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Craig Kaths' intricate synth sculptures look real enough to play
Recently, I spent the afternoon traipsing through the streets of Brooklyn for Gowanus' annual open art studios tour. It's a yearly ritual for me because the industrial neighborhood, which is full of warehouses turned CrossFit gyms, is a veritable playground for creative types. Every abandoned-looking building opens its doors to reveal dozens of artists' studios.
HP adds a wood option to its Envy laptops
Following on from the stylish business casual, leather-clad Spectre Folio, HP is showcasing its first convertible PCs with authentic wood paneling. In fact, it's sharing the alternate material option across Envy 13, Envy x360 13, Envy x360 15 and the bigger Envy 17. Naturally, these will all come with options for either the latest Intel processors or second-gen Ryzen mobile chips.
Researchers turned wood into a better insulator than Styrofoam
The research lab behind the creation of see-through wood has developed a new type of material that could be used as a cheaper, stronger and more environmentally friendly insulator. They're calling it nanowood and it insulates better than Styrofoam and silica aerogels. "This can insulate better than most other current thermal insulators, including Styrofoam," Tian Li, a researcher on the project, said in a statement. "It is extremely promising to be used as energy efficient building materials."
'Timberscrapers' could soon dominate urban skylines
They just don't make 'em like the Sakyamuni Pagoda anymore. Built from wood in 1056 in the Shanxi province of China, the building has remained standing to this day, despite seven earthquakes rattling the region within its first 50 years of existence. Since then, it's held up against a slew of seismic events, even when more-modern structures have failed. Now, thanks to recent advancements in timber technology, modern architects are rediscovering the benefits of working with wood.
Klipsch Heritage headphones mix leather, wood and quality sound
When it comes to choosing between headphone models, there is a lot of similarity in features and functionality. A lot of times comfort and overall design differentiate one company's product over another and Klipsch is hoping to do just that with its Heritage line. The headphones use machined copper, leather and wood to give the headphones a high-end look the company says embodies the craftmanship of its acclaimed loudspeakers.
3Doodler's new pro pen 3D prints in wood and metal
Once the hottest thing in gadgetry, 3D printers have become less buzzy as folks tire of ABS figurines. 3Doodler is trying to shake things up a bit with its 3Doodler Pro, a freehand pen that can print with materials containing real wood, copper and bronze. It doesn't melt copper, obviously, but 3Doodler adds particles of real metal and wood chips to a plastic ink base. The result is wood printouts that smell and sand like the real thing, or copper and bronze inks that glow when you shine them up.
Grovemade and Joey Roth team up on wooden desktop speakers
Grovemade has a knack for crafting tech accessories out of wood. For its latest product, the company teamed up with designer Joey Roth on a set of desktop speakers that are made from that natural material. You might remember Roth's ceramic speakers from a few years back, among a collection of other audio and industrial designs. This time around, Roth lent his expertise to Grovemade's Speaker System: a pair of speakers with a horn design and 2-inch drivers that's paired with a 2x25W amplifier. The speakers are made from solid maple and walnut to complete the look of the fully analog audio setup.
Scientists made see-through wood that's stronger than glass
Researchers at the University of Maryland were able pull away color and chemicals from a block of wood to leave it impressively see-through. The result is a material that is both stronger and more insulating than glass, with better biodegradability than plastic. "We were very surprised by how transparent it could go," said Liangbing Hu, who wrote about the project in Advanced Materials.
Audioengine's HD6 powered speakers pack Bluetooth and a built-in amp
If you're not familiar with the name Audioengine in regards to speakers and other audio gear, allow us to introduce you. The company may not be a big-name brand, but it has a knack for stellar sounding tech. Adding to its arsenal this week, Audioengine debuted the HD6 powered speakers. Inside the dapper wood veneers and magnetic speaker grilles, there's a built-in amplifier, 24-bit optical input from the company's D1 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and high-fidelity Bluetooth with aptX. Audioengine says it took pieces from some its best-selling gear and combined them with its signature sound inside the new retro-styled cabinets. All of the usual connections and remote control are there as well, making the HD6 a solid option for handling the audio from your mobile device, turntable, television and more. In addition to the aforementioned walnut and cherry wood finishes, you'll also have the option of satin black. The Audioengine HD6 speakers are available now for $749, so get ready to empty your piggy bank.
Copyright concerns hit Kickstarter campaign for wood turntable
Raise your hand if you remember the Kickstarter campaign for Silvan Audio Workshop's wood turntable. It's a sleek, ornamental design featuring a slab of wood, a glass platter, supporting spikes and high-end parts from UK audio manufacturer Rega. It struck a chord with some of our readers yesterday, and especially with Joel Scilley, a longtime turntable and audio gear manufacturer operating under the name Audiowood. He's been selling "Barky," a turntable just like Silvan Audio Workshop's, since 2009. Scilley claims that the Kickstarter design infringes on his copyright, and he's asked the campaign's owner, Kent Walter, to halt all crowdfunding. He's also filed a DMCA notice with Kickstarter, so far to no avail.
