Time is Short Watch Reminds You That Time is Running out

Sometimes you just feel like time is getting away from you. But no matter how hard we try, time keeps marching on. While most of us probably don’t need a reminder that we’re getting older and older, sometimes it’s good to have a tangible reminder so we live each day to its fullest. That’s the aim of this watch, which serves as a constant reminder of our gradual march towards the grave.

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The Time is Short watch features an image of a wrist wearing a small analog watch, but when you turn the watch over, it turns into a skeletal image of that same wrist and hand. While it’s at it, the watch transforms from a black background to a white one.

The watch is also perfect for radiologists, doctors, anthropologists and morticians. The Time is Short watch is made from brushed stainess steel and has a black silicone band, and sells for $129.95(USD) over at Gadgets and Gear.

Star Wars Collectors Watches: It’s Time to Use the Force

There have been numerous collectible Star Wars watches over the years, and the latest batch has just found its way across the universe from a galaxy far, far, away. Or at least from the UK.

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These new analog watches are made by Zeon and officially-licensed by LucasFilm. The collection include five cool designs whether you’re rooting for the Light or Dark Side of the Force. The line includes a Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, and of course, Darth Vader. As usual, R2-D2 is all alone, and C-3PO is nowhere to be found in the collection. Each watch has a leather band, is water-resistant to 5ATM and comes individually numbered with a velvet-lined box and numbered collector’s certificate.

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Naturally, the Darth Vader one is the coolest, with its black case, red face crystal and red accents. It’s also neat that the Skywalker one has a compass built in. Though I’m not sure that would actually to navigate through the Death Star’s trenches.

You can currently find Zeon’s Star Wars watches over at UK shop Great Gear Store for £125 (~$187 USD) each, and they should be making their way to more retailers soon.

Shifted 3D Printed Watch: It’s Time to Print the Time

I look forward to the day where I can 3D print pretty much anything I need, from cell phone cases to watches to spare body parts. Many small items can already be 3D printed on the cheap, thanks to the advent of the personal 3D printer. This watch was 3D printed, which makes me imagine all of the stuff that people will be able to make reality on their own desktops.

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The Shifted Watch was created by Austrian designer Paul Kweton. Its translucent case highlights the latest in rapid prototyping technologies. The watch is wrapped in laser sintered nylon plastic, and it’s supposed to express a random, futile, deconstructive design aesthetic. I’m not sure about all of that, but it sure looks interesting.

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While the watch mechanism itself clearly wasn’t 3D printed, I’m sure that some day you’ll be able to render complex mechanisms using the technology.

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I wonder when I’ll be able to 3D print digital watches in my home office.

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[via designboom]

Glow in the Dark TRON Identity Disc Concept Watches: Enter the Grid

This TRON concept watch design is hot. It was designed by Alexander Morgan. Just look at those glowing time discs within a larger glowing disc of their own. Living in the grid is sexy sexy sexy.
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Now this is some good design, people. Why can’t manufacturers offer products that look this awesome? I would buy one of these TRON watches in a heartbeat if I could. Oh well, maybe Alexander will be able to make them a reality some day. Until then I will just have to drool all over these concepts and wish very hard.

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If you want to see how these were designed step by step, check out the video below.

[via Obvious Winner]

Moog Sub Phatty analog synthesizer hands-on (video)

Moog Sub Phatty handson video

A few days back, Moog teased a new synthesizer that we would come to meet properly as the Sub Phatty. Once we hit the show floor here in California, we made sure to drop by for live look. The analog unit features every bit of the fine craftsmanship that we’ve come to know Moog for crankin’ out of its factory in the mountains of North Carolina despite the affordable $1,100 price tag. Sub Phatty keeps with the classic snyth aesthetic and Moog design trademarks including soft-touch coated side panels — a staple of the Phatty line — and knobs that look and feel prime for extreme mileage. Aside from a dapper exterior, the big draw here is the new Multidrive tech that graces the control panel and inner workings of the device. We could give a detailed textual explanation of said feature, but we’ll let Amos Gaynes, product development specialist at Moog, do all of the chatting in the video that follows after the break. Speaking of the jump, you’ll find an audio sample taken straight off of the Sub Phatty’s frontside here at NAMM 2013.

James Trew contributed to this report.

