04.05.13
Long Tran

Categories:
Lighting
Reviews

2 Comments

In Love With The Sonneman Quattro

In Love With The Sonneman Quattro

We’ve reviewed our share of LED task lamps but our latest procurement, the Sonneman Quattro, evokes a kind of playful spirit normally reserved for Luxo, the Pixar Lamp. The lamp is immaculately engineered. The aforementioned playful spirit comes from the retangular arm that articulates at multiple points. It freely rotates 90º at the base with two additional pivot points across the arm. Devoid of any discernable switches, the lamp is switched on by a feather’s touch above the LED plate. Tapping it multiple times cycles through 3 brightness settings.

0 Designer: Robert Sonneman and Peter Polick

03.18.13
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Categories:
Reviews

1 Comment

Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Review

Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Review

Three weeks ago I reached out to Oral-B to review the Deep Sweep 5000, their top of line electric toothbrush. After brushing twice a day, everyday for 2 minutes at a time, I sit here writing to you with whiter teeth, a brighter smile, and confidence to walk into my next dentist appointment with no fear of hearing, “oh you should brush more often.” Hit the jump for my review.

0 Designer: Braun $133.00

10.03.12
Long Tran

Categories:
Fashion
Reviews

3 Comments

Subscription Undies

Subscription Undies

I’ve been trying out this new service called MeUndies – a subscription based underwear delivery service. Let’s just assume you change your undies at least once a day. So unless you have 30+ pairs or constantly do laundry or supplement with a few days going commando (kinky), then you’re gonna need some more undies. Although the service does allow you to buy a la carte, you get 20% off per pair by subscribing. That’s $16 a month to get one pair of undies tailored to your style/color preferences shipped direct. But are they any good? Hit the jump.

0 Designer: MeUndies

12.28.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Books
Reviews

18 Comments

Reading Material, Predictable Magic

Reading Material, Predictable Magic

We love the tangible side of ID, but the majority of designs will never move beyond concept because there’s a dark area in ID everyone hates to wrestle with – the business side. Predictable Magic empowers you to face the challenge, to make you a better leader and business owner. It’s full of examples of how one creates products that resonate with consumers by making emotional connections. $19 on Amazon but US Kindle owners can download it for free. Exp January 15.

0 Authors: Deepa Prahalad, Ravi Sawhney (Buy it on Amazon)

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12.09.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Lifestyle
Product Design
Reviews

24 Comments

Love Letter to Alex the Water Bottle

Love Letter to Alex the Water Bottle

Oh Alex, how you’ve become my favorite water bottle these past few months. I didn’t think much of you at first but then I found out former Oakley team manager Chris Hotell and pro snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler founded the company who made you and I become intrigued. You’re so special. You do a lot but there’s two things you do better than anyone else baby.

0 Designer: Nice Reusables (Buy it here)

12.08.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Audio
Reviews

4 Comments

Hear Me Out, V-MODA Crossfade Review

Hear Me Out, V-MODA Crossfade Review

I have earbuds from V-MODA so when they sent me the Crossfade headphones, I already knew I’d be dealing with quality. True to the brand, these bad boys look like no other. Their armored appearance instantly gives you that “I’m so serious about my music” look. Build quality is great for a $200 pair of headphones too. They’re heavier than your typical fare but are fully adjustable with very soft cushions. In fact they’re so thickly padded, they’re great for noise canceling. But how do they sound? Hit the jump for my review.

0 Designer: V-MODA (Buy it here)

12.06.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Lighting
Reviews

3 Comments

Only The Essentials, Haworth LIM Light

Only The Essentials, Haworth LIM Light

We’ve written a lot about minimalism but what is it? To say it’s simply stripped down and devoid of the frivolous is inaccurate. We’ve all seen designs that embody that statement, yet fail in all intentions. When I got my hands on Haworth’s awarding winning LIM Light, I knew minimalism. It’s the removal of the non-esssential to embrace and enhance the functional. The LIM Light embodies it and has become one of my favorite products of the year.

0 Designers: Pablo Pardo and Ralph Reddig for Haworth

11.29.10
Long Tran

Categories:
General Gifts
Reviews

2 Comments

Your iPad Wants This, Wallee Review

Your iPad Wants This, Wallee Review

The iPad is a very useful and portable device but you’d be surprised at the number of poorly designed wall mounts for it. The Wallee is one of the better ones and we’ve got your review right after the jump. Designed in the land down under – why wouldn’t you want something semi related to a kangaroo?

0 Designer: Wallee (Buy it here $49.95 AU)

11.26.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Cameras
General Gifts
Reviews
Technology

2 Comments

The Best Pocket Cam, Flip UltraHD Review

The Best Pocket Cam, Flip UltraHD Review

Once upon a time pocket cams were poor substitutions for the real thing but those days are over. Flip, one of the originators, still sits on top as providing the best all around pocket cams. Still in its sleek package and ridiculously simple UI, the Flip UltraHD, as its name implies, shoots 720p video at 60 fps. The image stabilization is better than any competitor and at $149, provides the best bang for your buck. Hit the jump for our review.

0 Designer: Cisco (Buy it here $149.00)

11.18.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Accessories & Fashion
Cellphones
General Gifts
Reviews

26 Comments

Chubbify Your iPhone 4

Chubbify Your iPhone 4

I just find this iPhone 4 case by Arkwhat hilarious. While Apple spends millions on R&D to make their phone as thin as possible, a soft goods manufacturer puts out a case to make it as fat as possible. The Arkhippo I – Love it! It’s made of dense foam in a myriad of colors – super lightweight and shaped like an old school brick. Yes, I’m sure those of you old enough to remember the beginnings of cellular technology will remember how FAT phones were.

0 Designer: Arkwhat (Buy it here)

11.15.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Accessories & Fashion
Interview
Luxury
Reviews

2 Comments

MYKITA Eyewear, Berlinese Style

MYKITA Eyewear, Berlinese Style

This past summer I walked by our local eyewear shop and decided to kill some time. The shop owner brought over these very angular metal eye glasses and proclaimed they were right up my aesthetic alley. She was right. Mykita, MYKITA- “sounds Japanese” I said, but the unique springless design and sharp silhouettes were clues to its real origins – only Germans could create something so fantastically warm and modern. Within days I had samples in my hand and spoke to the Berlinese boys about their company. Hit the jump for our quick chat.

0 Designer: MYKITA

11.11.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Accessories & Fashion
Fashion
Reviews

10 Comments

Dosh Wallets 2.0 Review

Dosh Wallets 2.0 Review

We reviewed the original Dosh wallet in 2008 but the Aussie company is back with more styles, more colors, and a series of bespoke art wallets to choose from. I also want to introduce you to our new review editors Bret and Greg. Both switched from traditional wallets to give the Dosh a spin. Hit the jump for their review.

0 Designer: Dosh (Buy them here)

10.21.10
Long Tran

Categories:
Lifestyle
Reviews

12 Comments

8,820 Relaxing Sharp Points, Yantra Mat Review

8,820 Relaxing Sharp Points, Yantra Mat Review

When a colleague and a yogi friend of ours told us about an acupressure mat that could release physical tension and improve mental well being- we had to try it. The Yantra Mat has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Blunt nail beds were used to increase blood flow and purify the body of toxins. Fortunately the Yantra Mat is much less archaic and far more portable. Home acupressure, here we come. Hit the jump for our review.

0 Designer: Yantra Mat (Buy it here)

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