Hand-made wood turntables are the newest scratching post
Sure, your hip friends who live in that converted loft downtown have a record player -- but odds are they don't own an artisanal turntable crafted by a father-and-son team from the wood of an American black walnut tree. This is the type of turntable that Silvan Audio Workshop makes, and it's the type that the company is attempting to fund on Kickstarter right now. Kent Walter and his father seek $14,000 by March 22 to expand their workshops and produce turntables with more efficiency and speed, for all your home decor and record-spinning needs.
The Big Picture: Building an electric 'armored' car out of wood
If you think the coffee table you've been building in your spare time is pretty sweet, just wait until you get a load of what Liu Fulong has been making. The Shengyang, China resident recently finished his own electric armored car after four months of work, despite having no formal training in automotive design. As you might guess from the photo above, the "armored" label is based more on appearance than functionality. That wooden body probably wouldn't stop many bullets, and the missiles are purely cosmetic. But hey, the car underneath works -- Liu can get around at a respectable 30MPH (faster than his previous 20MPH project), and he factored in crucial elements like lights, mirrors and spare tires. Is this safe? Probably not, but it's proof that you don't need to be a wealthy entrepreneur to build your own eco-friendly ride. [Image credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images]
Super-sized wooden emoji are Nick Offerman's latest project (update)
Ron Swanson is the portrait of manliness on Parks and Recreation, and in real life, Nick Offerman is an avid craftsman. The Offerman Woodshop cranks out all kinds of wares using its namesake material, and a recent effort took quite the tech culture twist. If a picture's worth a thousand words, a solid oak 14-pound emoji must be worth more than that. The project was part of an infomercial sketch this week on Conan, so you won't be able to nab the smiling poop block, but you also won't suffer a back injury from hauling all of the items around for IRL chats. It does mean that you'll miss out on a "more personal and more American way of communication," though. You can, however, put that $30 towards a set of whiskey coasters.
Swich proves a wireless phone charger doesn't have to be an eyesore
Wireless smartphone chargers have been around for quite sometime, but they usually forgo attractive aesthetics and any added functionality. Those who prefer a much more attractive option now have one with Swich: an accessory that lifts that handset off of your desk without a tether, keeping all of its buttons accessible while lending a better viewing angle. The units are constructed with sustainable American walnut and ceramics, adding a mirco-suction grip to keep gadgets from slipping while they recharge. The panel on which that daily driver rests also rotates to accommodate both landscape and portrait orientations. Of course, you'll need a Qi-compatible device or a case that adds the functionality, but those unable to pass up dapper design can snag a unit for $170 via Kickstarter.
This wooden portable arcade will convince you to drain your piggy bank
Here at Engadget HQ, we're no strangers to Love Hultén's design prowess. Having caught our eye a few years back with the R-Kaid-6 wooden console, the Swedish gadget maker is at it again -- only this time a mobile arcade option is the project. With the R-Kaid-R, Hultén keeps with the natural materials and adds brass detail work, crafting an all-in-one option that takes on a form factor similar to that of a cigar box. The unit packs an 8-inch LCD display beside a built-in speaker, with the joystick and buttons for wrangling loaded titles down below. In order to get those games on board, R-Kaid-R has USB connectivity and an SD card slot for added storage. So exactly what can you play on this dapper device? System support includes Neo Geo, Atari 2800, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, PlayStation 1 and several others with a hand from a pre-installed OS for around eight hours of play. Those ready to commit €2,499 ($3,419) will benefit from the self-contained system's solid wood housing for protection, with the option of tacking on a leather shoulder bag for transit. Unfortunately, each of the five color options won't be available until September, but while you consider draining your savings account, have a closer look in the gallery down below.
