Home 2018 July

Cheap webcam privacy cover review

REVIEW – By now, everyone reading this post probably has a piece of opaque tape over the webcam on their laptop. We’ve seen the horror stories, TV shows, and news articles about cameras being hacked, as well as the famous picture of Mark Zuckerberg with tape over his laptop’s webcam. Now, rather than this ugly solution, there are these thin, sliding webcam shutters. I bought a random set on Amazon for under $10. It was listed as a 3 pack but actually came with 5 in the poly bag.

I installed one on my personal MacBook Pro (which has a black bezel), and can’t even see it unless I get the light just right. I know it’s there, though, because if I launch any app that accesses the camera, like FaceTime, the camera light turns on, but the image is totally black. A quick swipe of a finger and there is my smiling face. (Quick, slide it back!) I showed it to my Lovely Bride, and she wanted one for her MacBook Air. Since it has a silver metal bezel, it’s better to see, so that’s what’s in the picture.

If you’re concerned about your privacy, this doesn’t guarantee against hacking or surreptitious recording, but it does guard against images of your person or surroundings being recorded without your knowledge.

What I like

  • Quickly and easily closes off the webcam
  • Neat looking, no gummy tape

What needs to be improved

  • Doesn’t close off mic
  • Will slide open when in a bag
  • Not for phones or tablets, since it moves easily

Price: $7.35
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was purchased with my own funds.

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Cheap webcam privacy cover review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 28, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Cavalier Audio brings new beauty to the Amazon Alexa service

NEWS – I have several Amazon Echo devices around my home, and none of them are as beautiful as this new Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled Maverick speaker from Cavalier.  I mention the Echo devices because the Maverick also has Alexa voice control built right in.  These beautiful speakers are built of metal, leather, and wool fabrics for a sophisticated style that leaves most other Bluetooth speakers in their dust.

In addition to a pretty package, the Maverick speakers offer a full set of features.  Specifications include:

  • Built-in Amazon Alexa with Far-Field Voice Activation
  • 20W stereo speaker system with 2 active drivers paired with 2 passive radiators
  • Far-field microphones give users the ability to take calls without stopping the music and killing the vibe
  • Built-in rechargeable battery with up to 9 hours of playtime
  • WiFi for Alexa support and Streaming with Voice Control for TuneIn, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Pandora, SiriusXM, and Audible
  • Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Audio Streaming
  • Speakerphone with built-in echo noise cancellation
  • Spotify Connect Integration allows direct control of music playback via Spotify app
  • Cavalier Multi-Room Audio Support – multi-room audio support by linking several Mavericks together for a sound that feels like they are live in studio; set up a Cavalier speaker in additional rooms or in a right/left configuration in a single room for an immersive stereo sound experience
  • Cavalier Setup and Control App (for iOS and Android)
  • Programmable Smart Button changes default music controls to include playlist shortcuts for Spotify and iHeartRadio
  • Premium leather charging base for a true home setting with included custom stitched USB-C charging cable
  • Includes a canvas carrying case for on-the-road use and protection in style
  • Custom USB-C certified charging cable

Cavalier included a rechargeable battery inside, so Maverick can also be used as a portable speaker.  The speaker itself measures 2.96″ x 2.96″ x 8.79″; the base is 3.7″ x 3.7″ x 0.99″.  The Maverick Alexa-enabled speaker is $299.99 from Cavalier Audio.

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Cavalier Audio brings new beauty to the Amazon Alexa service originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 28, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Condor EMT Glove Pouch Review

REVIEW – I’ve got EMT training but nowadays, most “injuries” I see happen in my role as Assistant Scoutmaster. Not only do I teach First Aid Merit Badge, but injuries are commonplace with active boys! You always need personal protective gear nearby, so I got a chance to try out the Condor EMT Glove Pouch.

What is it?

The Condor EMT Glove Pouch hold about 3-4 pair of disposable gloves on your belt or other equipment via snap closures. A split elastic seam on the front permits easy access to gloves, like a tissue paper box.

Hardware specs

  • Overlapping elastic to secure gloves or quick access
  • Holds 3 to 4 pairs of gloves
  • Multiple carrying options

    • Molle
    • Belt
    • Carabiner
  • Import
  • 4″H x 3.5″W x .75″D
  • Olive Drab, Black, Tan, Coyote Brown

Design and features

Glove pouches are designed for easy access to disposable gloves. The gloves are accessed through the split elastic front. If you really want, you can unfasten the hook and loop closure on the top as well, but that’s an extra step. The rear of the pouch has a snap closure and MOLLE straps.

Setup

Here you can see I’ve threaded my Boy Scout uniform belt through the snap loops. I tucked the snaps under one of the MOLLE loops just to see if I could.

Performance

Here’s the glove pouch on the side of my Scout uniform. In this case, the color isn’t an exact match for my pants, but close enough.

What I like

That split elastic closure on the front face is really handy! It’s really like a tissue dispenser but for gloves.

What needs to be improved

The belt attachment is kind of gigantic at first unless you tuck in the excess into the MOLLE straps. Otherwise, you could probably attach this pouch to anything you can think of.

Final thoughts

If you’re tired of shoving gloves in your pants pocket, give your pockets a break and get a pouch.

Price: $8.95 MSRP
Where to buy: Condor Outdoor Products
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Condor.

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Condor EMT Glove Pouch Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 28, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack is another compact solution for all of your on-the-go charging and power needs


NEWS – I am hoping that by now, that those of you that have been following my quest for the most compact and convenient, feature-packed portable power stations, are as curious as I am about what is available on the market to fit my needs or the needs of anyone looking for such a solution.

