vaporizers

You might agree that the complex design in a snowflake appears almost comparable to a work of art. Do you know how that tiny frozen masterpiece comes to life, though? If you're like me, you may never have witnessed a complete representation of that journey from cloud to ground before.

The trip isn't as simple as you think. … Read more

Microsoft's Surface tablet is suffering from low production yields, according to a new report.

The software giant is currently working with a "second-tier" Surface chassis supplier that's having trouble producing enough units to match Microsoft's expectations, according to Digitimes, citing sources. The low yield has caused Microsoft to spend extra time evaluating the company's manufacturing to see how it can be improved.

The issue, according to Digitimes' sources, is that the Surface's VaporMg case, which is made out of magnesium, isn't so easy to produce. The blog's sources say that Microsoft … Read more

Future tech takes all kinds of forms, and some of those forms are the kind that let you smoke without the guilt or the cancer!

I recently visited Thermo Essence Technologies, which is a Silicon Valley company that makes high-tech "vaporizers" for inhaling nicotine, medical marijuana, or other herbs. They're kind of like electronic cigarettes, but much more premium in terms of construction (and cost). They come in multiple varieties, and they both look cool and keep you from getting cancer, no matter what you're smoking.

The vaporizers use a (rechargeable) battery-powered kiln to conduct super-heated … Read more

Element Case is a "boutique" iPhone case maker that's gotten plenty of press for its swanky Vapor line, which now includes the just-shipped $129.99 Vapor Comp Epiphany case you see here.

The Epiphany comes in a microfiber "cleaning" pouch and ships with a second protective molded "travel" zipper case (your full iPhone with the case on it fits in the pouch or travel case).

You also get two interchangeable back plates that are made out soft material that Element describes as Epiphany Blue Ultrasuede and Herrera White Pearl. Oh, just so you … Read more

Recently, we wrote up that Element Case had announced a new, improved version of its swanky Vapor Case called the Vapor Pro iPhone 4 case. It's a slick case with a "unique" titanium alloy finish and a special, aerospace polymer section built over the antenna contact points that the company says eliminates "death-grip" issues and improves Wi-Fi, GPS, and 3G reception. Sweet.

Now, some of you balked when you heard the limited-edition "first run" case costs $150 (yes, you heard right: $150). But we've got some good news: Element has offered to … Read more

We wrote last year about how Element's swanky $79.99 Vapor Case was becoming something of a vanity case for iPhone 4 owners. That said, while the case looked sleek, some users complained it was less than perfect and experienced reception issues when using it. Element claims to have fixed those issues, and has now added a new, improved, redesigned Vapor Pro iPhone 4 case that's being released first in a special collectors' edition that costs a whopping $149.99.

What makes it worth $149.99? We're not sure, but we're told it's made out of expensive materials and some parts are hand-tooled. Read these marketing bullet points from the company to get a sense of its value:… Read more

As Apple sorts out its iPhone 4 antenna issues, we're giving away a case that's not only superslick but allegedly solves any and all reception problems. Element Case has made some high-end, high-stylin' protective cases for earlier iPhone models, and now it has one for the iPhone 4: The Vapor.

According to Element Case, the The Vapor "consists of a solid, CNCd aluminum frame made from aircraft-grade metals lined with a new, shock-absorbent liner material to protect and stylize."

The Vapor comes in black, pink, green, blue, and comes with--or without--a full carbon-fiber backplate. Winner gets … Read more

Element Case has made some high-end, high-stylin' protective cases for earlier iPhone models, and now it has one for the iPhone 4: The Vapor.

The picture really says it all, but you should know that according to Element, the Vapor "consists of a solid, CNCd aluminum frame made from aircraft-grade metals lined with a new, shock-absorbent liner material to protect and stylize." It's also designed, like most other cases, to address the iPhone "reception issues" by securely insulating the iPhone 4's frame "with a no-slip grip hold."

The Vapor comes in black, … Read more

It's becoming harder for smokers to coexist with nonsmokers, what with all the nonsmoking in restaurants and bars. But if Crown7's smoke-free smoking devices catch on, a utopian society where smokers can "smoke" without pissing off everyone around them may yet exist.

The battery-powered devices use cartridges filled with nicotine, tobacco flavoring, water, and delicious propylene glycol to recreate the sensation of smoking. Instead of smoke, the "smoker" exhales a purportedly odorless vapor.

The device is available in three designs: cigar ($65), cigarette ($100), and pipe ($150).

According to the Crown7 site, each cartridge … Read more