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BenQ monitor, soundbars, headsets, yak wool shirts, and more – Weekly roundup

It’s time to take a break out of your weekend and check in with The Gadgeteer. Here’s a list of all our posts from the past week. I’m sure there’s something that you missed, so take a look and enjoy!

Articles

Julie’s gadget diary – I’m still MacBook-less

Reviews

iFrogz Cocoon earbud charging case review

Logitech Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mice and PowerPlay review

The Marshinator rice cereal treats review

Nomad Battery Cable review

ZAGG InvisibleShield glass+360 screen protector review

Kwilt Shoebox Mini smartphone backup adapter review

Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 Sound Bar review

IOGear Quantum Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station Pro 85 review

Leitner LH270 Wireless Office Headset review

BenQ EX3501R Curved Monitor review

Air Vinyl Design Leather AirPod case review

Kora Shola 230 Zip yak wool shirt review

Black+Blum Eau Good Duo water bottle review

Sbode Bluetooth speaker review

News

PainCakes stick to what ails you

Make traveling with your cat stress-free with the Necoichi cat cage

The Synca Wellness massage chair will relieve your tension in style

These mosquito repellers conjure an anti-bug force field

The Allyn Tote from Dagne Dover is an elegant daily-carry bag

The Ring Alarm Home Security System may be the new standard for smart security and yet cheaper

Headphones, charging docks, pens, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

Never search for the end of the roll of tape again

Armpit-free crutches take the pain out of walking when you’re injured

Skeeter Screen Yard Sticks will rid your backyard celebrations of mosquitos

Prime Day is coming but you save $100 on an Amazon Echo Show now!

These are the sneakers you’re looking for

Stop using disposable plasticware with this cutlery set

The ZAGG Messenger Folio adds functionality and versatility to your Apple 10.5-inch iPad Pro

These socks are worn outside your shoes

The toasTEA insulated tumbler from Adagio turns tea making upside down

Here’s an automatic umbrella for your car

Surfer Dudes are boomerangs for the ocean

Your Yeti will be handsfree with this wearable sleeve

The ZAGG Nomad Book adds function to your mobile devices

LABB: the Loopless and Buckleless Band for Apple Watch

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BenQ monitor, soundbars, headsets, yak wool shirts, and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 3:31 pm.

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PainCakes stick to what ails you

NEWS – Let’s face it no matter your age we all suffer from aches and pains. There’s any number of devices out today that promise relief. But nothing soothes aching muscles and joints like a good old fashion cold compress. The problem is most of them don’t like to stay where you put them. PainCakes are billed as the cold pack that sticks.

PainCakes are low profile, lightweight, reusable cold packs that use a medical-grade, non-toxic nano gel that sticks to your skin. The gel itself won’t irritate your skin or stick to hair when removing. And it can be reused over 100 times.

The pack itself is 5-inches in diameter, making it perfect to bring targeted cooling to relieve pain, soreness, and inflammation.

Just chill, peel off the adhesive cover and apply the sticky portion to clean, dry skin for 3-10 minutes. When you’re done, replace the back cover and stick it back into the freezer until next use.

It’s also non-latex, hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

PainCakes come in blue, green or purple and are available for $12.95 on The Grommet.

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PainCakes stick to what ails you originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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iFrogz Cocoon earbud charging case review

REVIEW – With the move from wired earbuds to wireless, there is one issue that we have to all deal with: How do you transport and charge these tiny wireless gadgets? Well, iFrogz is glad you asked. They have developed a rigid container that will hold most wireless earbuds on the market, as well as providing a battery to charge them during storage: the iFrogz Cocoon Earbud Charging Case. They sent me one in Grey and Red to test and report to you.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

As the name says, the Cocoon is a charging and storage case designed for wireless earbuds. The unit can be used to charge and store other electronics, as well as car keys, sim cards, mini tools, fitness trackers or anything else, but let’s consider it for the problem at hand first.


Available in Grey with Red or Blue silicone accents, the rigid, sealable box fits easily into pockets, packs, glove boxes, car consoles, or bike panniers. While no guaranteed IPx rating is stated, it seems to be reasonable to expect it to prevent dust and sand from getting in, but I’d shy away from taking it on a river cruise or to the beach. It’s a good place to store small items you want to prevent from getting lost in the bottom of a pack.

