IFTTT (If This Then That) is one of our favorite tools on the web. It essentially allows you to cook up "recipes" for automating actions across all kinds of web services — Dropbox, Evernote, RSS, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, App.net, to name only a few. For example, you could make it so that every time you upload a photo to Instagram, a copy…
The Ringtool is a Kickstarter project that takes the following tools and puts them on a small, lightweight key ring: Bottle-cap opener 3mm Hexhead 4mm Hexhead 5mm Hexhead 6mm Hexhead 8mm Hexhead Flathead Driver Phillips Driver Torxhead T25 Driver The project can be backed for just $25, and the tool ships in December. Built with stainless steel and already funded, this Kickstarter…
Dragon Dictate is one of the most well-known dictation apps for the Mac, due to its accuracy and extensive feature list. Normally it goes for $200, but the guys over at StackSocial are currently offering it at $100 for the next 6 days (ending July 1st, 2013). This is the dictation app used by people like our friend David Sparks. As he'll…
If you spend a lot of time messing around with spreadsheets, you might want to check out Permanent for iPad. It's an easy-on-the-eyes spreadsheet app that's been optimized for touch and supports the XLSX and CSV formats for easy importing/exporting. As you'd expect, you can also write your own equation formulas. Normally this app costs $20, but for today only (June 25th,…
About a week ago, the guys at Pixelmator released version 2.2 of their popular image editing app, code-named "Blueberry". It was packed with new features, such as smarter shape-selection tools, a palette with drag-and-drop shapes, a new light-leak effect, and a lot more. What they didn't announce until yesterday though was that there was another, more hidden feature built in: Vectormator. Press…
Remember back in 2009 when designer Rob Rhyne unveiled an ambitious UI prototyping toolkit for iPhone called Briefs? After several years of waiting, and a couple of rejections by Apple, Briefs has (finally) made its introduction to the public. Briefs for Mac allows app designers to arrange UI elements (such as buttons, toolbars, alerts, text/search fields, etc), entire screens, artwork, and transitions…
The Inkwell is a sketching kit made just for app- and web designers. It's got the essential tools one needs to put together an awesome UI wireframe: Hand-crafted bag Copic C-1 marker Copic C-3 marker Micron 05 pen Sharpie fine point marker 2 Sharpie ultra fine point pens (1 red, 1 black) 3 Post-it pads 250 Architecture dots The kit is currently…
The onboard computer of just about every car made since 1996 contains tons of useful data about the car and its driver's habits. Usually you have to take the car to a mechanic and let them hook up a gizmo that can decipher all of this data, but now you can just get the Automatic Car Link and see it for yourself.…
There are a surprising number of awesome credit card-shaped iPhone accessories. One of my longtime favorites has been the GoGoStand, but the ChargeCard looks to be another top contender. As you can see in the image above, it has a Lightning connector on one side and a rubberized USB connector that can be folded out from the middle section. I don't know…
Silly name, handy items to have around. You won't find these nifty little cable holders in our cable management guide, but if all you're trying to manage is the occasional iDevice cable or set of earbuds that you toss into a bag, then these cord tacos might be right up your alley. The leather gives them a nice, distinguished look. Pick up…
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…
It looks like 2013 might be the year of Thunderbolt expansion docks. We've got the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock, which is an awesome addition to desktop Macs. And now, a Kickstarter project known as the MacDock wants to be the mobile solution for your MacBook. The MacDock aims to come in two styles: Mini and Pro. The Mini—obviously being the smaller of…
Mailbox, the long-anticipated email/to-do app that promises to help you better organize your inbox, has finally been released to the public. Demand for the app has been so high that the developers have instituted a waiting list in the app. As of this writing, that list is over 538,000 people long and still growing! Some reviewers who have been lucky enough to…
Theoretically, we'd all keep our pens, cables, and other knick-knacks in a single, easily-accessible place. But in reality? Stuff can quickly get lost or misplaced (or in my case, stolen by a rogue toddler). That's where the GRID-IT organizer comes in. It's a board of elastic belts that can be used to hold all your smaller items in place. Capable of holding…
Many multipurpose pocket knives are a bit on the bulky side. My pockets are full of enough stuff as it is, so the thin Tool Logic Survival Card appeals to me. Despite its thin profile, it sports a fair-sized stainless steel blade, tweezers, a toothpick, a magnifying glass, a compass, and a bit which acts both as a bottle opener and a…
Many of our favorite apps and websites started out as simple concept sketches on paper. And let's be honest — the best designers tend to be perfectionists. The Pixel Ruler ensures that those early sketches are perfectly aligned and scaled long before they ever make the transition to digital. This ruler is composed of stainless steel, providing markings scaled to 150 PPI…
My current toolbox is big, heavy and ugly. Made from pressed steel, it's tough as heck, but it lacks class. This Gerstner wooden chest does not. Built with plain-sawn red oak with polished chrome hardware, this box is strong and handsome. It's felt-lined, so you can put precision tools in this thing and not worry about them getting banged around, which is…
The Leatherman Wave with Black Oxide Finish is a stainless steel multitool that comes the following tools: Wood/Metal File, Diamond-Coated File Large Bit Driver, Small Bit Driver, Large Screwdriver Needlenose Pliers, Scissors, Regular Pliers, Ruler (8 inch/19 cm) Wire Cutters, Bottle/Can Opener Hard-Wire Cutters, Wire Stripper Clip-Point Knife, Lanyard Ring Serrated Knife, Phillips and Flat Tip Eyeglasses Screwdriver Saw, Phillips #1-2 and…
To one lucky reader, we’re giving away a Glif tripod mount and stand for your iPhone 5 and a brand-new 3-pack of Traveling Salesman Edition Field Notes. How to enter: Follow the Tools & Toys Twitter account Send us a tweet with a picture you’ve taken on your iPhone and hashtag it #toolstoysgiveaway The winner: On Monday morning, December 3 we’ll pick…
The Ti2 Sentinel is titanium-built cache for storing items discreetly and safely. The Sentinel is available in 3 diameters and 8 variations, and can be attached to a key ring or carabiner via the built-in slot at the end. Both water-tight ends are removable, so pushing through lodged items is a snap. You can get in the door for just $30 over…