I’m sure there’s some kind of fiscal deterrent to creating an officially licensed Star Wars product (Lucasfilm probably gets a cut) but thankfully the films are so iconic you can tip toe around a license if you’re careful. Like what ClamCase has done with their limited edition THE TROOPER case which happens to be the first design in their INSPIRED SERIES.
If you’re unfamiliar with the product, the ClamCase is an over-the-top iPad case that basically turns your tablet into a makeshift laptop. Your iPad 2 sits in the top half of the case serving as the display, while the bottom half features a full QWERTY keyboard (with 14 extra function keys) connected via Bluetooth. This particular version also has “…a black hinge, keyboard, base and ergonomic rubber feet, providing an intergalactic contrast with the imperial white protective case.” It certainly helps make the iPad more useful for productivity than just media consumption, but for $149 you’re probably better off just getting a compact laptop.
As people used to say in the now defunct website Digg, the title says it all. But if you feel like you must know more and clicking on things isn’t your thing, then perhaps we can mention that this helmet is a creation of one Jenn Hall, a resident of Philadelphia. And before you jump to the comments to profess your knowledge of how old this is by intertubes standards, know that we’re aware. Yes, it dates back to the distant July of this year. A month ago. But we still think her helmet is cool and worth mentioning an entire month later.
There doesn’t seems to be any plans for her to make them for money, though she does provide a step by step so you can make your own.
Etsy seller ‘EricaKnit’ (possibly not her real full name) is currently offering her knitting skills to anyone interested in this impressive wooly version of R2-D2. Custom made from merino wool for each interested buyer (or whatever type of wool they please) the sweater looks particularly appropriate for wintertime cosplay, or sci-fi conventions that take place when there’s snow on the ground. The ‘catch’ though? You’ll be dropping $450 for this unlicensed homage.
I’m marking down August 11, 2011 in my calendar as the day I found a better way to spend $1,500+ (£950). R9′s custom coffee tables are clearly not sanctioned by Lucasfilm, hence the fact they refer to this beauty as the ’70′s Falcon’ table. The under-the-glass centerpiece is made from cold cast bronze with a retro wood grain veneer, tying it back to the design of the rest of the table and its wood base. This particular table is shown as being ‘Sold’ on the R9 website, which makes me wonder if it’s a one-off piece, but I’m sincerely hoping it’s not.
I don’t care how many times you read and re-read The Jedi Path manual, without even the tiniest sprinkling of Midi-chlorians you’re never going to become a Jedi. But that’s ok. Because as a way to say “we’re sorry for everyone who actually thought this fake Jedi training manual would work”, Lucasfilm has gone and wrapped it in one of the coolest packages I’ve ever seen. Sure, ebooks might be more convenient, but with a push of a button the metal doors on this miniature vault slide open to reveal a copy of The Jedi Path inside. Which then rises up complete with lights and sound effects. Try that with your Kindle. If any of my textbooks in university had come packaged this way, I might have actually read them.
The book has actually been available for almost a year now, and we’re not sure how it slipped past our radar. On the plus side though, it’s given it time to drop from it’s original $99.99 price tag on Amazon, to just $57.31 now.
The only thing that a geek could like more than Star Wars or Space Invaders merchandise is a clever mashup of the two. And that’s exactly what this ‘Space Invaders Strike Back’ tee, designed by artist Steven Castaneda, does perfectly. At a quick glance it looks like a screenshot of classic Space Invaders, but upon closer examination you’ll discover your ship is actually the Millennium Falcon, while the invaders are TIE fighters, bombers and interceptors. Not to mention the Death Star hovering at the top for bonus points. It’s available from Tshirtbordello.com in any size you could need for just $14.99, but is limited to just Navy when it comes to color choice.
A few years ago Haynes, a once respected creator of detailed technical handbooks for cars and other vehicles, published an owner’s workshop manual for Apollo 11 and other 1969-era Apollo mission spacecraft. It made for a humorous gift for spacecraft enthusiasts, but also provided a unique glimpse into the technical aspects of the vehicles, for those who were engineering inclined.
However, they’re now releasing a manual for modified YT-1300 Corellian Freighters, the most famous of which being the Millennium Falcon from the Star Wars films. Now I know it’s not the first fictional vehicle they’ve created a manual for. That would probably be the USS Enterprise from that other ‘Star’ franchise. But I just hope they don’t get too carried away with this trend, and sully their well respected name. This particular workshop manual was written by Ryder Windham who already has some 50 Star Wars books under his belt, so I guess if anyone knows what they’re talking when it comes to fictional engineering, it’s him. And while it’s not available for sale just yet, Amazon Canada does have it listed for a little over $23.
So here’s the backstory. Since traveling to a far-off planet to location shoot the Tatooine scenes from the original Star Wars film would have been cost-prohibitive, the filmmakers built and shot the sets in Tunisia instead. Including the Lars’ family home, commonly known as the ‘igloo’. Unfortunately the conditions and temperatures in the Tunisian desert have slowly weathered those sets over time, to the point where they’re close to being completely destroyed. So a group of fans has planned an expedition to Tunisia to restore them to their original glory, but in order to do that they need money. And as Lucasfilm has proved time and time again, the best way to get money is with Star Wars merchandise.
Taking a page from the Romain Jerome design playbook, the restoration team has created a collectible watch that features actual sand from the Tatooine sets adorning the face. The numbers surrounding the watch face are printed in Aurebesh, the official language of the Star Wars universe, and each timepiece is made from solid 316L stainless steel, machined brass and Seiko mechanisms. According to their Kickstarter page the watch has a suggested retail price of $112, and you can get one with a donation of just $77. However, it looks like the project has already reached their $22,760 funding goal. So not only will the sets hopefully be preserved, but they’ll have a few extra credits to head into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters too.
Some people throw steaks and burgers on the barbecue, others set off fireworks, but we here at OhGizmo! feel that the best way to celebrate the 4th of July is to promote rampant consumerism! And if there’s one thing we’ve found people love spending money on, it’s Star Wars merchandise. Technically, Adidas Originals’ new Fall & Winter 2011 Star Wars gear has only just started hitting their online store with a few pieces already available for sale this fine 4th, but the rest should be available soon.
Highlights, at least according to me, include a snazzy, puffy winter coat with a shiny black sheen and strategic stitching designed to look like the only outfit Vader wears, and a thick winter jacket with fur-lined hood that’s not unlike the ones worn by rebel troops on their Hoth base. So in case you haven’t caught on yet, this particular collection seems to draw its inspiration from The Empire Strikes Back.
Other highlights include this flight jacket inspired by “Corellian bad boy Han Solo” according to Adidas’ online store where you can grab it now for $130. And some much deserved love for one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated characters in the Star Wars universe, the Wampa, which gets its own pair of kicks with a fur-themed design.
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