(Gadget) Get a new look on the cheap with these customizable phones

Deep-pocketed power users may buy new smartphones once a year or even every few months to take advantage of improved displays, better cameras and faster processors, but the majority of owners are more likely to tire of their device's appearance long before its outdated specs. A few manufacturers have taken a new approach when designing their handsets, opting to include not only replaceable batteries, but also swappable backs, that let you change the look of your phone for only a few bucks. Samsung's Galaxy S5 and LG's G3 are two recent flagships that you can change up after purchase, but there are a few other options to consider, too. If you're feeling extra ambitious, you could even replace the backplate on, say, an iPhone 5s, but such an undertaking requires precise work, pricier parts and a voided warranty. Click through for our customizable picks that keep things simple (and cheap).

(Gadget) Logitech +trip and +drive mounts.

Logitech has come up with its fair share of accessories in the past for mobile devices like the Logitech PRO slim protective case, and it does not look as though the Swiss-based company is going to stop anytime soon. In fact, they have just lined up a couple of new accessories that will be released later this August, calling it the +trip and +drive mounts. The +trip will be able to quickly clip to any air vent in your vehicle so that your smartphone remains secure and in view at all times, where a magnet securely holds your smartphone to the +trip mount, letting you handle audio, navigation and phone calls with aplomb. It is small but definitely stylish, and has been specially designed for use during daily commutes and business trips. Each +trip mount will be accompanied by a pair of universal adapters, making it play nice with just about smartphones of all shapes and sizes.

As for the more modern looking +drive mount that you see above, it can be attached to your windshield or dashboard courtesy of a single twist-activated suction cup, while a magnet ensures that your smartphone remains securely in place. The +drive will feature a couple of universal adapters as well that can hold any smartphone or case vertically or horizontally. Expect the Logitech +trip air vent mount and +drive windshield/dashboard mount to arrive later next month for $29.99 and $49.99, respectively.

(Gadget) At First I Thought This Was An Old Typewriter...But It's More Modern Than I Expected

If you have used a typewriter in the past and missed the old-fashioned style keyboard or even if you just love the vintage look it gives off -- miss no more! The Qwerkywriter is here to mix its vintage look with modern technology. 

The Qwerkywriter was developed by Brian Min and is perfect for those who love that classic writer feel from the past.

This typewriter keyboard connects to your PC or tablet through USB.

It allows for modern technology to mix with the vintage style typewriter we know and love.

(Gadget) iBlazr adds more powerful flash capability for your iPhone

While smartphones have definitely improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years when it comes to the kind of technology involved, there is still one particular aspect of smartphone photography that needs to be looked into – and that is, to capture photos that will turn out great even in low light conditions. This would require a decent performing sensor, not to mention a powerful flash, but while sensor technology in smartphone cameras have taken large strides, the same cannot be said of the accompanying flash. This is where the iBlazr comes in to fill the gap – as it will introduce a far more powerful flash capability for your iPhone, which does seem to be a far better option than past releases like the Paparazzo.

The iBlazr can be best described to be a portable flash solution to a smartphone camera’s struggles when it comes to low light settings. This powerful, compact device will be better illuminates subjects so that you end up with far better looking photos. Not only that, the iBlazr will connect to the audio jack of any Android phone as well, (apart from the iPhone, of course), where it will then provide limitless possibilities that helps churn out great looking photos.

Chris Johnson, Founder of BiteMyApple, shared, “Smartphones and tablets allow us to take high-quality photos anywhere, but the built-in flash isn’t enough during low-light settings. The iBlazr provides users with the same illumination capabilities that a high-end camera provides. You can use the small external flash with your front or back camera so you’ll get the perfect shot or selfie every time.”

The iBlazr’s flash includes a quartet of hi-end American CREE LEDs which provides great light to take a stunning photo, in addition to letting the light come through 60 degree optics for a softer look on subjects. Not only that, the iBlazr has been specially positioned to do away with the red-eye or white-eye effects.

A built-in, rechargeable 200mAh battery runs the iBlazr, which translates to no piggyback ride on your smartphone’s battery life. Expect the black iBlazr to retail for $49.99 each if you are interested.

Press Release.

(Gadget) Gauging the Wind

Every school serious about science should have a weather lab, but if yours can’t afford one, Vaavud’s Wind Meter for Smartphones is a good start. At $50, it is a fraction of the cost of a full weather center, but is accurate to within 4 percent and was developed using the wind tunnel at the Technical University of Denmark. The two-cup anemometer snaps into an iPhone or Android’s earphone jack and communicates with the phone via a Bluetooth link; it works with all recent iPhones and some Android phones. The app not only shows current speed, but averages and a histogram of recent wind movement; it works with metric and English units.
Cost - $50

(Innovation) Lamps that Use Your iPhone’s Flash as a Light

This may not be the best idea in practice but conceptually it’s pretty neat- a bedside iPhone dock that looks like a lamp and uses your iPhone’s camera flash as the light. Designed by Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer of Raw Edges Design this concept looks great but it’s actually a pretty awkward way to be a lamp. (not as awkward as the phrase “to be a lamp” but awkward nonetheless). Interesting concept though.
(via gizmodo)

(Utilities) Hammer-Proof Smartphone Screen is Thinner and Cheaper Than Gorilla Glass

As long as we’ve had smartphones, we’ve been afraid of dropping them. With price tags of $500 and above, smartphones are delicate technological flowers that can be killed by a single drop of water or a collision with the ground. That’s why we’re excited about a new screen protecting material called Rhino Shield. Made from a custom-formulated polymer, the material is able to withstand full-on strikes with a hammer, and it’s poised to make Gorilla Glass look like flimsy wrapping paper.

