Hasta La Gadget!

NFC (near-field communication) is gradually making its way into everything from smartphones, to credit cards, to cargo containers, to product packaging, as a method of carrying a small amount of data or authentication information along with virtually everything.

Now, some smarty pants over in the UK has come up with the latest use for the technology – wearable NFC, in the form of jewelry.

Created by John McLear, the NFC Ring is a bold and minimal metal ring which has two NFC chips embedded into it. This allows you to use the data stored within with NFC readers. This data can be used to do everything from unlocking doors or mobile phones to sending your contact information to smartphones with NFC capability. I suppose it could even be used to enable mobile payments at some point.

It’s actually a pretty ingenious idea, since it places the NFC data in a much more personal place than a credit card or your wallet, plus you never have to take anything out of your wallet to make it work. The ring has two sides – a larger one which stores public data, and a shorter one which stores private information.

The ring also works with a companion Android app (a Windows Phone version is coming too) which lets you create actions for accessing specific websites when you place the ring at the back of your smartphone.

The NFC ring is available via a Kickstarter campaign until the morning of 8/19/13 – and it’s already blown through its fundraising goal. To get your own NFC ring, you’ll have to pledge between £22 and £25 (~$34 to $39 USD), depending on your ring size.

Das Keyboard may be known for making noisy mechanical keyboards, but it also values privacy and security. The company’s new HackShield bags and wallets provide protection from both digital and physical theft.

Similar to the OFF Pocket, the HackShield backpack, messenger bag and wallet are lined with a material that blocks radio frequencies. They’re also made from waterproof polyurethane and weather-resistant ballistic nylon. Both bags can fit a 15″ laptop and have smaller pockets inside so you can stuff in more gadgets and tinfoil hats.

In addition to blocking wireless signals, the messenger bag and the backpack also protect your belongings from thieves. The bags have no external pockets, and their main compartments are protected by Fidlock fasteners, which are easy to close but lock in place.

You can order the HackShield gear from Das Keyboard’s online shop. Both bags cost $179 (USD) while the wallet costs $49.

[via Fancy]

Boy, you’d think you could slap a TARDIS on anything and it’d be a good idea. Well that theory has just been disproven thanks to the newly-released Doctor Who TARDIS Onesie.

Not only does the whole idea of adults wearing onesies make no sense to me, I’m at a complete loss as to why you’d want to wear one that’s even dorkier than a stock onesie. But that didn’t stop someone over at the BBC from licensing the TARDIS and the Doctor Who logo for just that purpose.

According to the product description, the TARDIS onesie is “comfortable, warm and snuggly” – which I suppose is good, because I don’t think anyone else would want to be seen with you wearing this, and you’ll have only your onesie to keep you warm.

If you absolutely must have everything made with a TARDIS on it, you can get the onesie over at Red5 for £39.95 (~$62 USD). I suppose if it could actually transport you through time and space, I might wear one. Or not.

Drawstring backpacks are often lightweight, so they’re not a pain to carry around. They’re also easy to put away when you’re done using them, since all you have to do is fold it up and tuck it in your closet.

The big annoyance with these bags, though, is how the shoulder loops eventually lose their symmetry, putting more weight on one shoulder compared to the other.  People who use drawstring backpacks can relate. If they use lopsided packs often enough, they’ll eventually begin to feel the discomfort physically, too.

Good thing the guys at mochibags decided to rethink this basic bag. The redesign makes sure that the “shoulder loops stay even and balanced.” Its makers are so confident in their redesigned product, that they add the guarantee that this is for “forever.”

So what makes this drawstring backpack different from the typical one? Well, for starters, it has “channel anchored” drawstrings which stay put and stay balanced. The channels also make it easy to open and close the bag. It also sports thick cords and no visible knots to make it feel more comfortable on your shoulders.

The mochibag Drawstring Backpack is currently up for funding on Kickstarter, where a minimum pledge of $25(USD) will get you one of your very own.

Ok, this Optimus Prime ring isn’t officially a wedding ring, but come on, what else would you use it for? It’s the perfect ring for Transformers-loving couples, who want to make the ultimate transformation into marriage.

This .925 sterling silver ring is in the likeness of the Autobot leader’s head. It will cost you $91.15(USD) from Etsy seller Princeofdiamonds. That’s not nearly as expensive as a traditional wedding ring, but it’ll certainly make more of an impression than one of those.

Give this ring to your significant other and she will be yours for life. Then settle down and makes lots of little Autobots.

[via Neatorama]