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Showing posts with label holidays 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays 2013. Show all posts

Kickstarter-Funded Tool Kit Fits in Your Wallet

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Tuls-thumbnail
Product Name: Tuls
Price: $22 (stainless steel); $33 (titanium)
Who would like this?: Minimalists, geeks, dads, craftspeople, smartphone addicts
Tools are heavy; Tuls, on the other hand, are the size of credit cards, and they'll fit in a wallet just the same.
New England-based company Onehundred, which is obsessed with providing everyday products through "simple, thoughtful design," created these flat tools out of titanium and stainless steel. Originally a Kickstarter campaign that cleared its funding goal of $1,500 within two hours (and raised more than 25 times as much), the Tuls project takes care of day-to-day problems requiring basic tools.

Each sturdy, wallet-sized tool is known affectionately by a first name, and has its own range of specific purposes, whether it's to tighten a bolt or open a beer.
Tuls Family
Image: Onehundred Here's the breakdown:
  • Ollie: Ollie is by far the most inclusive member of the Tuls family. This jack-of-all-trades is ready for anything, complete with standard and metric wrenches, rulers, squares, drill guides, a spoke wrench, protractor, pry bar, hex drive and bottle opener. What more could you need?
  • Stan: Stan is the perfect gift for techies and Netflix addicts. It contains two holes to wrap both a power cord and earphones. The best feature, however, is the vertical slot to hold 10mm-thick devices, acting as an on-the-fly smartphone stand to play games, watch videos and charge.
  • Lucy: Lucy is a slightly simpler version of Ollie, designed for the garage. It contains metric, standard and spoke wrenches, in addition to a coarse screwdriver, hex drive, tire spoon, pry bar and, of course, the trusty bottle opener.
  • Roul: Roul has metric and standard rulers, drill guides, squares, a protractor, plumb bob and pry bar. No bottle opener on this one, though — according to Onehundred, Roul is optimized for the workshop, woodworking, carpentry and crafts. It's great for measuring rod stock, lengths and angles.
  • Opie: In the Tuls family, Opie is the simplest member, but it still holds that same minimalistic elegance. This one just serves as a straightforward bottle opener, and with a small keyring, it's suitable for keychains and lanyards.
Tuls Ollie and Stan
Images: Onehundred Tuls are about as thick as a U.S. dime, and just as strong, too. They're also under the 7-inch length restriction for tools allowed in airplane carry-ons, making them great travel accessories.
If there's a craftsman, carpenter, techie, minimalist or even just a practical loved one in your life, consider Tuls this holiday season.

Why Buy Wrapping Paper When You Can Print These at Home?

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Woolywoodland2
Thanks to the talent and generosity of some really awesome designers, there are hundreds of free, festive printables available online.
Whether you're looking to save some cash, get crafty this holiday season or you just left things until the last minute, we've handpicked 10 sets of printable designs that can help you out with your gift wrapping needs. TypoFoto-christmas-impaginate_06
Take a look through our gallery of gorgeous designs, where you'll find wrapping paper, gift boxes, bags, tags and more.

7 Free Shipping Deals for Last-Minute Online Shoppers

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7 Free Shipping Deals for Last-Minute Online Shoppers7-holiday-shipping-deals

Whether you're on a budget this holiday season or not, there's at least one offer no shopper can turn down: free shipping.
Going to brick-and-mortar retailers used to mean saving on shipping costs. Now, many online retailers are making it more cost effective to simply shop from your couch. (Consider money saved on gas and time waiting in long lines.)
See also: Amazon Raises Free Shipping Minimum for First Time in a Decade
We've all struggled through the last-minute mall excursion before. You spend more time looking for a parking space than you do shopping, and the store almost always has the perfect thing — at a different location "nearby." It's not like shopping in person helps with getting the right size, either. Unless of course, you're buying for yourself, in which case you should remember they call it the season of giving for a reason.
So before you spend your weekend trudging through the mall, consider these free shipping options for the U.S. and Canada this holiday season. They could save your sanity as much as your pocketbook.

