Hasta La Gadget!

Some say that the future of data storage lies in cloud computing. But until high-speed Internet access is available on a global scale, we’ll still need ways to store data locally. Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of bulky external hard drives and USB sticks we had paper-thin flash devices instead? Industrial designers Aditi Singh and Parag Anand think so, which is why they came up with dataSTICKIES.

Singh and Anand dream of dataSTICKIES as paper-thin flash memory devices. They based their concept on graphene, a carbon allotrope that exists in layers that are only one atom thick. Aside from being insanely thin, graphene is also durable and conducts electricity well. In theory at least, it can be used to make electronic devices that are way better than the ones that we have today, including data storage devices.

Singh and Anand imagine dataSTICKIES would be like sticky notes. You could write on them and stick them to practically any object. They even thought of a foolproof way to connect the concept device to computers. Instead of traditional connectors, dataSTICKIES would simply stick to a transparent data transfer surface located in a practical position, such as along the perimeter a monitor or on the back of a mobile device. You won’t even have to worry about running out of “ports” because you can stick multiple units on one data transfer surface.

Like sticky notes, dataSTICKIES would also make it easier to associate data with the physical world. For example, you could use posters with tear-off strips of dataSTICKIES to distribute vast amounts of information. Or spam. Or malware. Okay I’m starting to hate that poster idea.

Singh and Anand’s concept was honored at the 2013 Red Dot Design Award. It’s certainly a great idea, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing anything like it soon. Stick a browser on your computer and head to the dataSTICKIES website for more on the concept.

[via Gadgetify]

We recently saw Razer’s concept for their newbie-friendly modular desktop computer. ZTE is also mulling taking a similar approach to mobile phones. The company presented its idea at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). ZTE calls its concept device the Eco-Mobius, a smartphone with swappable core components.

Eco-Mobius is almost exactly the same as Dave Hakkens’ Phonebloks concept as well as Motorola’s Project Ara prototype, two ideas that went viral late last year. The goal is to separate a phone’s major parts – CPU, RAM, GPU etc. – into modules that users can remove and replace on their own. In ZTE’s design, the modules will be held in place by magnets. As with Razer’s Project Christine, ZTE also thinks they can enable users to install multiple units of the same hardware, such as multiple storage devices or even multiple cameras.

Macmixing spoke with a ZTE spokesperson at CES about the Eco-Mobius:

I’d love for all of my gadgets to be modular and customizable. I wish I was modular. My eyes and back badly need an upgrade.

[via ZTE, Red Dot Design & Macmixing via CNET]

Ever since I caught my cat looking at Etsy seller schnabuble’s shop, I can’t get her to shut up about this Cat Battle Armor. She keeps meowing that she wants to go all medieval on mice and other small animals.

It is genuine Cat Battle Armor hand-made from durable veg-tan leather. Your cat will be the most feared cat on the block with this outfit. Its creator says that it is 100% wearable, flexible, and comfortable.

Cat armor isn’t cheap though. It will cost you $500 to make your kitty a knight of old. Totally worth it to see other people’s reactions as they see your cat about the neighborhood.

[via The Mary Sue]

Mountain Dew and Cheetos. You know them. You love them. You have both all over your mouse and keyboard. Well, now you can get these two gamer foods together at last. These Mountain Dew flavored Cheetos are from Japan. Naturally.

You can get them for $3.50 a cup here. Don’t worry, they’re “Made in cooperation with Pepsi, to ensure an authentic taste experience.” Of course it doesn’t hurt that Frito-Lay is owned by PepsiCo. See, when you have to say that, it makes me wonder just what you are really putting in it. Probably some gamer steroids for longer play.

If you love these two foods, go try this perfect gamer food union and see if it ups your game any. If nothing else, at least you can get both of these important food groups from a single source.

[via Geekologie]

That’s right folks, it’s a pillow with a rechargeable battery inside. It may seem like a joke, or at best something you wouldn’t pay for – I’ll just stuff my battery inside my pillow! – but the more you read about the Power Pillow the more reasonable it sounds.

The Power Pillow was obviously made for those times when there’s no electrical outlet near your bed or couch. The bundled 12,000mAh rechargeable battery fits inside the pillow’s soft compartment, although you’re free to place other batteries inside the compartment. The battery has two 5V USB ports – one charges at 2.1A and the other at 1A.

Power Pillow is currently raising funds on Kickstarter. The original plan for was for it to come with two batteries, the idea being one battery will be ready to use while the other is being charged. But for the duration of the fundraiser a pledge of at least $74 (USD) gets you a Power Pillow with one 12,000mAh battery and one micro-USB cable. Pledge at least $125 if you want to get two batteries (and two micro-USB cables) with the pillow. You can also pick from several designs for the pillow cover.

[via Gear Diary]