Home 2018

Kids may not balk so much at sunscreen applications if they can help roll it on themselves

NEWS – Kids don’t want to delay getting to the pool or the beach for a time-consuming application of sunscreen.  They don’t care how important it is; it’s just boring.  Maybe getting to help apply it with this Solar Buddies Roll-on Sunscreen Applicator will make the activity a little more fun for the kiddo, and his cooperation will make the application a little less difficult for you.

Fill the Solar Buddies applicator with your own sunscreen.  The shape is easy for little hands to grip, and the sponge and rollerball design gives a uniform coverage.  The kit is made of PET, polypropylene, and polyurethane.  The sponge should be replaced every 2-3 months.  It holds 100ml of sunscreen; very watery types of sunscreen aren’t recommended, as they can leak.  Of course, adult supervision is necessary to be sure your child is adequately covered.  The applicator isn’t recommended for children under 3.

The Solar Buddies Roll-on Sunscreen Applicator plus one replacement sponge head is $15.00 and additional replacement sponge heads are $7.95 for two at The Grommet.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: , ,

Kids may not balk so much at sunscreen applications if they can help roll it on themselves originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 24, 2018 at 8:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Online Switch Plus Fountain Pen review

REVIEW – I’ve seen many ballpoint pens with a built-in stylus, but the Online Switch Plus Fountain Pen from JetPens just might be the first fountain pen I’ve seen that has a built-in stylus. It’s like old world tech meets the tech of today with this pen. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Online Switch Plus Fountain Pen is a lightweight plastic bodied fountain pen that is available in 5 colors and with nibs sizes from extra fine to medium. I was sent the Petrol Blue fountain pen with a fine nib and a blue ink cartridge.

Pen specs

Converter Included: No
Eyedropper Convertible: No
Filling Mechanism: Cartridge – Standard International Short, Converter
Diameter – Grip: 10.4 mm
Diameter – Max: 14.9 mm
Length – Capped: 15.0 cm / 5.9 inches
Length – Posted: 16.7 cm / 6.6 inches
Length – Uncapped: 13.9 cm / 5.5 inches
Weight – Whole Pen (Empty): 0.67 oz / 19 grams

Design and features

The Online Switch pen has a modern look with the two-color body and snap-on cap with a chrome pocket clip. The main barrel of the pen has a soft rubber coated area for fountain pen use and two small knurled grippy areas when the pen is flipped over for stylus use.

There’s a window in the barrel so you’ll know when it’s time to replace the ink cartridge. I don’t know how effective that window really is though as I can’t see anything through the window and without a matching opening on the opposite side of the barrel, there’s no light to help you see through the ink cartridge to see the ink level.

I’m not a fountain pen expert but the nib of the Online Switch looks like a typical fountain pen nib to me. The nib is made of steel that has been painted a glossy black and has a split ink channel.


On the underside of the nib is the black plastic feeder channel. Note that the nib on the Online Switch fountain pen is a non-replaceable part.

On the opposite side of the pen’s barrel, you’ll find a capacitive stylus tip. The stylus tip is a wide rubber style tip that doesn’t lend itself well to precision writing or drawing, but it’s just fine for scrolling through pages, tapping onscreen buttons, and icons.

The Online Switch fountain pen uses ink cartridges like the one that you see in the image above. That’s the blue ink cartridge that comes pre-installed. Jetpens sells a large variety of replacement ink cartridges in many colors.

I mentioned earlier that I’m not a fountain pen expert. So I can only compare the feel to writing with this fountain pen to my favorite style regular pens that use the Pilot G2 refill. That said, the Online Switch fountain pen writing tip felt scratchy on all paper that I tried with it.

I think the main problem that I have with fountain pens is the fact that I’m left handed and find it hard to hold the pen so that the nib is at the optimal angle to the paper. There’s also the fact that when you write with your left hand, you push the pen’s tip across the paper instead of pulling it across the paper. When I tried using this pen in my right hand, the nib to paper feel was smoother. But still not as smooth as using a ballpoint pen.

What I like

  • Inexpensive
  • Built-in stylus

What needs to be improved

  • Nib can’t be replaced

Final thoughts

The Online Switch fountain pen is a nice looking fountain pen that has the extra feature of a built-in stylus tip at an affordable price. I have a feeling that this pen isn’t one that a fountain pen afficianado would choose, but for someone just starting out with fountain pens and who also likes to use a stylus with their mobile devices, the Online Switch is a fountain pen to consider.

Price: $21.50
Where to buy: Jetpens
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Jetpens.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Online Switch Plus Fountain Pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Firebox has a mult-tool for your kitchen

NEWS – I’ve seen many multi-tools, but I believe this might be the first one I’ve seen specifically for the kitchen.  The Firebox Kitchen Multi-Tool packs 12 tools into a 9.5″ x 4.3″ 2.8″ form.  The tools are made from high-quality stainless steel and include:

  • Grater
  • Stirring spoon
  • Carving fork
  • Channel knife
  • Serrated knife
  • Paring knife
  • Zester
  • Peeler
  • Garlic crusher
  • Cork screw
  • Can opener
  • Bottle opener

The handle splits apart so you can use two tools simultaneously.  (Or if you’re ambidextrous, Firebox says you can use a tool in each hand.)  Firebox calls it the ” ultimate millennial kitchen tool”.  I think it might work best in a tiny home, RV, or for hiking and camping.

