5 Car Gadgets for 2011

People have been buying cool gadgets for their cars ever since cars came out. The gadgets available in the first half of the 1900’s weren’t nearly as cool as the ones available today, but people were just as fond of them as they are of gadgets now. Just think – in those days having a radio or air conditioning was a real treat, while today these things come standard in most cars. Maybe one day things we consider nifty gadgets will become required parts of cars. Until then though, here are five cool car gadgets that any driver in 2011 would be glad to have.
1. Bluetooth – Bluetooth enabled cars are becoming a popular option for drivers. With a Bluetooth enabled car, you can patch your cell phone through without using a physical connection. That means you can answer phones by using the audio system in the car and dial numbers verbally. This hands free system is especially welcome since holding a cell phone while driving has become illegal in many states over the past few years. Car manufacturers that offer this option include BMW, Nissan, Chrysler and Toyota.

2. Real-Time Traffic Information – While Europeans have had this option available to them for several years, it’s just starting to make its way over to the United States, With a real-time traffic information system, you will be able to see traffic information on a screen mounted in your dashboard. With this knowledge you will be able to determine the best route home. It’s like having your own personalized traffic reporter in your car! Acura offers this system in its cars under the name of AcuraLink, while BMW’s cars are equipped with a Total Traffic Network. You're going to want to make sure you have sufficient auto insurance with toys like this. It can be very expensive to replace them.

3. In-Car Media Storage Device – It can really be a hassle to listen to music if most of your music is stored in digital form. You either have to plug in your iPod or burn CDs from your computer to listen to in the car. Some cars, such as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Mercedes-Benz S Class, have tackled this uniquely digital problem by adding in-car hard drives. You can store your music directly on this drive and listen to it without a portable storage device! Some companies are also working on letting people just plug in a memory stick via a USB port.

4. Heating and Cooling Cupholders – Does your coffee go ice cold before you’ve even had a chance to drink it in the car on your way to work? Or during the summer, does your iced latte heat up way too quickly? Car manufacturers have worked to find a solution to your beverage temperature woes by creating cupholders that will either keep your drink warm or cold. These types of cupholders can be found in cars like the Cadillac Escalada ESV Platinum edition, the Dodge Caliber and the Range Rover Sport.

5. Self-Parking Capability – Do you have a hard time parallel parking? Let your car do the work for you! All you have to do is enter some parameters into the navigation computer, and the car will park itself in a parallel or traditional spot. Currently only available in the Lexus LS 460 and Toyota Priuses sold in Europe.

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Essential Apple Apps

So, you’ve just made the big purchase and have bought your new iPhone or iPad, and now you have to fill it with apps. But which ones? The app store is full of hundreds of different apps for everything under the sun, but navigating your way through them can be irritating. Here is a quick list of essential apps to add to your new phone or iPad. Apps can be separated into two categories: productivity and procrastination. Every iPhone or iPad comes with a mixture of both, including a note pad and a link to YouTube. You can add to these to make your iPhone or iPad to make it more enjoyable.

Productive:

Navigation app.

There are quite a few of these online, so you have your pick of the litter. Make sure to pick one that will work in your area, because some are for specific countries like the United States or Australia, and you’d hate to pick an app that doesn’t work in your country. Some companies release free or lite versions of their products, but these are only cut down versions of the full product, and it might not let you do all that you want. You might have to pay for a full navigator, but it will be worth it.

Lists and task apps.

These apps help you to create to do lists and organise when projects are due. Most of the basic ones include a project database as well as a daily to do list and a shopping list function, while the more expensive ones come with collaboration software, so you can send your list to others in your team. The iPhone and the iPad each come with a calendar, but these apps add functionality to it, so you can keep track of the project and how close the due date is.

File access.

Being on the go is common place in business, but you don’t have to worry about missing out on important information or files with file access apps. These allow you to set up ‘drop boxes’ on your work or home computer and sync those files with your device. You can be working on your report or presentation when you’re on the train going to work, and then upload the changes to your computer.
Procrastination:

Music apps.

There are a few in this category, but the best ones that should be on every iPhone or iPad are the ones that can listen to any song and tell you what it is. Apart from making it easier to buy a song when you hear it playing on the radio, this is a great way to settle bets and arguments.

Brain teasers.

Crosswords, Sudoku, and quick math games help you to keep your brain active while passing the time. Some of the paid apps will let you keep score, so you can challenge your friends and see who’s the fastest.