Free Shipping Day: Dec. 18

In its sixth year of existence, Free Shipping Day marks a 24-hour stretch in which thousands of online retailers offer free shipping in the U.S. to customers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. Some of the offers and merchants won't be revealed on the Free Shipping Day website until 12:01 a.m. ET on Dec. 18, but 448 merchants have already signed up to participate, including REI, Sports Authority, and Neiman Marcus.
nieman-marcus
Free Shipping Day was the brainchild of Luke Knowles, the co-founder of FreeShipping.org. The day is something of a win-win, benefiting consumers but also driving sales and traffic to participating retailers. According to the website, Free Shipping Day helped produce more than $1 billion in online sales in 2011.
The site also includes Free Shipping Day in Canada, which takes place this year on Dec. 12 for those consumers looking to send gifts within the country.

Nordstrom

The upscale retail chain offers free standard shipping on all its orders in the United States, and not just around the holidays. Year-round free shipping delivers orders within three to six business days after processing. Known for having a stellar return policy — legend has it a customer in Alaska once returned a set of car tires to Nordstrom even though the retailer doesn't sell tires — Nordstrom allows users to ship returns back to the company free of charge. Buying an expensive piece of jewelry? Watch and jewelry orders over $1,500 are expedited in one or two days and insured at no additional cost.
The only bummer — free shipping doesn't apply to items purchased at Nordstrom Rack, the retailer's off-price chain.

Amazon

If you have an Amazon order totaling $35 or more, you may qualify for free shipping in the United States. Not all items on Amazon are included, and we've reached out to Amazon to see if there's a system for why some items are eligible for free shipping while others are not. Those items that are eligible — it will be clear at checkout whether or not you are receiving the deal — ship five to eight business days after the order is processed.
If this number seems higher than you remember, you're onto something. Amazon offered free shipping on orders of $25 or more for nearly a decade before bumping it up to $35 in October.

Best Buy and Target

Like Amazon, you have to spend money to save money with these retailers.
Best Buy has the best offer of the bunch, offering free, four to eight business day shipping year-round on orders of $25 or more. That's a pretty easy threshold to reach at Best Buy. A movie on Blu-ray (or two) should bump your shopping total over the necessary $25 limit.
Best Buy on Black Friday.
Target offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more. If you use your Red Card at Target — also known as your Target credit or debit card — your shipping is free on all purchases.
The free shipping includes pre-orders on items like Xbox One games, which will automatically put you over the $50 total.

L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean, which sells clothing and outdoor gear, offers free shipping all the time, with no minimum on how much your purchase costs. The company even ships to Canada for free, a rarity for any type of international shipping. Items shipped to the lower 48 take two to five business days, according to the website.

Zappos

Zappos, the e-commerce shoe retailer, also offers free shipping on all orders shipped to the United States, regardless of total cost. Delivery takes four to five business days, and if you don't like your item, the company also offers free shipping on returns.

Barnes and Noble

For those who still love to curl up with a good book that isn't on a tablet, Barnes and Noble offers free shipping on orders of $25 or more anywhere in the United States. Of course, you can still get your Nook, the e-reader developed by Barnes and Noble, shipped for free, too. Shipping takes two to six business days.

How to Say 'Merry Christmas' in 24 Languages

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How to Say 'Merry Christmas' in 24 Languages


You'll probably say Feliz Navidad or Joyeux Noël at some point during the holidays, but how else can you wish someone a Merry Christmas?

RIP Google Reader and Winamp: 10 Tech Products We Lost in 2013

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RIP Google Reader and Winamp: 10 Tech Products We Lost in 2013Google-reader-day

Google Reader

In March 2013, Google announced that it was killing off Google Reader, the most popular RSS reader and sync service in the world.
Although Google cited "lack of general interest" in keeping Google Reader around, the death of the product opened up a market of sorts for Google Reader alternatives.
Feedly has proven to be the most popular replacement, although we're not sure anything can fill the gaping hole Google Reader's loss still leaves in our hearts.Htc-facebook-phone

HTC First (a.k.a. the Facebook Phone)

In April 2013, Facebook decided to expand its efforts in mobile with its new Android app launcher, Facebook Home. Although Facebook Home works on other Android devices, it debuted alongside the HTC First, a mid-level smartphone aimed at the average smartphone users.
Unfortunately for Facebook, both Facebook Home and the HTC First landed with a resounding thud. Although Facebook Home still exists, HTC axed the HTC First just months after its release, giving it the shortest smartphone life cycle since the failed Microsoft Kin.Iphone

Apple iPhone 5

In September 2013, Apple released not one but TWO new iPhone devices: The iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C.
Aside from its colorful casing, the iPhone 5C is essentially an iPhone 5 with a better front-facing camera. As a result, Apple removed the iPhone 5 from its lineup. Interestingly, the iPhone 4S is still around.Winmpclss9807adf

