By Andrew Liszewski

It’s just over 13 hours into the new year where I’m at, and it seems as good a time as any to post our first ‘form over function’ alarm clock for 2009. The Time Tuner was created by Istanbul-based Antrepo Design Industry, and instead of using a traditional easy-to-read digital clock face, it features an analog style that looks like the horizontal tuner on an analog radio.

The individual numbers along the dial light-up to indicate the current hour, while an illuminated vertical red line slowly moves across the dial indicating the minute. With only about an inch of space between each hour number, using the vertical minute line to tell the exact time will take some approximation, and you’ll probably have to account for a give or take of about a couple of minutes. But that inconvenience aside, the Time Tuner would definitely look slick sitting on my bedside table… my bedside cardboard shipping box… on the floor next to my bed.

Pictured above is the ‘Pure Black’ model, but they’re also available in ‘Clean White’ and ‘Strong Metal’ finishes, and if you’re interested in purchasing one you’ll have to contact the Antrepo Design Industry via email since online ordering or pricing info is not available on their website. (In other words, be prepared to empty your wallet.)

[ Time Tuner ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Once the symbol of freedom and the ‘peace and love’ movement of the 60′s, the iconic Volkswagen bus has now been reduced to a cheesy piece of craptronics. From the Dreams company (Japan) this mini version of the VW bus features an AM/FM radio (they can make them that small these days!?), jacks for connecting an external audio source and radio antenna as well as a small LCD display in the back window with as basic a digital clock as one can find these days. There’s also a couple of dials for tuning the radio and adjusting the volume, and based on the above graphic it might even make some kind of sound if you press on the front-end.

But if this radio brings back fond memories or happens to appeal to your nostalgic side, you better hope you were one of those hippies who grew up and got a well-paying job working for ‘the man’ since AudioCubes.com is asking $129.99 for it.

[ Dreams VolksWagen Type 2 Radio ]

By Andrew Liszewski

There isn’t any one secret to taking a great photo, but there are many things you can do to improve the quality of your shots. For instance, taking into account the color temperature of the available lighting where you’re shooting will help you avoid photos that end up with an odd tint. This can be done by adjusting your camera’s white balance pre-sets, or by carrying and photographing a gray card for color correction reference or creating a custom white balance setting. Both techniques have their advantages and limitations, but these baLens White Balance lens caps from BRNO seem to be an even better solution.

They attach to your lens like a standard lens cap, but feature a translucent plastic dome allowing light to still reach your camera’s sensors. With the baLens mounted to your lens you can easily snap a reference exposure that can be used to create a custom white balance setting in your camera, instantly improving your photos. (In terms of color that is.) The baLens lens caps can also be used as a replacement for your standard lens caps, meaning you always have them readily available. You can get them from Adorama in 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72 and 77mm sizes for $54.95 each.

[ BRNO baLens White Balance Lens Cap ] VIA [ SlashGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Given how prolific Lucasfilm has been when it comes to licensing the Star Wars brand, I think it’s pretty much impossible for there to be a Star Wars fan who quite literally has everything. But if you’ve been having a tough time finding the perfect gift for the pretend Jedi in your family, these Star Wars Starships and Fighters Clocks created by Etsy seller YOUgNeek are definitely unique.

The design features an acrylic and chrome Sterling and Noble analog clock with 12 different Action Fleet Micro Machine battleships and vessels arranged around the perimeter. The ships have all been re-finished in a pewter color scheme to more-or-less match the chrome finish on the clock, and you can even request your favorite Star Wars vehicles to be included, if they’re currently in stock. Just be prepared to shell out $89.99 for this unique item.

[ Etsy (YOUgNeek) - Star Wars Starships and Fighters Clock ] VIA [ Geeky Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Well so far 2009 looks, feels and tastes a lot like 2008 did. So you can color me unimpressed. But I guess a new year does give a lot of people the chance to turn over a new leaf. And if your new years resolution list happens to include “significantly increase financial well-being” then this twist on the classic 8-Ball could help. Why rely on stock brokers, bankers or even a hot tip from that guy in accounting when you can trust your assets to a multi-sided die floating in a plastic sphere?

The Wall Street Guru ball features 20 different pieces of financial advice including “Think precious metals,” “Bull market ahead,” “Buy pork bellies” and even “One word: plastics.” Of course I’m sure the makers of the Wall Street Guru Ball have ensured they’re not personally responsible for any financial gains or losses resulting from the ball, but at just $7.98 from What on Earth it might actually be your first sound investment of the new year.

[ Wall Street Guru Ball ]

By Luke Anderson

I started my computing days at the very end of the original floppy disk era. My grandpa had an old DOS machine with a few games on 5.25-inch floppies, and the school computers still used them for a bit. However, kids these days barely remember the smaller, less floppy disks, let alone the original. If you want to show your love of outdated technology (and get some strange looks from your kids’ friends), then check out these Floppy Disk Coasters.

The amazing thing about these coasters is that they will actually store data more reliably than a real 5.25-inch floppy (zing!). Well, I suppose if you condense your data into a liquid form, these would hold it pretty well. These are made from EcoSpun felt, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. You can get a set of four with a storage case for $28. You can even choose from 17 different colors.

[ Etsy ] VIA [ Technabob ]

By Luke Anderson

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a Mountain Dew addict. I’ve honestly considered trying to see if I can order the stuff directly from a distributer, rather than by going through my local supermarket. Yes, I know that it’s bad for me, and that I should at the very least switch to the caffeine-free kind, but that would defeat the purpose (not to mention taste disgusting), wouldn’t it? Well if you’re a health nut, or just have your own reasons for not wanting any caffeine in your diet, you might be surprised to know that many beverages that tout a lack of caffeine might actually contain the very thing you’re trying to avoid. So how do you spot the impostors? With a simple test.

Sure, you could lug around someone that is highly allergic to the stuff and make them try everything before you drink it. However, that course of action probably isn’t the best way to learn the truth. What you should do instead is pick up a pack of these Caffeine Test Strips. These little suckers can tell you just how much caffeine your beverage contains. You just dip one into the beverage (you’ll need to separate some out from your cup, as contact with the strip can contaminate the liquid) and wait for about 30 seconds for a result. The strips come in packs of 20, and cost around $10.

[ DiscoverTesting ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]