Pin ball.

The old arcade favourite is back on your phone. Great for a quick game when you’re stuck in line at the grocery store or when you’re stuck in a meeting at work. Just make sure the sound is off.

Many different companies make these types of apps, so have a look at the reviews and see which one is right for you.

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Ergonomic Chairs for Your Gadgets

Whether a user is working or leisurely browsing the net, accumulated hours spent in front of the computer and modern gadgets could result in repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and other type of injuries. RSI is a condition when the joints are stressed because of frequent and repetitive motions or movements. RSIs affect the wrist bone and ligaments, disk compression in the neck, hands, and elbows.
Posture-related injuries may also occur, especially in the lower and upper back, neck, shoulders, and joints. Most often than not, uncomfortable workstation design and long-hours of sitting in front of the computer compounds these type of injuries. Sitting for prolonged hours may not seem like a problem at first, however, staying in the same position for hours may cause fatigue, reduced circulation, pain, and stiffness.

Finding the Right Ergonomic Chair for Your Gadgets

Most of us who spend more time in front of the desktop computer, laptop, and other gadgets require an ergonomically-designed chair and workstation to prevent these injuries from occurring. Finding the right ergonomic furniture is important and requires research and product comparisons. Here are just some essential details that an ergonomically-designed chair should have:

*Chair Backrest: An ergonomic chair should have a backrest with a width of at least 12 to 19 inches that can be tilted forward or backward to support the natural curvature of the spine. The backrest should have a locking mechanism in place to secure it in a comfortable angle.

*Chair Seat: A width of 17 to 20 inches can fit most users. Avoid bucket seats but select the ones that are deep enough to allow contact between the back and the lumbar region.

*Pneumatic Lever: An ergonomic chair should have a pneumatic lever that can adjust seat height to fit the particular requirements of the user. The ideal chair should allow the individual to sit with feet flat on the floor. The seat height should be within a comfortable range of 16 to 20.5 inches and should allow a 90 degree elbow angle.

*Lumbar Adjustment: The ideal chair should provide adequate lumbar spine support. There should be a feature that allows specific users to adjust the height and width of the lumbar support accordingly.

*Swivel and Movable Features: The user should be able to safely swivel and maneuver the chair in any direction or location within the room. The built in wheels or casters at the bottom of the chair should afford mobility and yet can hold up to 100 kilograms per caster.

*Material: The seat cushion and filler should provide comfort during prolonged work periods. The fabric covering the seats and backrests should be made of breathable material. Avoid too soft seats since this could cause frequent position adjustments to maintain posture.

*Armrests: This feature may be optional, depending on the preference and comfort of the user. The important thing is for the user to have unimpeded arm movement while using the computer and other gadgets.

Other Factors to Consider

It is important to have an ergonomically designed work station to go with your chair. The perfect height of the workstation depends on the chair specifications, plus comfort and usability factors. An ideal workstation workstation should allow the user to maintain a 90 degree elbow angle while typing or browsing.

There should be enough leg room to allow changes in leg position. The leg space should be free of drawers, table and legs, and other obstructions. The workstation should have a space big enough to accommodate your desktop computer, laptop or other gadgets. The space should be maximized, so that frequently used equipment or materials are all within reach by the user.

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Five Gadgets A Geeky Mother Would Love

Springtime is here, and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. And, your mom is a hopeless gadget geek. And you have no idea what to get her for Mother’s Day. Have no fear – just check out this list of helpful suggestions, and you’ll have a gift that will make your geeky mom happy in no time.

1. Kindle -- this landmark e-reader is lighter, thinner, and more affordable than ever. Amazon.com now offers two new Kindle versions: one with wifi, for $139, and the other with 3G, for $189. Moms love to read, and a geeky mom will appreciate being able to carry her library of thousands of titles around in her purse with her. The wifi model can connect to the Kindle Store from any wifi connection – but if hotspots are few and far between, the 3G model connects automatically, with no need for a contract or an account since the access is free to Kindle owners. Sweet.

2. External Memory -- Moms love to save things. Millions of things. All kinds of things. About you. So why not give her the gift that keeps on giving: external memory! A 1 terabyte Western Digital My Passport drive connects via USB 3.0 or 2.0, and offers more storage than even a mom will ever use. Currently, this external drive is available at Amazon.com, for $99.99.

