Help wanted – I want you to join the Gadgeteer team!

Would you like to become a writer on the Gadgeteer team and write about interesting gadgets and cool gear? I currently have 2-3 positions that I need to fill. These are volunteer positions, where your “pay” is the opportunity to try out the latest gizmos. Interested? Details on how to apply are listed below.

 

Work expectations:

Newbie team members will start out writing news posts for a week or two. News posts are short articles and consist of only one image and a short paragraph with a minimum of 200 words. Check out our past news posts to see examples of the type of writing and topics we cover.

If you are picked to become a permanent part of the Gadgeteer team, you’ll have the opportunity to do product reviews. Team members who also write news posts on a regular basis will get preferred access review samples.

Compensation:

This is a non-paying position. Your “pay” will be the product samples that you’ll be able to keep once you’ve written a review.

I’m not looking for professional freelance writers or guest posters to write fluff pieces just for SEO purposes. I’m looking for everyday gadget nerds like me and the rest of the team, who just love this stuff and aren’t in it for the $’s.

Requirements:

1. You must have a firm grasp of the English language, the basic fundamentals of good grammar, and know the difference between “its” and “it’s” and “your” and “you’re”. I don’t have time to completely re-write your posts, so your writing skills will weigh heavily on my decision to choose new people for the team.

2. You must have above average photography skills and have the ability to take sharp, well-lighted close-ups of the products being reviewed. Dim, blurry images won’t cut it.

3. You must be able to stick to deadlines. Reviews must be submitted within 30 days after you receive the product sample. If you can’t stick to that deadline, then please don’t apply.

4. Age and gender do not matter, but you do need to be located here in the US because the PR agencies that I work with generally will not ship review samples outside the country due to shipping hassles and expense.

How to apply:

Send me an email to julie@the-gadgeteer.com telling me about yourself, your age, location, what you currently do for a living, what types of products that interest you most and why you think you would be a good fit for my team. I’ll use this info to decide who I will ask to audition for a spot on the team by writing a sample review which will show me your writing and photography skills. I will then choose the best candidates to go through a trial period posting news. After that trial period ends, I’ll decide who will become permanent team members.

I’m excited to hear from you! If you have any questions before sending me your bio email, post them in the comments.

Wrap your Amazon Echo in toast

Do you love your Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot but wish it had a more luxury look and feel instead of black plastic meh? You’re in luck. The folks at Toast are now offering skins for the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot that are made of wood. Available in walnut, ash, bamboo, and ebony, the Toast skins are made of real wood veneer.

Each skin is handmade and laser cut for a precision fit in Portland, Oregon. The skin uses adhesive to adhere to the Echo but is easily removed without leaving any sticky residue behind. The smaller Amazon Echo Dot skin is priced at $19 and the larger Amazon Echo skin is $34. Head over to toastmade.com for more info.

This little adapter will let you charge your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Pencil at the same time

The Node adapter from ilovehandles is a small adapter that has been designed to allow you to charge three iOS gadgets at the same time with just one cable. The Node adapter has two male lightning connectors for your iPhone and iPad, and 2 female lightning connectors for an Apple Pencil and a lightning charging cable. The ilovehandles Node adapter is priced at $19.95 and will start shipping on February 15 at ilovehandles.com

Trayvax wallet reviews, Drone review, and more – Weekly roundup

It’s time to assume the Saturday night position… That’s right, flop on the couch in your favorite comfy clothes with your favorite beverage and get cozy because it’s time to get caught up with everything we posted the last seven days on The Gadgeteer.

News

Now you can put a SnapPower GuideLight anywhere

Coming soon, Swann’s completely wire-free smart video doorbell

These zippered pouches were designed by a soldier to organize your EDC gear

Aurga DSLR Assistant, SUPRA TAG credit card multitool, Klips money clip, and more – Notable crowdfunding posts

Ditch your boring wireless charger with a stylish Cooper Ecostand Qi wireless charging stand

Your wallet full as a fridge? Switch to the Ridge minimalist wallet

Master & Dynamic has tattoo-inspired headphones designed by Scott Campbell

Bacteria killing stainless steel of the future

The Omni Group outlines its plans for OmniFocus 3

Keep it together with the Leather Charging Cable Tool Roll

Convert your old cassette tapes to MP3 files with this Walkman-sized device

Everyone has a fun new part-time job with HQ Trivia

Nellie’s WOW mop will help you power through cleaning

Take your iMac to Starbucks with this handy shoulder bag

Add power to the front AND back seat of your car with one car charger

Safely open packages and envelopes with the Nimble cutter

Nomad’s Wireless Charging Hub: One charger to rule them all?

Never worry about dropping your eBook reader in the bath with the new Kindle Oasis

Stash Tags give you a place to display your patches (and hide a few things!)

Reviews

Aurochs Gravity Wallet review

Skyroam, Contour Design Unimouse, Ember Mug, and more – Review updates

FIXD car health sensor review

DROCON MJX Bugs 3 drone review

Trayvax Summit Notebook wallet review

PIN Genie Smart Lock review

Trayvax Ascent rugged minimalist wallet review

Now you can put a SnapPower GuideLight anywhere

SnapPower GuideLights are easy to install outlet wallplates that add an automatic LED night light that turns on when it gets dark and turns off during the day. I reviewed the SnapPower GuideLight back in 2014 and continue to use them in several rooms of my home. Well, every room except in the bathroom and kitchen because until now, there SnapPower didn’t offer GuideLights for GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. But now they do!

The GuideLight 2 PLUS and GuideLight 2 PLUS for GFCI are SnapPower’s newest products in the GuideLight outlet cover line. The new easy to install wallplates feature a soft diffused light bar, a low-profile ergonomic on/off switch, and brightness settings.

The GuideLight 2 PLUS and GuideLight 2 PLUS for GFCI are priced from $16 to $19 and can be found at SnapPower’s online retail store. For more info visit www.snappower.com. They should also show up on their Amazon store soon with their other products.