Kanji Sensei for iPhone

Learning Japanese is a small side project I've been tackling here and there for the last month or so. You'd think that with all the language-learning apps available on the iOS App Store, I'd be able to find at least one app I'm happy with. Unfortunately, most of them are butt ugly and/or unintuitive to use. Thankfully, this is not so with…

A Visual History of the LEGO Minifigure

If you're an avid LEGO "minifig" collector, if you recently developed an interest after seeing The LEGO Movie, or if you're just a kid who never grew up, then you'll definitely want to check out LEGO Minifigure Year by Year: A Visual History by Gregory Farshtey. This full-color 255-page book starts with the detailed origins of the classic Lego Minifigure and follows…

Waterlogue for iOS

Waterlogue is an iOS app that can make any of your photos look like gorgeous watercolor paintings. Similar to apps like Instagram, there are a handful of filters that can transform photos in various delightful ways. You can see some examples here. The app is super easy to use, fun to play with, and can add a little artistic flair to even…

Olympus 25mm f/1.8 Micro Four Thirds Lens

If you've been shooting photos with the Micro 4/3 system for any amount of time, there's a good chance you've already known about (or even owned) the Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 lens. After all, it is by far the most recommended one for M4/3 photographers. But now there's a new competitor in town: the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 lens. It's smaller, it focuses faster,…

Eva Solo Coffee Maker

The same people who designed our favorite cheese grater are also the makers of a great coffee maker. Similar to a French press, the Eva Solo coffee maker uses a full-immersion brewing method. Just dump some coarsely-ground coffee and hot water directly into the glass carafe, seal off the top with the conical filter/stopper (also, make sure the outer neoprene sleeve is…

Saddleback Leather Passport Wallet

Alright, you're packed, you're well-caffeinated, and it's time to head out the door. Hopefully by now you've chosen a good way to carry your money and passport around, but if not, you should have a gander at the Saddleback Leather Passport Wallet. This thing was built with international travelers in mind. It has two credit card slots, each of which can hold…

Porlex JP-30 Hand Grinder

(Pictured on right. Aeropress not included.) Let's say you've organized your suitcase, but in your rush to get out the door you totally forgot to get your morning caffeine fix. As long as you remembered to pack your travel coffee gear the night before, you're in good shape. Along with an Aeropress and a bag of fresh beans, you're going to want…

Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes

Over the years, I've discovered that one of the best ways for me to have a better time while traveling is by keeping all my stuff neatly organized. The peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where everything is in my suitcase—along with the Zen-like feeling I get from the packing process itself—always leads to a better outlook on the trip.…

Featured Sponsor: Creative Labs AXX 200

We believe there’s so much more that your portable wireless speaker should do for you. That’s why we made the AXX 200. The AXX 200 is a Bluetooth wireless speaker + Sound Blaster audio processor. This means a portable wireless speaker with power for real-time audio enhancement. Intelligence. That's what the AXX 200 brings to the table. Make a call. Listen to…

ToolChess

From the department of things that are both tools and toys: ToolChess is a handsome, handmade chess set with pieces fashioned from everyday nuts and bolts. The sets are crafted by a father-son duo, and the proceeds help sponsor kids at one of their local chess schools. These guys put some great presentation into their product—every chess piece is finished with a…

‘Flight’ Graphic Novel Series

Those of you already familiar with the world of graphic novels likely need no introduction to the excellent Flight series, but it's a great place for newbies old and young alike to dive in. Each volume in the series is an anthology, featuring short stories contributed by various cartoonists. These stories are often warm, inviting, and have the same sense of wonder…

Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera

While the Sony NEX-5 series of cameras will soon be replaced by the Sony a5000, the even more popular Sony NEX-6 is about to have a successor of its own: the Sony a6000. The a6000 improves on the NEX-6 in almost every respect. The old 16.1-megapixel sensor has been replaced with an awesome new 24.3-megapixel CMOS APS-C model. It can burst-shoot at…

ESPEROS Rucksack

Huckberry has teamed up with ESPEROS Bags to sell some of the latter company's rucksacks at discounted prices. Normally these bags are $75, but for the next five days (today being Feb 28th, 2014) you can get one for $65. Each rucksack–available in charcoal, olive, or navy—is constructed from 10.10 oz. military cotton duck canvas, which is naturally stain- and water-resistant. Inside…

Opening Lines of Notable Novels — Print

Here's one for the book nerds out there. This upcoming print, titled A Diagrammatical Dissertation on Opening Lines of Notable Novels, is exactly what it sounds like: a diagram of opening lines in famous books. Examples include: Fahrenheit 451, Moby Dick, Gravity's Rainbow, The Old Man and the Sea, Don Quixote, and a lot more. The team at Pop Chart Lab have…

ONA Bowery Shoulder Bag and Insert

The Bowery bag by ONA can serve two functions: Standalone camera bag, big enough to hold a mirrorless camera, a lens, and a few personal items. Bag insert/organizer, wherein the entire thing (sans detachable strap) can be placed inside a larger bag for organizational and protective purposes. The bag is constructed from water-resistant waxed canvas, detailed with full-grain leather and sporting a…

Plink — An iOS Image Solution for Bloggers

As I've mentioned in the past, I do all of my writing and blogging from my iPad, using a combination of the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and Editorial. I enjoy this setup for the most part, but the one aspect that still isn't 100% up-to-snuff is dealing with images in posts. There are various apps on the iOS App Store that tie…

iLuv RockWall

The RockWall is a dual-USB wall charger that can power an iPad and iPhone simultaneously. The iPad port is 10.5W and the iPhone port is 5W, so each device will charge fairly quickly. The main portion of the unit can be swiveled 90° away from the power outlet surface by pressing the big silver buttons on either side, allowing for better compatibility…

Featured Sponsor: Campaign Monitor

Designing emails that look beautiful, render perfectly and drive strong response is increasingly difficult. That’s why Campaign Monitor compiled the top 100 emails of 2013 into a free eBook, alongside tips on design and content. The Top 100 Email Marketing Campaigns eBook features brands like Fitbit, SmugMug, Panic and includes: High performing newsletters with open rates of more than 50%. Examples of…

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