Hands-on with Grovemade's luscious Walnut iPad Sleeve
Damn those designers at Grovemade! Every time I turn around they're making magic with wood and coming up with some product that just makes me smile at their design skill and manufacturing savvy. This time, they've wandered into the realm of iPad sleeves, something that is usually the domain of companies that make bags and backpacks, not solid walnut and brass iPhone docks. So did Grovemade deviate from its tried and true material, wood? No -- as you'll see in this review of the Walnut iPad Sleeve (US$89 for iPad Air, $79 for iPad mini -- also available in Maple). Design Highlights Grovemade has figured out how to make hardwoods do amazing things, and in the case of the Walnut iPad Sleeve and its Maple counterpart, they are turning it into a flexible component. That is done by taking extremely thin slabs of solid wood, adhering them to premium German wool felt that acts as the interior liner of the sleeve, and then making a geometric pattern of cuts into the wood with a laser. The wood is hand-sanded until smooth, and then an oil finish is applied for protection. Your iPad or iPad mini fits snugly into the sleeve; so snugly, in fact, that if it weren't for a leather and brass pull strap you might not be able to remove your tablet without a struggle. The design is simple, yet classic. The geometric scoring in the wood gives the sleeve a subtle geodesic dome look that Buckminster Fuller would be proud of, while allowing the wood to flex as the iPad is placed into it. Functionality Highlights What can you say about the functionality of a tablet sleeve? It either provides protection for your device or it doesn't, and in the case of the Grovemade Walnut iPad Sleeve, it provides protection for your device with a lot of style. The iPad slips into the sleeve with just a bit of resistance, is held snugly by the felt, but then pops out with a tug on the pull strap. If I had to say anything "negative" about the sleeve, it's that it looks so nice you probably won't want to just throw it into a bag or onto a car seat for fear of scratching it. I'm sure that the nice folks at Grovemade would send you refinishing instructions if you do damage that nice exterior... Conclusion It's not for everyone, but if you want a way to protect your iPad Air or iPad mini with all natural materials and have it look awesome at the same time, the Grovemade Walnut iPad Sleeve is a winner. Giveaway Have an iPad mini or iPad mini with Retina display? Then you have a chance to win one of Grovemade's Walnut iPad Sleeves. 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 May 19, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Grovemade Walnut iPad Sleeve valued at $79 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South BookArc möd steps away from metal, embraces wood
Just yesterday we announced Twelve South's new HiRise stand Tactical Black finish and are giving one away; today we're going to take a look at a new take on the venerable BookArc MacBook stand. It's called the BookArc möd (US$79.99) and bring the warm look and feel of wood to a great accessory. Read on for details, then enter a giveaway for a classy walnut BookArc möd from Twelve South and TUAW. Specifications Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 10.15 inches (7.5 x 12.75 x 25.8 cm) Weight: 0.5 pounds (.22 kg) Available finishes: Birch, Walnut, Espresso Compatible with: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina display Design Highlights Like the original BookArc that we first reviewed back in early 2010, the BookArc möd uses a graceful curved design with a slot in the middle to hold a MacBook in clamshell (closed cover) mode. This is perfect for those situations where you'd like to use a MacBook with a large screen display, a full keyboard, and a mouse or trackpad. To hold the MacBook securely, each BookArc möd comes with a pair of inserts designed for specific MacBook models. But rather than continuing to follow in the footsteps of Apple design guru Jony Ive, Twelve South's newest BookArc uses wood as a primary material rather than aluminum. The result is very attractive and functional. Functionality Highlights The BookArc möd does a simple job, holding your closed MacBook vertically on a flat surface. It performs that task admirably, with no wobble at all. You should note that you might need to swap out the inserts to get the perfect fit -- although the instructions said that I should use the "7" insert for the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, I have a Speck SeeThru Satin Case on my device that adds just a little bit of width and a lot of protection. The result? I had to use the "5" insert to get more space and it worked just fine. To keep the BookArc möd from scratching your desktop, there are four small cork pads located on the "feet". With a MacBook loaded onto the BookArc, those feet also keep it from moving thanks to additional friction between the surfaces. Conclusion Twelve South makes beautiful and useful products for Apple devices, and they've hit another home run with the BookArc möd. The natural wood finishes give the stand a nice look against the stark metal of the MacBook, and the design ensures a nice tight fit to whatever Apple laptop you're using. My only concern is the price, which seems a tad exorbitant considering the materials. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Someone out there has a beautiful office and a MacBook, and we're going to give 'em a BookArc möd in the walnut finish. 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 May 13, 2014 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South BookArc möd MacBook Stand valued at $79.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Wooden iPad mini case creates the 1950s TV that never was
Jeffrey Stephenson has long had a knack for giving PCs an elegant retro look, and he's now bringing his crafting skills to the mobile realm. His recently completed DuMont project turns an iPad mini, a Jawbone Jambox and a heap of wood into a tiny 1950s TV set, complete with a woven speaker grille; the owner just has to slot devices into the enclosure's side to indulge in some nostalgic viewing. Stephenson isn't officially selling the box, but he is taking inquiries from those who want a tablet TV of their own. If you're wondering how he did it, you can visit Bit-Tech's forums to check out the project work log.
Motorola expands Moto X wood finish options, drops the price premium to $25
If you've wanted a Moto X with a wood finish, but didn't like bamboo or the $100 price premium over a regular model, we have good news: Motorola has just made the option a lot more appealing. Starting January 21st, you'll get to customize the Android smartphone with an ebony, teak or walnut backing (rosewood isn't an option, alas). That astronomical price has come down to Earth, too, as the wood option now costs a more reasonable $25. We can't imagine that many prospective Moto X buyers have been waiting for a device that matches their coffee table, but those particularly demanding customers should be very happy after next week.
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.
