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ZoomGo wireless in-car cinema entertainment system keeps everyone happy

The ZoomGo wireless cinema entertainment system allows you to stream, via its local WiFi network, to up to four smart devices simultaneously, so that the car’s occupants can watch movies, read books, listen to music, or even play games on their devices.  No cellular connection is needed for the ZoomGo.  It’s powered by the car’s power outlet, or it can be powered via a USB cable, so you can use it while traveling in planes, buses, or trains.

The required PlayOn Desktop app acts like a DVR and allows you to record programming from subscribed services like Netflix or Hulu in a .MP4 file format into the ZoomGo library; you then transfer the files to the ZoomGo device, and stream them to iOS or Android devices.  The ZoomGo uses a local WiFi network to stream content from its library to up to four registered devices simultaneously.  You can even charge two mobile devices with the ZoomGo as you watch.

The ZoomGo comes with 8GB of storage; it can be expanded with MicroSD cards.  ZoomGo is available now at Walmart stores for $49.88, including a free 8GB MicroSD card and a free 15-day trial to the PlayOn app.  You’ll need to pay for PlayOn after the trial expires.  Learn more at ZoomGo and purchase the device at your local Walmart store.

Jigger Bottle Stoppers are the perfect gift for the home-bartending chemist

As a chemist, I have a weakness for laboratory glassware or items that even mimic labware.  This set of Jigger Bottle Stoppers caught my eye, because they combine barware shapes – whiskey glass, snifter, hurricane, and martini glass, respectively – with a labware feel.  Measurement markings both add to the lab feel, and they serve as handy measuring guides for mixing drinks when you use them as jiggers.  You can even use them as shot glasses, but I’m not sure how you’d ever set it down when the drink is gone.  And when you’re done tending bar, they can be used as bottle stoppers for your potent potables.  The jiggers are made of glass, and they have a silicone stopper bottom.  The set of four Jigger Bottle Stoppers is $19.99 at UncommonGoods.

This toilet cleans itself so you can throw away your toilet brush

I don’t normally think of bathroom fixtures as gadgets, but this American Standard VorMax Plus toilet does seem a bit gadget-worthy.  This 2-piece, elongated-bowl, single-flush toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush.  The “uniquely powerful VorMax flush hydraulics” alone cleans 2X better than conventional toilet flushes, but American Standard then added in a Lysol FreshInfuser cartridge to assist the cleaning power of each flush, resulting in a cleaner bowl with no extra work.

The toilet’s design aids in the ease of cleaning, too:

  • CleanCurve rim design eliminates hidden, hard-to-reach surfaces where dirt and buildup hide
  • EverClean surface is super smooth and easier to keep clean, even after years of use; plus, the permanent EverClean antimicrobial surface inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria on the surface
  • Maximizes the power of water with each flush with 1.75 in. dual-injection flush valves and 2-1/16 in. Trapway

The VorMax Plus toilet meets ADA standards for height, and it fits into a 12″ rough-in space.  It comes with a slow-close, quick-release seat and 2 of the Lysol FreshInfuser cartridges.  The American Standard VorMax Plus 2-piece 1.28GPF single-flush toilet is $299.00 at Home Depot.

Slow-cook your food in a cloth bag

The Wonderbag is a cloth slow cooker that cooks your food using less energy.  You simply bring your soup, stew, or other recipe’s  ingredients to a boil on your stovetop, then you transfer the pot to this insulated bag and close it up.  The insulation retains the heat and continues to cook the food.  It’s great for use at home or while traveling or picnicking.

The Wonderbag was created by Sarah Collins, a South Africa-based maker.  She wanted to find a method that would free up South African women and children from the time-consuming job of collecting firewood necessary to cook their food.  Less time hunting for wood frees children up for school and gives the women time for work or other family-strengthening efforts.  Less time working over a fire also reduces the negative health and safety risks, too.

When you buy a Wonderbag, you not only save yourself some energy, but you are helping the Wonderbag Foundation act as a “catalyst out of poverty” by giving families in need a safer, quicker, easier method of cooking.

A small Wonderbag is available from The Grommet for $39 right now.  There’s also a large Wonderbag for $49, but it’s temporarily out of stock at The Grommet.

You’ll always have a fully-charged backup battery with the Grab & Go station

Having a backup battery for your phone is always smart, but unfortunately, you also have to remember to charge your backup battery.  It’s a bad day when you find your phone is dead, you aren’t near an outlet, and your backup is dead, too.  With the Grab & Go Powerbank Station, you’ll have three batteries that can be charged and ready simultaneously for you to grab one on your way out each morning.

The charging station plugs into the wall and can charge the three included batteries, plus it has a USB port where you can also charge a phone.  Each power bank has a 2600mAh battery, which may not be enough to fully charge some of the biggest mobile devices, but should certainly be enough to keep you going until you can get to a power source.  With the three batteries, you’ll have enough for the family to each grab one, or you’ll have one in use and two at the ready.  The Grab & Go Powerbank Station is available for $39.99 at The Container Store.