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2018 Gift Guide – Musician gift ideas

ARTICLE – It’s another year almost over, and it’s time to admit you still haven’t started music lessons for your child or yourself. Let’s look at some gift ideas for getting started learning to play an instrument like the rock god you know you must be!

Squier Mini Strat by Fender

While this may look like a standard Fender Stratocaster, it’s actually a “mini”, or 3/4 sized, Strat from the Squier sector of Fender.  This guitar is designed for children, for people with smaller hands (like me and my short fingers), or for a travel guitar for anyone.  At only $130, you might think these are toys, but they really aren’t.  Check reviews online, and you’ll see that some adults swear by these for their own use and not just as a learning guitar for kids.

That’s not to say they couldn’t use a few adjustments.  I just got the gorgeous all-white mini Strat from the local Guitar Center, and we took it to the guitar maintenance guy who takes care of all my husband’s guitars.  It needed some rough fret ends sanded down and the tuning heads tightened.  Less than $40 later, the guitar tech said the guitar was good to go – after all, he said, it’s a Fender Strat.

You’ll probably want to add a cheap (or not so cheap) little practice amp, some picks, and a strap, and you’re ready, ready, ready to rock tonight!

Price: $129.99
Where to buy: The Guitar Center

Fretlight Wireless Guitar

Fretlight guitars may look like a standard guitar, but they offer two features that set them apart from the mainstream:  they are wireless, and they have light-up fret markers that help you learn new chords as you learn to play guitar.

The Fretlight 600 series wireless guitar connect to a smartphone or tablet via the latest Bluetooth BLE technology. This means you’ll always get the fastest connection to the device you’re using whether it be a mobile device or a computer.  When used with the app, Fretlight’s patented, wireless lighted-learning system guitars light up songs, chords, scales, and riffs right on the fretboard to help you learn.

These guitars come as electric or electric/acoustic in various body styles and as right- or left-handed guitars.  They come in several colors, and some are even offered signed by either Alice Cooper or Orianthi.

Price: starting at $300.00
Where to buy: Fretlight

Roland Modern Compact Digital 88-key Piano F140R

Roland says about their F140R digital piano:  “With superior build quality and innovative technology that far exceeds other instruments in its price class, the F-140R is a serious musical instrument that will last you through years of musical growth and piano enjoyment. Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine delivers the rich, complex sound of an acoustic grand, providing a truly incredible playing experience. The PHA-4 Standard Keyboard inherits the Progressive Hammer Action and Ivory Feel texture of keyboards found in our high-end pianos, and includes advanced sensing technology to take full advantage of SuperNATURAL Piano’s enormous tonal range.”

It has built-in speakers for powerful sound and a headphone jack for private practice.  It has too many features to list here, but included are multiple grand piano sounds and other voices, built-in rhythms, MIDI functionality, and more.  Go check it out at Roland, and purchase one at your local store or at the link below.

Price: $1249.99
Where to buy: Sweetwater online

Casio LK280 Portable Keyboard with 61 full-size touch-sensitive lighted piano-style keys

If that Roland piano isn’t in the budget, or maybe you need some help learning to play, check out the Casio LK280.  This is a 61-key keyboard with full-sized, touch-sensitive keys that can also light up to show you where to play.

  • Touch-sensitive keys, with 48-note polyphony for expressive playing. Lighted keys let you easily review which notes to play.
  • Allows you to send MIDI files back and forth from your computer to the keyboard. USB port for easy connection to your PC. Secure Digital card slot expands storage capability (card not included).
  • Step Up lesson system makes it fun and easy to learn to play the keyboard.
  • 180 rhythms/accompaniments, plus digital reverb and chorus effects, and up to 600 possible tones, including stereo pianos, to fuel your creativity.
  • Multitrack recorder lets you layer and save your creations.
  • 1/8″ line input for connection of an MP3 player or other audio device, so you can play along to your favorite tunes.
  • Headphone jack lets you practice privately.

