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House of Marley unveils an eco-friendly alternative to AirPods
Sustainable speaker and headphone brand House of Marley is releasing its first set of truly wireless earbuds, the Liberate Air, made from bamboo and recycled materials.
Wacom's Bamboo Spark offers another option for digitizing scribbles
Do you still prefer the feel of pen on paper but need an easy way to catalog your handwritten notes digitally? Wacom's Bamboo Spark will do just what. The product is something the company calls a "smart folio" that uses its digital pen technology to capture the scribbles of a real ink pen on A5 paper (5.83 x 8.27 inches). How does it work exactly? With the help of the Bamboo Spark app on an Android or iOS device, the folio's Electro-Magnetic Resonance board and Bluetooth beam your pen strokes to that trusty mobile device at the push of a button. The Spark can hold up to 100 pages, even while it's in offline mode, and claims up to 8 hours of use before needing to recharge via USB.
Wacom's sketching app finally arrives on Android, Kindle Fire and Windows 8
Wacom loves doodlers almost as much as serious artists, but its Paper-esque sketching app was limited to iOS devices only. That changes from today, now that the company has launched Windows, Android and Kindle Fire versions of Bamboo Paper. Thanks to Wacom's Ink Layer Language, your notes will seamlessly be shared between your devices -- enabling you to sketch out a plan on your leisure tablet before passing it to your work one. The free app is available to download at the links below, and you'll also be able to try out the various premium brushes for a limited time before you're asked to open your wallet to keep them.
Give your OnePlus One a bamboo back for $49
The OnePlus One's a handsome little devil as is, but there's always room to accessorize. Though you're probably still waiting on the actual handset to turn up, OnePlus has announced the phone's first "SwapStyle" cover will arrive at the end of August, and it's made from bamboo (the material's all the rage, you know). The standard white and black polycarbonate shells that come with different variants of the phone will also be available online soon for $29, €25 or around £20, while the flashier bamboo version will retail for $49, €39 or £32. Other SwapStyle covers should cost about the same, though we could be persuaded to pay a little more for the one that makes double-denim acceptable again. We wouldn't say a bamboo phone cover needs its own two-minute promo video, but who are we to kill OnePlus' buzz?
Grove Wood Smart Case for iPad Air: 100% natural, less filling
Portland, Ore.-based Grove makes some really incredible bamboo and maple cases, and recently the company extended its product line to the iPad Air and iPad mini with the new Wood Smart Case. Like most of Grove's products, like my personal favorite from 2013 the US$99 Dock for iPhone, the Wood Smart Case is a unique creature in a world filled with fairly identical plastic cases. Let's take a look, then be sure to fill out our contest-entry form for a chance to win an iPad Air case. Specifications Price: $99 for iPad Air, $79 for iPad mini Dimensions: 9.69 x 6.81 x 0.5 inches (24.61 x 17.3 x 1.27 cm) Weight: 5.3 ounces (150.25 grams) Case materials: Eastern Hardrock Maple, bamboo, felt Design Highlights My first surprise when I picked up the Wood Smart Case was just how lightweight it is. Unlike other iPad Air cases on the market that also use wood frames, Grove's case also uses strong and lightweight bamboo for the cover. The result is that the company can provide a cover that's extremely lightweight and thin, adding virtually no bulk to the iPad Air. That's the "less filling" I'm talking about in the headline, in case you were wondering. To make the cover flexible, there are six thin grooves machined through the bamboo. Don't worry; the pieces are all held together by the felt lining that's on the inside of the case to keep your iPad from being scratched by the case. There is a pair of rare earth magnets in the cover to turn your iPad on or off automatically, and feed-through buttons for the sleep/wake/on/off switch and volume toggles. For all of the other ports -- speakers, headphone, noise-cancellation microphones, camera, Lightning port and mute/orientation lock -- there are nicely machined openings. Functionality Highlights Unlike some other cases that are a pain to insert an iPad into, you'll find that the Wood Smart Case is quite amenable to iPad installation. There are three sides to the frame, with one side wide open -- just slide the iPad into the open side and it's held in place by a pair of top and bottom "clips" of wood, as well as by friction. As one would expect, the magnets do a good job of turning your iPad on and off. The cover acts almost like the door on a roll-top desk, and when it is rolled up, it's supposed to hold your iPad in a propped-up landscape orientation or act to keep it standing straight up in portrait mode. In reality, though, I