3. Flip MinoHD – Let your mom express her artistic talents as a film maker with the latest Flip Video Camera. The 3rd generation Flip MinoHD records up to 2 hours of high definition video and has 8GB of storage – and will only set you back $178

4. iPad – Don’t let anyone fool you: your mom would love an iPad (if she hasn’t already rushed out and gotten one) – and the newest model starts at $499. If you shop around, you may still find lingering stock of the original iPad available from Apple resellers online at great prices. iPad is several gifts rolled into one: e-reader, game system, computer, Internet and email device, and social networking hub.

5. Digital Photo Frame: the Aluratek 8” hi resolution digital photo frame, not available in stores, can be purchased from walmart.com for $39.54, with free store pickup (or an additional cost to have it shipped directly to your home.) Mom will be able to view images at 800x600 resolution on this high quality frame that supports SD/SDHC cards and USB drives for importing pictures of those special times mom will want to cherish.

Those are a few ideas that I hope will help you select a perfect gift for your geeky mom. Happy shopping!

Mackenzie Bryant is a technology blogger who enjoys writing about gadgets and cloud based services. She currently writes for alliedsatellite.com

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7 Tips for Saving Money on Gadgets

A recent article here on The Gadgets Blog told you about ten gadgets that can help you save money. But how do you save money on gadgets in general? Here are seven tips for getting the gadgets that you want without spending more than you can afford:
1. Create a budget and stick to it. The number one way to make sure that you don’t overspend on gadgets is to make sure that you have a family budget and that you don’t exceed it.

2. Be a second wave adopter. It is certainly fun to be an early adopter of new technology (the new iPad anyone?) but this also means that you’re going to pay the highest price for the product. Wait a couple of months and most gadget prices will go down.

3. Don’t be afraid to buy used gadgets. Those early adopters that do pay a lot for their new products often try to recoup their losses by selling their gently used gadgets to others. You can often get a like-new item for a much lower cost. Always make sure that you shop with reputable sellers and get information on warranties when buying any gadget online.

4. Sell the gadgets that you aren’t using anymore. Every time that you replace one gadget with another you should sell the old one. This offsets the cost of the new purchase.

5. Choose gadgets that serve multiple purposes. Single-function gadgets are fun but they are often a waste of money. Get products that do more than one thing. For example, get a smartphone that doubles as a digital camera and a GPS and you don’t need to buy those other items separately.

6. Use promotional codes when shopping online. There are discount codes for most gadgets that you’ll want to purchase. Take the time to find one that will reduce the cost of your purchase.

7. Buy gadgets with a good rewards credit card. Get a good cash back rewards card and pay off the purchase immediately to avoid interest charges. Many cards offer higher rates of cash back on seasonal categories so hold out until the season when you get the most back on gadgets and do your buying then.

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5 Reasons Why Gaming Accessories are Right for Everyone in the World

It doesn't matter whether you're playing Hello Kitty Island Adventures, browsing the internet, or rocking hardcore World of Warcraft – you should take a serious look at gaming accessories and peripherals for your computer. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Gaming Accessories are Sexy.

Gaming accessories always look cooler. Just look at the image with this post. Does your mouse look that cool? I suspect, sir or madam, that is does not. Girls love a guy with a sexy gaming mouse. It's true. Guys will probably want to use it, too. Win-win.

2. Cool Features

Have you ever sat down at a desk and had a mouse jump around with the sensitivity way too high? Or have you ever used a mouse that was tuned so low that it crawled across the screen? Gaming mice usually have a feature where you can change mouse speed with the click of a button – no menus or setting needed.

Some mice also allow you to add weight cartridges, so you can fine-tune the weight to your liking. Others might allow you to play in either wired or wireless mode.

3. Durability

Gaming accessories are really made to last. Back-lit keyboards are designed to endure nerd rage! The back-lit keys never fade, can endure slamming, take multiple inputs, and hey... it's back-lit. (see reason 1) Headsets and mice are constructed with similar durability.

4. Ergonomics

Because gaming mice command a signifcant portion of the market, manufacturers are under pressure to make them comfortable over the long-term. Gamers demand something that won't wear their hand out after days of play.

5. Similar Cost

Gaming accessories like keyboards, mice, and headsets are not much more expensive than regular accessories. The Logitech G500, for example, can be found online for about $45. It lasts forever, tracks accurately, has a weight cartridge, and is amazingly comfortable.

Whether you're a gamer or not, I always strongly suggest starting with gaming accessories before wasting money on a keyboard or mouse that is uncomfortable and poorly constructed.

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