Winamp

Before iTunes, there was Winamp, the original modern digital music player app. For those of us in the Napster generation, Winamp was our first computer jukebox, thanks to its ability to play back CDs, MP3 files and the ability to customize its interface with skins.
AOL, which purchased Winamp and its parent company Nullsoft in 1999, announced that it is shuttering the website, mobile app and desktop player in December.
Winamp, we salute you.Turntable-fm_

Turntable.fm

In the summer of 2011, Turntable.fm launched as a way for users to share music with one another by taking turns at virtual turntables and spinning tracks for a virtual audience.
These D.J.-run chat rooms were the big new thing that summer, but like many Internet fads (Chatroulette anyone?), the records on Turntable.fm started to skip.
In Novevember 2013, Turntable.fm announced that it will be shutting down its consumer-facing service, instead focusing primarily on "Turntable Live," its product for letting bands and artist perform and broadcast live to fans across the globe.
Turntable.fm as you knew it will cease to exist as of Dec. 2, 2013.Myspace-classic

MySpace Classic

In June 2013, MySpace unveiled its flashy relaunch. The new MySpace has a big focus on music (and Justin Timberlake) and looks almost nothing like the social network most of us actively used in the mid-2000s.
Unfortunately, when the new MySpace made its official debut, it also meant that all vintage MySpace content ceased to exist. That means that photos, blog entries, comments and messages from before June 2013 no longer exist.
The worst part? MySpace didn't give users (or the Internet Archive) a warning that the big refresh was coming, meaning many users were left blind-sided when their memories just disappeared.
MySpace has made it possible for users to recover their old blogs and photos -- but the MySpace as we used it is gone.
Given how poorly the new MySpace has performed, it's possible the service might find its way onto our list again in 2014.Altavista-1999

AltaVista

In July 2013, Yahoo officially shut down AltaVista.com.
A classic web portal/search engine from the glory days of web 1.0, AltaVista was purchased by Yahoo in 2003.
The fact that Yahoo kept the site around for a decade after launch says a lot about how Yahoo was run over the last 10 years. Danny Sullivan wrote a great eulogy for AltaVista, sharing the history of the once-great service.Screen-shot-2013-11-25-at-2-52-16-pm

Lavabit and Silent Circle

When Edward Snowden needed to use encrypted email to communicate with Glen Greenwald and others, he allegedly used the encrypted and secure email service Lavabit.
In August 2013, Lavabit's founder shut the service down, rather than comply with federal requests to hand over data about its users.Google_checkout_logo

Google Checkout

In 2006, Google launched Google Checkout in a bid to compete with PayPal in the world of online payments and transactions.
In spite of the Google name, the service never gained widespread traction outside of Google-related offerings. In 2011, Google Checkout was merged with Google Wallet as a way for users to make and accept payments over the web.
In May, Google announced it was shutting down the payment processing side of Google Checkout for everything except for Google Play transactions.
With Google Checkout and Google Wallet, the search giant has failed to find a way to really succeed in the world of payments. Meanwhile. PayPal, Stripe, Braintree and Square continue to prove that there is a lot of potential in the online payments space.Blockbuster-video

Blockbuster Video

O.K., so maybe Blockbuster Video isn't a "traditional" gadget or tech service, but it's one indelibly attached to the psyches of Mashable readers (and employees) everywhere.
Dish, the company that now owns Blockbuster, announced that it was shuttering the remaining 300 Blockbuster stores by Jan. 2014 and shutting down the DVD-by-mail service.
Instead, Blockbuster will be just another Netflix competitor.
To the generations of movie lovers who discovered their favorite films in the aisles of Blockbuster Video stores and to anyone who ever had to fight with a credit agency to remove that late fee for Requiem For a Dream from her report, let's toast the big Blue and Yellow together.

As 2013 comes to a close, it's important not only to look back at what we gained this year, but what we lost as well.
From the death of Google Reader to the failure of the HTC First to the discontinuation of the iPhone 5, we saw lots of high profile products disappear.

The past year also saw the end of many legacy products and services. From the classic search engine AltaVista to the generation-defining MP3 player Winamp to the hideous blinking layouts of classic MySpace, we said goodbye to the past.
The closure of a few more modern services took place in 2013, including the encrypted email services Lavabit and Silent Circle, the once-popular Turntable.fm and the would-be-PayPal killer Google Checkout.
The close of 2013 will also mean the closure of the remaining Blockbuster Videos. We'll miss you, physical video rental stores.
As you slow down to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year, join us in raising a toast to Google Reader and the host of other products we lost in 2013.


