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On the left is the Rose Gold Minamalist edition, on the right the Oxford Premium with optional Premium Leather Button strap.
Elliot Havok has taken design to a new level again, this time with a line of watches. What started as a lunchtime conversation with some friends who were looking for good looking watches that wouldn't bankrupt them.
Read moreA few months ago I was contacted by a new Kickstarter project with a simple concept: to be a better and geekier box-a-month service than LootCrate. The project was successful, reaching their funding goal in less than a week, and GEEKFUEL was born.
I just received their first ever box, along with a Kickstarter exclusive bonus box, and so far their method seems to be at least partially focused on enlisting popular artists from the DeviantArt community to add exclusive artwork to the mix. Add exclusive comic books, limited edition Pop vinyl figures, caffeinated beverages and access codes for games and downloadable content on Steam and I think they have a chance to give the veterans a run for their money.
Instead of listing the contents I figured the best way to describe this product would be to take pictures as I was unpacking the box. So here we go. I give you GEEKFUEL:
All told a pretty impressive showing for a first issue. Subscriptions are available monthly, quarterly, every 6 months, or annually with price breaks and bonuses at each increased level. I've been a big fan of LootCrate for a long time but GEEKFUEL is definitely making a name for themselves in Fat Boy Heaven.
I came across a simple yet elegant Kickstarter project today that is going to save a lot of relationships if we can all get on board and support it and get orders placed.
Adam Raby was brushing his teeth one day when he stabbed himself in the gums with a stray beard trimming that had fallen into his toothbrush. It led him to launch this project. A specially coated cloth with suction cups at two corners which attach to your mirror to keep it above the items on your counter.
A simple easy solution and it will keep mama happy. Not a bad plan, and it will keep us all living in Fat Boy Heaven.
In today's high tech world I am sure I am not the only geek who has a gear bag that goes everywhere I do. Along with my iPhone, iPad, Bluetooth speaker, and headphones there were few things as critical to life as charging cables and power adapters. Now added to that list are the technology accessory I buy for all of the non geeks in my life, portable power packs from Anker. For an extremely limited time the great folks at Amazon are letting me give you this link for more than 50% off the normal price of their latest product, the 16000mAh Astro E5. Fatboyheaven.com readers can buy it now for $39.99 instead of $89.99 by clicking this link right here.
The 1st gen devices were a revelation to me, carrying enough power to last a cross country train trip with my iPhone. When I got this 2nd Gen model I was blown away. It was less than 1/3 the volume while providing more than 2/3 the power. That leap in battery technology is huge, and critical to keeping me out of the chiropractic office and in the field.
In this age where everyone has at least one piece of tech they can't be stranded without, this is the perfect gift you can be sure will be used and appreciated, even though most of the people you give it to will never have even known to ask for it.
As always, Gizmodo and Kinja have teamed up to put together a comprehensive list of CyberMonday deals for all things tech and geek, I'll post deals as I find them but their list is a good place to start today.
Nomad started as a KickStarter project in 2012 with a product called ChargeCard, a USB cable the size of a credit card. That project raised more than 10 times the requested startup costs, and launched Nomad onto the stage, now with a range of USB products.
Their latest product to ship is the NomadKey, an ultraportable USB lightning adapter the size of a house key. It is rugged and flexible while remaining infinitely portable. So small it ships attached to a greeting card sized mailer.
For $29.00 this MFi certified cable is the greatest accessory cable I have for on the go convenience. It and a full line of accessories are available here.
One of the coolest projects to come along in awhile on Kickstarter is The PopcornBall, a simple and elegant product that was designed to solve one of snackings oldest problems: How do you get butter and salt on ALL the popcorn?
A ball with finger holds on two ends to make spinning easier and a wide opening with a secure latch on the top to facilitate filling and snacking, a quick spin once butter and popcorn are added allows butter to easily and fairly equally distribute according to it's inventor.
Follow the link for video and more details, and consider backing this great product if you like popcorn. If this project succeeds you could see PopcornBalls at your local movie theater very soon.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/popcornball/the-popcorn-ball
One of the great things about iPhone and iPad accessories is the ecosystem that has evolved since the advent of the iPod for all things Apple. The range of design ideas and materials is endless, but one of my favorites is made by a company here in Portland, Oregon called Grove. Their case for the iPhone 5 uses a new method not previously used in their products to increase strength. They have laminated a plant-fiber compound inside the renewable bamboo outer shell that adds strength while remaining environmentaly friendly. In an age of disposable plastic and silicon cases and covers, this 100% post-consumer material shows that you can add personality and flair to your electronics without causing more stress on our landfills. In addition to loads of designs that are available from artists world wide on these cases, Grove also offers the unique ability to customize the case by laser etching your own designs as well. They sent me the plain case above, but I have another case for my iPad 3 with my family's coat-of-arms etched into the leather cover that shows the great craftmanship these folks are capable of. While their cases are continualy on back-order, they are well worth the wait. Everyone who has seen this case is blown away, and I have had dozens of people ask where it came from in the week since it arrived. Grove can be found online at www.grovemade.com.
