For nearly 10 years, a DIYer named Jake Harms has taken a rather clever approach to getting the most out of his old iMac computers — instead of trashing them, he’s transformed them into lamps, clocks, and aquariums.
After first constructing an aquarium out of a soon-to-be-trashed computer he salvaged from work in 2007, Harms has since completed over 1,000 such projects. Citing an affinity for any and all things Apple design, he expanded his scope to include other appliances and furnishings for the home or office. Though it’s likely Harms’ creations weren’t part of Steve Jobs’ ultimate vision for Apple, they are wildly unique.
An admitted handyman prior to starting his innovative new business, Harms acknowledged he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with his employer’s old iMac after saving it from a life spent in a landfill. After researching designs and ideas, a desire to craft an aquarium out of the dated rig was born. Harms ordered the lighting and filtration materials needed for the build, and in a matter of time, he was hard at work building a small army of iMac-themed aquariums.
“I made a few more for some friends, and the next thing I knew I was ordering materials in bulk and creating my own website to offer them for sale,” Harms told Digital Trends. “I get the old computers from individuals, schools, and electronic recyclers. They are usually broken beyond reasonable repair, so I save them from being thrown away and give them new life in homes and offices as aquariums and lamps.”
Harms turned to Apple’s third-generation iMac for the aquariums and the fourth-generation iMac for his lamps. With a bit of tinkering on the G4 iMac, he was able to successfully craft a working clock outfit with an LED light, powered USB port plug-in for an iPhone or iPod, and a classic pull chain. In terms of his clock designs, Harms points out that he’s taken bits and pieces from various computers — such as Apple’s eMac — to build aesthetically simple desk clocks.
“I spend a great deal of time polishing the cases to look as new as possible, so most of the compliments I get are customers who are pleasantly surprised at how good they look,” he said. “In the end, I hope my projects inspire people not only to recycle or reuse items to keep them from the trash, but also to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit — after all, I’m just a small-town guy doing worldwide business from the little shop in my basement, nothing else fancy about it.”
Perhaps the ultimate way to show off your Apple fandom, Harms’ custom iMac creations are a gorgeous addition to anyone’s home or office — eat your heart out, Bill Gates.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.