The Firebox Kitchen Multi-Tool is $39.69, directly from Firebox.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

Firebox has a mult-tool for your kitchen originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 23, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion review

REVIEW – One of the great things about writing for the Gadgeteer is the number of fun and interesting products I have a chance to review. That being said it isn’t often that I get to review a product that is really unique. The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio cushion is one of those products. I was excited to be given the opportunity to test it out. Let’s see if my excitement was warranted.

What is it?

The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion is a binaural stereo cushion that makes you both hear and feel the sound from your favorite entertainment. The cushion is boosted by Flexound Augmented Audio technology that adds the sensation of touch to all audiovisual experiences. HUMU also uses near-field audio so you can listen to it without disturbing others around you.

What’s in the box?

  • HUMU sound cushion
  • Micro USB charging cable
  • Users manual

Design and features

With its removable vegan suede cover and wedge shape, HUMU has a modern look. Made up of 50% polyurethane and 50% nylon, vegan suede is artificial. Despite not being real suede it feels soft and comfortable against the skin.

I received the cushion in graphite, it’s also available in gray.

There are two zippers one on either side of the cushion that allow you to remove the cover. The zippers blend so seamlessly into the cushions design that it took me a while to find out how to access them.

The cover is easy to remove and put back on. You can spot clean it using a wet cloth or wash it by hand.

On the left side of the cushion, there’s a magnetic flap that lifts up to reveal the power button, charging port and indicator lights.

On the other side of the cushion, there’s a fabric carrying handle.

The cushion itself is pretty comfortable, although it does take a little breaking in. And it holds its shape well.

Battery & Charging

HUMU runs on a rechargeable Lithium battery. On a 3-hour charge, the battery can last up to 8-hours.  A provided 62-inch long Micro USB cable makes it easy to charge the cushion during use.

To charge the cushion plug the cable into the charging port located behind the magnetic flap. The indicator light glows orange while charging and turns off when fully charged.

Connection

HUMU uses Bluetooth 4.2 technology to connect to any Bluetooth enabled device. It can also be connected using a 3.5mm audio cable (not provided).

Bluetooth set up is easy as one, two, three. 1. Turn on HUMU. 2. Enable the Bluetooth function in your smart device. And 3. Select “Flexound Xperience” to pair.

I was able to easily connect it to my iPhone X, iPad Pro, and my 4K Apple TV.

Note: When using the cushion with a Bluetooth transmitter, my tv’s built-in Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio cable I was unable to control the volume level.

How it works

Unlike loudspeakers that vibrate sound into the air, Humu contains a single, proprietary Flexound Augmented Audio module with patented Elastic Vibrating Element (vibrating soundboards) to vibrate sound into an intelligent foam interior. This allows it to produce a wider range of frequencies (20 to 20,000 Hz) than most consumer loudspeakers or headphones. 

Performance

Movies, music, gaming, and relaxation all take on new life using HUMU.

Movies

During action movies, you feel every explosion, gunshot, and punch.

Horror movies are more immersive making them even more intense. I admit I even jumped a few times from the vibration of the cushion during scary scenes.

Even soundtracks seem to come to life.

HUMU’s like a mini home theater built into a cushion.

My experience using Humu to watch movies blew me away. So it’s not surprising that the technology will soon be available in movie theater seats.

If you’re a big fan of movies, you’ll love the 3D home theater experience that Humu provides.

Music

Listening to music provided a front row experience. I could feel the music as though I were actually sitting in the front row of a concert. Vocals, highs, and lows were all crisp and clear. The bass, especially from hip-hop tracks made the cushion rumble. HUMU creates a personal 3D stereo sound bubble that gives music a more spatial element, a wider soundstage if you will.

Why would you only listen to music if you can also feel it?

Gaming

I’m not much of a gamer but I tested a couple of games out on my Apple TV using HUMU. Like with movies and music it made gaming a more immersive experience.

Relaxation

I like to try to sneak a catnap into my daily routine whenever possible. Humu was a perfect excuse for me to take one of those naps. For testing purposes of course. Using my iPhone, I popped on a relaxing thunderstorm soundtrack. The experience was immersive, the rain felt like it was falling around me and I could feel a gentle vibration from the cushion with every roll of thunder. The sound was both resonate and soothing. To say it was relaxing would be an understatement, I was out like a light within 5 minutes. Humu took my relaxation to a whole other level.

What I like

  • Everything

What needs improvement

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

Was my excitement about HUMU warranted? You better believe it was. The Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion is one of those magical products that don’t come along very often. It provides a personal audio experience, unlike anything I have ever heard or felt before. And it immediately shot to the top of the list of my favorite products ever reviewed for the Gadgeteer. If you’re looking for a unique audio experience that you can actually FEEL, then you need to get your hands on a HUMU.

Price: $279.99
Where to buy: Indiegogo and Sharper Image
Source: The sample of this product was provided by HUMU.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

Flexound HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 23, 2018 at 11:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

CAMADE keeps your gaming mouse on a leash and that’s a good thing

NEWS – While a lot of us have moved away from using wired mice, gamers still prefer them for the speed advantages over their wireless counterparts. But one disadvantage to using a wired mouse is that pesky tail otherwise known as the cable. When you’re gaming, you don’t want to snag the cable on something on your desk and lose your momentum during an epic quest. One way to prevent this problem is a product like the ZOWIE CAMADE. The CAMADE is non-slip holder that sits on your desk and holds the mouse cable up and out of the way so that it does not tangle on other items while you’re slaying baddies. You can read more about the CAMADE on ZOWIE’s website and you can buy one for $30.45 from Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

CAMADE keeps your gaming mouse on a leash and that’s a good thing originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 23, 2018 at 10:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.