is based on the same architecture as the Arduino Uno, and includes a powerful ARM chipset and a Bluetooth Low-Energy 4.0…
The iOS and Android app Path has hit version 3.0. The new version keeps everything people love about Path — a great design and a truly private social network, but adds private one-to-one and group messaging. And stickers. Yes, stickers. Here's Matt Panzarino: The stickers have been put together in collections called ‘packs’ that run $1.99 and contain a dozen or more stickers.…
With the COOLPIX A, Nikon has entered the high-end compact camera fray. For $1,100, the COOLPIX A packs a 16.2 megapixel DX-format sensor with an all-glass 18.5mm f/2.8 prime lens. Capable of recording 1080p video, RAW images at 4 fps while burst shooting and shooting in macro mode. It goes on sale in a few weeks.
The Roku has been a long-time favorite of those who the AppleTV just doesn't cut it. Tonight, the Roku 3 was announced. With a new UI and a new chipset behind it, the Roku 3 is much faster than previous version. The new remote has a headphone jack in it, which is (quite frankly) amazing. I don't understand why I haven't seen…
The iPhone 5's glass radio windows at the top and bottom of the back gives it a unique, two-tone look. Most iPhone cases cover this design detail, but the Saturn Case for iPhone 5 embraces it. Pictured above, the Saturn case is made from polycarbonate and aluminum. The polycarbonate resides over the glass, letting all of the science involved in passing data…
With Apple's insane success and popularity in the recent years, there are throngs of Apple customers that aren't aware how the company — or it's products — were started. Revolution in the Valley, by Andy Hertzfield is a look at how the Macintosh came to be. The book traces the skunkworks project from 1979 until 1984, when the Macintosh went on sale for the…
I've written about my Smart Alec before, and I genuinely love it. However, since buying mine a while back, Tom Bihn has released an update to the backpack. While both the new and old bags have a lot in common, such as the internal clips for a notebook sleeve and a compartment built until the lid. The new bag's lid compartment is…
There are a ton of AirPlay speakers out on the market, but the Bowers & Wilkins A7 Wireless Music Speaker System stands alone. According to Lex Friedman at Macworld, it sounds incredible. And it should, for $800. So, what does all that green get you? Besides a great-looking (albeit large) case, the A7 packs a pair of 1-inch, Nautilus-tube aluminum tweeters, a…
With spring right around the corner, I've been reviewing my to-do list for my house and yard. One of the big items on the list is to organize our workshop, which has gotten junky in the 15 months since we bought our house. The Bulldog Hardware Peg-A-System Kit looks like a great way to get things off my workbench (which is a…
While there are several "DJ apps" out there for the iPad, Traktor DJ is unique. Instead of presenting turntables on your tablet's screen, this $20 app shows the waveforms of your selected tracks, allowing you you to touch your music as you mix, scratch and drop the beats. (Does "drop the beats" sound cool? It does in my head.) The app can…
We've covered loads of wallets and loads of iPhone cases here at Tools and Toys, but the SmartFlex Card for iPhone 5 combines the categories in a new way. Securely hold up to 3 cards (or folded bills) in this case's side-loading slot. With a thumb release on one side, you won't be digging your cards out with your fingernails, which is…
I love the following things: LEGO Lord of the Rings Macs I might just be $30 lighter by the time this weekend rolls around, as LEGO Lord of the Rings has shipped for the Mac. With 80 playable characters, multiplayer mode and a super creepy-looking LEGO Gollum, this app looks like a must-have.
While Android really isn't my jam, I have to say, the just-announced aluminum-clad HTC One is probably the best-looking handset the company has put out in years. With HTC BlinkFeed, the company has put web-based content front-and-center on this device, in what looks like a mashup of Windows Metro and Flipboard. And with a camera that captures 300% more light than most…
The generically-named Belkin Kitchen Cabinet Tablet Mount is a great way to use your tablet (ok, let's face it, your iPad) in the kitchen without putting it in danger of being spills and accidents. With an easy-to-install arm that requires no tools, putting this mount in is a snap. It's compact enough to fit easily in a silverware drawer, and comes with…
I — like Shawn and Chris — have projects we consider side work or freelance. For my part, isn't much, but it is enough that it can spiral out of control if I don't manage it well. I think that's true for most people who do freelance, actually. Thankfully, we don't have to do it alone. Freelance designer, editor and all-around-nice-guy Aaron Mahnke…
While the AppleTV supports AirPlay coming from all modern iOS devices, only the following Macs can broadcast via AirPlay while running Mountain Lion: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer) Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer) MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer) MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer) If your Mac is older than this, you're more than likely stuck with needing a cable…
Since Thunderbolt's introduction, I've been waiting for a really good dock that used the connectivity Apple builds in most of its Macs. The wait is almost over. Meet the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock. Available now for pre-order for $300, this baby packs a punch. Since Thunderbolt is basically magic, the dock has these ports coming out the back: 1 Gigabit Ethernet port…
Hot on the heels of Chris' post yesterday, Tools & Toys reader John sent me a link to the Samsung HW-E450 Wireless AirTrack Sound Bar. The Samsung Soundbar boasts a slim design with a separate subwoofer. It's designed to mimic Surround and 3D-Depth sound. At 35 inches long, it is built to fit under a 40-inch TV nice and snuggly. Ranked first…