20 Incredible 3D-Printed Gifts

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20 Incredible 3D-Printed Gifts

Makerbot, one of the companies pioneering the mainstreaming of the 3D printer market, was acquired by Stratasys, another 3D printing heavyweight, in June for $403 million. For many tech industry observers, the deal signaled a shift in 3D printing’s profile as a novelty technology for hobbyists and prototyping tool for manufacturers — a shift toward a future in which the technology may permeate every facet of everyday life.
However, the advent of 3D printing offers such a broad range of possibilities that some are still trying to understand its ramifications. 3dgift Gramohorn II

1. Gramohorn II

These HTC One smartphone speakers may be pricey, but for those who appreciate the seamless marriage of old and new, the audio tool can double as an art piece. Perhaps the best feature of the Gramohorn II is that it doesn't require power to operate; its double phonograph-style design offers all the sound amplification you're likely to need from a smartphone.
Price: $1,6133dgift Protos Custom Glasses

2. Protos Custom Glasses

It was only a matter of time before 3D printing was harnessed to give us cooler glasses. If you want your frames to truly stand out, these should be your first stop. The company offers 3D-printed frames specifically tailored to the shape of your face -- some of our mugs don't fit into a cookie cutter template -- or your choice from a variety of premade styles. Blizzident Toothbrush

3. Blizzident Toothbrush

Dental hygiene doesn't have to be a chore. This 3D-printed toothbrush cleans all your teeth in just six seconds. Chomp down and rush out: Keeping your pearly whites clean has never been so easy. However, keeping the Blizzident clean and germ-free seems like it might be an entirely separate chore. 3dgift 3D-Printed Nails

4. 3D-Printed Nails

Whether you're a Halloween diva or a year-round trendsetter, these ornate nail attachments are definitely conversation starters. The makers are currently accepting orders for the nails and plan to ship them to buyers sometime after January 2014, but that shouldn't stop you from placing your bid now. 3dgift Infinite Sisu iPad Stand

5. Infinite Sisu iPad Stand

Making art on the iPad is increasingly common, so it's only natural that your tablet stand mirrors your aesthetic bent with a little old world-style sculptural flair. It's not adjustable, so it's best suited for propping your tablet up on a desk, but if you're looking for an adjustable stand, the options are a lot less interesting than this. 3dgift SunShade 1.0

6. SunShade 1.0

If you own Google Glass, then you know how bright lights can make reading through the device's tiny lens difficult. This little attachment solves that problem in an instant. By covering the tiny square lens on Google Glass with a custom shade filter, images and text instantly become clearer, regardless of the environment or lighting situation. 3dgift Shot Glass Crawler

7. Shot Glass Crawler

Why not mark your celebration with a set of shot glasses? OK, so the design may look a little like that creepy hand from The Addams Family, but you can just tell your friends that it's a Game of Thrones souvenir from the "Red Wedding" scene.
Price: $373dgift iHook iPhone 5/5S Car Holder

8. iHook iPhone 5/5S Car Holder

Drivers who already made the move from dashboard navigation systems to iPhone will welcome the arrival of this easy-to-install smartphone cradle. Of course, you should never text and drive, but if you decide to stop along the side of the road, this little iPhone holder makes smartphone map viewing just a bit easier. It's also handy for your co-pilot sitting in the passenger seat.3dgift Pod à Porter Neckband for iPod Shuffle

9. Pod à Porter Neckband for iPod Shuffle

Until Apple releases its rumored iWatch, this is probably the coolest way to carry around an Apple device during a run or workout session. The necklace is really just an elaborate holder for the iPod Shuffle, but its design makes it look like an entirely new device.
Price: $293dgift Crania Anatomica Filigre

10. Crania Anatomica Filigre

For those who cherish all things spooky, regardless of what other people may think, this skull is hard to pass up. It comes in several sizes, from handheld to almost full scale, but if you don't want to freak out your coworkers, we suggest a smaller one.
Price: $95 (price ranges based on size) 3dgift Illuminati iPhone 5/5S Cover

11. Illuminati iPhone 5/5S Cover

You've already linked your iPhone to all the numerous data-sucking services in the App Store, so if you're nervous about data privacy, this case can let you harbor conspiracy theories with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The manufacturer claims this case is layered in real gold, a design aspect that will likely win brownie points with the bling-obsessed.
Price: $39.873dgift Sterling Silver Heart Pendant Necklace