Price: $199.99
Where to buy: Best Buy

Yamaha DTX400K Compact Electronic Drum Set

Perhaps you yearn to beat the skins, but your neighbors don’t want to hear you “banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee”, as Mark Knopfler says.  Using this drum kit, you can play all night long without causing a war.  Yamaha says about their DTX-400K drum kit:  “The DTX400K is a full-size electronic drum kit with newly designed drum pads and large 10 inch cymbals, all on an adjustable steel rack system. It’s a great feeling kit that let’s you play in comfort without disturbing others. And because it’s from Yamaha, you can count on durability and dependability.

The DTX400K includes 10 drum training exercises for any level player that help improve timing, accuracy and endurance.  It features the KU100 Silent Kick Unit that greatly reduces vibration and acoustic noise.“

It has USB MIDI capability, and it’s upgradeable and expandable.  You’ll also have access to three Yamaha iOS apps to help you learn or practice:  DTX Drum Lessons, DTX400 Touch to customize the sound, and Song Beats to help you learn the drum parts to your favorite MIDI songs.

Price: $479.99
Where to buy: Amazon

BOSS Katana-Air 30W Stereo Combo Amplifier

The BOSS Katana-Air 30W Stereo Combo Amplifier comes with a proprietary wireless transmitter to connect to your guitar to the amp.  The Katana-Air is a true stereo amplifier with two custom-tuned speakers.  You’re ready to play anywhere with this BOSS.  It provides 30W of audio power when plugged into a power outlet or 20W when running off battery.  The amp uses “low-latency digital-wireless guitar technology developed by BOSS to provide transparent sound without any lag or dropouts.”

BOSS says:  “Equipped with the same tones and sound-shaping controls found in larger Katana amplifiers, the Katana-Air offers timbres for any style. Five amp characters provide a wide range of tones, from sparkling clean to a custom, high-gain Brown sound evocative of a Marshall stack. There’s even an Acoustic character optimized for playing acoustic/electric guitar. The amp also provides integrated access to over 50 BOSS effects, including modulations, delays, and reverb effects optimized for the Katana-Air’s stereo speaker system. With six onboard memories, you can store and recall your favorite amp and effects setups at any time.

Available for both iOS and Android devices, a dedicated BOSS Tone Studio app gives you complete control of the Katana-Air right from your smartphone or tablet. You’re able to adjust all the amp’s panel controls, as well as access effects types and routings solely available from the app. You can also save setups to the amp’s memories, organize sound libraries on your device, and download free patch collections directly from BOSS Tone Central. The app corresponds with the amp over Bluetooth.”

When you aren’t using the BOSS Katana-Air as a practice amp, it’s a Bluetooth speaker for music playback from your computer or mobile devices.

Price: $399.99
Where to buy: B&H

KLIQ UberTuner

The UberTuner has an advanced microprocessor and a sensitive piezo sensor that ensures your instrument is quickly and accurately tuned.  It has guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, and chromatic tuning modes; it has transposition settings for Bb, Eb, F, and D woodwind and brass instruments.  It has an easy-to-read, full-color display, a long-lasting 3V CR2032 lithium battery, and a power-save feature for extended battery life.

Price: $23.97
Where to buy: Amazon

Fender Play step-by-step lessons

I’m sure there are guitar lessons readily available where you are, but sometimes you just want to not quite go-it-on your own, but not be tied down to expensive lessons you might not be able to make because of work or school commitments.  Fender offers guided lessons for guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele for much less than formal lessons.  You’ll pay $9.99 a month, or you can pre-pay for a full year for only $89.99 – plus, you’ll be given a 10% discount on Fender gear for a year when you purchase the yearly plan.

Lessons are available on your computer or mobile device (both Android and iOS).  You’ll have step-by-step lessons featuring expert, experienced instructors that you can use at home or take with you when you travel.  You learn at your own pace.  And you’ll get a free 14-day trial so you can try it out before making a commitment.

