Andy Jacobs

Catholic, husband, father, engineer. Purdue Boilermaker. Dad of pugs. Collector of Star Wars. Practicioner of fitness. Drinker of beers.

Improve on a Classic? Timbuk2 has done it.

timbuk2 newclassicmessenger

Timbuk2, makers of the recognizable 3-panel messenger bags (which are great for holding our gadgetry) have recently redesigned their very popular Classic Messenger Bag.  The “Classic Messenger 2010” has added functional features which some thought were lacking in the previous version.  As in the past, it is available in two styles, pre-built and custom.  Both

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Avoid the iPhone ‘Nose Answer’ with 180s Tec Touch Gloves

180s tectouchgloves

If, in your locale, Old Man Winter overstays his welcome by a few months and Jack Frost kidney punches you when you leave the house every morning, you know well the joys and difficulties of a Hoth-like climate.  For those of us blessed with such conditions, occasionally those difficulties creep into our gadgeting as well. 

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Your Tauntaun May Freeze, But You’ll Stay Toasty

thinkgeek tauntaunsleepingbag

Originally one of ThinkGeek‘s annual April Fool’s product pranks, this “sleeping gag” was turned into a real product and is fully LucasFilm-licensed.  You’ll sleep safe and snug like an injured and delirious Jedi Knight while stuffed into this simulated carcass.  Featuring a built-in embroidered tauntaun head pillow, protruding leg, arm and tail, plush lightsaber zipper

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Tame unruly cables with one of their own kind

ziotek

As much as we gadget-fiends might like to have Bluetooth or WiFi connections for all of our peripheral devices, unfortunately the technosphere hasn’t yet caught up to our vision.  If cable management is an issue for you, check out the Gumbycord, er… Flexicord (sorry, couldn’t resist) by Ziotek.  Patent-pending Memory Cord Technology allows Flexicord to

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“Ravage, eject!”

takara transformersdevicelabelravage

With an enthusiastic nod to the original 80’s TV show and toys, Takara will soon release the Transformers Device Label line of functional tech gadgets that transform into heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons.   Fans will recognize Ravage, the panther-like Decepticon who originally transformed into an audio cassette (remember those?), and has now been updated to

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17-inch laptop? No prob with Timbuk2’s Breakout

timbuk2 breakout

On the heels of the itsy-bitsy T-Pack for netbooks comes Timbuk2‘s new Breakout Messenger, a generously-sized bag designed for your hulking 17″ laptop.  A cross between their Outtawhack Daypack and the Commute Messenger, this seems to be an answer to the critique that even the Large Commute was just not quite large enough for a

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Motorola CLIQ with Android, MOTOBLUR coming to T-Mobile

motorola cliq

Motorola recently announced its first Google Android OS-based smartphone, the Motorola CLIQ.  A 3G smartphone with full touchscreen and side-slide QWERTY keyboard, it is also the first device to feature MOTOBLUR, which syncs social networking and other media.  The Motorola CLIQ will be available in Titanium and Winter White colors and is due to be

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New iPod nano shoots pics, video, plus FM & more

apple newnano

Announced just today at Apple‘s 09/09/09 “music event”, the new iPod nano.  The newest nano appears to be the same size as the “4th Gen” nano, but with a larger screen and a polished aluminum finish.  It will also feature a camera that shoots still images and video and a microphone.  Also added is FM

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Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 Review

microsoft mouse8000 13

Like a lot of us, I travel for work fairly often, lugging my rotator-cuff rending Lenovo T60p (with extended life battery) and its builders-grade power brick through airports and hotels.  Because of this, I am rather fanatical about accessories that can help me save time, weight and space, both on my daily grind commute and

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Low profile laptop backpack from BUILT

built laptopbackpack

Gear bags are all the rage these days, most sporting voluminous cc’s of storage space and a plethora of pockets and compartments for storing our gadgety goodies.  The BUILT Laptop Backpack follows a bit different philosophy.  Looking like a cross between a sport parachute pack and a bullet-proof vest, this über slim and contoured carrier

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BookArc MacBook stand

twelvesouth bookarc

More companies have been producing accessories that attempt to seamlessly integrate with the functionality and aesthetics of Apple’s MacBook line (that “Mac Factor”), such as the mStand.  Behold the BookArc from Twelve South, which lets you to “turn your laptop into a desktop.”  The BookArc holds your MacBook in a vertical orientation providing a smaller

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Now THIS is flatware…

fozzils thinkflat

If you’ve ever packed for a hike, camping trip, or other activity in which saving precious space is paramount, you know how difficult it can be.  Behold Fozzils ThinkFLAT!  Part origami, part tableware, each item–be it bowl, cup, spoon or otherwise–can hold hot liquid without leaking, but can be collapsed completely flat.  Made from durable

Now THIS is flatware… Read More

Cordfree, cradlefree charging for your devices

wildcharge

Wireless may be all the rage these days, but despite the portability afforded by many different types of devices, they still need to be plugged in or cradled to charge them.  WildCharge offers an interesting solution to this dilemma.  Consisting of an adapter that attaches to the device and a charge pad that is plugged

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Guaranteed to de-clutter your workspace

vat19 USBdrinkwarmerhub

Well, OK, maybe not guaranteed, but it might be a good start.  If you’re in need of de-cluttering (and we know who we are), check out the USB Drink Warmer with 4-port USB Hub from Vat19.  Although this is another of those gadgets which has been subtlety named to disguise its functionality, for the sake

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Weird Al would be proud of this wallet

ogon fan wallet

Keeping on The Gadgeteer’s theme of wallets that are non-traditional and “gadgety,” check out the Ögon Designs “Fan Shaped” Aluminum Wallet.  Similar in form factor and function to the Jimi, Flipside and Flipside 2 wallets, it has a few interesting differences.  This French-designed wallet features an aluminum shell (which Ögon claims can shield credit cards

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