12. Sterling Silver Heart Pendant Necklace

When high-end department store Neiman Marcus gets into the 3D-printed jewelry business, it's safe to say that 3D printing has gone mainstream. You can have this necklace emblazoned with your loved one's initials, too.
Price: $2953dgift iPhone Cupholder Dock

13. iPhone Cupholder Dock

On the list of things that commuters claim they can't live without, coffee and iPhones rank high. This tool lets you put both within easy reach during your drives to work. It's not the most high-tech solution, and if you don't have built-in cup holders, you'll have to buy an attachment. But for many motorists, it offers a safer alternative than keeping your smartphone on your lap while steering.
Price: $44.873dgift Grumpy Cat Bust

14. Grumpy Cat Bust

If you don't know Grumpy Cat, you have been living under a rock. The feline is an unstoppable Internet phenomenon. The original printed version of Grumpy was solid, making the item heavier and bit more costly. This version, however, is hollow and affordable for even the most cash-strapped cat lover. Submit now and grab this totem to the almighty cat, and perhaps you will be forgiven for ever doubting Grumpy Cat's power.
Price: $31.893dgift EarPod Attachments

15. EarPod Attachments

A common problem with Apple's earbuds is their refusal to stay in place, especially while running. Place your EarPods into these special holders, attach them to the inner fold of your ear and enjoy a more snug fit. Sure, Apple design chief Jony Ive probably wouldn't approve, but this item delivers a clever solution while maintaining the EarPods' lightweight feel.
Price: $7.493dgift Obama Riding Raptor With Machine Gun

16. Obama Riding Raptor With Machine Gun

It doesn't matter which political party you pledge allegiance to, any model of a United States president riding a raptor holding military weaponry is automatically a collector's item. The item is currently just a model, but it comes fully colored and ready for your snark. Just glue the machine gun to the figure's hand, as recommended by the manufacturer, and you'll be off to the raptor races.
Price: $249.993dgift Curve Flash Drive Brooch

17. Curve Flash Drive Brooch

USB drives are easy to use and handy in a pinch. Keep your most valuable digital assets safe by carrying them around on this super convenient clip-on. The low-tech creation uses the USB port opening to attach itself and give you an easy way to keep track of your stored data.
Price: $4.683dgift Steve Jobs Bust

18. Steve Jobs Bust

Steve Jobs may no longer be with us, but his memory still lives on. This playful homage to the late innovator reminds you to "think different." Created by the Dutch design studio Sevensheaven, its pixel art usually found in old-school video games and Lego set creations.
Price: $99.333dgift Medium Mesh Purse

19. Medium Mesh Purse

Some fashionistas may balk at 3D-printed jewelry, but it's hard to deny the uniqueness of this mesh purse. The purse, which is made of white nylon plastic, has a matte finish and a "slight grainy feel," according to the manufacturer. The straps come in several lengths in case you want to adjust the purse to suit a particular look.
Price: $953dgift iPhone 5/5S Cover With Moving Gears

20. iPhone 5/5S Cover With Moving Gears

A smartphone with 100 apps just isn't geeky enough for some power users. For these showoffs, this iPhone 5/5S case with working gears is just the technophile accessory to let everyone know where your passions lie. The gears don't do anything cool like power your iPhone by generating solar energy, but the mesmerizing turns of its synchronized movements likely make it worth the price and extra bulk.
Price: $23.66

Whether newly elaborate jewelry designs made possible by the technology or the ever-growing variety of 3D-printing machines themselves, which have become increasingly affordable, only the most diehard luddite would deny that 3D printing is poised to change many aspects of our lives.
It's pretty easy to go out and buy a 3D printer and start churning out your own creations, but not everyone has the money (or time commitment) that such creations require.
For those curious consumers still on the sidelines, not yet ready step up and make their own 3D printer creations, we've compiled a list of some of the most interesting 3D-printed items that can be purchased as gifts for the holidays.
Some are amazingly practical, while others are simply designed to add a bit of whimsy to your day. But they all use the magic of 3D printing, offering an early look how the technology could change the look and feel of a wide range of consumer products over the course of the next few decades.
Take a look at the 20 3D-printed gift ideas we've assembled in the gallery above and let us know if you think you're ready step into the era of 3D printer-created swag.

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