Price: $9.99/month, or $89.99/year
Where to buy: Fender Play

String Stretcha

If you have tuning problems, it may be the strings and not your guitar, bass, or ukulele, according to the folks at String Stretcha.  There are ways to stretch the strings using your fingers, but pulling on them at random places results in uneven stretch and using the “thumb and fingers” method takes a long time and causes a lot of pain.  If you use the Stretcha tool, you can zip it up and down the strings in just five minutes and achieve a much more even stretch.  And the tool has been tested in studios and on the road by professional guitar techs, who give the Stretcha a big non-sore thumbs up.  You can find the Stretcha at retailers, but if you can’t wait to get your hands on one, you can order directly from String Stretcha.

Price: $14.50
Where to buy: String Stretcha

JS SERIES CONCERT BASS™ MINION JS1X

When my daughter was a kid, she wanted to learn to play guitar.  She actually wanted a bass, but at the time, we couldn’t find a bass small enough for her to play comfortably.  Heck, a full-sized bass is still almost as big as she is now!  She has a couple of short-scale basses she plays now, but she recently fell in love with this tiny Jackson bass called the Minion.  This is the bass you want to get for your younger child to learn on.  It’s also great as a travel bass, or as an instrument for smaller adults, like my daughter.

The JS Series Concert™ Bass Minion JS1X has a 28.6″ scale length, which is even smaller than her other short-scale basses.  It has a poplar body, one-piece bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement rods, and a 12″ radius amaranth fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays.  It has a Jackson P-style pickup at the neck and a Jackson J-style pickup at the bridge.  Each pickup has a volume knob.  There’s also a hardtail bridge with black baseplate and Jackson-branded locking tuners.

The Concert Bass Minion JS1X is available in Neon Green, Pavo Purple, Satin Black, or Satin Silver with black hardware.

Price: $253.51
Where to buy: Jackson Guitars or Guitar Center (for $179.99)

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2018 Gift Guide – Musician gift ideas originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 19, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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2018 Gift Guide – Home gift ideas

ARTICLE – It’s that time of the year, when Christmas decorations are already up in many towns and cities, when radio stations have already switched to 24/7 Christmas music programming, and when you have to start coming up with gift ideas for the people in your life. Well, luckily for you, The Gadgeteer has some gift ideas to help you out.

In this guide, we’ll be talking about gifts for the people who enjoy their homes and like items that can help them keep everything looking clean and nice, or things to help them eat good meals, and relax and enjoy their time at home.

Neato Botvac Connected D7

Julie reviewed this Neato Botvac Connected D7, which is a robot vacuum that maps out your home and cleans the floors while you do something more fun and productive.  This vacuum, like other Neato vacs, has a D-shaped body that helps it clean close to walls and corners, unlike other brands of circular robot vacuums that can’t get into tight corners.  It can be programmed to clean your house using a smartphone app.

The conclusion of Julie’s review:  “I’ve been impressed with Neato Botvacs from the first day I started using them back in 2015. I know that statement sort of sounds like something a shill might say, but I can’t say enough good things about this particular brand of robot vacuum. I’ve tried several other robot vacs that are nowhere near as good as far as cleaning up dirt and navigating obstacles.”  She found it was easy to set up manually or by using the app, and it has good suction and good battery life with a long time per charge.  The only consumable is the filter, but they can be cleaned and reused over and over again.

Price: $726.00
Read our review: Neato D7 Botvac review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Amazon

Pluto Pillow

Andy Chen gave us the scoop on these pillows.  The Pluto Pillow is a custom-built pillow based on your answers to an online questionnaire. There are over two dozen possible, different combinations.  The inner core is a sturdy foam, and the outside is fill of different densities, depending on the results of your survey. The outer cover is either smooth or quilted (again, depending on your questionnaire answers).  The questionnaire covers your height, weight, your sleeping preferences (side? back?), and others.  You also answer questions about what you like/dislike about your current pillow.

Pluto suggests that you give the new pillow at least 2 weeks so you “learn” each other.  At the end of the break-in period, Andy was “surprised how different this was compared to my old pillow, and even more surprised how much I liked it.  I was under the impression that the only way you’d like a pillow sight unseen is if you really hated your current one. Boy, was I wrong.”

