Gadgets

Roll Up Travel Charger

Roll Up Travel Charger

I don't find myself carting around many chargers these days as most of my needs are met by a single device but if you do this portable charger will reduce the number of chargers you have to carry to just one. I've been eyeing small portable external battery solutions for those times when I'm using my phones camera a bit more than usual. The Roll-Up Travel Charger can charge up to four devices at a time, and is compatible with most phones and portable devices. I think everyone appreciates a reduction in cable clutter. Looks good.

Roll Up Travel Charger

Galaxy Nexus: "battery life predictably takes a hit"

Tim Stevens for Engadget:

And then there's the battery life. It's well known that LTE can put a real hurting on phone longevity and that appears to be the case here as well, our Nexus struggling to hold on to a charge in day-to-day use with all antennas firing. We've as of yet had very limited time with the thing, but in our 24 hours of intensive testing we had to reach for the charger multiple times. Using Google Navigation with LTE enabled? The battery drained so fast our in-car charger couldn't keep up, leaving us unsure of which exit to take off the 101.

So, if you can refrain from drinking from that sweet, sweet fountain of 4G, this is actually a respectably long-lived phone.

I always find how these drawbacks are discounted by many gadget enthusiasts rather curious and far from my ideal. Whats the point of having a mobile device if you are tethered to a power outlet? And what's the point of having a device with all these features if you can't use them?

My last Nokia was in some ways far more feature rich than my current device; mobile web server, internet radio, IM, FM transmitter etc. etc., but when you start using these features you can visibly watch the power bar decrease in length. And then you try replacing the battery without breaking off the cheap plastic back.

Spec lists are dead, what matters is not the acronyms, it's the intangibles, the way you feel when using the device and it's intuitive interaction. This is why I keep a tiny Panasonic mobile phone* for travel and emergencies, and why the iPhone's camera app drives me to distraction.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus review

*A single use device, the Panasonic has no real software experience. It's simply a brightly coloured dumb phone which is impossible to miss at the bottom of a backpack and the battery lasts a week. Perfect for pay-as-you-go plans that are prevalent in different countries in Asia.

Wacom Inkling

Wacom's Inkling bridges the gap between traditional, freehand sketching and digital development by capturing a digital likeness of a pen-on-paper sketch. I've been waiting for a product like this for a long time. Many many possibilities. But there is a big caveat - it thus far seems you are limited to their ink refills and well ... ink. I seldom use ink.

Though reported for a mid November release it hasn't yet appeared on Amazon.

Wacom Inkling

Hocoa Play Mouse

Hocoa Play Mouse

Hocoa's beautiful mouse is made from renewable resources by craftsmen in Japan. I'm drawn to the this mouse far more than any of Apple's offerings (especially the atrocious 'Apple Mouse'). Compatible with any PC.

Solar Window Charger

Solar Window Charger

The XD Design solar window charger, with big USB and small USB output, is easily attached to a window. The outside of the charger catches sunlight, while the smooth designed inside spices up your interior and charges your electronic equipment.

Contains a 1400mAh rechargeable lithium battery and a mini usb cable.

I'm trying to think of a use case for this attractive device but I'm coming up empty. I realize power outlets are often in short supply but aren't free windowed sunny spaces also? I just wish they would make better batteries.

Fuuvi Pick USB Mini Digital Camera

Fuuvi Pick USB Mini Digital Camera

A fun spycam sized digital toy. The Fuuvi Pick is a 2 megapixel colourful digital camera that shoots both still images and movies, and recharges directly through your computers usb port. The images are recorded to a MicroSD card (not included).

A key chain would make this diminutive retro styled digital camera almost perfect. Alas, Windows only.

Fuuvi Pick

Perpetual Calendar

Perpetual Calendar

Someone really needs to copy this clock's face and make an app; I love the slight imperfections. There can never be enough clock apps. for the iPad or iPhone.

... 1970's perpetual calendar from Arlac Dati Germany. Lovely deep olive green colour with black plastic rollers. There are four black rollers to change the date. In good condition for it's age, a few little surface scratches but nothing to spoil this gorgeous vintage piece.

Beautiful.

LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0

LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0

This collaboration between Philippe Starck and LaCie would make a perfect compliment to your newly purchased MacBook Air. It's sleek, attractive and with 2mm of aluminum casing it's protective. Unfortunately you will have to wait to take advantage of it's faster USB 3 transfer speeds as it requires the use of an express-card slot of which only the MacBook Pros come equipped.

The 3c markets here are awash with various small portable hard drive cases but with my current fail rate from purchases at around 50% I've come to appreciate the quality of LaCie.

LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0

iStand for iPhone and iPod

iStand iPhone stand

The iStand by Idea International is a stand for the iPhone and iPod that attaches to the back of your device via suction. It's interesting design allows for both handsfree viewing of movies and slideshows, and as an alternative means of holding your device with one hand. Neat idea. Also useful for adding a bit of depth to these tiny devices and reducing the possibility of hand strain from entering large amounts of data. Different color options are available too.

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Pig speaker

Pig speaker

Very cute. A fun way to listen to your favourite podcast. You plug your iPod into this ceramic pigs tail and you are good to go. It's available in black, white and gold -- I like the white.

Pig speaker. Via BLTD.

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