Rene Magritte on my Mac

I really love Rene Magritte, so what could then be better than to place him on my MacBook Pro? Etsy.com has some great dekals for $13. But which is best?

iPhone accessories: felt, rubber sleeves and backup batteries

I see that I slowly (?) become more and more an iPhone fan/geek. So wanting to have my new friend as long as possible (or just pimping it up?), I have scavaged the net for a small selection of my favourite sleeves. Me personal favourite is: Freiwild purple felt sleeve sold at PodCenter €15 (should arrive to my mailbox soon I hope! :)

Byrd and Bell grey felt sleeve $19

Red Maloo purple felt sleeve with orange band €29

Marware Sport Grip €15











Seidio Slim Rubberrized Hard Case $29.95

Griffin FlexGrip from $9 (3 colors)

E&B Company eNOVO W/ Clip for iPhone $39.95 (corporate leather style)

InCase Slim Sleeve $24.95

Mobi Products Clip Pouch for iPhone - "workers"sleeve $9.95

One thing that sucks is the battery capacity. Apparently this is the best one:
Review: Just Mobile Gum Pro Power Pack

Review of Backup battery: InCase Power Slider and JuicePack Air

Improve the iPhone usabillity

The iPhone's interface is in many ways amazingly simple and intuitive, but it would be good to customise it. In lack of this option, I hope Apple reads my post and make my suggested improvements.

1. Phonebook: Favorites
Ther iPhone relies heavily on icons, though the "Favorites" tab under "Contacts" does not. It is a normal text list:

Using the Contacts photos would be much easier and allows for my contacts without scrolling. The application "My Phone Plus For Facebook" has done this already, displaying 9 contacts as opposed to the current 8:

However making the icons the same size as the rest of the iPhone's icons would give a total of 16 favorites (considering I have several hundred contacts, 16 is not that many..:)



2. Many applications installed gives loads of scrolling
If you are like me, then you have many apps installed. This means right scrolling and scrolling the screen to the right. Vertical scrolling has though not been used:


Small circles could indicate where one is:


3. Most of my contacts have birthdays noted in the phonebook.
Why isn't this info linked up to the calendar? Or at least one ought to have the option to get notifications of birthdays. (I use fbCal to have birthdays in another calendar on the iPhone, but I tend to forget to look at it. Hence the desire for birthday intergration.


4. Improve battery life A product can be as fantastic as it wants, but when such a basic feature isn't in place, then quite alot falls apart. I mean, if I make it through the day with one charing I am happy. Heavy usage makes it last maybe 7-8 hours. Sorry, MAC. Please improve.

Elliptic shows off the touchless web

Touchless wizzkids Elliptic Labs are on Engadget (again!) and this time they have teamed up with Opera Software. They have created a touchless photoalbum interface. Check out the video:



Ah, and if you happen to be really interrested in testing it (or just in Amsterdam), meet them at IBC 2009 and try their prototype at the Opera Software booth - 3.C11.

Nothing better than to see a client doing great.

Want your photos to look like Polaroids?

Quite funny, I downloaded loads of Polaroid images some time back, so that in case I wanted to create Polaroidstyle photos with Photoshop I could. Then suddenly get an email from the lead developer at Rollip.com telling me about their website and web-application.

Its an easy 3 click manner to create images like the one you see on the left. Its free too!

One thing Im missing though, is the ability to choose the position and cropping of the photo I'm uploading to the Polaroid template. Hope to see that in their next release.

Get (more) social on your blog easily and free

Wibiya.com have created a brilliant application/plugin to be added on your blog. Works on Blogger, Wordpress, and many more. And Ive just added it to my blog as you can see.

What is it you may ask? Its a toolbar that shows your Twitter feed, Facebook page, translates your blog, gives you search ++ Its completely customizable, free and gives you statistics too. This video explains it fairly well:



ps. Its still in Beta, but only took me one day to get invite.

Buy a logo, domain or even business concept!

Why bother think, when someone else can? Buy the lot at
http://incspring.com

Cheap laptop stands made of cardboard

Laptopstand like iCurve (or Elevator as it is now called) are great. But you might wanna go cheaper. Like MacGuyer you can use paper and cardboard: http://www.cardboardlaptopstand.co.uk/

But why pay, when you can create it yourself!? Laptop cardboard tutorial

Or even from a clothhanger.

Designer lamps that rock (a give light!)

Having a house in Norway (or most other places for that matter), means needing light. But you dont want just any light. You want a sexy lamp to accompany that light. I present: 4 lamps I want for Christmas. (a bit early maybe, but...)