For the first time in a while, Apple surprised us by pushing out a press release that they would be streaming today's event and adding a special events channel to AppleTV's.
iPhone 5 has sold faster than any other smartphone in history, selling more than (insert number her) in just a month, bringing the total number of iOS devices in use to more than 200 Million. There are more than 700k apps in the app store, 275k made for iPad specifically. More than 35 Billion application downloads since the launch of iOS, equalling more than $6.5 Billion paid to developers since it's launch.
First announcement for the day is a new version of iBooks, which is now going to be better integrated with iCloud, and includes a new auto-scroll feature to help you read without interaction (great when reading on the machines at the gym).
We have new Mac announcements! First, the 13" MacBook Pro now has a Retina display. 20% Thinner, and weighing in a pound lighter at 3.75lbs. Shipping Today with a 2.53GHz Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB HDD for $1699.
Next, Mac Mini is upgraded to the Ivy Bridge chipset with both i5 and i7 processors, expanding maximum RAM to 16GB and starting at $599 and shipping Today.
Finally, iMac is completely redesigned. Just 5mm thick at the edges, this thing is insanely thin. They have laminated the display to the glass, eliminating a 2mm air gap from prefious models. They have removed the optical drive. Available in 21.5" and 27" models, the new displays provide 75% less reflection, and are shipping color calibrated individually from the production line, a hug deal for folks in print and video industries. Up to 32GB of RAM now available in the iMac, with the same processor upgrades to IVY Bridge chipsets as the other Macs announced today.
Huge change is the new "Fusion Drive" announced for the Mini and the iMac. Drives include 128GB of RAM and any ammount of physical storage. The entire OS and all pre-configured apps run in FLASH. The software will re-configure storage, moving your more common apps and files to the faster flash storage.
New iPad! 100 Millionth iPad sold a few weeks ago. 4th Gen iPad is announced today. Featuring the A6X processor from the iPhone 5. Lightning Connector, with new adapters for VGA, HDMI, SD Card and USB. Same prices as the previous models, starting at $499. Also we now see the iPad Mini! 23% thinner than the iPad, weighing in at .68lbs. Black and White with the same look as the iPhone 5 on the back. 7.9" Display, 1024x768 resolution. All software for the iPad will be compatible since resolution is the same. iPad mini will use the A5 processor from the iPad 2 and iPhone 4. 16GB starts at $329 with pre-orders on Friday the 26th and wi-fi versions shipping Nov. 2nd. LTE version of the Mini will follow 2 weeks later on Nov. 16th
I got this in a few weeks ago, and have been using it to see how it works. I love the form factor. It reminds me of an old PC, Jr. - desktop form factors amazingly have a retro feel even though they are really not old enough for that label.
First, the sound quality is great, and volume is easily loud enough for any office or family room. The remote control gives great flexibility, and the keyboard locks into the base to save space when not needed. Since the iPad (it's compatible with all 3 models) docks with the workstation, no pairing is needed and interference is not a concern.
I have been using it with my original iPad as a home entertainment control for about a week, and am very happy with it in that roll. I can send video via AirPlay to my apple tv to share sound and video with the whole family, and it serves well as a tuner for my eyeTV that is served by a Mac mini.
While I had concerns over its ability to hold a place in my life, don't see myself giving it up soon.
OK, I know some of you have pre-ordered the NEW iPad. Since I'm as anxious as everyone else, I thought I'd do some posts this week on things you can buy to get ready for it's arrival. Most accessories for the iPad 2 will work fine for the NEW iPad, so most of my reviews will still be helpful to you all. I won't know until it comes on Friday whether the extra .03 inches thickness will affect case fit, but I think my favorite cases should work fine (at least I hope I don't need to add even more to my collection!). Even if the ones I have don't fit, all of the companies below either have announced or are already shipping cases that WILL.
First, let's talk about cases and covers. There have been thousands of cases released since the original iPad was announced, and with all things some are definitely better than others. The biggest thing to decide on is what TYPE of case or cover you are looking for. If you want an integrated keyboard to turn your new tablet into a net book, ClamCase makes the the best on the market. It will double the weight and more than double the thickness, but when you have a lot of text to enter (like writing a post for your blog or a long email), you'll appreciate having it along. I have the Storm Trooper limited edition, and it is the only keyboard case I use regularly.
If you prefer a case that looks like a book, DODOcase is my favorite. The folks at DODOcase have taken the best of traditional book making and brought it to the iPad in dramatic fashion. I really am hoping that my DODO works for the new iPad, because I would hate to have to get another one (I have three already, and I don't know that the wife would understand the need for another). They have several special editions, and just started offering several foil-stamping options to personalize them to your needs.
For those of you looking for something that looks great on your desk or the coffee table, but adds even less size and weight, a local Portland company makes my favorite case. Grove makes a beautiful bamboo case with your choice of felt or leather cover. The Grove cases are not made to be ultra-durable, and I wouldn't throw one into a bag full of other loose gear, but they are awesome for what they are. They can burn any design you want (including family crests, company logos etc.) into the leather, have several designs from local artists, and the build quality is top notch. You need to check these things out. They are handmade, so delivery times can take a while. Get in line now if you want one.
For full coverage protection without adding much for size, my choice is the Marware MicroShell Folio
It's going to be a great week for Apple fans.
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