Designed by Mike Henry, the compact and minimal LIL KIKR also functions as stand and charging dock for your iPhone. It will blast music up to 10dB louder than the iPhone’s built-in speaker. There’s even a channel to amplify the sounds going into the microphone, so you can use it as a speakerphone or for Facetime calls. It’s made from machined anodized aluminum, along with a pair of rubber-covered stainless steel kickstands. For charging, there’s an integral slot which can hold on to the included 30-pin charging cable.

The LIL KICKR is designed to snugly fit the iPhone 4/4S, but another model, LIL KIKR+ will also be compatible with older iPhones and some iPods. You’ll need to pledge at least $50(USD) over on Kickstarter to get your own.

[via Ubergizmo]

These chairs are made from pressed aluminum that initially ships flat. What you’re supposed to do is fold them out and bend the projections into various positions so you can end up with a chair. The Pressed Chair redefines ease of portability because, really, where’s the difficulty in transporting flat furniture?

The man behind the Pressed Chair design is Harry Thaler, who definitely pushed the boundaries of minimization and material with this unusual seat.

[via Design Milk via Chair Blog]

The Ledge was recently launched as a Kickstarter project by RNDM Design. There is a groove built into The Ledge’s CNC machined and sandblasted aluminum body, allowing to easily place or remove your iPad. It can be fastened to walls using 3M sticky strips or screwed into place.

There will be a smaller version of The Ledge which can be used for iPhones as well. A pledge of $25(USD) will get you the phone version, while $50 will get you the tablet version. You can pledge more for a family pack and different colors. If you’re interested in getting a Ledge for your iDevice, head on over to Kickstarter to make your pledge now.

[via Ubergizmo]

The aluminum TurtleJacket case has two tripod mounts, two strap holds, allowing you to hang your iPhone around your neck or wrists, and a 37mm thread for conversion lenses. The base package includes a UV filter and a 37mm wide-angle lens.

There’s even an SLR lens jacket version available, allowing you to mount your Nikon or Canon lenses to the iPhone if you want to go crazy. I think this could get a bit awkward and cumbersome, but anything for that perfect photo, right?

Unfortunately, all this photographic flexibility comes at a price – the TurtleJacket starts off at 980 Hong Kong Dollars (~$126 USD) while the DOF versions will set you back about twice that.

[via Ubergizmo]

The knucklecase works with the iPhone 4 or 4S. It’s made from solid aluminum – so it would definitely hurt if you punched somebody with it – though probably not much more than if you hit them with your bare iPhone. From the looks of things, it’s a bit more compact than the iKnucks concept, but they definitely add some bulk to your phone. That said, if you’re going for a knucklecase, you’re doing it for the looks, not for the practicality. At least you know with your fingers through the holes you won’t lose hold of your precious phone.

So make a fist, and head over to knucklecase and be prepared to part with $99(USD) if you’d like one.

Made from brushed aluminum with white plastic accents, the Space Bar desk organizer will allow you to maximize the space that you’ve got available on your workstation. It’s simple yet elegant.

It’s got six extra USB ports, four in the front and two in the back. There’s also a mini-USB port. You can stow a keyboard up to 18″ long and 1.5″ high. The Space Bar can support up to 30.5 lbs in weight, which means that it will support a 27″ iMac or Cinema Display with no problem.

It comes in silver and sells for $79.99(USD) over at quirky. Unfortunately, it’s currently out of stock, so I’m not sure when they’ll have more.

The overall design of the Billet Dock is nice and minimal, and it should look nice with your new tech. It comes in a variety of different finishes and three different models. Unlike some of the cheaper docks out there, each Billet dock has a custom-made 30-pin connector built in, which makes it easy to dock and undock your gadgets. Plus, it’s got a special rotating cam-pad which ensures a snug fit with or without a case. And see those holes in the front of the dock? Those are designed to amplify sound and let you listen to your iPhone or iPad while docked.

By pledging $58 (USD), you’ll get a Billet Dock for your iPhone. $69 will get you a Billet Dock for your iPad. $115 will get you the Duplex Billet Dock, which allows you to dock your iPhone and iPad together. For $240 you get all three. You’ll have to add $10 per dock to get the anodized pink, red or black models. There’s also a super-deluxe limited-edition lime green version those who pledge $300 or more.