Price: $85.00
Read our review: Pluto Pillow review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Pluto Pillow

Airfree IRIS 3000 Air Purifier

As the mother of a child with asthma and severe allergies, I can attest to the importance of a good air filter.  Airfree says their Iris 3000 filter is “the natural solution to asthma, respiratory allergies and mold.  Its patented Thermodynamic TSS Technology eliminates dust mites, bacteria, fungi, virus, pollen, allergens of domestic animals, and other microorganisms from the air.”

Airfree filters also reduce indoor harmful ozone levels, and they are said to be perfect to reduce mold in contaminated areas as well as improving the environment for asthma and allergy sufferers.  Their exclusive technology is completely silent, so they don’t interrupt your sleep.  The Airfree Iris 3000 uses heat to destroy microorganisms and attains 100% efficiency at the Airfree air outlet.

Price: $329.99
BLACK FRIDAY PRICE: $199.00
CYBER MONDAY PRICE: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and other homewares stores

Anova WiFi Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Sous vide cooking has been around for centuries, but I’d never heard of it until recently.  In French, sous vide means “under vacuum”.  Sous vide cooking, at least in a home kitchen, doesn’t actually involve a vacuum.  It does require food to be in a sealed bag, which floats in a heated water bath.  The heated water cooks the food to a specified degree of doneness at a set temperature point; this temperature is determined by the food item and the degree of doneness you desire.  Because the water is heated directly, it’s easier to reach and maintain a steady temperature than it is in an oven or on a cooktop, where the temperature can experience wide swings as it tries to heat the air in the oven or transfer heat inefficiently through a metal pot on the stovetop.

With this Anova cooker, you use the controls on the device or use the app on your Android or iOS phone to control temperature and monitor the food in the cooking vessel. The Anova precisely maintains the desired temperature evenly throughout the contents of the pot.  Once the food has cooked for the stated time in the heated water bath, you finish off the cooking with a quick braising in a heated pan or a quick pass under a broiler for a browned surface.  Your meal is beautifully cooked – no undercooking/overcooking and no burning!

Price: $129.00
Where to buy: Amazon

Victor standing desk DC500

You’ve heard about the health problems caused by sitting at a desk all day, and you’ve heard about the health benefits of standing at a desk as you work.  You’d like to try out a standing desk, but you don’t want to find yourself always stuck having to stand.  With the Victor High Rise Collection DC500 Mobile Adjustable Standing Desk, you’ll be able to quickly and easily adjust the height from 29″ (about the height of a standard dining table) for sitting to 44″ tall for standing.  A high-strength gas strut eases the height adjustment with the pull of a lever.  

The sturdy, all-steel frame is topped with a large 31” wide by 22” deep durable wood desktop with a scratch-resistant PVC coating.  Four heavy-duty steel casters with rubber wheels allow you to move the table easily over hard or carpeted floors; they lock for stability when you’re working.  

You’ll find a lot of uses for this adjustable table – crafting, or working at home or at the office.

Price: $184.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Nixplay Iris photo frame

The Nixplay Iris 8″ digital photo frame reminds me of those old digital frames from two decades ago, but these are much improved over those old frames with the tiny screens.  First of all, forget those tiny, low-resolution displays of yesteryear.  Your photos will be shown to their best advantage on the 8″ high-resolution 1024 x 768 IPS display.  You won’t need memory cards or USB sticks to load pictures onto the Iris, either.  Instead, you’ll use the free Nixplay Web App to send photos.  From your mobile device, you can snap a photo and send it out immediately, or you can send pictures from Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, Flickr, and Google Photos.  Best of all, because the Iris is WiFi-connected, you can send your images to your own frame or to friends’ frames anywhere in the world.

The Iris 8″ frames have an activity sensor to turn the frame on/off when it senses motion and an auto-brightness control to adjust the display for the changing room conditions.  The frames are available in metallic finishes of silver, peach copper, or burnished bronze.

