Happy 2008! Somebody tell me where 2007 went!!
I was surprised at the number of calls/e-mails I got about the list I did for Christmas…almost everyone had some they thought I should add, but of course, I explained I couldn’t do that as my next column would be in January ’08. Guess what…I got some pretty logical advice from 2 ladies who know what they are talking about. They are champion shoppers…at least one is as I get to see the bills. {:-) So, what was that sage advice? I quote: “ How many people do you see in line at the various places you shop, waiting for an exchange or refund starting the 2nd of January?” I of course mumbled a bit, but the message was clear…do another list so people will get ideas about what to exchange theirs for or buy another one with their refund. So, with that in mind and a tip of the hat to Matt Shumate, here is my exchange/refund list of nifty goodies for your consideration:
Open It!: The ultimate Wrap Rage Cure. Matt sent me one of these and I can tell you that everyone needs one. I have had many frustrating cases of not being able to get into some of those packages, not to mention trying to open the battery compartments on lots of things and not knowing where a small screwdriver with both types is?
The Open It is the only tool that has everything you need to open any package. Groups of women known as “Designing Women” with the Zibra Company, suffering from frustration of opening plastic packaging (Wrap Rage), took action and developed a cure. The Open It combines a cutting tool, dual-head screwdriver and retractable cutting blade in one safe and easy to use tool. The Open It easily opens clamshells, toy packaging, boxes, CDs, DVDs, battery compartments and more. $10.99 www.enjoyzibra.com/openit/
mStation Tower: Seems like everyone has an iPod and is looking for more enhancements. That’s obviously the reason for this listing and a few others further on.
Rock out with this powerful speaker docking system. Made from extruded aluminum, this floor standing "Made for iPod" docking station/speaker system packs a powerful 100 Watts of room filling stereo sound with a pulse pounding bass that only a 5.25" dedicated subwoofer can produce. Every Tower includes a 10 key remote that allows you to navigate within playlists, as well as adjust the Volume ±, Bass & Treble from a distance. The mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower is the perfect addition to any Home, Office, or Dorm Room. It is available in silver as shown. The tower is available at RCS Experience, J&R, B&H and Compusa and sells for $299.95 http://www.mstation.com/
i1155: 8.5” Portable Multimedia Player for your iPod and DVDs -
Just the right touch for watching videos and more. When you’re on the move, you shouldn’t have to strain your eyes to watch a video on a small screen. This portable multimedia DVD player for your iPod is easy on the eyes, both with its slim and attractive design and with its 8.5” widescreen playback. Watch your favorite video files in several media formats in addition to your iPod and DVD. Charging as it plays, your iPod sits securely into an integrated dock on the front of the player and can be controlled easily with the simple touch of your finger. Through video output, you can even watch videos or view pictures on a TV screen. It’s also compatible with various DVD functions like multiple subtitles and angles, fast motion, and zoom. For portability, design, and ease-of-use, there is only one choice and this is it.
* Made for iPod classic 80GB/160GB, iPod nano 3rd Generation & iPod with video (30GB, 60GB, 80GB) only. It only charges iPod through the integrated dock. MSRP: $249.99 http://www.i-luv.com/iluv/index.php?cPath=72
USB Beverage Chiller: I actually gave one of these away last month because it worked too well. My wife determined I was spending too much time in front of the PC as I didn’t have to get up and replenish my ice cubes!
CoolIT Systems has applied its patented MTEC liquid cooling computer technology to this year's hottest must-have holiday gadget. Simply plug the Beverage Chiller into any USB port, set your drink of choice on the cold plate, and enjoy your beverage at a refreshing cool temperature. At $24.99 this PC accessory is perfect for any friend or family member. www.coolitsystems.com
mStation mophie juice pack™: Sounds a bit pricey, but I suppose if you are in fact a fanatic…it’s worth the bucks.
