Turn your high-tech iPhone into a decades old single-purpose device with HP iPhone Calculators. The range includes the legendary HP-12C Financial Calculator ($15) — the company's longest and best-selling model — and the HP-15C ($30), a high-end programmable scientific calculator capable of handling complex numbers and matrix calculations. Both apps replicate the classic looks and button layouts of these venerable old gadgets, adding plenty of old-school charm to your decidedly new-school device.
SaveWhether you're a lightweight or a full-time drinker, you can keep track of your boozing using your iPhone with DrinkTracker ($2). This handy little app lets you set a "target" BAC and then tell it when you're having a drink to keep track of your level over time. We used it to keep ourselves in the clear with John Q. Law over the weekend, but we're sure it's just as useful for insane drinking games, or for making sure little Billy doesn't send himself to the hospital with that last keg stand.
SaveWhether you're updating an old XP box, moving a newer machine away from Vista, or wanting to load up an alternate OS on your Intel Mac, Microsoft Windows 7 ($50-$320; 10/22) is coming soon. Packing features like multi-touch support, new ways to organize open windows and apps, a new device manager, and more, it will also (hopefully) solve some of the compatibility and stability problems that forced Vista off a ledge less than three years after its release.
SaveBe more productive with your boredom with Hulu Desktop, a new application for Mac and Windows that gives you better access to Hulu's vast library of free online videos. With no web browser required, the standalone app features a slick interface that lets you easily browse for videos (in alphabetical order, by network or studio, or by Hulu channel) and control the content using either your keyboard, Windows Media Center remote, or Apple remote.
Save
Quite possibly the most important piece of software any music lover can buy, TuneUp ($30) can take any messy iTunes database and turn it into the pristine sort of collection reserved only for those with indentured man-servants (as demonstrated here). TuneUp's killer tuning capabilities comb your music collection for anomalies, replacing erroneous metadata, adding album covers and quite a bit more (it'll even tell you when your favorite musicians are touring). And since you all are such a special bunch, from now until the end of March, TuneUp will give you 15% off if you use the code UNCRATE when checking out.
Save
Few scenarios are scarier than having a laptop stolen. Get your stolen Mac back with Undercover 3 ($49). It runs invisibly in the background, anonymously checking in with the developer's servers — until you report it stolen. As soon as that happens, the company begins tracking the laptop using Skyhook Wireless technology, letting the police know where your stolen baby is within 30-60 feet, complete with iSight pics of the thief. With an 86% recovery rate, it's the best laptop theft protection you can buy.
Save
Looking for some new media center-style software for your PC, Mac, or Linux box? Then head over and sign up for Boxee (Free). This awesome open-platform media center offers access to all your media stored on a shared or network-enabled drive, along with built-in access to videos from Hulu, Comedy Central, CBS, CNN, YouTube, Revision3, and more. Perhaps the best part about Boxee is it plays nice with the Apple TV, giving the increasingly-unused set-top box a new lease on life. Make sure you download the Boxee Remote iPhone app too.
Save
Love digital photography but miss the look and feel of old-school Polaroid shots? Then grab yourself a copy of Poladroid. This free application for Mac OS X (a Windows version is coming next month) offers drag-and-drop creation of high-resolution, print-ready Polaroid-style pictures using your favorite images. For some cool examples, check out the app's Flickr group.
Save
It's that time again: time to upgrade your copies of Adobe's apps to the latest and greatest Creative Suite 4 releases. Adobe is offering six bundles this time, including the Design Premium ($1,800), Design Standard ($1,400), Web Premium ($1,700), Web Standard ($1,000), Production Premium ($1,700), and the anything-and-everything Master Collection ($2,500). Of course, upgrade pricing is available as well, and with new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, After Effects, and Premiere available, that's a really great thing.
Save
Few scenarios are scarier than having a laptop stolen. Get your stolen Mac back with Undercover 3 ($49). It runs invisibly in the background, anonymously checking in with the developer's servers — until you report it stolen. As soon as that happens, the company begins tracking the laptop using Skyhook Wireless technology, letting the police know where your stolen baby is within 30-60 feet, complete with iSight pics of the thief. With an 86% recovery rate, it's the best laptop theft protection you can buy.
Save
Looking for some new media center-style software for your PC, Mac, or Linux box? Then head over and sign up for Boxee (Free). This awesome open-platform media center offers access to all your media stored on a shared or network-enabled drive, along with built-in access to videos from Hulu, Comedy Central, CBS, CNN, YouTube, Revision3, and more. Perhaps the best part about Boxee is it plays nice with the Apple TV, giving the increasingly-unused set-top box a new lease on life. Make sure you download the Boxee Remote iPhone app too.
