If you're sick of using generic instant coffee at work or out camping, Instructables user claven20 suggests making your own portable coffee bags using tea bags for delicious coffee no matter where you are. More »

There’s no shortage of Android swag floating around out there — Android-themed watch anyone? — but this thing is probably one of the more useful gifts for the Android devotee in your life. Take it from me: of all the AC adapters floating around TechCrunch’s New Jersey headquarters (a.k.a my home), none are quite as charming as Andru here.

Aside from being able to charge your gadgets with aplomb (at which point his beady eyes light up), relentless fidgeters like me can also spin his little arms around. And when Andru isn’t in use, feel free to give him a pair of legs by slipping on that bright green prong cover.

Really, what better way to pledge your allegiance to Google than by making sure the power that runs into your Android device first runs though a small green robot?

Alright, so Andru isn’t exactly the first Android-themed charger we’ve seen, but it certainly seems to be a nicer option than some of the alternatives. Those of you who feel the compulsive urge to fill your home or workspace with geeky tchotchkes can pick up an Andru from Gen for $25, which is still probably less than a bog-standard microUSB charger at your local big box store.

This past weekend I called up my cable internet provider and received a discount of $15 off my monthly bill. On top of that, they nearly doubled the speed of my connection. I received this discount and upgrade by simple asking for it, just like I have about every six months. All it takes is a regularly scheduled phone call and a little research to get better deals on cable, your phone bill, and more. More »

If you're having trouble remembering where you've filed away an app on your phone's home screen, you may want to consider organizing your apps by action. More »

A vacation can range anywhere from a dream to a nightmare. While some of that depends on circumstance, there's plenty you can do to make your travel easier, more efficient, and more fun. Here are our top 10 favorite tips, tricks, and hacks to help make your next trip really great. More »

Whether you're renting or you own a home, it's easy to let repeated tasks of home maintenance slip your mind. Over on Apartment Therapy they've outlined the five repeating home maintenance tasks most people forget and a simple way to remind yourself to do them. More »

Upset that the Makerbot can’t produce solid, smooth objects for your home 3D printing pleasure? Why not give the iModela a look.

This CNC milling machine costs a little under $1,000 and uses a drill head to carve out 3D objects in solid plastic. The iModela is made by Roland DG (a subsidiary of the guys who make musical instruments) and has a very Japanese UI and aesthetic, which is pretty cool. They offer some interesting free models and a plastic sample kit for folks interested in getting started.

Some BoingBoing commenters are also recommending the DeepGoove1 CNC mill that can mill steel as well as wood and plastic. These things might not be quite ready for general home use yet, but the fact that you can grab a CNC machine for around a grand is pretty incredible in itself.

via BB

Have you ever purchased a big appliance only to realize it's not compatible with your home, or you can't perform repairs on it without calling in an expert? Gadget blog Cool Tools has a simple solution: read the manual before you make the purchase. More »

The kitchen drawer is a great place to hang your towels, but every time you open the drawer, the towel falls to the ground. Instructables user noahw solves this annoyance with our favorite office supply: the binder clip. More »

Your iPhone (or other iDevice) has but one button you use constantly: the home button. It has many functions, and so it's prone to becoming unresponsive through heavy use and the passage of time. Designer Khoi Vinh has discovered that this problem is easily resolved with a little WD-40: More »