Price: $199.99
Where to buy: Nixplay or at Amazon

Power Air Fryer XL

The Power Air Fryer XL from CVS is an amazing way to fry your favorite foods without using oil. This fryer uses super-heated air which means up to 80% fewer calories than traditional frying methods. The Power Air Fryer XL features:

  • Digital Easy-Touch Panel with 4 Programs
  • Non-Stick Coating/ Dishwasher Safe Parts
  • Uses No or Less Oil for Healthier Cooking
  • Up to 400 degree cooking/1200 watts
  • Timer with Auto Shutoff
  • Large Easy-Grip Handle
  • 2.4—Quart Non-Stick Basket with food Divider (Lets you cook 2 foods at the same time!)

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: CVS (only in stores)

Sengled Element Plus Smart LED Bulb

Sengled lets you add a smart lighting system to your home with just a couple of bulbs or a full house of smart bulbs.  Of course, you’ll need a hub to control the system, but you can get an Element starter kit with the hub and two white-only bulbs for $40; extra bulbs are available as white-only, color, and as BR30 bulbs for recessed lighting fixtures with prices starting as low as $30.  You can start out with a few bulbs and build your entire lighting system by adding a few bulbs at a time to your home.

The Sengled system is controlled by the Element app, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and by Xfinity and IFTTT.  The bulbs can be controlled by SmartThings, Wink, Amazon Echo Plus, and Iris Smart Hub.

Price: Starter kit with hub and 2 bulbs are $39.99; extra bulbs are as low as $29.99
Read our review: Sengled Element Plus Smart LED Bulb review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Sengled or at Amazon

Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver System

Bosch’s FlexiClick is a one-click system that saves time and delivers high-quality drilling and bit-driving capability for any project – big or small. It combines 12-volt power with four professional-grade attachments that include a 3/8” keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right angle drill attachment, and an offset angle attachment. With this set, you will confidently be able to create and repair whatever life throws at you, even if the workspace is tight. The handle even has a built-in light for work in dark areas.

Price: $169 at Amazon
Where to buy: boschtools.com and Amazon

AcousticSheep SleepPhones

AcousticSheep SleepPhones are designed to wear while you’re asleep – perfect for people who use ASMR to help them go to sleep.  “SleepPhones® are ultra-thin, high-quality speakers embedded inside of a soft, fleece headband. Nothing goes inside your ear, so they are the most comfortable headphones on the market!”

SleepPhones come in a variety of sizes and colors, and they are available as corded or Bluetooth cordless.  The cloth bands are washable as well as replaceable.

Price: $39.95 for corded; $99.95 for cordless
Where to buy: Amazon (see above links)

Instant Pot

Early this year, Julie reviewed an Instant Pot Ultra 6-quart electric pressure cooker for review.  That Instant Pot could speed up cooking by 2-6 times and could be used as a slow cooker like a crock pot, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, steamer, and a warming pot.  Because it’s a multi-function cooker, you can sear the meat directly in the pot you’ll be slow-cooking it in, so you reduce the number of pots needed to cook your meal.

Julie loved how quick and easy it was to use the Instant Pot, and she had a list of recipes in mind that she couldn’t wait to try.  She said the Instant Pot makes cooking so easy, fast, and flavorful, while making cleanup a breeze.

In addition to the Ultra 6 quart that Julie reviewed, Instant Pot also has a large variety of other electric pressure multi-cookers you can choose from.

Price: $149.95
Read our review: Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Instant Pot or Amazon

SodaStream Fizzi One Touch

The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch is a table-top appliance that carbonates water, with 3 levels of carbonation to choose from.  SodaStream says that “saving the world from plastic pollution has never been so easy, stylish, or refreshing. The sleek Fizzi One Touch is SodaStream’s newest model and carbonates tap water at the touch of a button. With three levels of automatic carbonation, you can perfectly customize your sparkling water, and there’s no worry of accidentally fizzing all over yourself.”

Julie reviewed the Fizzi One Touch this fall, and she loves it!  She had been using a different SodaStream machine to make the sparkling water she drinks, but she found it difficult to get a consistent level of fizziness with her old machine.

Just like older SodaStream machines, the Fizzi One Touch uses replaceable carbon dioxide canisters than are readily found in local kitchen stores.  Because you can select a carbonation setting, it’s easy to get consistent amounts of fizz now, and Julie says it’s one of the most popular appliances in her kitchen!