The Sticker Lamp (Tall & Tiny) by created by Italian designer Alicero Signoli.
Buy them at PA Design












The Liquid Lamp by Caina’s Design Shop. A bit pricey at US $262, but really cool













Neon Lamp
(created by yourself) thanks to design by OpenDesignClub and Instructables.com













Or the slightly more futuristic (non existing) "PC lamp" by designer Seungchan Lee

Freelance designer on a Mac? Check out this applications

AppStorm has gathered a great selection of 12 apps for running a freelance business. Some are free, whilst others cost (a bit). One of my favourite sites are mentioned, namely DropBox.

I have looked into Billings before, but never really started to use it (never came past the testing stage..), but it seems promising.

One programme I found really interresting was iBiz by IGG Software. You can associate a document to the application and it tracks the time you work on it (or at least have it open). Much better than having a stop watch which one tends to forget stopping.

SkypeIn and SkypeOut on my w810i using Midp/Java

As I still live in the darkages of mobiles with my w810i, I envy all iPhone users with their great selection of apps from Apples AppStore. For example having Skype (except for T-mobile users who are banned from using it...) and Windows Live Messenger on your phone. So when I found Skype having a Java programme, I was well happy! It looks great (as opposed to most Java/Midp apps...), but happiness was short lived! I figured out I can ONLY chat to other Skype users with it from my mobile (or cell phone if you like). Pretty much useless then.

Previously I have mentioned EQO mobile, which works quite well for IP ringing. But IM+ for Skype seems much better! Not only can I phone Skype users and use SkypeOut, but I can also receice Skype calls. Fantastic! Would just love if they could upgrade the Java (Midp 2.0) layout, cause thats not really fancy...


7 days trial, or get the whole for 10 US bucks. Its a deal!

Some Mac stuff: screensaver

AppStorm have a good selection of osX Screensavers presented. My favourites are:







SoundStream (great when you have a party and want some visuals)








Or HAL 9000 (how more geeky can you get?!) This one is both for PC and Mac.

All free of course (!?)

Come in! Go away! Doormatt

Suck UK have made a pretty cool type doormatt. It can be bought at Jiggy.no for 259,- Norwegian Kroners.

I seem to become a bigger and bigger design nerd..

I am a nerd: more cool Lego robots

Just found this fantastic Lego robot on Flickr:

SAFS Heart

by someone called Gambort. He/She has a album called Mecca filled with cool Lego robots. I love the Internet!

Lego figures over time

Gizmodo has together with Lego made a overview over ALL Lego figures that have been created. Fun timewaster!

Twitter usage increases in Norway and how to get old mobile phones (ie. w810i) on Twitter

I have been on Twitter for a couple of months, but never really got the point. Probably also cause no one else in Norway got it either. I only had ONE friend/follower on Twitter. That was Tim. But over the last months, suddenly everyone seems to be on Twitter. And when the biggest Norwegian newspapers like VG and Dagbladet have journalist like my friend Snorre Bryne (Dagbladet) using it actively communicating with his readers and having Twitter streams in their articles AND Twingly, then you know its become mainstream in Norway too. The widespread popularity of the iPhone has increased the usage too.

Any-ways, having a blog I mixed that up with Twitter with TwitterFeed (its just really a feed from my blog to my twitter account) and then having the Twitter application in Facebook feeding from Twitter to my Facebook status field, suddenly I have created a little mashup and am so proud!

BUT, I dont own an iPhone, but obviously want to spam everyone with meaningless trivia from my daily life. So what to do? Tata!! I found the solution: Jitter. A tiny free Java application created by Abiro. It works on pretty much any phone supporting MIDlets. Such as my old w810i. Technology is wonderful! Hurrah!

MSDN & Technet Live Windows gadget for Norway

My very first Windows gadget is ready to download ! Created it with Kim EBN from the Online department in Microsoft Norway. I designed it, he programmed it. Its a countdown to the events in 4 different cities.

Write your own tshirt slogan

You wake up in the morning, wondering what t-shirt to wear with the right message? No worries!
http://www.nerdyshirts.com Sells tees that you can write one. Good idea!

Lego art by Nathan Sawaya

Lego is and always will be great. Nathan has taken this a tid bit further... See his portfolio on
brickartist.com

See how he made Master chief in the below video.

MTV Shows

Lego Egg Timer is sooo cool

My eggs would be so happy, cause for only 5,95 Euro you can get it at the Lego shop! But no. its sold out! Blah.

Added feedback form on my Portada online shop

I just added an uservoice feedback form on my online shop which sells tshirts and hoodies that I have designed. Lets see if people do leave comments. What do you think? Please leave a comment.

Create your own desginer belt: Apple Mac Pro Mouse Beltbuckle

Finally a thing to do with your all electronic trash.. Instructables has a great site with loads of tutorials and tips how to create fun stuff, just like this really nerdy beltbuckle: http://www.instructables.com/id/Pro-Mouse-Beltbuckle/

Stylish looking suitcase and other sexy industrial designs

If you wonder what I want for christmas, just get any of Joyes designs..
http://www.joeyroth.com

Nabaztag the cute rabbit

Funky looking digital rabbit the Nabaztag that is connected to the Internet. Reads your email, rss feeds, oh... I dont get it really. BUT I want one now! Bit steep price though 145Euro...
http://www.nabaztag.com

How many tshirts can a man wear!?