SaveBe more productive with your boredom with Hulu Desktop, a new application for Mac and Windows that gives you better access to Hulu's vast library of free online videos. With no web browser required, the standalone app features a slick interface that lets you easily browse for videos (in alphabetical order, by network or studio, or by Hulu channel) and control the content using either your keyboard, Windows Media Center remote, or Apple remote.
Save
Love digital photography but miss the look and feel of old-school Polaroid shots? Then grab yourself a copy of Poladroid. This free application for Mac OS X (a Windows version is coming next month) offers drag-and-drop creation of high-resolution, print-ready Polaroid-style pictures using your favorite images. For some cool examples, check out the app's Flickr group.
Save
It's that time again: time to upgrade your copies of Adobe's apps to the latest and greatest Creative Suite 4 releases. Adobe is offering six bundles this time, including the Design Premium ($1,800), Design Standard ($1,400), Web Premium ($1,700), Web Standard ($1,000), Production Premium ($1,700), and the anything-and-everything Master Collection ($2,500). Of course, upgrade pricing is available as well, and with new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, After Effects, and Premiere available, that's a really great thing.
SaveIf Leopard was all about new features, Mac OS X Snow Leopard ($29; August 28) is all about speed. Leaving most of Leopard's UI features in place, Snow Leopard boasts tons of under-the-hood improvements, including faster, more stable, 64-bit versions of Finder, Mail, iCal, iChat, and Safari, the all new QuickTime X, a footprint that takes up 7GB (!) less hard drive space than Leopard, faster Time Machine backups, Open CL technology to take advantage of most Macs' powerful GPUs, and a price that simply can't be beat.
SaveWhether you're a lightweight or a full-time drinker, you can keep track of your boozing using your iPhone with DrinkTracker ($2). This handy little app lets you set a "target" BAC and then tell it when you're having a drink to keep track of your level over time. We used it to keep ourselves in the clear with John Q. Law over the weekend, but we're sure it's just as useful for insane drinking games, or for making sure little Billy doesn't send himself to the hospital with that last keg stand.
SaveWhether you're updating an old XP box, moving a newer machine away from Vista, or wanting to load up an alternate OS on your Intel Mac, Microsoft Windows 7 ($50-$320; 10/22) is coming soon. Packing features like multi-touch support, new ways to organize open windows and apps, a new device manager, and more, it will also (hopefully) solve some of the compatibility and stability problems that forced Vista off a ledge less than three years after its release.
SaveTurn your high-tech iPhone into a decades old single-purpose device with HP iPhone Calculators. The range includes the legendary HP-12C Financial Calculator ($15) — the company's longest and best-selling model — and the HP-15C ($30), a high-end programmable scientific calculator capable of handling complex numbers and matrix calculations. Both apps replicate the classic looks and button layouts of these venerable old gadgets, adding plenty of old-school charm to your decidedly new-school device.
SaveFrom the makers of Baconnaise and Bacon Salt comes a bacon-flavored product that you don't even have to eat. J&D's Bacon Lip Balm ($13/4-pack) will protect your lips with beeswax, aloe vera oil, Vitamin E acetate, and other ingredients, all while offering a subtle bacon flavor both you and your partner can enjoy.
SaveMost of us don't have the engineering, design, or architectural chops to recreate any of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterworks, but we can anyway, thanks to these new Frank Lloyd Wright Lego Architecture Building Sets ($TBA). Licensed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Collection, these terrific sets — of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater — were developed in collaboration with leading architects to be as accurate as possible, and come with booklets that not only tell you how to build you own model masterpiece, but exclusive archival historical material and photographs of each building, as well. [Thanks, Kris]
SaveEver wish you could combine your dual-monitor setup into one behemoth display? Get ready, because your wish has come true in the NEC CRV43 Curved Widescreen Display ($8,000). Boasting a unique curved design that's sure to immerse you more than a standard two display setup, this beauty also features a 2880x900 double WXGA resolution, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, single link DVI-D and HDMI inputs, USB 2.0 ports, an on screen display, and the assurance that you have the most unique monitor in the neighborhood. [via]
SaveEver wish you could take a Jägermeister shot machine with you camping, tailgating, and partying? Now you can, with the Jägermeister 6-Bottle Shot Cooler ($120). Available as a six-bottle value pack, the cooler has plenty of room for all six bottles, ice, and the requisite cans of Red Bull, and uses the same tech as the Jägermeister Tap Machine to deliver ice-cold shots straight from the external tap.