Price: $129.99
Read our review: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: SodaStream and Amazon

RCA 3.2 CU ft. Retro Bar Fridge with Side Bottle Opener


Warm your parents and grandparents’ hearts this season with this retro compact 3.2cu refrigerator from RCA. Available in Red, Blue, Pink, or Black, this mini fridge has a sleek retro design and an attached bottle opener, as well as a chrome pull handle and removable glass shelves that make it easy to clean. You can even reverse the door to customize which way it opens. This fun retro fridge is the perfect appliance and holiday gift for the people on your list who like to remember simpler times.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy:Amazon

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2018 Gift Guide – Home gift ideas originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 18, 2018 at 8:45 am.

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6 Gadgets you should have in your car for winter emergencies

ARTICLE – Winter is just around the corner, and most people can’t completely avoid driving in the treacherous conditions that typically characterize the season.

In addition to being extra cautious behind the wheel, it’s wise to invest in these six winter-ready gadgets.

1. The Trac-Grabber

There’s nothing quite like the heart-sinking sound of car wheels spinning in the snow because the vehicle is stuck. Trac-Grabber is a portable traction device that helps a car wheel get the grip it needs to move freely again. It has straps and a block of material that grips the snow. A user loops the Trac-Grabber straps around an affected wheel, then secures them.

Then, they get in the car and try to drive out of the spot where the vehicle is stuck. In some cases, it’s necessary to repeat the process for all wheels. An included Trac-Grabber pouch allows for quickly stashing the accessory in a console or seat pocket until the next use.

2. The Zone Tech Heated Ice Scraper

Many people already have the hard plastic ice scrapers in their cars during the winter, but this product goes beyond what those accessories offer. It plugs into a car’s outlet to heat up and has a cord that’s over 12 feet long. The gadget also features an LED light that makes it easier to see the surface of the windshield and find the areas with the most buildup even in the dark.

3. The STABILicers Original Maxx Cleats

Ice and snow make it difficult to stand or walk outside without slipping. Then, it’s challenging to assess the extent of the winter weather emergency while on the road. These easy-to-use cleats strap onto boots and give snow-gripping capability via the studs extending through the forefoot to the heel. The replaceable cleats also make these accessories a good value for multi-year use.

4. A Portable Air Compressor

A flat tire disrupts a road trip at any time, but especially when you’re subjected to harsh winter conditions. A portable air compressor allows inflating the tire quickly and resuming the journey instead of spending time shivering in the driver’s seat while waiting for roadside assistance.

People should look for portable air compressors with tanks no smaller than three gallons. Also, the compressor should ideally offer 0.5 CFM and 90 PSI, so it’s smart for buyers to read the product specs before finalizing their purchases. The CFM is cubic feet per minute, and it represents the air output or flow level of the compressor. The PSI is pounds per square inch, and it’s a measure of force given by the compressor.

Some portable air compressors come with carrying bags, making them easy to pack into the car before a trip or keep in the vehicle until needed.

5. The Resqme Quick Car Escape Tool

Seatbelts and door locks are designed to keep people safe, but sometimes they malfunction, leaving individuals trapped. Some people wonder if they should drive with their doors unlocked to prevent a door lock malfunction. However, experts say that even when people don’t engage the locks, the impact of a crash could make the door not work as expected.

Being trapped in a car is dangerous at any time, but the risk of severe consequences goes up if a person is in a collision during subzero temperatures. The Resqme Quick Car Escape tool fits on a keyring and has attachments that break window glass and cut through seatbelts. The effective yet compact design also means it won’t get in the way of a house key or other things on a keyring.

6. A Heated Travel Blanket

Once the thermometer plunges below zero, it’s possible to suffer from frostbite after only minutes of exposure. The risk is still present at higher temperatures too, especially when people don’t prepare for the weather. A blanket carried in a car is a multipurpose item because a person could kneel on it while inspecting the underside of a vehicle, use it for a pillow while waiting for rescue and, of course, rely on it for warmth.

