With so many cool things coming out each week, it can be hard to wade through all the rock-awesomeness. With ‘Cool Tools’, we’ve done the hard work for you.

This week we saw an innovative take on the simple handheld pencil sharpener, a super-handy new iOS keyboard from Google, an update to the Roger voice app, how to build Fallingwater in Minecraft, a virtual ride on one of the world’s tallest roller coasters and more…

Ready? Let’s go!

This week we look at:

DESIGN

ST-01 Side Table

des01

“ST-01 is a modern take on the three-legged side table. Made of ash and ribbon stripe sapele, the two contrasting colored woods seamlessly juxtapose with the white urethane base establishing a sense of dynamic and minimalistic form.”

Zirconia Sharpener

des02

“The blade and body are made from zirconia and fused into a single unibody block. By utilizing zirconia’s material property, the blade doesn’t need to be changed and offers a smooth sharpening experience.”

APPS

Gboard by Google

app01

“Gboard is a new keyboard from Google for your iPhone. It has all the things you would expect from a great keyboard — GIFs, emojis, and Glide Typing — plus Google Search built in. No more app switching; just search and send, right from your keyboard.”

Roger

app02

“Roger is designed for your voice. It makes it simple to keep in touch with the people you care about most, no matter where they are. It’s free and easy to use—Just tap to talk.”

DIY

Build Fallingwater in Minecraft

YouTube video

“Welcome to my new series, where I build Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Minecraft.”

Make a Plastic Foam Cutter

YouTube video

” I will show you how to make a plastic foam cutter in a simple way.”

ROCK AWESOMENESS

The Emperor of Time

“The strange and sordid tale of Eadweard Muybridge, the man who accidentally invented motion pictures. The film is told from the point of view of Muybridge’s abandoned son and viewed completely through a nineteenth century early cinema contraption called a mutoscope.”

Valravn Virtual Roller Coaster Ride

YouTube video

“Climb. Hang. Dive. Take a virtual ride on the TALLEST, FASTEST, LONGEST dive coaster in the world.”

And there you have it!

Send your cool tool finds to smoth@www.solidsmack.com, sign up for our newsletter there in the sidebar or ask us a question in the comments or via email about diy, design, tech or anything else. Smoth would love to help.

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