It might seem like I have a lot of gadgets, probably because I do. If you’re a technology addict like myself then you know that it doesn’t matter how many gadgets you have, it matters which ones you don’t. There are some electronics that I would love to own, but I’m not made of money (neither is my mother, just ask her) so I can’t afford to buy them. I’ve always wanted one of those bladeless fans. I don’t know why, it’s not like a bladed fan doesn’t do the trick. I just want one. But I can’t justify spending a couple hundred dollars on a fan when I could use it for things like food and electricity.
If your technological aspirations far outweigh your monetary value, sometimes you have to compromise. The USB Bladeless Cooling Fan (SkyMall, $19.99) utilizes the same awesome science as those big bladeless fans except it’s a fraction of the price. Oh, and also smaller. But other than that, the two are pretty much the same. Bladelessness still means ultra-quiet and easy to clean, not to mention incredibly safe for youngsters and klutzes alike. As an added bonus, this fan consumes half the energy of a conventional fan so you’re once again single-handedly saving the planet.
It’s almost like you’re part of the Avengers. Almost.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6.8″ x 5.1″ x 10.7″
-Portable electric bladeless desk fan
-USB cable included
-Smooth air
-Quiet
-Easy to clean
-Energy saving
Why does it seem like there are never enough outlets? Is it an actual problem with the home’s construction or is it our overreliance on technology? Either way, it’s definitely a problem in my house (and I bet yours too). I’m constantly having to unplug one charger just to plug in another, which basically means I can never find my phone charger when I need it.
The Plug Out Plug Organizers (Perpetual Kid, $7.49) are here to rescue your many cords from obscurity! The silicone plug organizer attaches to the wall via stain-free adhesive and serve to keep your plugs handy even when they’re not in use. Each set comes with two plug organizers so it’s up to you to choose where your problem plug areas are. Even if you don’t suffer from technological dependence (liar), you can still use these organizers to keep track of the electronics you unplug when they’re not in use to save money/energy.
I’m considering fully converting to Apple products, if only for the simplicity of one cord to charge them all.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 0.75″
-Store plugs near outlet when not in use
-Set of 2 plug organizers
-Stain free adhesive
-Choose from black/white or orange/green
-Made of silicone
Sometimes I wish we could all go back to using those first cell phones. You know, the ones you used to actually make phone calls instead of check your email, play games, and watch videos. It was so much simpler then; if you wanted to make a call, you made a call. People weren’t ignoring the person sitting next to them whilst playing that every same person in a game of Words With Friends. Furthermore, we had phones that actually worked. Half the time when I try to make a call now, my phone freezes or cut me off mid-sentence.
I know, I don’t have to have a smartphone – I could just use the most basic phone out there. Except I can’t because I’m totally spoiled now. So I’m pretty much stuck in my predicament, but at least the Retro Wireless Handset (Perpetual Kid, $39.99) lets me feel like I’m using an actual phone instead of some touchscreen wonder. It looks and feels just like a retro handset, but it functions like a Bluetooth accessory. This handset features a rechargeable battery that provides up to six hours of talk time as well as up to 75 hours of standby time. That’s all well and good, but the real draw here is that the handset is wireless with a 30 foot range so you chat with ease. Oh, and did I mention that it’s almost compatible with Internet applications like Skype and Google Talk?
Sure, you don’t *need* it, but don’t you *want* it?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes handset and charging cable
-2.4GHz wireless technology
-6 hours of talk time
-75 hours of standby
-30 ft talk range
-Rechargeable battery
-Compatible with Internet applications
Fire safety is no joke. The best method to keep you and your loved ones safe is prevention. Making sure your house has the necessary safety measures in place, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, is pretty easy to do. I mean, WWStBD (What Would Smokey the Bear Do)?
If you’re going to invest in a safety precaution, why not at least make it enjoyable a la the Chick-a-Dee Smoke Detector (Generate Design, $79.00)? You could go for a boring old smoke detector, but this one is both functional and cute (another two-fer!). This bird-shaped gadget acts just like a standard smoke detector in that it will emit a sustained 85 decibel sound when smoke it detected. However, it differs in that it also replicates a chick-a-dee-dee call when a threat is first detected, making it a lot more pleasant during those all too often false alarms due to intense cooking experiments. With the bird perched on a branch, you can either mount the bird directly to the ceiling or use the branch itself as a mounting system for a more authentic look.
Also known as the Rockin’ Robin’s cousin.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7″ x 7″ x 4.75″
-Creative smoke detector
-Bird call at first sign of threat
-Sustained 85 decibel sound at smoke detection
-Control light flashes once a minute
-Battery included (1.5 year lifetime)
-Available in white and white/black
-3 year warranty
As technology advances and our gadget addiction increases, we start to carry around a lot more stuff day to day. It used to be that you only needed your keys and wallet before you left the house – nowadays you’d be lucky to get out of the house without your pockets dragging along the ground because of all the stuff you’ve shoved in there. You think it’s just cell phones that we can’t live without? Now it’s e-readers, smart tablets, and portable gaming systems. And it’s only gonna get worse.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with our technology dependence (well, maybe a little), but we have to smart about it. There’s no way we can constantly cart around all this stuff, which is why the two-fer is the greatest investment since sliced bread. The Makeup Mirror Phone Attachment (Taylor Gifts, $19.98) may not be groundbreaking, but it’ll certainly lighten your load. For the ladies, it’s a mirror attachment to touch-up your makeup (fellas, it wouldn’t hurt you to look in a mirror once in awhile either). When you’re not using the mirror it doubles as a kickstand, making it easy to watch your favorite videos or take self-portraits.
They say the stuff you own ends up owning you. If that’s true, I have a lot of owners.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 1″ x 7″
-Kickstand and mirror
-Attaches to smart phones
-Made of plastic
