I never used to be a huge Apple fan. I was doing just fine with rinky-dink little flip phone and my larger than life mp3 player. I wasn’t interested in anything prefaced with the letter “i” or with the word “Mac” in it. Then one day everything changed. One a whim, I purchased an iPod and then before I knew it, I was standing in line for an iPhone on release day. Now, I haven’t broken down and purchased a MacBook or an iPad, but I think it’s only a matter of time before I fully commit to brand-name solidarity. I blame Justin Long.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my pocket-sized technological wonders. So much so that I’m using them 24/7, which inevitably leads to their downfall: usage time. This applies mostly to the iPhone – ever since iSO4, I can’t get a decent charge out of the thing. It’s ok though because I’ve learned how to adapt with the help of the Pebble Portable Charger (Firebox, $59.99). This portable charger carries enough juice in one charge to fully charge your iPhone four times. Unlike other portable chargers out there on the market, this thing isn’t a one-time use and it doesn’t run on a measly AA battery. Powered by USB, it comes with five charging connectors so you can charge virtually any of your portable electronics as long as you have the corresponding connector. And with a power indicator, you’ll know exactly how much electricity you’re carrying around with you. Did I mention this device is small enough to fit in your pocket?
I’m not getting an iPad, and you can’t make me! Steve Jobs, I’m talking to you.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3 3/4” x 2 3/4” x 3/4“
-Capacity: 5000mA
-Includes charger, USB cable, 5 charging connectors, soft pouch, and user manual
-Charging connectors: iPod/iPhone, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Mini & Micro USB devices
-Takes 5 hours to fully charge pebble charger
-Charges empty iPhone in just over an hour
-Charge status indicator: low/med/full
-Polymer Li-ion battery
I have a friend who is obsessed with Legos to the point of ridiculousness. What once started as a deep appreciation for all things Lego has migrated in a serious one-on-one relationship with Star Wars merchandise, but the Lego aspect of the obsession persists. Did you know that Lego makes a $500 Star Wars set? I do because he owns it. Lego recently released a limited edition collection of blindboxed minifigures, so I decided to buy a set for my friend. He loved them. I have a sneaking suspicion that if it’s Lego, he’s interested.
So imagine my delight when I came across the Wireless Building Block Mouse (Perpetual Kid, $29.99). Not only is it a fully functional wireless computer mouse, but it’s shaped just like a Lego block! I mean, this has got to be the coolest computer mouse I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s not a whole lot of creativity happening when it comes to a computer mouse – you’ve pretty much got one design out there. Both PC and Mac compatible, this mouse features both right and left click buttons as well as a scroll wheel.
Ok, so I think this mouse is the shit, I really do. But my Lego friend brought up a good point: how comfortable is it to use? Sure, if you’re spending a little down time surfing the web or writing a paper, I’d say go for it. For work? No, definitely not. Could you imagine wrapping your hand around this textured rectangle for the whole day? Not exactly the most enticing idea, now is it?
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 2.25″ x 1.25″
-Wireless mouse
-Features right and left click button as well as scroll wheel
-PC and Mac compatible
-Desktop and laptop compatible
-Optical 800 DPI
-Certified USB
-Available in red, blue, or white
-Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)
I’m a terrible packer. Either I try to get by with just a few things and end up forgetting all the essentials (try getting dressed without your pants) or I go in the complete opposite direction and basically scoop up everything in my closet before throwing it in a suitcase. That being said, I try to keep my carry-on items to a minimum, but anyone who travels knows that this is no easy task. After you pack a book, magazine, snack, iPod, headphones, crossword puzzle, Sudoku, Mad Libs, and DS, there’s really not that much room left (and yes, I do need all that to travel). And guess what? I haven’t even tried to pack my computer and everything else I need for work, which close to impossible after all that.
In the interest of being both space-saving and functional, the Portable Laptop Cooling Pad (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $23.95) is fantastic. When retracted, it has one fan showing and it looks like half of a cooling pad. But once you extend the pad by pulling out the other end, two more fans appear and you’ve got a big boy cooling pad. This creative design allows you all the cooling power of a regular pad without the added weight and bulky exterior. Like most cooling pads, this one is USB powered and features a small on/off switch on the side. All you have to do is pull the cooling pad open when in use and push to close when you wish it transport it. It’s as easy as that!
