Gadgets

DIY pillbox laser projector

DIY pillbox laser projector

What do you get when you combine a laser pointer, pillbox, and an Arduino? If you’re maker Raul Aguaviva, you’ll get an awesome DIY laser projector, of course. In addition to its relatively spartan design, the creative use of a heptagonal pillbox for a polygon greatly reduces the overall cost and complexity of the device.

Collapsing “swoon” chair

Collapsing “swoon” chair

It’s a full-size chair version of one of those little wooden toys with segmented legs that collapses when you release the internal tension. I’ve heard them called “swoon toys.” This furniture-scale version called Lazy Chair, by UK designers Fresh West, stands back up rather more slowly than the toys; it takes about 45 seconds in the video above. There’s also a click-to-collapse Flash version at the designer’s website. [via NOTCOT]

Dual-reading calipers with Imperial/SI units on same dial

Dual-reading calipers with Imperial/SI units on same dial

I don’t know how long they’ve been available, but Timothy J. Silverman’s lovely photo (uppermost) just alerted me to the existence of these dual-reading dial calipers that simultaneously report inches and meters on the main scale and the dial. I do remember wanting such an instrument a couple of years ago and Googling around trying to find one with no success. The version pictured immediately above (and, I think, in Timothy’s photo) is this Chinese model imported by TFT Tools, but many other models are available.

Minimalist cell phones

Minimalist cell phones

It has no display, and that’s not a stylus–it’s a pen. So you can write important numbers on the paper card pictured, left, and snap it into the clear display pocket on the phone’s back. Available in five subdued colors from John’s Phone, of the Netherlands. I’m tempted. [via Boing Boing]