[via Kickstarter]

The aluminum scales are knitted on top of black acrylic yarn. Crystal Idyll didn’t provide any fantasy equivalent for acryclic yarn. The scales come in different colors and the gauntlets are available in different lengths as well.

Don the rest of your armor and head to Etsy to order your own pair of dragonhide gauntlets. Crystal Idyll sells them for $55-$119(USD).

[via Trendhunter]

The iPocketWatch was conceived by Edwin Conan and his project is currently trying to get funding through Pozible, a Kickstarter-like crowdfunding site in Australia.

The case is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, and hand finished, and allows access to all nano controls when in place. The design is available with either a square fascia or round one – which are interchangeable, and for an extra fee you can get a black finish instead of the silver one shown here. It includes a 30cm long (11.8″) chain, which can be hooked to your belt for security while it’s in your pocket.

Conan says that the new iPod nano needed a classic watch case to match the roman numerals of one of its updated clock faces, so that’s why he did it. The idea is interesting for sure, and I can even see some people using the case to attach it to a pendant and using this as a necklace instead of a pocket watch case.

You’ll need to pledge a minimum of $49(AUD) (~$52 USD) for the basic iPocketWatch, $69 AUD (~$74USD) for a pack with both square and round fascias, $75(AUD) (~$80 USD) for the black version, and $95 (AUS) (~$102 USD) for the black version with both fascias. To get yours, head on over to Pozible now. The project closes on March 19, 2012, so be sure to order before then.

This thing was made by model maker Neil Taylor (aka Faustus70), who is also responsible for some equally great steampunk weapons I told you guys about before. Neil made this metal skull by riveting together sheets of aluminum – and added in some brass teeth to complete its visage. It really looks does look like an authentic human skull – if humans had metal endoskeletons, that is.

This unique skull is selling for $100(USD), which I think is actually a good deal, given the amount of labor that must have gone into it. If you want people to think you defeated the Terminator, head on over to Etsy now and buy it.

The guys over at Macotakara[JP] and iLab Factory[JP] have posted images of a new aluminum case which appears to have a slightly different depth for its LCD panel, adding 1mm to the thickness of the back panel, but making adjustments for a slightly thinner LCD panel – reportedly this 2048×1536 panel from Sharp – which fits into the case perfectly. The images do nothing to confirm rumors of a Retina Display, but the changes to the case depth indicate there is clearly a change coming to the display panel itself.

In addition, it looks like the camera opening has changed, possibly to support a new, higher quality (and possibly wide-screen) camera.

It also looks like refinements have been made to the dock connector, improving its rigidity – which should make it less likely that you’ll accidentally yank out the dock connector.

So are these images of parts from the actual iPad 3? Will there be an iPad 2S first, with minor refinements to the iPad 2? Or is this just some knock-off clone being made in China? Only time will tell.

[via iLab via Macotakara]

The Sparxgear Fire Piston is based on technology that first began in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands to kindle fire in ancient times. This Kickstarter project is simply a hollow anodized aluminum cylinder and a piston used to create an ember.

A piece of fuel, wood or cloth, is put on the end of the piston and then quickly compressed. This causes the fuel in the piston to combust allowing someone to then use it to start a fire. Pretty sweet camping accessory huh?

If you want one, a pledge of $35 (USD) or more will get you in on the fire-starting action.

[via Geeky-Gadgets]

FLOTE is currently up on Kickstarter for funding. It’s basically a modern metal stand that can hold your iPad, Kindle, PlayBook, Galaxy Tab, or whatever tablet you may have. No longer will you have to tilt your head while watching a movie or reading a book; no longer will you have to support the gadget in your hands, because the FLOTE takes care of all the not-so-heavy-lifting for you.

What the FLOTE gives you is a truly hands-free tablet usage experience. That is, if you don’t mind having something that resembles a microphone stand right in the middle of your bedroom or living room.

Ready to FLOTE your tablet? Head on over to Kickstarter. A pledge of $245(USD) or more will get you an actual FLOTE stand, while lesser amounts will score you rewards including microfiber screen cloths, sweatshirts, and commemorative pieces.