A heated travel blanket is even better, provided that the car’s 12-volt outlet still works during an emergency. Some blankets come with cords long enough to reach the back seat and are wide enough to cover two adults. Besides the potential threat to one’s well-being for not being ready for the cold, frigid temperatures make waiting for help substantially unpleasant. A user-friendly blanket offers practicality and comfort.

Get Prepared for Winter Auto Emergencies

Some people who anticipate crises happening while driving won’t ever need to use the tools they buy.

However, circumstances could change in seconds during an otherwise uneventful journey. That’s why it’s essential to stock up on these gadgets and anticipate winter’s ferocity.

Image by Chris Peeters

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6 Gadgets you should have in your car for winter emergencies originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 11, 2018 at 10:30 am.

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Step-By-Step Guide for Website Building with NING #sponsored

ARTICLE – Gone are the days when creating a website was something only professional programmers could do. Thanks to modern website building solutions, a good-looking site can be crafted by anyone having a clear purpose and desire to get visible online.

One of these solutions is NING. It is a platform allowing you to make your own website from scratch and build up your online presence. What sets NING apart from the competition is its focus on social networking and content monetization. While other website builders provide tools for making regular, static sites, NING offers an opportunity to create an interactive online community where every member can contribute to the topic and share content on equal terms.

As for monetization, the platform enables users to make money from their websites through selling content, charging a membership fee or accepting donations. Thus, NING is an excellent solution for both internet enthusiasts who want to bring people together around a specific idea and content creators striving to promote their stuff and get paid.

In this brief guide, we will lead you through the basic steps for creating a social website on NING.

Step 1. Create a NING account

Before you can dive headlong into the creative process, you will need to sign up on Ning.com. Just go to their website and click “Get started” (the green button in the top right corner of the page). You will have to provide your full name and email, as well as specify the topic of your future website. This will determine the default design template which will be applied to your site. It can be changed later anytime.

Also, NING gives you a custom domain name, so you will have to specify the desired URL during the registration. Mind that all native domain names provided by NING end with .ning.com. However, if you want to change it, you can do it later by purchasing a new domain name elsewhere and mapping it to your NING website.

NING offers a free 14-day trial which should be enough for you to figure out whether the platform meets your expectations. Beyond that, there are three subscription plans ranging from $25 to $99 depending on the amount of storage, member capacity, and support privileges you want to get.

Step 2. Customize your website design

No doubt, you want your website to look unique and convey the idea behind it through dazzling visuals. Your website design can help you get recognized and stand out from the rest. This is why NING offers a broad array of customization tools to let you configure every aspect of your website:

● Design theme: select one of the available visual templates that determine the overall appearance of your website.
● Background: choose or upload an image that would appear at the backdrop of each website page.

● Header: configure a website header by changing its layout and size, adding your website name and logo, customizing a navigation menu, picking a custom background image, and modifying an account bar.
● Page: personalize the overall look of pages by customizing fonts, content blocks, and buttons.
● Custom CSS: insert custom CSS code to achieve advanced customization effects.

Start with selecting a design theme that serves your purpose and matches your industry. NING offers templates for various niches including blogging, business, education, sports, politics, gaming, charity, religion, etc. Then customize the template using the tools mentioned above. All of them can be accessed by clicking a Design Studio tab in the admin panel.

Step 3. Create the pages you need

When you’re through with designing your website, it’s time to think what kind of content you are going to fill it with. Everybody knows that websites consist of individual pages. Therefore, your next task is to create as many web pages as you need to achieve your goals.

By default, your newly created NING website will have several basic pages for different types of content, e.g., Home, Blog, Photos, Videos, etc. However, you can add the new ones or delete pages you don’t need anytime. To create a new page, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to Social Site Manager in the admin panel;
2. Select Site & Pages in the sidebar;
3. Click Add a Page;
4. Select a page type (e.g., Blog, Photos, Event, Forum, etc.);
5. Select a page status (published or draft);
6. Enter the page title and tab title;
7. Specify who can add content to the page (administrators, featured members,
all members) and who can view it;
8. Configure comments;
9. Choose the page layout.

