Like everything Apple, the iPod Touch’s design is a study in simplistic beauty.
However, as with most things tech, there are those that just can’t help but tinker, which is why one crafty designer named 6mik has created a theme for jailbroken iPod Touches called Whitoken that gives a whole new look and feel to the default interface. (And reminds me a lot of Marvin the Paranoid Android from Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.)
The Cabestan Winch Vertical Tourbillon is like no other watch in the world.
Time is told on two rotating drums (one for hours and one for minutes) that are made of engraved aluminum and set on ball bearings, and each drum is equipped with a resistance spring the enables you to disconnect it for time setting, as well as a small winch that is stored in the folding buckle of the bracelet that allows you to wind the watch.
However, what’s truly amazing is that this watch holds power through a chain drive that consists of 450 small links made of inoxidizable steel and riveted by hand. The chain is good for 72 hours of power reserve, and is wound around the watch in a way that follows the natural energy of the spring within.
The titanium case is made of seven components that are vacuum welded together with hydrogen in a conveyor oven, and Pyrex crystals that are thermoformed by hand cover all the bits and pieces underneath.
All this tech doesn’t come cheap however, as you’ll be paying anywhere between $275,000 and $400,000 for the privilege depending on how much bling you want, but when tech and exclusivity get together with beauty like this, money can quickly become no object for those with the means.
TCHO is a very interesting chocolate company. Founded by a Space Shuttle technologist turned chocolate maker and a grizzled industry veteran who set up chocolate factories for 40 years from Costa Rica to Germany, TCHO takes a decidedly tech approach to the chocolate making process.
As such, they released a ‘beta’ version of their chocolate over a year ago, and have encouraged their customers to help develop the products through limited run, “beta editions” of the chocolate ever since.
The enthusiastic ‘beta testers’ quickly moved their way through 1026 iterations of the chocolate, and after a solid year of very hard work, “Chocolatey”, “Fruity”, “Nutty” and “Citrus” flavors have all arrived and are ready for a “gold master” release, including new packaging and a finalized formula.
TCHO’s chocolate formula might have just graduated out of beta, but their factory certainly has not, as it’s been designed to produce more than 4,000 metric tons of chocolate per year, which makes them one of only a dozen other major chocolate manufacturers in the US.
In addition, TCHO has a social mission as well, and intends to move beyond just Fair Trade, and actually help farmers by transferring knowledge of how to grow and ferment better beans so that they can escape commodity production and become premium producers.
“In the end, there’s only one way to truly understand this story. Just put it in your mouth.”
Black Friday has come and gone and now Cyber Monday is upon us, but if you still can’t decide what to get that special someone this holiday season, then take a look through this list of gift guides for some great ideas on what to get every man, woman, child and yes, even pet in your life.
(And if you know of any other gift guides that you’d like to add, just put them in the comment area below and I’ll be sure to add them to the list!)
Wired Magazine’s article about the rivalry between Gizmodo and Engadget is a fascinating look at the two kings of tech blogging.
If you’re a fan of either site, then it’s a must read for a look behind the scenes at what makes them tick.
[Wired Magazine - Gear Blog Rivals Engadget and Gizmodo Turn the Competition Up [...]
I AM IRON MAN!!!
Ok, so maybe not, but after watching Iron Man, you’ll want to run down the street yelling that too.
Thanks to TechCrunch’s invitation, I was able to get a sneak peak at Iron Man Wednesday, and I can whole heartedly agree with the 96% that this film is currently rocking on Rotten Tomatoes.