[via Oh Gizmo!]

The thing is made from a solid chunk of aluminum, which is milled and glass bead blasted. This is the dock Steve would have made. The heft of the aluminum means when you jerk your iPhone out of the dock, the dock stays put. It also uses a low friction connector to plug in easily with or without a case. You can get the dock in silver, matte black, green, and orange finishes depending on how much money you pledge to the project. A $59 (USD) pledge gets you in on the action with a basic Elevation Dock.

The coolest part is the massive success the designer has had on Kickstarter. The project went up yesterday and was seeking $75,000. It funded in eight hours and as of this morning had $112,163 pledged and still had 59 days to go. As of right now the project has over $174,000, and is still going strong. It has picked up $50,000 since this morning! That’s pretty damned impressive for a hunk of aluminum.

[via Daring Fireball via Gizmodo]

The process of anodizing aluminum and metal-finishing inspired Krieger to produce these visually-stunning timepieces. The gradient effect on the face of each MINUS 8 is created by layering gradually more intensely-colored discs of anodized metal.

“Time is a gradient and we use timepieces to slice that gradient into meaningful increments” says Dana. While they do look great, I’ll be curious to see how much they will sell for once they are offered for retail.

There are two watches in the collection: an automatic chronograph and a mechanical Quartz movement watch. No word yet on pricing or availability.

[via core77]

The UpStand is precision engineered out of aluminum, and its supporting grips are out of rubber so that your iPad or iPad 2 rests firmly in it. It’s compatible with many iPad cases too.

The UpStand will prop up your iPad just the right amount so that you can use it on a desktop with a Bluetooth keyboard. It’s also good for watching movies or using the iPad as an expensive digital picture frame or alarm clock. I could see this working to check out recipes in the kitchen.

The UpStand is available for for $44 (USD) over at Amazon.

[via Gadget-O]

Designed by Jason Valalik and Chungming Ying, the i+Case is machined from a single block of aluminum, then it’s anodized. Laser etching completes the process. The case is lightweight and attaches to your phone thanks to four stainless screws. There are some buttons (volume, on/off, mute) that are micro-machined and designed to work seamlessly with the i+Case’s design.

You’ll need to pledge at least $65 over at Kickstarter to order your case. They are available in silver, red or black colors. This case will work with AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4s. The pledge includes shipping within the USA, and a small screwdriver to use on the screws. Expected delivery is in October – assuming the project is successfully funded.

[via DesignYouTrust]

The catch with the awesome looking LockCircle is that the thing costs $100 (USD), which seems like a lot for what it does. There were a lot of people out there wondering why the thing is so expensive when it was announced. Now with this video footage of one being made, it’s a lot clearer now why it costs so much. The LockCircle starts off as a round billet aluminum disc strapped to a CNC lathe machine, eventually taking the form shown in the photo above.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

It is so cool to see the billet disc start to spin and then the router bits come in and shave metal off to create the product. You really have to watch the video to see how the thing is made. My favorite part is seeing the laser etching machine burn the name onto the product at the end.

[via PetaPixel]

I quite like this keyboard case and since it only costs $49.90 (USD), it won’t break the bank. They keyboard is also styled with Apple Chiclet-like keys, which look very similar to the ones found on the 11.6-inch MBA. The only thing missing is a glass Trackpad.

With the impending July refresh of the MBA, you’ll just have to wait and see what kind of new specs those thin laptops will get. There are even rumors about an iPad 2 HD refresh in the fall, boosting screen resolution to 2048 × 1536 – but it surely won’t come with a keyboard.

[via DVice]

MicroRAX is a miniature building system made out aluminum that can serve a variety of purposes. Ken Kremer built this adjustable iPad stand using the little metal construction beams. I don’t know what he used to hold the iPad in place, but I’d use some kind of felt to make sure that the structure of the stand doesn’t scratch up the glass screen.

Ken also integrated adjustable hinges, allowing him to move the screen around and adjust its angle.

With its cool industrial style, it looks like an interesting little stand to have around. The overall build looks pretty simple, so you can easily reproduce it from these photos if you pick up some MicroRAX for yourself.

[via Make:]