Home News

Own your own copy of the golden records sent out on the Voyager spacecrafts

Back in the 1970s, NASA sent out two interstellar probes, the Voyagers 1 and 2.  They were designed to travel through space, not directed at any particular star, with information about us should any intelligent life happen upon the probes.  The information in the Voyager vessels was in the form of two golden records, which were a sort of calling card to other life in the universe.  Carl Sagan likened the Voyager records to sending out a message in a bottle with information about life and cultures on Earth.  And they also had information describing our location – in case someone out there wanted to come for a visit.  The Voyager records made appearances in movies like Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Starman, both of which showed what might happen after Voyager was intercepted by alien life.  Those movies piqued my interest in those golden records.  And apparently I’m not the only Earthling who’d like to have their own copy of our inter-galactic invitation, because ThinkGeek is offering The Voyager Golden Record: 40th Anniversary Edition Vinyl 3LP Box Set.

The set contains:

  • 3 translucent gold 140 gram vinyl LPs in poly-lined paper sleeves; sounds remastered from high-resolution digital transfers of the original golden record tapes
  • 3 heavyweight jackets, gold ink on black
  • 96-page softcover book containing all images included on the original Voyager Interstellar Record, gallery of images transmitted back from the Voyager probes, and new essay by Timothy Ferris, producer of the original golden record
  • Gold foil print of Voyager Golden Record cover diagram, archival paper, 12″ x 12″
  • Full-color plastic digital download card for all audio of the Voyager Golden Record (MP3 or FLAC formats)
  • Turntable slipmat featuring NASA/JPL-Caltech diagram of the Voyager spacecrafts’ trajectories across the solar system, gold ink on high-quality black felt
  • A deluxe record box with pull-ribbon, gold ink on black

The Voyager Golden Record: 40th Anniversary Edition Vinyl 3LP Box Set is $99.99 at ThinkGeek.

The ZEEQ pillow helps you get more z’s and snore less

A pillow isn’t normally considered a gadget, but the ZEEQ Smart Pillow from REM-Fit definitely fits in that product category. The ZEEQ pillow was a successfully funded Kickstarter project from two years ago and features an adjustable foam filling that hides a variety of tech features like a built-in Bluetooth speaker that you can use to fall asleep or wake to soothing nature sounds or your favorite tunes.

The ZEEQ Smart Pillow works with an app on your phone and 3D motion sensors in the pillow to track your sleep quality and snoring problems. If ZEEQ notices that you’re snoring, the pillow will vibrate to encourage you to change positions. If you don’t snore, the built-in motors will gently vibrate to help you wake up at just the right time during your sleep cycle so that you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to face the day.

A sleep tracking smart pillow does come at a cost. The ZEEQ Smart Pillow is priced at $199.99 and is available now from zeeqpillow.com. A fitness tracker is included in the price, as well as a 60-day money back guarantee.

Organize your pocket gadgets with the PocKit Pro EDC organizer from Yellow Birch Outfitters

I’m all about EDC organization.  In fact, I’m constantly on the lookout for little pockets and pouches that I can use to keep my loose pocket items from clanking about. I might have just found it in the Yellow Birch Outfitters PocKit Pro EDC Organizer. This little pardner is ruggedly built from 1000D Cordura Nylon with Nylon No. 69 thread, YKK zippers and pulls and Mil Spec taping and “Handmade in the USA by someone who proudly served it.” It has 3 pockets on the front that will hold lots of different types and sizes of smallish EDC items, like knives, flashlights, mini-pens and the like. Just behind that is a wide slot for a small notebook. On the back side is a larger, full-zippered pocket for larger items. At 4″x6″ it won’t crowd your pocket much and will keep everything protected and in one place. The PocKit Pro EDC Organizer is available in Coyote Brown (pictured) and in two versions: Modern Carry with 3 pockets on the front and Classic Carry with 4 pockets on the front, each for $49.99. Visit YellowBirchOutfitters.com for more info or to order.

Forget Murphy beds – check out these Murphy doors!

Murphy doors aren’t quite the same as a Murphy bed; they utilize a door to add shelving, but the storage isn’t necessarily hidden away.  There are several varieties of Murphy doors.  Some look like a built-in bookcase, some look like free-standing bookshelves.  Some have the storage visible in the room; others have the storage on the inside, like the closet doors seen above.  You can convert an existing door into a flush-mounted built-in bookcase that still operates as a door.  You can cover a wall opening with a set of free-standing bookshelves that open like bifold doors.  The closet doors seen in our image open like French doors to reveal hidden storage inside.  The Murphy Door company even has introduced barn door styles.