Developed by Cambridge-based Evolutive Labs, Rhino Shield has a shock-damping layer that is “able to take at least 5 times the impact energy of Gorilla Glass 2.”

To prove their point, the makers of Rhino Shield videotaped an impact test in which they struck the screen of a iPhone 5 with a hammer. If you’re an Apple lover, it might be hard to watch – but don’t worry, the poor little phone lives to tell the tale. Even a 9 ounce steel ball dropped from a height of over 19 inches failed to scratch the screen and left the phone ‘fully usable,’ reports The Daily Mail.

The protective polymer sheet can be fitted to the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C, and it does not affect the touchscreen’s sensitivity, according to the designers. “The screen comes with a self-adhesive silicone back and as the user wipes a cloth along the front of the film, it clings to the phone’s screen, but can be removed if necessary.”

Watch a 'drop test' on hammer glass - watch

Best part? It’s retailing for less than $30.

Via The Daily Mail

(Utilities) E-Tip Gloves By The Northface

Spending a day on the mountain is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s technology-centered society and just enjoy nature. But wait- you hate the song that’s playing on your iPod. You need to tweet about your friend crashing into a tree (the coworkers will love this one). And your Farmville crops need harvesting. Oh god. Panic sets in. But The North Face Etip Glove has a gripper palm and click-wheel compatible thumb and forefinger so you can access your devices without leaving your delicate fingers open to cold air. Crisis averted. Imagine how much imaginary money you would have lost if those crops had rottedThe silicone grip pattern on the palm of these gloves will prevent you from dropping your precious phone from atop a ski lift or any other precarious position you get yourself into.

(Gadget) Mojo Refuel Aqua is a Waterproof Battery Case for iPhone.

Get the ultimate protection for your iPhone 5 and bonus battery charging with the iBattz Mojo Refuel Aqua. iBattz claims this is the world’s first waterproof iPhone 5 Battery case with interchangeable 2200mAh battery. Now you can not only eliminate the fear of dropping your phone into the water but also of running out of battery power. The waterproof (to 3 ATM) case also protects against sand and dust.

Bring your iPhone to the beach, the pool, or even places where it’s way more likely to get dropped into the water like your kitchen or bathroom. Stuck in a rainstorm and running low on battery power? No problem. They also sell a few optional accessories like a floating wristband leash just in case you plan on doing some underwater iPhoning.

(Utilities) Sticky Notes for the Back of your iPhone

You’re the type of person that constantly sticks little Post-Its on the back of your iPhone, this is the notepad you’ve been looking for (but never knew you were). The Paperback Notes are simply sticky notes sized perfectly to fit on the back of your iPhone 5. There’s a cutout for the camera (but not the flash). Stick on a single or a small stack and have a handy notepad with you at all times. You say, “there’s an app for that”? Well, why not “think different”? 80 sheets per pad.

(Gadget) World's First 3D Scanner for iPad Triples Kickstarter Goal in One Day

Yesterday morning San Francisco-based Occipital launched Structure Sensor—the world’s first 3D scanner for iPad—on Kickstarter with a fundraising goal of $100,000. By this morning, they had not only met their goal, but surpassed it to reach a whopping $323,321 (and counting)! So just what is it about the Structure Sensor that’s captivating so many people?

In the wake of the past year’s massive 3D printing boom, 3D scanners are, invariably, the next big prosumer gadget. The scanners are pretty much what they sound like: they allow one to capture the dimensions of an object so as to print out a precise replica on your 3D printer. MakerBot is set to release their Digitizer scanner later this month, and Matterform is just beginning to roll out their affordable scanners.

But these scanners are tethered to a desk—not great for capturing items while traveling or objects that are fixed in awkward location. The most affordable handheld scanner to date is the Fuel3D (also the result of a very well-funded Kickstarter campaign), which was dubbed as the first full-color handheld 3D scanner for under $1000.

Occipital’s Structure Sensor is even cheaper. Admittedly, one does have to first purchase (or own) an iPad, but after that the entire kit comes for $349—and you can knock $20 off that price as an early bird adopter on Kickstarter. It consists of a small aluminum dual infrared LED unit that clips to the back of your iPad and connects through the lightning port.

The device can not only do a full 3D scan of an object, but it can scan entire rooms and record the dimensions. It also enables users to create augmented realities for gaming whereby the game world is the real world. The IR LEDs even gives your iPad night vision. Additionally, the structure sensor features its own four hour battery so as not to drain your iPad.

Watch the demo here - watch