Issue 40
  1. A contemporary desk organiser
  2. An email provider that respects your privacy
  3. A smart travel lock
  4. A tool for speedy introductions
  5. A tiny Bluetooth tracker
  6. An app for moodboards and inspiration

Hey friends!

A quick 'hello' from Sydney before I'm heading back to Melbourne later today. Web Directions was fantastic, once again. There is just nothing better than connecting in real life with folks you know through the web.

This week I'm happy to have Gestalten as a sponsor – one of my favourite publishers. We'll give away three books that I'd love to own myself: Hide and SeekThe Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes, and The New Nomads. For a chance to win, please link to themoderndesk.com in a Tweet – that's all. I'll pick three winners on Friday.

This week I'd also like to recommend two noteworthy newsletters. The first is My Morning Routine , a lovely project about people's morning routines, and the second one is a trusty source of thoughtful writing: The Book of Life.

Enjoy your week!

Kai

 
 

This Weekʼs Line-Up

A contemporary desk organiser
01

This modular desk organiser system consisting of cork and white painted aluminium caught my eye. Made by Ubikubi, a Romanian product design company that has a whole range of interesting products on their site.

 
An email provider that respects your privacy
02

"Soverin is the honest email service that doesn’t sell your data." An email provider that has made data security and privacy their main selling point. It's a bit sad that we even need such a service, but that's clearly where we're heading...

 
A smart travel lock
03

From the long list of connected smart devices we're seeing these days, I'd put this one in the 'actually useful' category. AirBolt is a small lock for your luggage that (amongst other features) tracks its whereabouts and lets you lock/unlock your bags through your phone. Currently being kickstarted.

 
A tool for speedy introductions
04

If you're one of those people who loves introducing and connecting interesting folks, this Chrome plugin aims to make your life a little easier: introduce two parties to each other in three simple steps.

 
A tiny Bluetooth tracker
05

The iHere is a Bluetooth button and tracker for your keyring. It combines several features into one tiny device: Need to save a location, like where you car is parked? Press the button. Can't find your phone? Press the button. Wanna take a selfie? Press the button. Need to record a voice message? You get the picture...

 
An app for moodboards and inspiration
06

If you're thirsty for some inspiration, Niice gives you access to hundreds of design blogs, galleries and other resources through one simple search interface. Collect your favourites, create moodboards and share them within your team.

 
The true price of anything you do is the amount of time you exchange for it.
— Henry David Thoreau