What’s in the box?

  • Cocoon
  • 4in micro USB cable.

Design and features

The iFrogz Cocoon is made from a rigid, yet smooth-surfaced plastic. The lid is 3.5” across, and the base is 2.375”. The entire outside is just under 2” tall. Inside, the lid curves up in a slight turtle shell and has a silicone net to hold a cable or other small item. The inside is almost 1.25” deep with a USB port under the hinge.

The difference between outside and inside dimension is the battery built into the base. There’s a battery gauge on the bottom with 4 LEDs to indicate how much juice is left. Given the small size of most wireless earbuds, the 580 mAh is supposed to recharge a pair 4-5 times. Your mileage will vary with the brand and charging pattern of your earbuds, I’m sure.

What I Like

  • Rigid case prevents tangling and crushing damage to earbuds.
  • Gives the user a place to store earbuds, rather than tossing them into a pocket.

What needs to be improved

  • Since it’s rigid, it takes up more room than just one or two sets of earbuds would.

Final thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this item. I like it for the charging ease, but the inside seems cramped for the amount of space the entire unit takes up. I previously had two earbuds in a semi-rigid zipper pouch, and it seemed to take up less space. but the Cocoon is much more protective and adds the charging capability. If you don’t have a current solution, I would consider this, but if you’re ok with where you store them now, I wouldn’t. Might make a good gift for someone you see always having issues storing their earbuds.

Price: $29.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by iFrogz, a division of Zagg.

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iFrogz Cocoon earbud charging case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Make traveling with your cat stress-free with the Necoichi cat cage

NEWS – Dogs can be crate-trained, which can make traveling easier, and it gives the dog a little den to call his own at home or in the car.  Cats don’t seem to like crates – at least mine didn’t.  Getting Rio into a crate was nearly impossible, because she associated the crate with car trips and visits to the vet.  The Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage prevents crate anxiety because you can leave it out at home as a friendly hiding place for the cat.  Because the cat is familiar with the Necoichi, it won’t be such a trauma for him when you move it to the car for travel.

The cat cage has built-in straps for use with car seat belts to keep kitty safe in the car.  Two mesh panels allow for ventilation and allow the cat to see what’s going on around her.  Roll down flaps cover the mesh panels when the cat needs a little separation from what’s happening.

It measures 31.8″ x 20″ x 20″, which is large enough to fit two cats and the Neicoichi Portable Cat Litter Box, and it folds down for storage and transportation.  It’s made of nylon and mesh, and it’s sized for cats and some small breeds of dog.  The Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage is $42.99 at Chewy.

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Make traveling with your cat stress-free with the Necoichi cat cage originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Synca Wellness massage chair will relieve your tension in style

NEWS – For many years I have played around with cost-effective solutions to create a comfortable and effective massage chair. Whenever I get home from a long photo or video shoot or sometimes after a tense day at work, nothing feels better than a heated back massage. Over the years, I have tried the portable massage pads that you place in a chair and plug up to an AC adapter or to the cigarette lighter in your car. I must have spent at least $400 on a few of them, but they never seem to do the job right, and the wires always seem to get in the way. I have found that the chairs with the built-in massage function work a whole lot better, but many of them are priced in the $1000s and, to be honest, are quite ugly. Since I can learn to live with the ugliness but not the cost, I have even made excuses to take trips to the mall not far away from my home, so that I can sit in their massage chairs at the reasonable cost of $1 for 3 minutes.

Recently, I came across the Synca Wellness CirC – SL Track Heated Massage Chair. In my opinion, this massage chair starts the competition ahead of the pack because of the refined look that makes it pleasing to look at and allows it to adequately blend into any décor. In addition to its “look”, it is smaller than most massage chairs, while offering what its manufacturer claims to be lumbar heat and an impressive massage. It is designed with a 106-degree angle between the seat and the backrest to create an “ergonomically comfortable seating angle and position”. It also includes ambient side lighting to help to create the right atmosphere and mood.

If you would like to try out the Synca Wellness CirC – SL Track Heated Massage Chair, you can purchase one on Amazon for $899.99 in either a coffee, wine or beige color.

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The Synca Wellness massage chair will relieve your tension in style originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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