Awesome Stuff: Tools For Creators

from the if-you-create-it... dept

This week's awesome stuff takes a look at some tools (and toys) for different creative types.

The Hemingwrite

Many a modern writer has, at one time or another, fantasized about getting a good ol' fashioned typewriter. The appeal of the beautiful old machines is easy to understand, but writers who follow through on this dream often discover that the romance isn't quite worth the hassle of jammed keys and broken letters. Enter the Hemingwrite: a "digital typewriter" with an e-paper screen and a tight, compact design. It serves the main purpose most people see in typewriters — a dedicated, one-purpose machine that lets you lock yourself in a room and hammer out that novel free of distraction — but without all the baroque (and breakable) mechanics.

The Mikme

There's no shortage of portable microphones and recording devices out there, but the Mikme seems like it could be one of the best offerings around. In addition to functioning like a standard USB microphone, it can also wirelessly connect to iOS and Android devices or record in standalone mode to its internal 180-hour storage. Audio wonks will be pleased to know it records up to 96kHz/24 bit, as well. That's a lot of recording power packed into such a tiny unit, and its versatility means there's never a reason to miss snagging the audio of a good jam session or conversation.

The Wallet Capo

"Anyone have a capo?" is not an uncommon request when guitarists gather. Sure, there's usually one kicking around in the case, but guitars are nomadic instruments and the accessories don't always make the trip. The Wallet Capo uses some smart design to solve this problem and bring capos closer to the level of picks — i.e. something you've always got wedged in a pocket somewhere. This initial crowdfunding project is for the 3D-printed "beta" version of the device, but with enough backing will expand into new laser-cut production models.

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Filed Under: awesome stuff, capo, crowdfunding, microphone, typewriter


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  • icon
    Spaceman Spiff (profile), 17 Jan 2015 @ 9:47am

    Great!

    The Mikme seems like a great surveillance tool. Easy to hide, high bandwidth, great internal storage (over a week). What could possibly go wrong!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Leigh Beadon (profile), 17 Jan 2015 @ 12:44pm

      Re: Great!

      Though it has 180 hours of storage, I highly doubt it has 180 hours of battery life :)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 17 Jan 2015 @ 9:49am

    AlphaSmart

    The Hemmingwrite reminds me of the (now discontinued) AlphaSmart

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlphaSmart

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Jake, 17 Jan 2015 @ 1:48pm

      Re: AlphaSmart

      That was my first thought. Would you believe I actually own one of those? I never really used it for much in the end though, as a) I could get much the same effect just by taking my laptop to a cafe with no free wi-fi and b) the thing was bloody awful to type on.

      I might be interested in one of these, though, if not for the price tag. US$400? I can get a full-featured laptop for that.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Jeffrey Nonken (profile), 18 Jan 2015 @ 9:29am

    For some reason this novel comes to mind all of a sudden.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    CanonicalKoi, 18 Jan 2015 @ 2:27pm

    "HemingWrite"? Huh. I can remember when we used to call those "word processors".

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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