The InterLock
When it is nice out, I ride my bike to work several days a week. One of the big annoyances is dealing with my lock. It's heavy to keep in my shoulder bag, but too bulky to keep on the frame. The InterLock on Kickstarter is designed to solve this issue. The lock hides inside of the bike's frame through the seat…
Tool Logic Survival Card
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…
The OD-11 Cloud Speaker with Wireless Remote
We've already featured one speaker from this year's CES, but couldn't resist pointing out another upcoming item: the OD-11 Cloud Speaker. Astute audio enthusiasts may notice that both its name and design are an homage to the original Carlsson OD-11 hi-fi speaker released in 1974. The new design is absolutely gorgeous — combining a minimalist retro aesthetic with a powerful modern sound…
City Transit Lineposters
You don't have to be a graphic designer to appreciate beautiful signage and cartography. These hand-illustrated, stylized transit posters are a great mix of both worlds and will fit in with just about any decor. As of this writing there are 18 cities available, each with a variety of interesting color palettes to choose from. Some are low-key like the one pictured…
Tenba Messenger Photo Daypack
We look at a lot of bags here on Tools and Toys, but the Tenba Messenger Photo Daypack is the first one I can recall geared directly toward photographers. The $150 (yay, Prime!) bag is 8.5 x 13 x 17.5 inches, but its real feature isn't the size, but the way the space is laid out. It's got a 15-inch laptop sleeve…
Hydro Flask: Double-Walled Steel Water Bottles
This is not your grandmother's water bottle. Plastic water bottles are an enormous waste and aren't insulated. A superior, reusable alternative is the Hydro Flask. Its double-walled, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel design keeps hot liquids hot for 12 hours and cold liquids cold for 24 hours with ice. And don't worry, because of the double wall, no matter the temperature of your drink…
Featured Sponsor: DesignScene
DesignScene is a real-time inspiration iPad app for designers. Get inspired by creative images — from logos to architecture, illustration to photography — and save them into collections. We’ve handpicked over 60 sources to show you the best creative images from around the world to spark your imagination. Additionally, keep up with the latest insights and tutorials from sites like PSFK, Smashing…
Monogrammed Aluminum Tie Clip
I was in a wedding this past weekend. Instead of the normal "rent a tux and hope for the best" deal, the groom bought each of us a gray suit to wear during the ceremony. In addition to me realizing my buddy is an absolute boss, I realized that my tie clip stinks. I picked it up several years ago, and it…
Everlane Snap Canvas Backpack
We love a good backpack and the Snap Backpack by Everlane is no exception. It rocks a canvas exterior, a waterproof nylon interior lining, a padded laptop sleeve that'll fit your 15-inch MacBook Pro, and leather accents throughout. Available in four colors, it looks fantastic and fits right in for daily use in the city or out on the trail.
Moderna Artisan Double-Wall Thermo Glasses
A good drink — hot or cold — should be about more than just the taste. The smell and look of a beverage round out what can be a simple, yet enjoyable, experience. That's one reason I like the Moderna Artisan Double-Wall Thermo Glasses. These 8-ounce, heat-resistant glasses insulate your drink while showing it off. Don't be shy — tell the world you…
Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500
The ScanSnap iX500 is the newest in a long line of great desktop scanners from Fujitsu. The new machine can scan up to 25 double-sided pages per minute, auto-rotate images and save OCR-equipped PDFs. The scanner can send files to your desktop, notebook or smartphone, and even services like Evernote and SugarSync. Going paperless has never been so easy. For homework, be…
Ink for iOS
I do a fair amount of sketching on my iPad mini. As I'm not doing so for artistic reasons (I'm usually just sketching out a diagram or layout), many of the drawing apps on iOS are overkill for my needs. Enter Ink. The new free iOS app from Minimal Tools offers only one color and weight of ink, on a white canvas.…
Pixel Ruler
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…
Matias’ New Tactile Keyboards for Mac
In the last week, Matias has released three new keyboards. The first, pictured above, is the $149 Tactile Pro 4. Built with the same Alps Mechanical Switchs as before, this new version boasts better integration with Mac OS X. Adjusting screen brightness, entering Mission Control and controlling iTunes has never been easier on the clicky keyboard. If tenkeyless boards are your thing,…
Phil’s Handmade Leather Wallets
Phil's wallets are crafted out of clean, durable leather that might have gone to waste but instead has been rescued and given new life. They sport that minimal look, yet can fit up to 20 cards and 20 bills at a time. If you need more than that, you may want to consider getting a backpack. Phil and his girlfriend maintain every…
Gerstner Wooden Toolbox
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…
Fitbit Flex
The Nike+ Fuelband and Fitbit One are both popular fitness and activity-tracking devices, but both have their limitations. Fitbit is seeking to overcome these limitations with the new Flex wristband. It should be significantly harder to lose than the company's One device, and more powerful than Nike's one-trick-pony Fuelband. Like the One, the Flex will track steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned,…
Featured Sponsor: Igloo Software
We're back from the holidays... slightly heavier; slightly more determined. We have goals. We have resolutions. And we will make them happen. ... we think. Sure, clearing out your inbox is a great intention — but finding a sustainable solution for business collaboration is better. While it might be tough to change the way your teams work together, now is the right…
Samsung Vacuum Tube Soundbar
With CES underway, my RSS reader is full of stories about Android tablets I don't care about and ultrabooks that look like the MacBook Air, but one product — the Samsung Vacuum Tube Soundbar — jumped out at me. Dubbed the "HW-750," this soundbar is the first (according to the company) to incorporate a vacuum tube amplifier. This gives the sound a warm,…
Spherical Ballo Smartphone Speaker
We've covered no shortage of smartphone and computer speakers, but the Spherical Ballo Smartphone Speaker really jumps out at me. Designed by Swiss designer Bernard Burkhard, this speaker is mono, but promises 360-degree sound. If attached with a stereo splitter, however, you'll be rocking both left and right. Designed to be used on a hard surface, the Ballo is small and portable.…