When it comes to nifty little bits of outdoor gear, people seem to particularly like multitools and carabiners. San Francisco-based stuff-maker General Purpose California has therefore gone and combined the two, in the form of its aptly-named GPCA Carabiner. Available in the buyer’s choice of titanium, stainless steel or aluminum, the device can indeed serve as a carabiner – that […]

It seems like it was only yesterday that – on some vehicles, at least – the traditional car key was replaced with a Bluetooth fob. Now, Korean startup OneKey is out to replace that fob with its smartphone-controlled Keto system. Keto actually consists of both an iOS/Android app and a device that stays permanently inside the car. Additionally, it doesn’t […]

Throughout the densely-populated country of Bangladesh, a lack of access to clean drinking water is responsible for a variety of debilitating and often-lethal infections. Soon, however, residents could filter virtually all harmful microbes out of their water, using paper derived from algae. The experimental new filtration paper was produced as part of a research project involving Sweden’s Uppsala University and […]

Cardboard is generally used as packaging, to house new instruments during transit for example. But we’ve seen a number of gear innovations that are actually built using cardboard over the years, including a full-size Stratocaster, an amp in a can, and some drum kits. The latest to join the cardboard band is the Beatbox, a MIDI drum machine built into […]

Of all the shapes and sizes that multitools come in these days, the form of a credit card is a highly practical one. The latest to follow this line of thinking comes from accessory maker Disc, which has taken to Kickstarter with a sleek sheet of titanium that packs more than 21 tools into a wallet-friendly frame. Disc calls its […]

A new international study indicates that a simple, automatic chlorine dispenser can have a major impact on childhood diarrhea in the developing world. By applying water disinfectant that doesn’t adversely affect taste at the point of dispensation for shared urban water systems, rates or diarrhea were reduced by 23 percent in a test project in Bangladesh. Poor water quality is […]

Taking inspiration from the traditional cane, a team of researchers from Columbia Engineering in New York has come up with a LiDAR-enabled robotic assistant which offers light-touch support for the mobility-impaired. Dubbed Canine, the device improves the user’s spacial self-awareness, which subsequently improves walking stability. According to the team, some 35 percent of people aged 75 to 80 years suffer […]

You probably know that smart plugs can make your dumb outlets smart. You may not know, however, which one is the best for your needs. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best smart plug picks for your consideration. This selection covers smart plugs rated for indoor use. For smart plugs that can weather the conditions in your yard, […]

Why carry one screwdriver when you can effectively carry three? The team at Big Idea Design have debuted a new solution for handy folks after some versatility when tending to everyday tasks, with the new Ti EDS screwdriver able to hold any kind of hex bit on its tip, while stowing a couple of spares away neatly inside its titanium […]

Multitools are often about merging versatility and portability, and the newly announced M250 from Tactica is a particularly functional and classy attempt at striking this balance. The lightweight tool is built for everyday carry but can still accommodate a dozen hex bits, with a magnetic backplate making for extra options when it comes time to stow it away. Measuring around […]