Every Home Needs a Coffee Faucet

Am I right or am I right?

Also? It can be controlled with an iPhone or iPad.



I'm having a coffeegasm over here.

[Source: Buzzfeed]

The Project That's Taken Over My Life

I've been a little neglectful of this blog lately. The reason? I've been cranking like crazy (and I mean CRAZY) on M's special side project: a Nom Nom Paleo cooking app. Read all about it here.

The project started off as a lark. M had been approached about writing a cookbook, but we were really intrigued about the possibility of doing something a little different.

"What about an iPad app?" she wondered.

From there, we've gone down the rabbit hole, and we're not out yet. Together, M and I have developed, written, edited, and photographed countless recipes, and our sleep has gone down the toilet. Currently, the user experience/interface and design is locked, and the content is pretty much done. Programming is underway -- and since that's done by the app company we hired, my gut is that I'll have a bit more time to yak away on this blog again.

The investment of time (and money!) has been huge -- but I'm confident that the end result will be well worth it.

Anyway, if you're anti-Paleo or anti-Apple, don't worry: I'll be back to the farting yoga videos again soon enough.

Outside the Box

Hot off the presses: My buddy Eric's slick new iPhone app, Outside the Box, is now available for download on iTunes! Developed for CrossFit affiliate owners and athletes, Outside the Box gives gyms their own branded app. And among other features, it allows users to:

• Check out their gym's WODs
• Keep a personal, mobile workout log
• Search past results
• Receive "push" messages from their coach
• View videos loaded by their gym
• Keep a calendar of gym events

I downloaded the CrossFit Palo Alto-branded version of the app last night, and can't wait to put it through its paces. Congrats on the launch, Eric!

(And just in case you're wondering, I'm not getting paid to plug this app. I just happen to dig it. Admit it: It looks pretty sweet, doesn't it?)

[To download Outside the Box from iTunes, click here.]

Nike+: Barefoot-Friendly (Finally!)

A while back, after reading Wired's feature article about the Nike+ system, I got curious. I'm no stat junkie, but the prospect of being able to easily log all my running data -- times, mileage, maps -- using an iPod and an Internet connection appealed to the gadget enthusiast in me.

Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that Nike+ requires users to purchase a tiny, proprietary sensor under the cushioned insert of compatible Nike running shoes. And as a convert to Vibram FiveFingers and barefoot running, there was no way I was going to buy a pair of running shoes -- not even the pseudo-minimalist Nike Frees.

But at long last, Apple and Nike have ditched the sensor:

[I]t just became obsolete: Nike has all but replaced it with software. Available now in the App Store, the big change in Nike+ GPS is right there in its name. The new app uses the GPS radio in compatible iDevices to track your runs and plot them on a map, and also uses the accelerometer in the iPhone to record your pace. Because it uses the accelerometer to track your steps, it also works with the iPod Touch, although no maps will be displayed as you run. You could even use it on the iPad, although you’d look pretty stupid.

The reviews have been generally positive -- and it only costs $1.99, which is several hundred dollars cheaper than the Garmin Forerunner I bought (and rarely use). If you're a runner with a compatible iPod or iPhone, get thee to the App Store.