Goal Zero is another company that offers the power station type of solutions, and the company does this with several devices of different, sizes, capacities and features. The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack is one of their most recent products. It is a portable power pack with a capacity of 25,600mAh or 94.7Wh, and it is powered by Lithium-Ion NMC cells. According to Goal Zero, “the Sherpa 100AC features an interactive OLED screen that displays power in/out alerts for individual ports, battery level, and gives the consumer the ability to customize their charging and recharging options”. They claim that it will power/charge a laptop twice, a tablet 4 times and a Smartphone 8 times. It includes a 100W AC port, 2 USB-C power delivery ports that offer 60W each, and its surface provides wireless charging. It can be recharged in 3 hours via the wall charger or 2.5 hours via USB-C PD. The power station weighs only 2 lbs, and the company provides all of the necessary charging cables including a lightning cable, micro USB, USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables.

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack will be available in September 2018 for $299.99. You will be able to purchase one at GoalZero.com, Amazon.com, or select retailers.

For more information and to learn more about portable power solutions, you can head over to the Goal Zero website.

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The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack is another compact solution for all of your on-the-go charging and power needs originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 28, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Ti Click Pen, Plexus Wheel+ back pain reliever, Peak Design Travel Line, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

NEWS – This week we are bringing you info about five different crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This week’s campaigns are for people who like wallets, pens, traveling, have back issues, and more.

Ti Click EDC : The Ultimate Refill Friendly Click Pen

What is it?

The Ti Click EDC is a titanium pen that’s been designed to accept 100+ ink refills without any hacks.

Why is it cool?

I love Big Idea Design’s pens and have reviewed several of them including the Ti Pocket Pro pen which I carry with me every day. It’s my favorite because there’s no cap to remove but I’ve always thought that the pen could be even better if it was a click pen and my dreams have been answered with their new Ti Click! This pen looks perfect and is designed to be the last pen you ever need to buy. Well at least until Big Idea Design comes out with another one that’s too cool to resist. Does this description sound like I’m a shill for them? If it does, I’m sorry, but I can’t help it because I really love their stuff.

Things to consider before pledging

Nothing should keep you from pledging for one of these pens. This is Big Idea Design’s 24th crowdfunding project and they’ve always delivered quality products.

Where can I find more info?

The Ti Click EDC campaign ends on 8/31/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $2,000. You can pre-order a Ti Click EDC pen starting at $70. After the Ti Click EDC campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

OraSaifu: First All In One Smart Wallet

blurb by Julian Perry

What is it?

OraSaifu: is an all-in-one hardware wallet that is designed to offer a high level of security for Credit Cards and Cryptocurrency.

Why is it cool?

It will offer unlimited storage of Cards including credit cards, membership card, etc, and Cryptocurrency, and protect your data with a bank-level security chip. It promises antitheft capabilities and easy recovery. Its built-in battery has 7 days of battery life per charge.

Where can I find more info?

The OraSaifu campaign ends around the middle of August 2018 and they have already achieved well over 100% of their funding goal of $20,000. You can pre-order starting at $169. After the campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Plexus Wheel+ | The World’s Simplest Back Pain Relief

What is it?

The Plexus Wheel is an easy to use back pain relief tool.

Why is it cool?

I like the Plexus Wheel because it doesn’t require a chiropractor appointment or a physical therapist appointment to use it. Just lay on the floor and roll it under your spine and ahhhhhhhhh. Seriously, this thing is pretty amazing. They sent me a pre-release version and I was impressed by how well it was made and how great the gentle (largest 12-inch wheel) made my tweaked lower back feel after using it just once. Now I’m seriously considering pledging for the other 2 sizes.

Where can I find more info?

The Plexus Wheel campaign ends on 8/25/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a Plexus Wheel starting at $29. After the Plexus Wheel campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Peak Design Travel Line: Versatile Travel Backpack + Packing Tools

What is it?

The Peak Design Travel Line is a carry-on backpack that has been designed for travel (duh!).

Why is it cool?

I have reviewed three different Peak Design products and carried their messenger bag every day for over a year, so I’m familiar enough with their bags to know that I will like the Peak Design Travel Line Backpack.

I like Peak Design bags because they have a ton of little features that take their bags to the next level for Gadgeteers like me, photographers and everyone else.

The best features of their new Travel Line is that their backpack expands to hold enough for the day or enough for a weekend. Add in their packing cubes for camera gear, tech gear, and clothes, and this system looks pretty much perfect for travelers who want to keep their gear neat, tidy, and always at hand.

Things to consider before pledging

Ouch, the backpack is $200+ so this isn’t a pack for the frugal buyers out there. But, it might be the last bag/travel system you’ll need to buy for many years to come, so there is that.

Where can I find more info?

The Peak Design Travel Line campaign ends on 9/20/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $500,000. You can pre-order a Peak Design Travel Line backpack starting at $235. After the Peak Design Travel Line campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

CORI ✈ The 1st Customisable Travel Pillow

What is it?

The CORI is a travel pillow that you can customize for your personal comfort.

Why is it cool?

If you travel alot on planes or trains, you probably get drowsy during the trip. Catching a few ZZZs is a great way to pass the time between destinations, but not if you get a kink in your neck from trying to sleep upright in a chair. That’s why this travel pillow looks good to me. It can be configured in many different ways to support your neck so that you can rest without pain.

Where can I find more info?

The CORI campaign ends on 9/8/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $7,339. You can pre-order a CORI starting at $31. After the CORI campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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Ti Click Pen, Plexus Wheel+ back pain reliever, Peak Design Travel Line, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 27, 2018 at 4:51 pm.

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