could never get the cover into the orientation seen at about the 10-second point in the video above. As a result, the landscape "typing mode" was rather iffy. A few times, I was typing away when the entire thing just collapsed. I finally gave up and just used it flat on the table. So as a case, the Grove Wood Smart Case for iPad Air excels; as a stand, not so much. Conclusion For a unique and stylish iPad Air or iPad mini case, the Grove Wood Smart Case certainly fits the bill. The construction of the case is top-notch; it's beautiful; and it protects your device from day-to-day bumps and drops. However, I found the ability to use the case in a propped-up typing mode was compromised. Rating: 3 out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Yes, you can have your very own Grove Wood Smart Case, because we're giving one away. All you need to do is fill out the entry form below, and then wait to see if we contact you as the winner. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 25 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Grove Wood Smart Case for iPad Air valued at $99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Got wood? Moto Maker does and it'll cost you $100 extra
Motorola promised us Moto X's made of wood many moons ago, and the day has finally arrived. Folks who like their electronics built of more... sustainable materials can head on over to the Moto Maker website and snag an X phone constructed of bamboo. The catch? (There's always a catch.) To indulge your wooden inclinations, it'll cost an extra $100 dollars over the standard personalized Moto X, and there's currently a two-week wait to get one. So, you won't be able to put it under the tree, but if you head on over to the source, you may just have it in hand to start 2014.
Grove Dock for iPhone: Solid beauty
When packages containing review items show up at my office, they're usually quite lightweight. So I was really surprised when a package arrived recently from Grove in Portland, Ore., and it was heavier than usual. Like "someone sent me a brick?" heavier... However, I was pleasantly surprised and relieved when I opened the box to find a Grove Dock for iPhone (US$99) inside. One of the standout features of the Grove Dock is that it is heavy, so it's not going to move when you try to unplug your iPhone one-handed. How heavy? Three pounds. So what's it made out of, depleted uranium? No, just good, old steel and wood. The steel is used for the bottom of the Grove Dock, providing a heft that is rare in iPhone stands. Channels are machined into the top and bottom of the Dock -- the bottom channel provides a route for the charging cable you supply, while the upper channel holds a molded plastic piece that holds the top of your charge cable. Don't worry, as Grove has thoughtfully provided the plastic inserts for both the 30-pin Dock connector and Lightning connector. That upper channel also provides an outlet for sound, cleverly routing the sound to the front of the Dock. The plastic piece also serves to squeeze on the connector and hold it into place. This is useful if you need to extend the connector above the plastic a bit so that it works with a case. Once it's inserted into the metal channel, that connector isn't going to move one bit. Lest you think that this dock is just a hunk of steel, it's not. Grove is famous -- well, at least in my mind -- for its use of beautiful bamboo in their products. In this case, there's a laminated bamboo "case" that goes over the top of the metal, so that you have an attractive metal and wood stand. The entire thing requires no tools to assemble, just your two hands. Your iPhone can be pulled out of the Dock without the Dock moving a bit. There are rubber feet on the bottom of the Dock so that chunk of steel isn't going scratch furniture. The steel can be finished naturally and also comes in black or white if you want a finish that matches your iPhone. The wood comes in one finish, but if you have a corporate-sized order of these lovely docks, Grove will laser-engrave a logo on it for you. Watch this video for more details on why you'd want one of these, then read on for a chance to win one courtesy of Grove and TUAW. Conclusion With a price tag to match the care in design and construction, the Grove Dock for iPhone is a solid and beautiful dock that holds your iPhone in style. Pros Weight ensures that the Dock won't move when you pull out your iPhone. Design accommodates all models of iPhone from the iPhone 4 to the 5s and 5c. A choice of metal finishes provides a way to match your decor, while the naturally finished bamboo top is perfect in almost any situation. Design of the Dock works well in channeling sound from the bottom speaker of the iPhone to the front of the Dock. Cons Definitely not in the price range for everyone, but as I've said before, you get what you pay for. Who is it for? The discerning iPhone owner who wants the best dock possible for their device. Giveaway Yeah, you guessed it. We have one of these lovely Grove Docks ready to head your way. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 28 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Grove Dock for iPhone valued at $99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
