tech e blog

There are Bugatti supercars, and then the appliance company. The latter has just unveiled Noun, a fully-transparent glass toaster that will set you back a cool $1000. Rather than the standard glowing heating elements, it utilizes two panels of "a special transparent glass ceramic material with an ultra-high resistance semiconductor." Its panels make use of far infrared radiation to generate temperatures as high as 300°C (572°F) within 80-seconds, enabling you to not only make toast, but also cook foods like steak and vegetables. Continue reading for a video and more information.

For those who just want a change of scenery, the Tetra Shed might be just what you're looking for. London-based design studio at Innovation Imperative has unveiled, Tetra Shed, an 86 square feet timber constructed office pod that's completely portable, enabling geeks to set up a work space right in their backyard. Continue reading for a video and more information.

The amazing pool you see above - part of a home in Villa Devoto, Argentina - was designed by Andres Remy Arquitectos. What sets this one apart from others is that it is elevated from the ground, creating a glass wall that allows views from within, and outside, from different points in the house. We've rounded up five more cool and creative backyards that geeks would love. Continue reading to see them all.

Ok, so a Darth Vader toaster won't exactly make your life easier, but for Star Wars fanatics who've always wanted to see the Sith Lord's face burned into their toast, this is just the gadget for you. It's a real product and will be released in July for a mere $45. Continue reading for 20 more clever gadgets and inventions that aim to make your life easier.

Called the "Pump House", this compact off-the-grid home was designed by Branch Studio Architects and built by the carpenter client in rural Victoria, Australia. While it may be self-sustaining now, it was originally designed as storage space for a water pump and farm equipment. They used simple materials, like Colorbond iron, low-grade plywood, and rough sawn timber to keep construction costs low. Continue reading for more awesome homes with designs that think outside the box.

At first glance, this may appear to be just another Hollywood mansion, tucked away in the ultra exclusive hills, but it's actually located in Graceville, Australia, and was built from 31 shipping containers. Todd Miller of ZeilgerBuild designed the three story, 6,000 square-foot luxury home, whose backyard includes an outdoor saltwater pool. Click here to view the first image in this week's FAILS and funny fixes gallery. Continue reading for a viral video of what meetings feel like for engineers.

At first glance, this may look like just a walkway leading to some kind of alley, but it's actually a full-sized house, just much narrower. Designed by Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates', this micro house is tucked between two traditional houses in Aichi, Imai and has all the space you need to live comfortably. Its minimalist layout uses natural light and the full length of its 69-foot site to create a beautiful and spacious family home. Continue reading for more pictures and information.

No, this isn't an alien spaceship, but rather just one of the futuristic hurricane-proof homes by Spanish designer Dionisio Gonzales. These structures are located on Dauphin Island, located in the Gulf of Mexico, which boasts approximately 1,200 inhabitants. This area is known for devastating hurricanes and storms that destroy most of the residences built on the shore. Continue reading for more pictures and information.

Having a secure and hidden place to stay during a disaster can be quite the life saver, literally, but such places can also be used for entertainment. For example, the home above has a hidden room that's concealed behind a normal looking wall. Simply walk down the stairs, and you're treated to an underground lair, complete with leather sofa and more. Continue reading to see another batch of awesome hidden rooms that every geek should have.

Holly Black may be best known for writing The Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of children's fantasy books she created with illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi, but she'd much rather relax in her own secret room than bask in the limelight of fame. At the pull of a book, a hidden library is revealed, complete with fireplace and countless books. Continue reading for more pictures.