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Do you have negatives or slides in your closet from the days before smartphones? I know I do, and I haven’t gotten around to tackling the task of transferring them into digital format. The PictoScanner makes that job easy, as you use your smartphone’s camera to ‘scan’ the backlit film and slides. Easy, right?
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Ugh, what do do when you have several devices that need charging with a Lightning connection cord? You could have a ton of cords on your desk, you could try meditation to pass the time, or you could get one of these handy Nodes. It will let you charge several things, with minimal fuss, all at once. It’s small enough to make it easy to carry, yet large enough not to lose.
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This bluetooth speaker has a trick up its sleeve; it’s also a light. The Cromatica features color illumination to coordinate with your favorite music and sounds. Program your particular mix of light and sound for just the right ambience, or just use it as a small lamp at quiet times beside the bed or sofa. That notch at the top of the Cromatica functions as a handle, making it easy for you to carry it from room to room.
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Initially, the thought of a headphone/earphone stand seems entirely unnecessary. However, to be fair, where do you put your headphones/earphones when you’re not wearing them? Not back in their case, because that’s too much trouble, so maybe (usually) you just leave them out on top of your desk, table or dresser, where they get covered with other stuff (sometimes). So, maybe a headphone/earphone stand isn’t such a ridiculous idea, hmm?
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Fun! This Monkey Radio & Speaker features a flexible antenna that can wrap around a bike handle, bag strap, or shower rod (yes, it’s waterproof). No need to be without an FM radio and Bluetooth speaker when it’s so handy to carry around, right? The rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for five hours and takes around three hours to fully charge. (And a great gift idea, too.)
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For a long name, this little block of wood doesn’t do much other than hold your cable in place and look cute. But perhaps that’s plenty enough? A slot alongside the bottom of the house lets your cable pass through, yet keeps it from falling off. Uncomplicated.
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A DIY Pinhole Camera Kit? Yes, please. Did you know that Astronomer Gemma Frisus de Radio constructed the first pinhole camera to examine the solar eclipse of 1544? That was a long time ago, and to this day some photographers still prefer pinhole cameras to get a vintage, moody look for their shots. Maybe try it out by putting together this kit and taking some photos, you know, with actual film? It could be fun!
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Are you old enough to remember (or still use) an actual clipboard? I like how this molded plywood Pupitre* designed by José Cabrita functions sort of like a clipboard, without the clip. Sure, it holds your iPad or tablet upright handily enough with the slot in its curved surface, but that surface also gives you a place to take notes or stack your current papers and magazines. The curvature also makes it easy for you to grab the whole stack and move it from the table to the sofa, or from your desk to the conference room.
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A new measuring tool? Sign us up. The InstruMMent 01 captures dimensions of any object and logs the measurements through your smartphone. One end of the pen/pencil/stylus has a black rubberized wheel that rolls over flat and curved surfaces. Sensors record the distance travelled (in 0.1 mm increments) with a laser to help you gauge exactly where you start and finish. Want to see how big your face is, or capture your exact profile? Roll the end from your forehead to your chin, then watch the line appear in the accompanying app. What about measuring a chair or a sculpture? Roll the end across and around, and ta-da! You’ll have the dimensions ready to share. The app will translate scaled quantities as well (and you can import to CAD!). So fun.
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This DIY Digital Camera is about as simple as it can get. A lightweight transparent case lets you see exactly how it works, which is a plus for those with curious minds. And, it only has two switches: an on/off button (also serves as the shutter clicker) and a selection switch for different photo effects (Normal, Black & White, Sepia and Blue). A fisheye and wide-angle lense are included.
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There’s a good chance someone you know will give or get a VR Headset this holiday season, especially as many retailers are promoting them like crazy. And, yes, you could plonk down $130 for the Zeiss VR ONE Plus Headset or $40-$60 on the many other options, but maybe you’d rather spend $15 just to see what all the fuss is about. These paper Virtual Reality Glasses are easy to assemble/disassemble and could be the perfect stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift.
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If you are a photographer (amateurs count), or know someone fond of taking photographs, then you may want to take a look at these camera straps. They feature quick release clips and smart little pockets for SD memory cards. Maybe add to your ‘buy later’ folder, if you don’t end up getting one as a gift? You can buy the set together, $160.00, or individually.
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Remember the Impossible Project’s I-1 Analog Instant Camera, the camera system that uses the original Polaroid® format from way back when? It may be a gift consideration for those that have been extremely nice. It comes with an accompanying I-1 App, which lets you control aperture and shutter speed. Autofocus and ring flash (eight LED’s plus it counts how many photos are left on the film) makes anyone’s photo skills shine, and there will be an actual instant photo to show off, give away, or frame. Oh, and, of course, images can be uploaded to social channels via the app as well. Hip, hip, hooray!
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Another laptop sleeve? You may be sort of sick of seeing leather sleeves, but I can’t help but point out how sophisticated an attache can be compared to a ragged-y old backpack or beat-up bag. It fits 13″ devices, and each one is handcrafted in New York City. Perhaps it could be a nice gift for someone who likes nice things?
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There’s soooo many bluetooth speakers out there, how do you choose just one? Well, the UE Roll 2 gets great reviews, so sit up and pay attention. It’s got a bungee cord attachment, so you can strap it to anything. It’s waterproof, so hang it in the shower or take it to the beach. And, it’s light; in fact, it’s lighter than a can of soda. The range is pretty good too, as you’ve got about 100 ft. before you start losing the signal. Rest easy knowing you’ll have around 9 hours of rechargeable battery life while you’re out on your adventures. Pretty good, eh?
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