The iam8bit Entertainment System's homemade console premieres in Los Angeles
The iam8bit gallery in Los Angeles premiered its latest video game-related art show last night, called the iam8bit Entertainment System. The centerpiece of the show was Travis Chen's homemade two-player console, which is a custom-made PC running MAME encased in natural bamboo, with two homemade controller boxes playing three different indie games: Canabalt's two-player version, the Sportsfriends bundle's BaraBariBall, and Chen's own Adventure Time game jam game, Bad Atticube. Chen is a former Neversoft developer who now works on both iOS games with Scopely and his own indie creations, including the recent Typing Karaoke. iam8bit pitched the new show to him as "being kind of like a mock release of a game console" (in the shadow of next week's E3 and its two new consoles), and Chen said he emailed iam8bit co-founder Jon Gibson to say, "Jon, I'm building the console." Chen's work is impressive: The "iES" wood case was laser-cut (though Chen says some sanding was needed to bring it all together), and the front of the console has an LED screen that shows various ASCII text. There are colored buttons on the top of the main unit, and pressing those changes whatever's shown on the screen, from crazy visualizers to a running dialogue between the console and its player. The console is being offered for sale in the gallery, and Chen says if it does sell he wants to customize it for the buyer. But if it doesn't sell, Chen has other plans in mind. "I want to enter it into Indiecade and maybe even the IGF," he says. "Not too many guys are entering hardware, and I think that's really interesting; the idea of indie hardware." The iam8bit Entertainment System, and the rest of the work in the show, will be on display through June 30 at iam8bit.%Gallery-190691%
Wacom releases Bamboo Loop photo-sharing digital card app (video)
Wacom's Bamboo line of products have always been far more whimsical and user-friendly than the rest of its professional offerings, and it's taken that a step further today with the introduction of the Bamboo Loop digital card app for iOS. Essentially, the app lets you doctor up a photo with graphics and different styles to create a greeting card of sorts that you can ship off to a friend. If you're on the receiving end of the card, you can scribble on it and "loop" it back to the sender -- sort of like a digital version of passing notes back and forth in class. Of course, you're free to upload your cards to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram too if you feel like sharing them with the world. The app itself is free, though you can cough up an extra $2 if you want to get additional style packs. It runs on iOS5 and higher, and you can download it from the iTunes store starting today. As for those on Android, hold tight, because Loop should be available to you as well pretty soon.
Wacom unveils crayon-esque Bamboo Stylus mini for tablets and smartphones
Wacom wants to make sure there's no buyer's remorse for those who didn't pop for a pen-equipped device, so it added the Bamboo Stylus mini to its portable touch-pen lineup. It joins the Stylus Feel, Solo, Pocket and Duo, but brings a stubbier 4.7 centimeter (1.85 inch) form factor and strap with a dummy mini-jack plug for terminal pen mis-placers. Despite the whimsical look, Wacom says the body is brass plated, has six colors of soft-touch rubber and nibs that are replaceable with firm or soft touch options. You can color in your order now for $19 at the source.
Entropia Universe brings recruiting app to Facebook
Entropia Universe has always skirted the line between game and advertising scheme, and the latest evidence of this is a new social media program developed by MindArk and Socialtype that aims to reward existing players for recruiting new ones. MMO recruitment drives are nothing new, but the kicker here is that the potential recruits can experience a slice of Entropia via their Facebook accounts. MindArk is using a software app called Bamboo to connect the MMO and Facebook portions of Entropia. Bamboo "turns your players into a highly-motivated marketing army," according to the app's website. "Bamboo users become ambassadors. They earn points for promoting your game through their social network. Every action is incentivized." MindArk says that the Entropia atmosphere has been ported to the Facebook app via its UI, graphics, and lore. New users can also add to said lore via their own unique plots. [Source: MindArk press release]
Wacom Bamboo Stylus Duo lets you draw something on tablets and paper
Tired of reaching for the stylus, then your pen, oh, and then the stylus again? Wacom saw that, and updated the Bamboo Stylus with the new "Duo." Half pen, half stylus, and all yours for £34 (about $50) next month.
