Dedicated to inspiring designers, inventors & the creative spirit in all of us.

Having seen many induction stovetops, I was excited to see the Caso portable induction plate. This version, priced right and portable, makes induction cooking possible for anyone. Though this hot plate can reach temperatures of up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t be intimidated. Its built-in safety features include the ability to sense pans on its glass top surface. It also has a 180-minute timer and 10 precise power levels. Well designed and beautifully functional.

This cube radio is a button-less radio that takes instruction by motion. The gravity switch enables an interface that increases and decreases volume and changes stations with a simple tilt, spin or roll. 

Geometric package designs for snacks are coming from all directions. Doritos has had a conceptual design overhaul, making a play on its famous triangular snack shape. 

Impact extrusion is used to create this new Coke can redesign. Looks cool, I just hope it feels cool and can match the structural integrity of the current can.

Harnessing energy through the action of a rocking chair is a clever way to illuminate a reading light. The Murakami Chair does just that, and even has an OLED lamp that knows when it is needed and when to store energy for later use.

Combination gadgets never get old, and here are some new ones to make kitchen tasks a little easier.

Designed to cut through pizza and then flip sideways to dish it up with a flick of the wrist, this pizza cutter and spatula looks like it could even work its way through a dessert or two.

Grilled cheese and soup never look so good as when they are sharing the same plate. This combo bowl and plate set is the perfect size for any soup & sandwich.

Combining a strainer and measuring cup, this fat separator helps to keep the flavor of gravy, soups and stock without the fat. Non-slip grip and see-through design are always useful when working in the kitchen.

Grater, herb scoop, peeler, zester and knife all in one — this combo knife set does it all. Saving drawer space is smart design, and by using this tool, you can ditch those four other tools and save some valuable space.

This 5-in-1 utensil set combines a scraper, strainer, spreader, spoon and server made from reclaimed nylon. It even locks together for storing flat and has a 450-degree melting point.

Wow. These interactive portal shirts are really cool. Each shirt has a pinhole camera and a high resolution LCD TFT display screen with 2190mAh Lithium-Ion battery belt to power it. The pinhole camera sends the image wirelessly to the blue shirt for displaying and vice versa. Great for… well, I don’t know what. You can display these state of the art shirts yourself for a hefty $100 each. Removable parts make it washable and composite video inputs make it compatible with video games, too. I’m sure you could find a good use for one.

Some of you may remember my interview with the author of Spoon and Tamago a while back; well, here is some more Japanese design for your viewing pleasure. This address tray is made from stacked paper and used to store hand written contact information. When closed, the top tray doubles as a pen holder in the notched-out grooves.

Not known for its style and design, Microsoft caught my eye with this mini mouse. Using a BlueTrack technology, this Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse goes where no other mouse will; carpet, granite and rough wood, to name a few.  And neatly tucked away on the bottom you will find the mini wireless receiver. Great for any Netbook or laptop you take on the go.

Apples are at their prime this time of year, and there are countless ways to enjoy this delicious, healthy fruit. But preparing apples for snacking and baking can be a chore if your tools and utensils are outdated. Here are a few gadgets and tools to make it easier to prepare, store and enjoy the year’s best apples, whether picked fresh at a local orchard, neighborhood farmer’s market or corner grocery store.

This apple slicer adjusts to a variety of widths to get the most wedges from each of your apples for snacking, or to cut a few thick ones for baking a recipe.

Coring your apples can be a big task when baking; you might as well do it in style with this stainless steel version. 

Thinly sliced, uniform twists make this spiral cutter unique for serving up fresh apples this Fall. 

Some picky eaters have to remove the skin before they eat, and this hand-cranked countertop contraption will do the job (it also cores the apple simultaneously). The design is very industrial, implying a perfect peel every time.

For those of you who like overkill and all-in-one machines, I think this may be the one for you. Formerly marketed as the Spirooli, this shredder, slicer, chopper claims to maim any vegetable or fruit you can stuff into it.

Why not have your apples and eat them too? The design of the dehydrator is simple, and it makes storing foods for later use so easy to do.

I will argue with anyone who disclaims the validity of culinary creations as art. Having said that, here is a great way to prepare your fresh apples after you have cored, skinned and sliced them to enjoy.

At one time or another I’m sure we have all been seated at a table, or next to a table, that has used one of these tricks to accommodate less than favorable seating situations. Now they have been designed as novelty products.

This phonebook booster seat is hilarious, and functional too. I come from a generation where I really had to sit on a phone book or two when I was young.

Reminds me of the old sugar packet trick everyone has used to even the height of the table at a restaurant.