Home 2018 May

Never have to dig around inside a dark bag again

It doesn’t matter what kind of bag you carry – backpack, messenger, handbag – finding stuff in the bottom of the bag is difficult.  Many bags are lined with dark fabrics, which makes it even harder to find what you’re looking for in the dark bag interior.  SOI makes a smart bag light that means you’ll never blindly dig around inside your bag again.  Best of all, the light senses when your hand enters the bag and turns on automatically – so you won’t have to hunt for the light itself.  There are two versions of the SOI Handbag Light.  One is just the smart light, and the other has added a powerbank for charging your gear.

The Handbag Light is made with a white polycarbonate shell and is powered by AAA alkaline batteries.  It has special proximity sensors that can tell when your hand is close and will light up in response for approximately 8 seconds.  High-quality LEDs and optimised control circuit programming mean enhanced battery life and better lighting power.  And even though the name includes “Handbag”, you shouldn’t let that scare you off.  All bags are dark inside and could benefit from a bit of light.  The Handbag Light is  $29.95.

The SOI Smart Handbag Light + Charger has all the features of the Handbag Light, but it replaces the AAA batteries with an integrated rechargeable 2000 mAh battery to power the light and to recharge mobile devices.  It’s $34.95.

The SOI Handbag Light and the SOI Smart Light + Charger are both available at The Grommet.

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Never have to dig around inside a dark bag again originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

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Catit Flower Fountain – a water fountain for your cat

After watering your plants, don’t forget to water your cat with the Catit Flower Fountain! This 3L fountain offers three different flow settings and a triple flow filter which filters the water three times to remove “magnesium and calcium from tap water. These minerals can accumulate in your pet’s lower urinary tract and lead to urinary tract diseases”. The replaceable filter lasts about 30 days. You can also easily install or remove the fountain’s flower. Adding the flower allows your cat to drink and play with the water, just in case you have one of those cats that like to play with water. This awesome cat fountain is available from Amazon for $29.99.

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Catit Flower Fountain – a water fountain for your cat originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

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TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with Fast Wireless Charger review

I am always looking to provide as much function on my work desk as possible, but I hate giving up too much real estate to do so. When I received this lamp as a sample to test, I was very excited because of its possible ability to replace a couple of devices on my desk,  and to still provide the same function. Without much delay, I ripped open the box and got started.

What is it?

TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with Fast Wireless Charger is an adjustable desk lamp that flexible both in form and in light intensity. It also allows you to wirelessly charge your QI-enabled smartphone.

What’s in the box

Included in the box with the TatTronics desk lamp are an AC wall adapter, an instruction manual, and a warranty registration card with an imprinted QR code.

Design and features

The desk lamp is well built and looks very nice with a white and silver color combination. The base of the lamp has a circular pad for QI wireless charging, an on and off touch button,  a light intensity touch surface, and a light shade touch button. This lamp is very bright at it highest setting, and at every intensity level, it provides a good spread of light.

On the back of the lamp just below the first flexible elbow, there is a USB port that allows you to charge devices via a USB cable. On the side of the base of the lamp is the jack to plug in the AC adapter.

There is a second elbow further up the lamp that allows for additional flexibility and positioning of the light so that you can direct the beam where you need it.

The base of the lamp also has a built-in elbow that allows the bottom half of the lamp the flexibility to be positioned for optimal use as well, and the lamp also swivels on the base.


The semi-circular touchpad that is positioned on the front of the surface of the base of the lamp controls the brightness/intensity of the light. Swiping from left to right increases the intensity, and from right to left decreases the intensity.



Once the lamp is plugged in via the AC adapter, the QI wireless charging function works simply by placing the phone on the charging pad. (Note the green charging indicator on the upper right-hand corner of the phone in the picture on the right below)

What I like

I really like just about everything about this lamp from its sleek look to its build quality, to its features. I especially like the simple QI wireless charging feature that actually works as well as it is supposed to, and the ability to vary the shades of white of the light, and the intensity, make it versatile and perfect for many applications.

What can be improved

The three things that can be improved on this lamp are:
– A heavier weighted base
– A longer AC adapter cord
– More USB ports

Final thoughts

This TaoTronics LED desk lamp with QI wireless charging is a well thought out design, and it does a great job of providing multi-function in one sleek, streamlined, and attractive package. Assuming that the build quality will withstand the test of time, and the occasional bumps and bruises, it will have a place in my home for a long time. It is definitely a worthwhile purchase.