The juice pack battery extender gives iPhone fanatics extra time to talk, rock, surf, and send. The juice pack™ houses a rechargeable lithium polymer battery within an ergonomic, comfort-grip case with a soft-touch, non-slip finish. The added “juice” gives consumers up to an additional 8 hours of talk time, 250 hours of standby time, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback, and 24 hours of audio playback. The juice pack™ also integrates a 4 LED charge status indicator and a pass-through dock connector making it incredibly simple to recharge and monitor your iPhone’s juice. MSRP of $99.95 http://www.mophie.com/
mStation Orb: What can I say, except I agree: it’s definitely funky!
The Orb boasts superior sound in a funky iPod docking station. This sleek and stylish "Made for iPod" desktop docking station/ speaker system packs a powerful sound that only a dedicated subwoofer can produce. The Orb comes with a handy 10 key remote that allows you to adjust the bass and treble.
There is no wonder why the Orb was voted “Best New Product” at Retail Vision. It has a dedicated subwoofer, Syncs with iTunes, and 30 watts of superior power. The Orb has an award-winning design and looks exactly as the name would suggest. It comes in five vibrant colors and sells for $129.95. It is available in blue, red, pink, green, silver, black and white. Available at RCS Experience, J&R, B&H and CompUSA. . http://www.mstation.com/
Überclok I’m not a gamer so I can’t say much about this one. It offers gamers what they’ve been demanding for years. High-speed computing at an affordable price. Überclok harnesses the power of overclocking to achieve phenomenal computing performance comparable to high end systems from major computer manufacturers for a fraction of the price. Starting from $1500. http://www.uberclok.com/
Boynq Alibi: This fashionable multifunctional computer speaker and web cam connects you to the new era of visual internet communication!
FYI, I have a speaker only version of this one and it is super! The Alibi's speaker system features the next generation of Audio Lens Technology surround sound. Speak to your friends and family all across the world through the Alibi webcam with integrated microphone, your ultimate communication desktop buddy. The Alibi is available in orange, aqua blue, lime green, and lavender. MSRP - $79.99, Available at Amazon.com and Target.com. http://www.boynq.com/
Vuzix iWear® AV920: This one is on my list of stuff to see/try while I am at the Consumer Electronics show starting the
7th of January in Las Vegas. The AV920 from Vuzix features our best mobile experience yet; a wearable virtual 62" big screen compatible with almost any audio/video device. Ditch your small screen and watch your movies with portable DVD players or personal media players in beautiful, crystal clear high resolution 2D and 3D. The AV920 also works with your video iPod! A small built in lithium ion battery allows for 5 hours of continuous use, and the iWear's lightweight and ergonomic design ensures long use in perfect comfort. The AV920 offers the ultimate big screen experience on the go with 62” of perceived viewing space and 24-bit True color. 5 hours of battery-life and weights only 3 oz. $349.95. www.vuzix.com
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iLuv i222 Bluetooth Back Phone Headset: So far, I haven’t been tempted to do much with my cell-phone except make and receive an occasional call. My phone does have Bluetooth capability so perhaps I’ll give it a try.
The new i222 Bluetooth enabled headset features incoming and outgoing call capabilities without taking your mobile phone out, this headset is a must have. Audio devices without Bluetooth wireless technology can also connect to i222 using the included wireless audio transmitter and the integrated remote makes function and volume control easy. MSRP: $149.99 http://www.i-luv.com/
The iMep: This one looks really nifty.
Perfect for the holidays, this ultimate mobile entertainment player by 3P Electronics will be on any media lover’s wish list. The iMep is designed for the consumer that has a multitude of portable media formats, which makes it a perfect addition to any home, office, dorm room, vacation home or camp ground. The i-Mep is equipped with all the essentials:
• 7” LCD screen
• iPod dock (videos & pictures displayed on LCD Screen)
• CD/DVD player
• TV tuner
• Memory card slot
• USB flash drive slot
• AM/FM radio.
• Two 10W 3” speakers
• Light Absorbing Technology™ to reduce the glare encountered when used outdoors
• Powered by and AC adapter, DC car charger or eight “D” cell alkaline batteries
• AV RCA input | AV RCA output | two digital outputs (coaxial and optical)
The iMep is outfitted with everything a user needs to make this their all-in-one portable multimedia player. The iMep retails at $299 and can be found at www.i-mep.com.