SaveShow your fang affiliation by stocking your fridge with Tru Blood ($16). Based on the synthetic blood drink favored by the more civilized vampires of HBO's True Blood, this carbonated real-world version packs a slightly sweet, slightly tart blood orange flavor and a rich red color that will have guests wondering if you're drinking the real thing.
SaveFlapjack lovers, rejoice. Now you can make fresh, 97% fat-free pancakes in as little as 30 seconds using the ChefStack Automatic Pancake Machine ($3,500). This microwave-sized wonder uses no-mess batter pouches to crank out stack after stack of four- inch diameter pancakes, and doesn't even require supervision, letting you cook up breakfast for you and your crew while you get your other morning activities out of the way — like taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or downing a half-dozen mimosas.
SaveOne of the worst things about adding ice to a whisky is its ability to water-down the flavor. So chill your next drink down with Whisky Stones ($20). Milled in Vermont by some of the oldest soapstone workshops in the US, these stones chill quickly in the freezer, and won't impart any flavor to your favorite blend.
SaveWe love bacon, and we've seen everything from Canned Bacon to Baconnaise, Bacon Salt, Bacon Floss — hell, even Bacon Lip Balm — so it was only a matter of time before we discovered Bacon Soap ($6). Made to both look and smell like frying bacon, this soap will get you clean while giving your appetite a jump-start on the day.
SaveTempted by the MINI's go-cart handling, but not a fan of its boxy exterior? The MINI Coupé Concept ($TBA) is for you. Ready to accept any of MINI's powerhouse engines, including the 1.6L twin-scroll turbocharged unit from the MINI John Cooper Works, this stylish two-seater pairs a decidedly MINI-like bottom with an aggressively designed upper half, including a swept back windshield, short contrast roof, hidden B-pillars, and more sexy than every other modern MINI combined.
SaveTackle the great outdoors -- or just yard work -- in the coldest of weather in the Timberland Utility Jacket ($150). With straightforward looks, it's not exactly a flashy piece of outerwear, but it does the job, with a rugged cotton twill outer, nylon polin and polyester fleece lining, a front zipper with button flap cover for added wind protection, dual snap-close side pockets and two cargo-style chest pockets, slightly distressed details for a worn-in look, and stitched down shoulder epaulettes.
Save
Terrorism. Murder. Blood. Bullets. Darkness. This is the G.I. Joe cartoon you've been waiting 25 years for. G.I. Joe: Resolute ($14) is a new animated mini-series featuring classic Joes and Cobra operatives that's sure to make the live action movie look even more like a turd. Aimed at older viewers, and garnering standing ovations at JoeCon Comic-Con, Resolute consists of 11 episodes (ten 5-minute episodes and one 10-minute finale) totaling 60 minutes. We won't tell you the plot, but let's just say Cobra Commander goes totally apocalyptic on Moscow. In the first four minutes. Can someone please start a petition to turn this into a regular weekly series? Oh, and don't forget the toys.
SaveWhat good is a portable hard drive if you're afraid to take it anywhere? With the Hitachi SimpleTough Hard Drive ($100-$135), you simply grab your data and go. Featuring a rugged body with grippy rubber sides and a smooth rubber body, the SimpleTough can withstand drops of up to 7 feet and also offers underside lighting and an integrated USB cable, giving you one less thing to remember when packing for your next spy mission.
SaveHaving a big-ass tool set is all well and good, but when you can have the most popular sockets on hand in just one tool, why bother? The Black & Decker Ready Wrench ($30) offers exactly that, with 16 of the most popular sockets — in both standard and metric — on rotating heads on either end of the tool, ready to replace both one- and two-inch deep sockets. With a rubber grip for added comfort, it'll let you save the big tool set for those really tough jobs — like assembling Ikea furniture.
SaveSimplify the process of installing the apps you want on your Windows machine with Ninite. This awesome free service lets you choose from a range of applications, plug-ins, utilities, and other goodies that might normally take hours to download separately, with a "Get Installer" button at the bottom that will do all the heavy lifting for you, creating a simple, one-step app that will install all of the software you chose in one fell swoop. Good for Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
SaveIf you're into gadgets, and if you're reading this that's highly likely, then you no doubt have several SD and/or microSD cards laying around — so turn them into USB drives using the LaCie DataShare ($13). The DataShare breaks into two halves — red for SD and white for microSD — that fit together to form one solid, easily-portable storage solution.