This video reveals the answer! And you can buy loads of design t-shirts on my site

Clean up iTunes library with

Havent tried this application yet, but seems promising. Finally a manner of cleaning up the chaotic iTunes library with TuneUp:
http://www.tuneupmedia.com/download/

iTunes coverflow on Macs with iSight camera

FluidTunes from Majic Jungle Software. Scroll your library in iTunes waving your hands in front of your Apple Mac. Havent tested this one yet, but seems like a pretty cool app.

Transformers: Robots made of paper!

All boys love Transformers and the coolest of the gang is Megatron. Now check out this fantastic free paper robot. Cut and glue I say!
http://www.paperrobots1999.com

Funny products for iPod / Mac geeks (like me..)

Pretty cool place to place your glass, but really expensive...http://www.meninos.us

Wii on Youtube shaking it ut!

Great usage of Youtube to show off the new Wario game on Wii. http://www.youtube.com/experiencewii

KidRobot gallery

Inspiration for all owners of Munnies:

http://www.kidrobot.com/2008/munny/?p=gallery

Btw they can be bought at Urban Outfitters

Pantone magnetic calendar designed by Stokke Austad

Heres a great protoype for a Pantone magnetic calendar, designed by Stokke Austad. It will be displayed at Home Acessories at 100% Norway 2008 in Earls Court, London.

Heres a selection of other great designs from Norway that will be at 100% Norway

Translation help via Messenger

Translation Bot for Windows Live Messenger. Simply add msnim:add?contact=mtbot@hotmail.com to your contacts and invite Tbot to your conversations. Simply add mtbot@hotmail.com to your contacts and invite Tbot to your conversations.

Read all about it: http://blogs.msdn.com/translation/default.aspx

http://www.windowslivetranslator.com/

Syncronise your mobile phone with iTunes

Swedish Sallinger has done it again!

Salling Media Sync synchronizes playlists, music, and podcasts from iTunes onto your mobile phone. It's free to use, but when registered it intelligently updates your phone, which is much faster.
http://www.salling.com/MediaSync/mac/

Organise cables

What a ingenious little plastic thingy. "Keep-A-Cable" has the overview for a cable organiser (and holder), that I have looked for so long! Just ordered one. Hope it keeps what I hope it promises. http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002864.php

Cool t-shirts from Phatrags

Some are quite rude, but others you might wanna wear. I particullary like this Jesus one. It says: "Jesus saves, after each level he passes"

http://www.phatrags.com/
Use this code if you want to save 10%: phat10a

Brandjunkie survey

Brandchannel:

The Brandjunkie survey results: http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=415

A concentrated dose of the Brandjunkies results http://brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=416

Padre Paranoia sells funky t-shirts!

My Spanish friend Chema has gotten his new website up and running. See (and order!) his great designs at
http://www.padreparanoia.com/

Personally, I like the flying Leika the best :)

Buy your tshirt now, get free shipping!

At a Minimum Order of £
35 or 50€ or 400 Norwegian Kroner. Free Shipping and a red String Thong for free! Code: Valentinus2008+
Visit my webshop now: http://www.portada.no/butikk/

zunePhone is the oldschool iPhone

A whole new time! (Neolog´s design watch)

The German company Neolog have made this really cool wristwatch, called NEOLOG A-24 II. Rather than showing the time with numbers or a dial, the digital watch shows time as line.

NEOLOG is based on dividing time into intelligible units: Hours, units of ten minutes, and units of one minutes which are arranged in vertical blocks.

It takes a bit getting used to (at least for the first hour of having the watch..:) BUT it is so sexy... Christmas tip of the year I say! (too late for most countries, but if the gifts are given on the Holy 3 Kings Day there is still a chance!)

Check out the site (and order it) http://www.neolog.cc/english/ Ahh... and the site has some widget downloads too :)

Microsofts iPod

Ok, so there is quite alot truth in the this video:


However, I really find the Zune Art site excellent! Its really a creative ad campaign that uses animation and indie tunes to promote the Zune. It ought to generate a buzz online. Loads of freebies: wallpaper, videos, even faltpack toys!Check it out:

http://www.zune-arts.net/

Free shipping in November!