Piano Wizard: Looks like a solution to getting the kids to practice their piano! A PC & Mac based video game that teaches anyone how to play piano in minutes. The game uses a proprietary computer game engine along with a color-coded piano keyboard (bundled with the software) allowing the user to simply hit the correct note at the correct time.
The software is compatible with electronic music files, allowing users to import their favorite song and play along with a completely new music game. $79 - $199 http://www.pianowizard.com/
iPhone Accessories by XtremeMac: Need some stocking stuffers for an iPhone owner, XtremeMac has you covered with its line of cases and a car charge to help accessorize the hottest gadget of the year. The cases range from $19.95 to $29.95, and the InCharge Auto is priced at $19.95. www.xtrememac.com
I Can Play Guitar: Probably more fun than the piano. {:-) Mattel’s break-through video game that teaches people of all ages to play guitar using Allegro Multimedia’s Guitar Wizard Method. The Guitar Wizard Method is inherently different from other music-teaching approaches, introducing the actual playing of music through an amazingly simple interactive video game. This innovative technology allows virtually anyone to play songs within minutes and transforms the tedious and traditional methods of guitar practice into an exciting video game. The Guitar Wizard method can make a child’s first musical experience fun and successful instead of painful. I Can Play™ Guitar is available at $119.99 www.pianowizard.com/i-can-play-guitar/
Mophie Bevy: I guess if you have knots, you need one of these! The Bevy is the first product brought to life by the Illuminator project. Made of a sleek crystal-clear polycarbonate with a stainless steel insert, the Bevy is designed to add multiple functions to the Shuffle. It avoids those dreaded headphone dangle knots with grooves to wrap your headphones, acts as a key chain, and most importantly will open a bottle of your favorite beverage. Representing a remarkable combination of function for the thirsty music lover, the Bevy is available in five colors and retails for $15.00. The Bevy is now shipping to retailers worldwide, including Apple retail stores. http://www.mophie.com/
SmartShopper: I need one of these. My scribbled lists on shopping day are a challenge to decipher!
This gadget is an automated grocery/errand list assistant that uses Nuance's state-of-the-art voice recognition technology.
The user simply presses the center button on the unit and speaks the name of a grocery item or errand ( i.e Dry Cleaning, apples, cereal, etc.) that needs to be picked up or done on their next visit to the store. The device even categorizes the items on the list for quick reference in the grocery store and designates quantities needed next to each item. Once the user is ready to head out to do the days shopping, all they have to do is press print and the entire list is printed out!! $149.99 For more information, visit http://www.smartshopperusa.com/
Solio from Better Energy Systems: Neat idea for folks with all those gadgets. Plug into the Sun and never get stuck again without power! Solio, a palm sized device, can be charged by solar energy or main electricity to power any hand held device at home, at work or on the move. With Solio you can replace all of your mobile device charges with the Solio – just change the adaptor tip. Solio also consolidates all of your mobile device charges into one sleek, environmentally conscious gadget. Stores power for up to one year. Solio is available now in black, white, silver and very pink at $99.95 www.solio.com
Swann Digital Private Eye: If you need pics of everyone that shows up at your front door…here yah go!
Swann’s latest DIY surveillance system that automatically records images onto an SD Memory Card upon detecting motion.The Digital Private Eye has a color still camera that captures and records images directly to an SD Memory Card with the option of using either a 9V rechargeable battery or AC power via a plug-in cable. If fitted with a 1GB SD Memory Card, the Swann Digital Private Eye can record up to 30,000 images, which can be viewed by simply connecting the unit via a USB cable or by plugging the SD Memory Card into a PC or other viewing device. The Digital Private Eye looks like a real alarm PIR (passive infra-red), it’s almost impossible to tell the difference. $199
http://www.swannsecurity.com/
That does it for now…next time I hope to tell you about some really cutting edge consumer electronic gear I get to see at the huge Consumer Electronics Show; in the meantime, be careful out there while you enjoy all the fun stuff.
Aloha, Lou
