Gizmodo: package

Do You Know When Fedex Drops Your Package? Senseaware Does

Jason Chen — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:21:03 EST

Package-tracking sensors aren't super new, but Senseaware is one that's unique because it tracks multiple criteria—temperature, location, drops and light exposure—and updates those to the web constantly. Useful when you're transporting organs and not MP3 players.

Senseaware is going to be using these sensors in the medical transport field, who distribute organs on a regular basis, and offer it as a simple drop-in addition to the package. How this affects you is that Fedex is working on lowering the price so that not-so-essential packages can also get the same detailed tracking. [Fast Company]

Sony, Microsoft, and Best Buy Join in the Fight Against Tough Packaging: Clamshell's Days are Numbered

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:15:00 EST

Electronics manufacturers are finally coming together for a cause I think we can all support: getting rid of the impossible-to-open, finger-slicing, dangerous-sharp-tool-requiring plastic prisons for our gadgets known as the clamshell package. Amazon started the struggle, and Sony, Microsoft, and Best Buy are jumping in to finish the job.

Apparently over 6,000 Americans per year make hospital visits because of injuries (cuts, mostly) sustained by opening the damn clamshells. The design was created to curb theft, so it's no problem for Amazon to implement it; it's awfully tough to shoplift from an online store. But when Microsoft decides to sell its Explorer mouse at Best Buy in an easily-opened zipper package, you know times are a'changin.

Sony is implementing a package, for use at Best Buy and Walmart, that is easily opened but emits a loud noise, like Velcro tearing, to deter in-store thieves. Mike Fasulo, chief marketing officer for Sony, said, "None of us intentionally tried to make this a hassle for consumers," which is pretty nice for a total non-apology apology. Death to the clamshell! [NYTimes]

Lightning Round: Plastic Surgeon Package Opener

Jason Chen — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:40:07 EST

The Gadget: The Plastic Surgeon, a cutting tool to open those plastic blister packs that dominate retail packaging. It's shaped sort of like an old-school can opener (the non-turning kind), and is designed to rip the tip off of clamshell packs by slicing all the way around.

The Price: $8.95

The Verdict: Fantastic. Unlike the OpenX, which only really worked for us on one type of plastic clamshell packaging, the Plastic Surgeon works on almost all types. And it works really, really well. Just lift up the plastic auto-close protective cover, jam it into the corner of a clamshell pack, then slide all the way around until you've ended up where you started. If you did it right (and it's pretty hard not to—there's even an included DVD that shows you how to use it) the top comes off. If you're reading Giz, you definitely owe it to yourself to get one of these to open all the electronics you buy. [Plastic Surgeon]

p.s. the Plastic Surgeon doesn't come in a blister pack. It's got a paper backing that you slide off. Think toothbrushes.

Yaskawa Sorting Robot Scares Mail Boys

kevinhall2 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:00:48 EDT

Yaskawa's Motoman-DIA10 is like your average mail boy, only on steroids. It can sort through an impressive 1,000 pieces of mail in under an hour with its two fully positionable He-Man sized arms. Its creators claim that they only plan on marketing the Motoman as a backup for your workers. Yeah right, more like a permanent backup after you fire everyone.[Pink Tentacle]

Open X Package Openers Now Cheaper, Still Great

Jason Chen — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:40:26 EST

These awesome Open X package cutters we wrote about two years ago has a pretty steep price drop. No longer $10, it's now $4.95, and even come with free shipping if you buy 6. Never rip the inside of your mouth opening a package like an idiot again.

We're not sure why you'd buy 6 now that Christmas season is over, but these would probably make the BEST VALENTINES DAY GIFT EVER.

And if you believed that, we wish you good luck getting inside that box ever again. – Jason Chen

Product Page [My OpenX]