The storage can be all shelving, or you can add upper or lower cabinets, or you could have a wine rack, pool cue storage, or even a laundry hamper door.  You can enter your door or entryway dimensions to get a custom-sized door, or you can select from ready-to-ship doors (when available).  Accessories for the doors include keyed locks, magnetic locks with optional remote, lighting kits, and even a biometric fingerprint scanner.

Of course, the doors vary in price with size, material, and styles – but can you really put a price on having a hidden room behind a built-in bookcase?

You can design and order Murphy Doors at the Murphy Door website.  You’ll also find a local-dealer locator at the Murphy Door site.

 

Mycroft Mark II open voice assistant, KlipAL universal smartphone holder, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week we are bringing you four currently running crowdfunding campaigns from Kickstarter. This week’s campaigns are for people interested in voice assistants, smartphone accessories, coffee, and more. Check out our picks for this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.

Quick Pack Attachment

Blurb by Andy Jacobs

What is it?
Quick Pack Attachment is a mount system for backpack or bag straps that allows you to attach items for quick access.

Why do I like it?
I carry my GORUCK GR1 rucksack everywhere, from EDC to the office, to work trips, to family vacations to hiking. It has some attachment points on the straps, but I’ve always wanted a way to attach and detach needed items quickly and have them right at hand. appears to provide that capability. It’s versatile, with its thick non-slip, silicone band that adjusts to many strapQuick Pack Attachment sizes and shapes, and its keyhole slot and magnet design allows items to be accessed quickly but gives positive feedback to confirm that it’s locked in. Simple and effective.

Where can I find more info?
The Quick Pack Attachment campaign ends on 2/21/2018 and they have already more than doubled their funding goal of $1,000 by raising over $4,000. You can pre-order a Quick Pack Attachment starting at $12. After the Quick Pack Attachment campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Rite Press — The ‘No Mess’ French Press

Blurb by Andy Jacobs

What is it?
Rite Press is a low-fuss coffee press with a built-in thermometer and timer, making it even easier to enjoy that ‘perfect’ cup of joe.

Why do I like it?
Like you, I’m a gadget fan. I like technology that makes things better and easier. Rite Press claims to do that for coffee brewing fans by incorporating a removable bottom that catches grounds for easier cleaning, an integrated thermometer for spot-on water temp and a built-in timer for the perfect brew time. Now that’s technology that makes things better and easier. Rite Press is available in two sizes, 1/2 Liter and 1 Liter, and with either silver or matte black finishes. Java was never so easy to brew.

Where can I find more info?
The Kickstarter campaign ends on 3/9/2018, and has already blown past its funding goal of $20,000 by raising more than $390,000 and counting with the support of over 8,400 backers. Pledge packages start at $25 (although this level is already sold out) and increase from there. Rewards are set to ship in March. Visit the Rite Press — The ‘No Mess’ French Press campaign page for more info or to become a backer.

KlipAL® Modular | Metal | Multi-functional Smartphone Holder

What is it?
KlipAL is a modular universal smartphone stand made out of aluminum.

Why do I like it?
I like the KlipAL because it has a modular design with a ring attachment that allows you to use it in various ways. If you need a stand to connect to a tripod, you can do it. Need it to attach to the vents in your car? No problem. Need a secure way to hold it in your hand, you can do that too.

Where can I find more info?
The KlipAL campaign ends on 3/11/2018 and they are already more than half way towards reaching their funding goal of $4,189. You can pre-order a KlipAL starting at $28. After the KlipAL campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Mycroft Mark II: The Open Voice Assistant

What is it?
The Mycroft Mark II is an open source voice assistant like the Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana, or the Google Assistant and features a color display.

Why do I like it?
I like the Mycroft Mark II because it keeps your data (voice requests) private and never mines and sells your info to advertisers like other voice assistants are known to do. Mycroft is also driven by community development to add more capabilities to work with other IoT devices.

Where can I find more info?
The Mycroft Mark II campaign ends on 2/24/2018 and they have already surpassed their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Mycroft Mark II starting at $99 for one that you can build yourself or $129 for a fully assembled device. After the Mycroft Mark II campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.