This thing is gonna be a godsend when it comes to airports. Just think about the last time you had to go through security and didn’t separate your laptop into its own container because it was wedged into your computer bag next to your oversized cooling pad. That wasn’t fun, now was it? Unless you like being taken into your own special room for some one on one questioning…
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 6″ x 8″ (retracted)
12″ x 9.5″ x 8″ (extended)
-3 built in fans
-Lightweight and portable
-USB powered
-On/off switch
-Cooling pad surface made of aluminum
My desk is a mess. Again. I seriously clean my desk off about once a week and for some reason, it always ends up covered in papers, pens, and other miscellaneous pieces of garbage. I once looked all over the office for my phone for about 20 minutes before I realized that it had been sitting on my desk the whole time, underneath a mountain of paperwork. True story. Now, I could make it my prerogative to be more organized, but that sounds like it takes work and I’m pretty lazy. There has to be a slacker way to handle this situation.
An easier, and more practical, way to clean up your desk lies within the Non-Slip Gadget Holder (ThinkGeek, $15.99). Not only does it hold your phone close, ensuring that you’ll never again lose it in a sea of papers and be forced to miss that important call from your mom, but it’s also a 4-port USB hub. That’s right, now you don’t have to deal with wires all over your desk and unplugged electronics scattered over your desk, fighting tooth and nail to get one of your computer’s USB slots. Instead, you can enjoy the luxury of plugging four of your beloved gadgets into one USB port. With a plug and play attitude that requires virtually no set-up, you’ll be able to actually see the surface of your desk in no time.
My desk is made of glass?! I had no idea!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 59mm x 102mm x 106mm
-Non slip pad holder with USB 2.0 4 port hub
-Includes holder with 4 port USB hub, mini USB cable, charger output cable, 6 mobile phone connectors, and user manual
-Fully compliant with USB 2.0 specifications
-Backwards compatible with USB 1.1
-Plug and play
-Full list of mobile phone connectors available on product page
-Supports Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OSX, and Linux
I love my electronics as much as the next person, perhaps even more so, but I’m not too keen on this little obsession. It gets to the point where if I can’t get online, use my cell phone, or listen to some music, I just freak out. I literally don’t know what to do with myself if I can’t use my favorite gadgets. So the problem becomes, what do you do when you’re out and about or on vacation, and you don’t have access to an electrical source? Or maybe you simply forgot to charge your technology of choice and you left the charger at home. What if your cell phone dies and you have no conceivable way of charging it? What are you supposed to do for the next couple of days when everyone is trying to reach you? Pop quiz hotshot: you’re backpacking through Europe and your iPod is about to die. What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?!
If you’re smart, you go out and get the HYmini Turbine Charger (NerdSeven, $49.95). Using a turbine, this gadget captures the energy produced by wind gusts at speeds from 9 to 40 mph and then uses this energy to power your electronics. You can use that energy immediately or access it later because it gets stored within the device’s built-in Lithium ion battery. All you have to do is connect your cell phone, camera, etc. to the charger using the included USB cable and you’re good to go. The set includes five device connectors as well as an AC/DC power adapter, so you can use it pretty much anywhere with virtually any portable electronic device.
I would love to use more green technology, but it’s so freaking expensive. I mean, at least this one is comparable to the cost of an actual camera or cell phone charger. Although, those are crazy overpriced too, so I’m not really sure what that means in respect to this one. But hey, at least this one will help you save on your electric bill, right?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.4″ x 3.4″ x 1.3″
-Includes HYmini, AC/DC power adapter, USB transfer cable, 5 device connectors, and operating instructions
-Eco friendly wind turbine generates electricity
-Powers up iPod, cell phone, and more
-Stores power using built in 1200mAh Lithium ion battery
-LED charging indicator lights
-Completely portable charging
-Lightweight
-Available in white, green, or black
