Gizmodo: Metal

Bluetrek's Metal Bluetooth Headset is World's Slimmest

Kit Eaton — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:28:00 EDT

Wearing Bluetooth headsets is always a risky fashion statement, but it may be that the slenderness of Bluetrek's Metal headset reduces the fashion-geek effect. It looks even skinnier than Apple's offering, being a scant 0.16-inches deep, and weighing a mere 0.01-pounds. Nevertheless, the skinny earbud-like device will give you five hours talk and seven days of standby. It'll be available in Europe at first, from this month for around $60 for black and silver, $76 for silver steel color. [Headset gazette via Mobile burn]

Falter 2D DIY Metal Pen Draws, Measures, Opens Envelopes, Kills People

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:00:11 EST

Made in Italy by Parafernalia, the $31 Falter 2D is a flat piece of metal that converts, in just four easy steps, into a pen but also a ruler, and a envelope opener, and a device to kill people a la Calo killing Don Licio Lucchesi in the Godfather III. How-to after the jump.

The Falter 2D hand-made flat pen is hand-made in Italy, from a design by Albert Ebenbichler developed by ATOdesign in Florence. The question now is: who hand-mades the hand-made hand-made pens? I sense a time-space galaxy-destroying paradox coming up. [Parafernalia]

Lock Pick Business Card: Sweet Form, Solid Function

Matt Buchanan — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:00:55 EDT

We collect a LOT of business cards throughout the year, and while most of them are far from memorable, every now and then one stands out. But even of the few cool ones I've been handed, none of them are quite as awesome as this lock pick card, which is loaded up with fully functional tools besides looking incredibly sleek and modern. Just don't show it to Patrick Bateman. – Matt Buchanan

[via TechEBlog]

RC Metal Detector

Jason Chen — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:50:35 EST

Preparing your kids to grow up to be a vagrant, transient or hobo? Give'm this RC metal detector, which lets them search for coins, watches, and other lost valuables wherever there's sand or dirt.

The cars run on 4AA and 1PP3 battery—9V to us non-Brits—and comes with a little plastic shovel and rake. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime. Give a kid a metal detector and he'll go live under Santa Monica pier. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Brightminds via Shiny Shiny]

The Inkless Metal Pen

Jason Chen — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:10:25 EST

Better than an astronaut pen, this stainless steel Metal Pen writes on most paper using the metal "nib" on the tip. The pen works by leaving bits of the metal alloy on most surfaces, which as a result, allows the pen to work for years and years. As long as this idea's been around, in fact.

Once the pen does "dry up", you'll have to either get a new one or find some kind of crazy laser or diamond-tipped sharpener to make it write again. Kinda pricey at $30, but it does make for a neat desk pen or gift for a college student. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Grand Illusions via Spluch via Oh gizmo]

This Robot Defies Jesus, Walks on Walls

Gizloco — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 15:46:42 EDT

Hold on to the edge of your seat, boys and girls, because this here robot is poised to Blow. You. Away. Not only is it made of metal and rubber, in and of itself completely mind-boggling and on more than one occasion made me question my own hollow existence, but it can also walk up walls. So the government has been lying to us! I totally called this back in '47.

There's a video of this totally radical robot, like, walking up a wall. I could've sworn that only the Son of God could do that, but the Japanese sure do have a knack for creating robots with little actual, real world utility. – Nicholas Deleon

The Wall-climbing Robot [Newlaunches.com]

Metal Case for Next Gen iPod Nano?

Gizloco — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:19:07 EDT

In light of all the controversy regarding the iPod nano's flimsy construction, Apple is reportedly considering making the next generation of its flash-based portable music player out of metal, possibly aluminum. Not seen since the iPod mini, metal is being chosen to help cut down on scratches and other deformities that have been associated with the iPod nano, which may have quite an impact on the iPod accessory market. Also of note is that the next generation of iPod nanos are expected to be available in a variety of colors, also like the iPod mini.

The improved iPod nanos are expected to be available this fall with storage capacities all the way up to 8GB. Despite the reported change in material, those in the know claim that the nano will retain its small three-inch tall, 1/4-inch wide form factor.

UPDATE: Frank, a fine reader, sent us this mockup of what an aluminum iPod nano could look like. Will it look like this when actually released? Who knows, but in the meantime, we can all wish upon so many shooting stars that it'll look something like this.

Apple's new iPod nano may sport metal jacket [AppleInsider]