#AU2015 was space-time-distortingly gigantic, impeccably designed, meticulously planned, and flawlessly executed. And yet, behind the razzmatazz, I’m conflicted.
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 everything from a new bottle design with a natural bamboo filter for purifying tap water, a free release of the popular Monument Valley iOS app, how to make your own log chair, a drum battle between Dave Grohl and Animal, and more… Ready? Let’s go! This week we look at: DESIGN BU Water “An elegantly designed bottle with a natural bamboo filter to purify your tap water – a great alternative to single-use plastic bottles…” Lumu Power…
There’s a face people make when they’re overwhelmed with excess awesome. It’s somewhere between a wide-eyed pucker and explosive, jowl-shaking laughter. I saw some people making that face today when they tried out the new ThinkPad P40 Yoga, Lenovo’s newest machine that doubles as a tablet and a fully-loaded workstation. Lay it back, flip it forward. Sketch, model, create. Lenovo is calling it the “world’s first multimode workstation”. When I saw it last June, I knew it would be a game-changer. Now that I’ve used it, I think that’s even more the case.
Time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device, be it iPhone, Android or Windows! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! 8 Ball Pool “Play with friends! Play with Legends. Play the hit Miniclip 8 Ball…
Climate change is a hot topic right now, and there’s no denying that bottled water is wasteful and global temperatures are shifting. One startup decided to do something about it. Meet Ooho!, an edible water ‘bottle’ created by Skipping Rocks Lab. Skipping Rocks Lab was started through the European Institute of Innovation & Technology’s Climate KIC startup acceleration program. Co-founded in London by Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, Pierre Paslier, and Guillaume Couche, the startup has made a big splash for its contraption – a water bottle you can eat. Ooho! is more of a water pouch than a bottle, but the seaweed-based casing is entirely edible; the membrane is based on…
This week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist knocks you in the pop sockets with head-boppin’ groove tuneage to help propel you through the work week in style. Whether you find yourself inking markers until they’re dry, grinding material through a bandsaw or working that 3D geometry all day, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week we’ll start off with the classic “I’m On Fire” from Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen before working our way through The Pixies, The Radio Dept., Moderat, Anika, Caribou and others before wrapping up with “Darkest (Dim)” from Tokimonsta and Gavin Turek. Have suggestions? As always, let us know what you listen to, what…