Grove announces new iPad cases
Grove, a company from Portland, Oregon, has announced brand new iPad cases to go with the new iPad. Grove is able to start selling them immediately because it doesn't have to send off modified case specs to a factory in China. Grove's designers just go downstairs and prototype a new one. Every piece of the process, from sketching to shipping, all takes place in one building, so the turnaround time is really just the length of time it takes to travel the stairs. The newly announced cases are a hard bamboo shell around the back of the iPad, with a beautiful wraparound cover to protect the screen while not in use. Covers come in your choice of leather (black or brown), or a thick charcoal-colored wool. There's a super soft ultra-suede on the inside, much like the Smart Cover, and the same material is in the shell to protect the iPad's back. I got to touch the prototypes for the new cases recently, and they are gorgeous! They're lightweight while offering some protection, and beautifully crafted. I particularly like the leather covers because you can also get them with a design on them, and that design is put there with frickin' lasers. You can choose from a variety of artist designs or send off your own, and Grove will laser that onto a leather cover for you. You can use a memorable photo, a company logo, or anything else you'd like. Wool felt and plain leather cases are US$139, the Artist Series cases are $149, and the custom leather runs $179. However, for the rest of March, you get $20 off each of those prices. I assure you, they're worth every penny. I'm already saving mine!
ADZero bamboo smartphone prototypes hands-on (video)
We were so beguiled by AD's bamboo-bound smartphone that we had to track down the designer to get some hands-on time with these work-in-progress prototypes. We met up with Kieron-Scott Woodhouse (pun unintended) and he offered to bring along several of the latest prototypes for us to get to grips with. While the finished product will arrive in the bamboo material but smoked to the darker finish. The darker model's button layout is also closer to what we can expect on the final device. The ADZero is still set to launch between the end of 2012 and the start of 2013. Sustainable smartphone fans can browse through our gallery below, or read up on the phone's journey -- and our impressions -- right after the break.
ADzero Bamboo cellphone's aiming for the giant Panda market (video)
This is the ADzero, a smartphone with a four-year old, organically grown bamboo unibody shell. It was designed by British student Kieron-Scott Woodhouse, a final-year product design student at Middlesex University. After his concept designs were spotted online, the 23 year old was approached to help design a real device. The Android-powered phone is built with an eye on sustainability, but isn't scrimping on the technical: its packing a camera with a reportedly unique ring-flash that encircles the lens. It'll be released in China and the UK shortly, with a focus on getting it into the hands of design-focused consumers. After the break we've got a clip of Mr. Woodhouse as he looks to carry on the tradition of world-class British designers.
Grove announces Bamboo Backs for MacBooks
Grove , a company based in Portland, Oregon, has announced they are expanding their line of bamboo-based goodies for your Apple product. They already have a variety of iPhone and iPad cases, so it was really just a question of time before they found a way to coordinate your iThings with your laptop. In a TUAW exclusive, I get to tell you all about The New Grove Thing: Bamboo Backs! Designed to fit the top of your unibody laptop be it 11, 13, 15, or 17 inches, they are super thin bamboo panels (only .035" thick!) with adhesive on the back to stick it to your machine. As an added bonus, you can get one with a cutout in the center so when your computer is on, the glowing Apple logo lights up the shape of your choice. Now, if you and nine (or more) of your friends or coworkers all want the same logo, you can get in touch with Grove and have them do a nice custom cutout of a corporate logo or other particular design. I've seen these in person, and my initial impressions are all favorable. I saw one applied and removed and it pops off flawlessly. They really are thin, and they look really nice once installed. I also got to see a few of the logos in person and they are all wonderful (my favorites: the globe, the command symbol, and the @ sign). As a Portland company, they are obligated to put a bird on it, and even have a variety to choose from. Priced at $29 each, they are also easy to get your hands on without throwing your budget into complete disarray. Truly, the curve and the aluminum of the current generation of Apple laptops are beautiful, but there's something about the old school/analog vibe of the bamboo backs that really pleases me. I got to tour Grove's facilities, and since everything they make comes from the same building as their offices, I got to see the magic happen from the milling to the lasers to the hand finished packaging (the smell of the wood and the oil finishing is so very nice). It's all done in one place and while they could outsource it, the founders told me they aren't interested since this way they can keep a close eye on every single piece of the process and make sure everything they ship out meets their standards. Plus it makes it easier to whip up a physical version of an idea if all your materials are already in house. And let's be honest, it's got to be fun to work across the room from two laser cutters! I have included the intro video below. Which design would you get? Introducing Grove Bamboo Backs from Grove on Vimeo.