SaveInfinity pools have been around for a while, so it only makes sense someone would apply the same idea to another home-sized water feature: the aquarium. ZeroEdge Aquariums ($600 and up) do exactly that, providing overflowing aquatic environments for all types of fish and sea creatures in a variety of styles and shapes, ensuring you can find one that's right for your home or office. Just remember: no edge equals no lid, so be sure to keep the Darla-types away. [Thanks, Brian]
SaveWe've seen plenty of not-so-hot iPhone cases that have tried to tack wallets on as an afterthought, but this is the first time we know of it's been done the other way around. The Hard Graft Phone Card Wallet (€79; $120) is a slim, front-pocket style credit card wallet that's built with such strong elastic tape that it can also hold a phone inside for a decidedly less-slim solution. Other features include grey vegetable tan leather construction, seven card slots, and measurements that happen to hold an iPhone perfectly.
SaveFour years ago, we brought you the Marshmallow Shooter. It served you well. It kept enemies at bay. It won many office battles. But times have gotten worse. And times like these call for something stronger. Times like these call for the Executive Elite Marshmallow Blaster ($55). This pump-action weapon shoots marshmallows up to 40 feet, and stores discreetly in a Bond-esque carrying case.
SaveIf Leopard was all about new features, Mac OS X Snow Leopard ($29; August 28) is all about speed. Leaving most of Leopard's UI features in place, Snow Leopard boasts tons of under-the-hood improvements, including faster, more stable, 64-bit versions... [More]
Turn your high-tech iPhone into a decades old single-purpose device with HP iPhone Calculators. The range includes the legendary HP-12C Financial Calculator ($15) — the company's longest and best-selling model — and the HP-15C ($30), a high-end programmable scientific calculator... [More]
Whether you're a lightweight or a full-time drinker, you can keep track of your boozing using your iPhone with DrinkTracker ($2). This handy little app lets you set a "target" BAC and then tell it when you're having a drink... [More]
Whether you're updating an old XP box, moving a newer machine away from Vista, or wanting to load up an alternate OS on your Intel Mac, Microsoft Windows 7 ($50-$320; 10/22) is coming soon. Packing features like multi-touch support, new... [More]
Be more productive with your boredom with Hulu Desktop, a new application for Mac and Windows that gives you better access to Hulu's vast library of free online videos. With no web browser required, the standalone app features a slick... [More]
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Quite possibly the most important piece of software any music lover can buy, TuneUp ($30) can take any messy iTunes database and turn it into the pristine sort of collection reserved only for those with indentured man-servants (as demonstrated here).... [More]
Few scenarios are scarier than having a laptop stolen. Get your stolen Mac back with Undercover 3 ($49). It runs invisibly in the background, anonymously checking in with the developer's servers — until you report it stolen. As soon as... [More]
Looking for some new media center-style software for your PC, Mac, or Linux box? Then head over and sign up for Boxee (Free). This awesome open-platform media center offers access to all your media stored on a shared or network-enabled... [More]
Love digital photography but miss the look and feel of old-school Polaroid shots? Then grab yourself a copy of Poladroid. This free application for Mac OS X (a Windows version is coming next month) offers drag-and-drop creation of high-resolution, print-ready... [More]
It's that time again: time to upgrade your copies of Adobe's apps to the latest and greatest Creative Suite 4 releases. Adobe is offering six bundles this time, including the Design Premium ($1,800), Design Standard ($1,400), Web Premium ($1,700), Web... [More]
The internet overlords continue their online onslaught with Google Chrome, a free, lightweight web browser. Chrome features a clean, minimal design, fast page loading, thumbnail tabs, and a simplified address bar (for URLs and search terms). It's Windows-only right now,... [More]
Apple's MobileMe ($99-$149) is a new subscription-based web service that replaces the feeble .Mac service. Redesigned as "Exchange for the rest of us," MobileMe delivers push email, push contacts and push calendars to your iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, or PC,... [More]
Our favorite cataloging app just got a lot better. Delicious Library 2 ($40/new, $20/upgrade) lets users of Mac OS X Leopard catalog and organize their stuff, from CDs and games to toys, tools, and more, displayed in all their glory... [More]
Just because you get your news from the 'net instead of the local paper doesn't mean you have to give up that newspaper feel. Times ($30) is a new RSS reader for Mac OS X Leopard that presents your feeds... [More]
Finally outgrowing iPhoto? Then it's time you stepped up to Aperture 2 ($200). Apple's professional strength photo editing and management software just got over 100 new features, including a streamlined user interface, a new image processing engine, and a ton... [More]
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