Gadgets, Gizmos, and Games for Geeks

Released just in time for Christmas (but not guaranteed for Christmas delivery), Tesla is selling a child-sized version of the Cyberquad it introduced alongside the Cybertruck’s November 2019 unveiling. You know, because why should adults get to have all the fun?

Because who doesn’t want to draw a bunch of unwanted attention to themselves when they’re just trying to stay hydrated, this is a collapsable silicone water bottle available on Amazon (affiliate link) that looks like a grenade when completely collapsed, and much less like one when it’s not.

Space: according to Star Trek, is the final frontier. And I learned everything I know from watching Star Trek, most importantly of which is always keep someone in a red shirt between you and an enemy’s phaser.

Because playing with your food is an important part of a well-balanced breakfast, Firebox is selling this officially licensed Tetris Waffle Maker ($41), which produces seven different Tetrimino-shaped waffles in just minutes. Granted, it will probably never produce one of the long stick pieces when you really need it the most.

Car ignition buttons: they usually just say ‘START STOP’ and sit there looking boring. Well now you can spice up your vehicle’s go button with one of these superhero helmet covers manufactured by LCDXBYTFT (try saying that ten times fast!)

Because questionable product collaborations come in all shapes and sizes, Nike and Swarovski have teamed up to produce these $450 crystal-accented Air Force Ones. Available in all black and all-white colorways, the sneakers are covered with Swarovski studded webbed panels, which are removable with an included Nike branded flathead screwdriver.

Garden gnomes: they live hard lives. They constantly have to be on the lookout for hungry cats and other wild animals. Apparently including dinosaurs, as is the case with this t-rex eating garden gnomes sculpture made by SOWSUN and available on Amazon (affiliate link).

I was just thinking the other day somebody should combine a donut and a drone, and apparently Boston-based Cleo Robotics was already on the case, developing the $9,800 Dronut X1 – the world’s first bi-rotor ducted drone that can operate in much tighter spaces than traditional drones.

Do you know what my garden has been missing? More gnomes. A person can never have too many garden gnomes, despite what my wife says, and she says the 20+ I already have are enough. Enough!

I’ve always wished I was better at woodworking but I can’t even make a livable birdhouse out of those easy-to-assemble kits. French woodworker Olivier Gomis is basically the opposite though, woodturning and crafting this absolutely incredible Lord of the Rings glowing One Ring lamp from maple and maple veneer over the course of 53 hours.

Because Japan is famous for developing products long before we recognize the need for them, this is the steak candle from century-old Japanese candle manufacturer Kameyama. It looks like a steak dinner and smells like a steak dinner, leading me to question whether or not it really is a steak dinner.

Genius: you know it when you see it. And I saw this motorized piano BBQ grill crafted by YouTuber Handy Geng, and I knew instantly he was ahead of his time. Did he travel back from the future to showcase this marvel of modern music and grilling technology?

Let’s face it, a good book and a nice cup of coffee or tea go together like peanut butter and bananas. But where do you rest your beverage? Personally, I rest mine on my open laptop because I like to live dangerously.

Just when you thought the perfect Star Trek ugly Christmas sweater already existed (see: this ‘Trek The Halls’ ugly Christmas sweater), Numskull Designs returns with an even gaudier one in the form of this ‘Beam Me Up, Santa’ sweater.

Released by the New Zealand Mint, these 1-ounce Death Star Coins are engraved with an image of the Empire’s moon-sized superweapon on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the opposite. A nice combo. Personally, I would have gone with an Ewok on the other side to commemorate the Battle of Endor, but I wasn’t asked.

Are you a huge Nissin Cup Noodles fan? Big enough to buy a giant inflatable likeness of the product for display in your home or office? Well if you are, you’re in luck (also, a rare breed), because Nissin is selling this giant inflatable Cup Noodle through their fan store for $35.