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Continue reading Mobile devices may outnumber humans in the US, but they can’t take our soul

Mobile devices may outnumber humans in the US, but they can’t take our soul originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Kestner’s table may look old-fashioned, but it’s as high tech as you can get

Supermechanical brings craftsmanship into the computer age. Instead of churning out endlessly dull and ever-lower quality MDF rubbish, Supermechanical instead uses computer-controlled tools to do the same work as a human craftsman. This means high-quality, long-lasting furniture at reasonable prices.

And as you’d expect from an MIT startup, it comes with a geeky twist.

The men behind Supermechanical are John Kestner, previously seen on Gadget Lab with his Proverbial Wallets, connected billfolds which modified their behavior depending on your bank balance, and David Carr. His rev–>table, seen above, is equally thought-provoking. The top is cut from solid wood and the rolled steel legs are “laser cut from cold-rolled steel, bent on computer-controlled press brakes, and then finished with an industrial-grade powdercoat.” This is furniture that will last.

All of the CAD files needed to make the table are on this etched metal plate

When the table finally breaks, or is just plain worn out, its life still isn’t over. Laser etched into an aluminum plate on the tabletop, in a form readable by any cellphone with a camera, are the blueprints, or “digital DNA” of the piece. The plate contains the DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) file necessary to make replacement parts. It’s like a starfish growing back a lost leg, only less creepy.

But it’s not just about making future heirlooms. Kestner says that manufacturing could be brought back to the U.S by exploiting “technology and creativity.” And it wouldn’t necessarily take place in big, faraway factories. Small, high-tech workshops close to home would be flexible, economical and convenient.

And the table? You can buy one over at another MIT startup, Curisma, for just $500. That’s in introductory offer, but even the full price of $667 is pretty good.

rev–>table [Supermechanical. Thanks, John!]

See Also:

• MIT's Wallets Swell, Buzz and Clamp Down on Digital Spending …
• Voila! Create Your Own Furniture Out of Thin Air

More comfortable and way more elegant than a laptop on an ironing board

I use an old cast-iron sewing machine table with a marble slab thrown on top for my desk. It’s just like the ones you’ll find in cool little restaurants and bars, only with a giant Mac sat on top. If I was in the market (and had the money for) a proper desk, I’d be buying the Airia Desk, from Herman Miller.

Designed by Kaiju Studios, the 1960s styling hides some neat modern-day features. At the front edge is a drawer which contains removable cork-lined trays, and the rear shelf section has three removable hatches with holes, through which cables can be threaded. The frame is walnut, and the legs aluminum.

It’s sleek, smart, beautiful, and way out of my price-range (why do you think I have an old cobbled together desk right now?) $2,200.

Airia product page [Herman Miller via Uncrate]

See Also:

• How-To Make a Laptop Desk, and How Not to Buy One
• Milk Desk the Perfect Home for Macs?
• Laptop Bag Transforms into Desk and Chair

Welcome to Australia, where men are men and only women like shopping. According to Ikea that is. The Swedish retail giant opened up MÄNLAND at its Sydney store over the first weekend of September. MÄNLAND, modeled on the kid-friendly SMALAND, is a place for women to park their partners while they shop.

MÄNLAND consists of pinball machines, table football and comfy Ikea sofas stocked with GQ and other men’s magazines. Thus ensconced, the men can while away the time as their other halves buy far more household wares than they planned to, just like any regular Ikea shopping trip.

And lest the women forget their charges when it’s time to leave, they’re given a buzzer which will activate after a half hour, reminding them to pick up their men from the playpen.

The male creche was little more than a Father’s day weekend gimmick, but I’d totally love to see it rolled out to all stores. Especially if they also serve Ikea’s awesome — and cheap — hot dogs.

IKEA introduces MANLAND, the creche for retail-weary men [News via the Giz]

See Also:

• Ikea
• Video: Inside an Ikea Factory

Finally, a cold weather companion to Dyson Air Multiplier fans, the Dyson Hot. Image: Gizmodo

The Dyson Air Multiplier, the magical, ridiculously pricy, blade-less fan that’s wowed us for years has a wintertime version: the Dyson Hot.

Its blade-free oblong ring looks almost exactly like Dyson’s cool breeze-blowing Tower Fan model, yet it’s smaller and of course, hotter.

The Dyson Hot doesn’t have any exposed heating elements and has automatic shut-off when it tips over, which makes it a safe option for the home. Dyson claims its surface won’t reach dust-burning levels, so that means you’ll never get that funky scorched smell you normally get when you finally flip the space heater on after six months of storage.

According to the product description, it’s designed for “small to larger sized rooms”, whatever that means, so I’ll just buy six to make sure I’m covered.

It carries a whopping $400 price tag and is available in one of two stylish color combos: iron and blue, or white and silver.

via The Giz