This month I have free shipping at my t-shirt webshop. Just enter this code when you order: XMAS07

Gratis frakt på t-skjortene mine i november! Bare skriv inn kode ved bestillingen: XMAS07

Portada.no/butikk

Lego screensaver and other fun things

A site called 9031.com has loads of cool screensavers, wallpapers, etc. for free. Especially I love the "briblo" screensaver. Which is really loads of legos falling. AND if you have dualscreen (like I do), each screen shows a different lego setup. COOL!

http://www.9031.com/downloads/index.html

Steve and Bill meet again

The biggest guys in the data age met again. Thats Steve Jobs and Bill Gates for the novices.

Quite interesting how those guys are really similar (appearance, computer knowledge, voice etc), yet Steve always is a bit cooler. Just like Macs.. :P

A short summary of the meeting can be read: http://www.nytimes.com/technology/


Or, if you really are interested, see all the videos at: All things digital.
video-steve-jobs-and-bill-gates-prologue/

Pengestøtte til «Ragnar Rock - Veien mot Vallhall»

Min fetter får penger for å lage dataspill. Gratulerer til ham! Firmaet heter http://www.inludo.com/

Les hele artikkelen på: http://www.dagbladet.no/

Designer box wine cooler

Heres a quite beautiful wine cooler for box wine. Its made out of metal and wood. And exist in black, white and red. They are sold for 1.000 NOK at Henie Onstad museum near Oslo. For more info: http://www.erdmanndesign.com/

The Robotic Chair

“The Robotic Chair”, collaborations with Canadian artists Max Dean and Matt Donovan. The Robotic Chair, their latest piece, is a work in progress. It was completed in mid-summer 2006, at which time it will make its first public appearance.

How cool was that?! I want one now!

The best place to piss away your time on the Internet TM

I thought I was weird when I take pictures of urinals whenever I see one I like (well, its actually the symmetry I like, but any ways..). However, I found out I wasn't the only weird one! Yeah! So here's a great (?) place to look at urinals from around the world. This ones from Bohemia Night Club, in San Francisco, CA

http://www.urinal.net/

Google games

If your feeling bored, and want to have fun with Google as your tool.
Google games

Nektes iPod-hjelp

Slemme, slemme Apple... http://forbruker.no/digital/nyheter/mp3/article1255874.ece

Free mobile applications: Get Jar

Who doesn't own a mobile phone? You've filled it up with SMS and MMS, but you want more! You want java applications. But you want them for free. That's where http://www.getjar.com/ comes in... Have fun!

Fantastic Spiderman ad

Great ad for Heinz Spiderman soup/pasta. No wonder it went down well in One Show...

Tollavgifter

Toll og moms

Mytene om toll og særavgifter er mange, og folks frykt for å dra på seg uventede utgifter hindrer mange fra å bestille seg det de ønsker fra utlandet. Tilfellet er at det er svært få varer som pådrar seg mer enn moms (25%) i dag på grunn av EU, EFTA og andre frihandelsavtaler. Dette gjelder så lenge man ikke handler fra et utviklingsland og at man handler som privatperson. Holder man seg unna varer som alkohol/tobakk, motor/drivstoff og mat/drikke er det sjelden man får noen uventede utgifter. Det viktigste unntaket fra denne reglen er klær og tekstiler som i verste fall kan dra på seg en toll fra 5,9 til 10,7 prosent.

* Forsendelser med verdi under 200 kroner blir verken avgiftbelagt med toll eller moms.

* Bøker kan tas inn uten avgifter uavhengig av verdi. Pass på at det kun er bøker i forsendelsen da blanding av varer kan pådra avgifter på hele forsendelsen.

* Gaver for inntil 1000 kr er moms- og avgiftsfritt. Det eneste som er nødvendig er at den blir merket som gave på dokumentasjonen.

* Ofte har du annledning til å påvirke hvilken frakt som blir brukt når du handler fra utlandet. Hvis du skal ha varer fra USA kan du be om Global Express Mail EMS. Med denne tjenesten slipper du å betale Postens fortollningsgebyr (80kr for varer under 1000kr og 175kr for varer over 1000kr).

Vær oppmerksom på at du må betale toll og momsavgift (25%) når du handler fra nettbutikker i utlandet. Tollavgift på varer under 1000 kroner hos posten er 75 kroner. For varer over 1000 kroner er tollavgiften noe høyere. Noen ganger slipper du å betale tollavgift og moms fordi Posten ikke har kapasitet til å sjekke alle pakningene som kommer inn til landet. Etter vår erfaring blir kun 40-50% av varene sjekket. Noen utenlandske nettbutikker deler også opp forsendingene i flere pakker (pakker under 200 kr.) slik at du slipper tollavgiften.

fra: importalen.no

Free shipping!

Some people might have noticed that I sell my own designed t-shirts here: http://www.portada.no/butikk

Well, as Valetine's Day is approaching I'm being nice and giving free shipping untill the 14.2.2007. The free shipping code is:

VALENTIN07

So nothing to keep you from shopping now!

Great and funny stuff to buy

More great products are found at http://www.atypyk.com/