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by TaoTronics

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TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with Fast Wireless Charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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1More goes Quad by adding 1 more to their Triple Driver earphone

I’ve reviewed my share of earphones with dynamic and armature speakers as well as a combination of both technologies, known as hybrids. What’s interesting is that hybrids are becoming more and more popular, especially within the last year or so. The thinking is that hybrid earphones offer the best of both worlds—the warm bass of dynamic matched with the clarity of armature speakers. Some hybrid earphones I’ve reviewed are more successful with this approach than others. 1more has been working in this audio marriage business for a few years and has released a new 4-Driver model—the 1More Quad Driver earphones.

The Quad Driver earphones are an extension of 1More’s current Triple Driver earphones that they’ve become known for (not to mention their Triple driver over-ear headphones!). Having four drivers is the equivalent of having four speakers in each ear dedicated to highs, mids, and deep bass. 

Each earphone’s THX certified sound chamber contains a carbon dynamic driver plus 3 balanced armatures and has tungsten textured accents that are designed for premium comfort and sonic spaciousness while also helping to eliminate ear fatigue.

45° oblique angled ear fittings should match anyone’s ear canals for a secure fit, noise isolation, and enhanced sound stage. The Quad Driver earphones are tuned by Grammy winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi.

For controls, a built-in chip automatically identifies which smartphone, tablet, or computer’s operating system is being used making it easier to make phone calls, control volume, and adjust tracks. A MEMS microphone is used to deliver exceptional talk quality.

The 1More Quad Driver earphones sell for $199.99 US and come with a gift box, leather traveling case, 9 ear tip sizes, ¼” and airline adaptors and a matching shirt clip. Visit 1More for more information.

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1More goes Quad by adding 1 more to their Triple Driver earphone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Powercard Slim Power Bank review

It doesn’t matter how long your phone battery lasts, sooner or later you’ll be low on battery power. When that happens, your choices are limited: Stop using your phone, plug it in, or use a battery power bank to charge it. The Xoopar Powercard Slim Power Bank makes that last choice an easy one.

What is it?

The Xoopar Powercard Slim Power Bank is an incredibly thin 1300mAh powerbank for charging your phone. At only 0.22 inch thick, it’s thinner than a standard USB plug! Having the same dimensions as a credit card, you could literally put it in your wallet.



Hardware specs

Battery Capacity 1300mAh rechargeable
Battery Type Grade A Li-polymer
Case Brushed aluminum
Input 5V/1A
Output 5V/1A
Charge Time

What’s in the package?

  • Powercard Slim Power Bank
  • Carry pouch
  • Charging cable
  • User Manual
  • Warranty card



Design and features

The Powercard Slim Power Bank is the size of credit card, and about as thick as 5 credit cards.

If you’re constantly needing a recharge on your phone, this probably isn’t the device you’ll want to use on a regular basis. However, if you want to have a battery around just in case you need to top off your phone battery or make an emergency call, then this is the device to stash somewhere.

I use these types of batteries often, and one thing that has always been a determining factor for me is their size. Often they’re thick and just take up too much room in your pocket or bag. I can put this in my cargo pants pocket along with my wallet and I can’t even tell the difference in weight.

Just how much charge it will provide your phone will vary greatly on both the size of your phone and what your phone is doing, but it should charge it 1/2 to 3/4’s of a full charge for a smartphone.

To use the Powercard Slim Power Bank you simply push the USB port cover back slightly, this will raise the slot slightly, plug in your charging cable and you’re good to go.

The LED indicates the charge left: Green color – Full charge. Blue color – Half charge; Red color – you are at 25% or less.



What I like

  • Extremely convenient size
  • LED Status light

What needs to be improved

  • User manual LED indicator descriptions vary from website description.
  • LED’s blink while charging, but you have no idea how full it is while it’s charging.

Final thoughts

I was really impressed by this little battery! It was even thinner than I thought it would be, and I’ll be taking it with me quite often.

Price: $24.99
Where to buy: LaFab US
Source: The sample of this product was provided by LaFab US

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Powercard Slim Power Bank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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