Blackbox Case for iPad 2 is beautiful, unique and tactile
Of all of the bloggers here at TUAW, I probably see more iPad cases than anyone else. I've reviewed both the ridiculous -- a case I refused to write up after it literally ripped apart as I was installing it -- and the sublime. The Blackbox Case for iPad 2 (US$99) is one of the latter, and if you're looking for a unique and beautiful iPad 2 case for yourself or as a gift for a friend, you should consider this product. I am a person who appreciates the fine details of well-made products, and for that very reason I fell in love with the Blackbox Case the moment I opened the package. Each case comes wrapped in a burlap bag, with a hand-numbered certificate welcoming you to the family attached with twine to the outside. Just opening the case is an experience, with the rough burlap a complete contrast in feel to what's inside the bag. Within that burlap is an iPad 2 case that works both with and without a Smart Cover. The case is handmade of bamboo, with a felt lining to protect the iPad, a leather strap with a metal snap to restrain the iPad, and a company "brand" burned into the bamboo. A unique ID number is stamped onto the leather strap, and it is the number that is on the certificate that you'll want to keep. There's no manual needed to install this case; you just slide your iPad 2 into the felt-lined slot and snap the strap shut. %Gallery-124693%
ASUS' bamboo-plated U43SD laptop graduates to Sandy Bridge, so does plain-jane U41SV
When we reviewed ASUS' first bamboo laptop, we raved about more than just its unconventional looks -- we were also impressed with its solid performance. So we're pleased, although not at all surprised, that ASUS is refreshing the line with Intel's latest Sandy Bridge processors. The U43SD doesn't appear to stray from its predecessor's industrial design (save for its bigger 14-inch screen), but it steps up to the latest Core i3 and Core i5 processors, along with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics with 1GB of video memory. You can also choose from 5,400RPM and 7,200RPM hard drive options and either a six- or eight-cell battery. While the company was at it, it also quietly unveiled another Sandy Bridge laptop, the U41SV, which offers the same configuration options as the U43SD -- and a plainer design. No word on pricing, and a cursory search turned up no availability. For now, though, you can have a gander at some official photos lifted from ASUS' own product pages. %Gallery-121602% %Gallery-121603% [Thanks, Jon and Danijel]
Wacom announces capacitive stylus to replace puny human fingers
Eager to unleash some serious creativity on your tablet computer, but stymied by the meaty nubbins you call fingers? There, there. We know your shame. You need grace and precision: you need a stylus. Yes, the stylus, that newly resurgent tech soon to ship with the HTC Flyer and a horde of other Android devices. But if you're unwilling to buy a new tablet, you might feel left out. So for you Wacom -- the company that built its fortune on pressure-sensitive tablets -- has unveiled its first capacitive pen, the Bamboo Stylus. Sporting a 6mm tip, it'll work with all capacitive screens, iPad, Android, or otherwise. The company plans to ship it in May (in the UK at least), along with several pen-based apps; retail price should be £25 (about $41). In the meantime, budding artists should consider crayons -- now shipping in over 150 colors. [Thanks, Donna.]
Kenneth Cobonpue's biodegradable car: time to ditch the Gremlin rusting in your yard
Is there any sadder sight than a 1958 Plymouth Fury rotting in the woods, Christine-style, its dead headlights staring into the gloaming? We don't think so. That's why we're downright giddy over Kenneth Cobonpue's Phoenix roadster, a biodegradable concept car made from bamboo, rattan, steel and nylon. Style wise, it's propped somewhere between Tata's Nano and Tesla's Roadster, and there's no word yet on what might go under the hood -- presumably a smallish electric engine... or a stardust-powered unicorn, perhaps. That funky-looking body should last the average length of ownership; after five years (or even longer, depending on the composition), it can be replaced or naturally returned to the Ma Earth. One potential downside of biodegradable vehicles? No more "dead car" Flickr albums. Also, no warranties.