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Stylophone S2 portable analog synthesizer hands-on (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/23/stylophone-s2-portable-analog-synthesizer-hands-on/

The original Stylophone is something of a legend. Made popular by David Bowie (and possibly if you’re British, Rolf Harris) in the late sixties / early seventies. Since then the original (shown in our gallery) has been re-released, and spin-off products have come to light. The S2, however, represents a new direction for the vintage synth. This time, makers dubreq wanted to create something that maintained the original’s pick-up-and-play appeal, while adding some more high-end features and functionality that open it up to more serious sound-smiths. The first thing you will notice is that, while it still has the iconic metal “keys,” the Stylophone S2 is somewhat larger — no bad thing if you’ve ever tried penning a melody live on the original. Those keys can be triggered with a wireless stylus, but are touch sensitive also, meaning you can poke out a tune without being limited to the agility of your dominant hand. Skip past the break for more details and a hardware video tour.

If you’re thinking that, despite being larger than its predecessor, there’s just not enough keys, then be assured you can get a full three octaves plus a +/-2 shift function on the left giving it a comprehensive range. The all-analog sound engine also features an eight waveform LFO, bass-heavy sub-oscillators and a state-variable filter. Thanks to an Aux input, you can also use the filters etc. with external audio sources, plus there are headphone and 1/4-inch outputs. If you’re worried it’s all a little too compact for a live performance, there’s a CV (control voltage) input trigger offering the ability to control with with an external sequencing device. It’s not all retro though, with the illuminated speaker section also providing real-time feedback (such as the speed of the LFO). Best — and most importantly of all — it sounds just like you want it to, full of crunchy, analog goodness. The hardware feels extremely well built, and definitely feels like it could stand up to the knocks and bangs that inevitably come with taking gear out on the road, which, thanks to the option of AA battery power is wonderfully easy. Sound like something you’d like the sound of? The Stylophone S2 is available now for £299 (about $470 by conversion).

Billy Steele contributed to this report.

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Moog details Sub Phatty ahead of NAMM, accepts $1,099 pre-orders for March (video)

Moog details Sub Phatty synth ahead of NAMM, aMoog details Sub Phatty synth ahead of NAMM, accepts $1,099 pre-orders for March (video)ccepts $1,099 preorders for March arrival

A few days ahead of the music industry’s annual soiree in California, Moog Music has outed its latest analog offering. The North Carolina-based outfit has pulled the wraps off of the Sub Phatty: a 25 full-size key, 31 knob synthesizer that wields two variable waveshape oscillators and Moog’s new Multidrive circuitry. Multidrive smashes OTA distortion with FET drive to offer a range of sounds from warm depth to growling overdrive. “We set out to design the grittiest Moog synth ever, one that still offers all of the great sound and flexibility that Moog synthesizers are known for, but that also really has teeth,” said president Mike Adams. The budget-friendly price tag of $1,100 is sure to temp those who’ve been eyeing Moog’s wares, but units won’t start shipping until March. Consult the source link to part with your funds and jump past the break for a walkthrough with synth pioneer Herb Deutsch.

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Source: Moog Music

Doctor Who Watch: Timey Wimey on Your Wrist

If you are looking for a watch that will keep track of time here on Earth, but you want to be as stylish as a Time Lord, check out this new Doctor Who watch, out just in time for the show’s 50th anniversary.

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This is not your average watch, though. The hands look like sonic screwdrivers and the TARDIS flies around a vortex at its own pace.

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All of your Whovian friends will be jealous when they see you wearing this. The only thing that could make it better is if it actually summoned the TARDIS to your location on command. Sadly, it doesn’t have that feature, but it will still look awesome on your wrist.

It’s only $49.95(USD) from GadgetsandGear. These will probably go fast, so head on over there and buy one before they vanish into another dimension.

LEGO Time Twister 2 Clock: Time is Better the Second Time Around

About a year ago, I spotted this cool mechanical LEGO clock called the Time Twister. It was a pretty amazing build, recreating the segmented display of an LCD clock, entirely with LEGO parts. Well its builder, Hans Andersson is back with a new version – the Time Twister 2.

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The updated version of the clock has a more finished look than the original, more closely mimicking the style of an LED timepiece with a light-on-dark display.

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Mechanically, it looks different too, though the basic principles are the same. It’s built from LEGO blocks, Mindstorms NXT Controllers and servo mechanisms interconnected to gradually rotate and reveal segments of the digits which comprise the current time. Here, check it out in action:

Cool, no? I think so. Hans needs to figure out a way to mass-produce these – or at least sell an instruction kit along with a parts list. I would certainly love to have a clock this cool somewhere in my home or office – though the sound of the motors constantly whirring away might get on my nerves after a while. Nah, I’ll just buy some earplugs if I must.


An Ode to the Retro Delights of Analog Media

Yes, there is an insufferable culture of cool surrounding art forms of the past. We get it, you’re retro. But that doesn’t mean things like super-8 film, VHS tapes, and vinyl records should be outright dismissed. More »