Depending on your niche, you can add pages of different types. If your goal is to create a blogging website, focus on text-oriented page types like Blog and Articles.

Making a craft website? Add Photos and Videos pages which are tailored specifically for visual content. To generate more engagement and encourage communication on the network, create a Forum, Poll or Chat page. There are options for any topic or industry. And of course, you are free to add new pages whenever you want.

Step 4. Add content

Now, when you have all the pages you need, you can start imbuing them with your unique content. To do it, simply go to the corresponding website page (while logged in as an administrator) and click +Add. Depending on the page type and content added, you will be offered different editing options. Below is an example of a Blog editing page.

If you allow your network members to contribute their own content, you can easily moderate (approve or disapprove) their publications by going to the Content Management tab in the admin panel.

Step 5. Create a landing page

Now your website is almost ready. But you still have to promote it and make it attractive to visitors. Start with creating a professional landing page aimed at converting visitors into your network members. NING has a dedicated design tool for that too:

1. Create a landing page by going to Social Site Manager > Site & Pages and click Add a landing page.
2. Give your landing page a title and configure the basic privacy settings.
3. Click Save.
4. Click Edit layout and content.

Wait for the editing tool to load and start designing the landing page using the available Drag-&-Drop instruments.

Step 6. Grow your community

To grow your audience and stimulate the development of the community, use the extensive social networking features offered by NING, including personal and group messaging, live chat, comments, forums, polls, events, social sharing, and liking, etc.

Step 7. Monetize your website

When your community expands and your audience becomes loyal enough, nothing will prevent you from monetizing your website. Select the E-commerce tab in the NING admin panel and explore three different monetization options. Paid Access is perfect for content creators, Paid Membership is an optimal choice for closed communities, influencers, and celebrities, while Donations will help charities and start-ups to raise funds more effectively.

These were just basic steps for creating a website on NING. Explore more features of the platform by taking a free trial!

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Step-By-Step Guide for Website Building with NING #sponsored originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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A trifecta of cases for the new 11-inch iPad Pro

ARTICLE – On Tuesday Apple announced their new 11″ iPad Pro and of course yours truly ordered one. To protect my investment, I need a new case. There aren’t a whole lot of choices out there yet but, I was able to find a few that I liked.

ProCase Slim

The ProCase Slim offers a thin translucent frosted back cover that allows you to see the Apple logo while protecting your iPad against fingerprints and scratches.

Precise cutouts allow full access to all features (buttons, speakers, cameras).

The tri-fold front cover can be used in viewing mode or typing mode. It also supports the iPad Pros auto Sleep/Wake feature. The soft scratch-free microfiber interior adds comfort and an additional layer of protection.

Price: $10.99
Buy from: Amazon

Pad & Quill Oxford Leather

When it comes to leather cases, it doesn’t get much better than Pad & Quill. The Oxford Leather folio case is no exception.

This ultimate professional case is crafted from a single piece of American Full-Grain Bridle leather. It features a slim profile and easily attaches to the iPad Pro using a residue-free 3M locking adhesive that can be removed and reattached multiple times.

The smart cover serves as a self-propping stand for horizontal viewing along with an internal document pocket. 

It’s also compatible with the Apple Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil 2.

The Oxford Leather folio is available in two colors, Whiskey and Chestnut.

Price: $119.95
Buy From: Pad & Quill

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio

The Flagship case from Apple is designed to work perfectly with the iPad Pro. And the only keyboard case available right now.

The case allows for convenient viewing angles and has a full-sized keyboard when you need it. When you’re not using it, the keyboard provides protection for both the front and back of your iPad Pro.

The best part of the keyboard, there’s no charging or pairing required. Just attach the keyboard and start typing.

Price: $179
Buy From: Apple

There you have it 3 different cases for the new 11″  iPad Pro. A budget case, a leather case, and a keyboard case. All these cases are available right now, but if you prefer to wait I’m sure there will be plenty more choices in the months to come. Happy hunting!

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A trifecta of cases for the new 11-inch iPad Pro originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 3, 2018 at 12:30 pm.

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