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Here’s an excellent alternative to the iVictrola ($650 to $1000). This particular audio device by Seth Ellsworth utilizes salvaged phonograph horns to acoustically amplify the music from your device’s internal speaker, and it has a much friendlier price tag of $300. More info below.
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Hmm, an AudioBulb. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a light bulb that has a speaker in it. It’s an LED light bulb, of course, so it’ll last for years (as it should be if you’re shelling out a Franklin for it). Music plays wirelessly from your iPod/iPhone/auxiliary input source and installation is simple. Twist in the AudioBulb in a lamp or a light socket and then connect your device to the standalone base. You can have up to 8 bulbs and 2 different zones. Sounds like a pretty good idea, doesn’t it?
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The more gadgets we depend on, unfortunately, also means an endless amount of cables and adapters, with never enough power outlets to plug them all in. The FlipIt USB Charger is a device that solves the issue in a very unique way, by “leeching” off an existing plug and drawing enough current to power charge USB devices. Pretty sneaky! While useful at home, I see it particularly being handy while on the go, for you have the reassurance that when you’re traveling you always have a USB port to charge your devices, regardless if there’s an outlet available!
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In this day and age of never ending cords for our multiple gadgets and their myriad functions, it’s nice to see a charger camouflaged in an old book. Yes, for true (sentimental) bibliophiles, it hurts a tiny bit to know that a book has been put out to pasture, but it’s certainly a relief to know it’s not been chucked into some landfill, and it’s doing a different job altogether. The book acts as housing for a charger (it’s a solid unit), and means there’s no losing the cord behind your nightstand or desk.
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Love this. It’s a cardboard radio by designer Christopher McNicholl and SUCK UK. At the end of its life, the cardboard can be recycled (just keep it away from water until then). For more details, visit SUCK UK. (I’ll keep my eyes out for a US retailer, fyi.)
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Here’s a fun photo application for you iPhoners. Gif Shop uses your phone’s camera to create animated gifs. I got the chance to play with it yesterday and it’s pretty fun! It’s very simple to use: snap a few photos, set the animation speed, and you’re done. You need to create an account to upload the gifs to the web, but from there you can also post to Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. I goofed around and made a few examples, but here’s my best attempt at creating an amusing one for you all:
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We’ve featured quite a few different iPhone accessories here, each with its own unique characteristics, but I’ll have to say this is the first that merges a bit of traditional crafting and requires DIY hands-on user interaction. Reminding me of the Panier Perce bowls by designers Guillaume Delvigne & Ionna Vautrin, the Neostitch is a plastic iPhone case with a gridded backside, providing a surface to cross-stitch your own designs. If you’re not feeling ambitious at first, the case comes with a few patterns for you to start with. Available in white, blue, green, black, orange, and pink.
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Not proud to admit it, but I’ve never solved a Rubik’s cube. Wthh this on my desk, I could at least pretend I have when co-workers walk by, and also have a cool looking speaker to boot. Powered by USB and connects to audio sources with a standard 3.5mm audio jack.
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Smart. This MiniDock utilizes your existing Apple USB Power Adapter to cut down on cords and allow your device to charge directly into the wall socket. That means extra tabletop or counter space, not to mention less to cart around when traveling. MiniDock is available in three versions to fit either US, UK or EU style adapters and sockets.

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So, air purifers. I used to think I had no need for one, but after living on a busy London street for about 2 years, I saw enough dust and grime to make me believe otherwise. This purifier by Humanscale removes more than 99% of airborne particles and employs a silent, breeze-free and ozone-free operation. Those attributes combined with its smallish size (13″ W X 9″ D X 14″ H) hopefully means it would all but disappear when cleaning the air.

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Chances are that if you need a charging station you have one already, but if by some chance you don’t, this one has a nice handcrafted quality worth checking out. It’s from a shop in Estonia (yes, Estonia), so if you must have it, be prepared for possibly higher shipping costs and replacing the plug/power cord. Also, it has to be said if you’re handy DIYer, you could probably come close to recreating something like this in an afternoon, but I’d say keep in mind that the colors and finishing touches are what make this a charging station that stands out instead of just an ordinary box with holes.
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Here’s a neat little device which allows you to shut off power to whatever is plugged in after a set amount of time (1/2 hour, 3 hours and 6 hours).

Here’s a fun screensaver for Mac or PC.
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If the name Jasper Morrison rings your bell, you’ll be ecstatic to know his shop is now online. And what lovely offers are on hand? Well, the Punkt phone, of course, designed my Mr. Morrison himself. If you still have a landline, I’d say it’s a great choice; there’s a fully integrated answer machine, phonebook, and ten ringtones to choose from. The handset is upside down, which allows you to read who’s calling and answer the phone without picking it up.

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Bringing up the name TDK to music lovers who didn’t grow up with an iPod is  sure to warm their hearts in some way. I’m still a bit young myself, but I certainly have great memories of dubbing  songs off the radio and creating mixtapes with handwritten liner notes. TDK is a storage media company, but has recently branched into the home audio market with these fantastic boombox-inspired stereos.

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