Mpow® iSnap X One-piece U-Shape Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Remote

  If you have ever wanted to take a group selfie or just wanted to get you and a whole lot of the background in a selfie, a selfie stick is the thing you want. This particular selfie stick stretches out to 32 inches - that doesn't sound like much but it can really add a lot to your picture.

Most selfie sticks are basically a one-legged tripod, including having that screw-on top so that you can attach a camera to it instead of a cell phone. If you want to use your cell phone you need to screw on a clamp that holds your phone. Personally, I don't know of anyone that uses a digital camera with a selfie stick and this selfie stick dispenses with that option completely. It replaces it with a fold-down head that is much easier to set up than your typical selfie stick. When folded down, this is a much more compact little package than your typical selfie stick. This has become the selfie stick that I take on trips and to family gatherings.

The camera can swivel up and down so you can pick the best angle and then tighten everything down. The extension works like an old-fashioned radio or TV antenna and it is very sturdy.

This selfie stick is 32 inches long. The other selfie sticks that I have played around with are 40 inches long but they have not felt as sturdy as this one. The Bluetooth pairs easily so you can take multiple pictures. Of course, if you forget to charge the selfie stick you can still use it by setting your phone's camera on a timer and pose before it takes the picture.

I rate this selfie stick 5 stars out of 5.

At the time of the writing of this review this selfie stick cost $18.99. Check here for current pricing:
[New Generation] Mpow® iSnap X Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Remote Shutter (Blue) 

 Note: I was sent a selfie stick for review purposes so that I could write an informed review.

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth

I am currently listening to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Bluetooth headset. I have reviewed a number of Bluetooth headsets in the last few months and this one has one big thing going for it - its design. 

The problem with Bluetooth headsets is what do you do with the things when you are out and about but you are not actually listening to them and you still want them handy? You could dangle them around your neck, but they could slip off and get lost. If you put them away, they're not very handy. 

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 uses this collar-like device that is very lightweight. They are so lightweight that it is easy to forget that you are wearing them. If you are not using the ear buds, just attach them to the collar with the built-in magnets and the they are tucked out of the way.

The SoundPEATS Universal Q800has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out. synced very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 right away (usually the first time is the trickiest time) - so quickly that I thought there was a problem because my phone skipped some of it's normal searching - they found each other and synced up right away.
The sound is very good. It is loud, but not loud enough to block out the normal everyday sounds of life but not loud enough to bother the people sitting beside you. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard - but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either.

It comes with two sets of replacement earbuds, a mini-USB charger cord and a replacement anchor that holds to wire to the collar.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone and my wife said it sounded very clear when I used it.  I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons. When someone calls when you are paired to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 one of the tips of the collar vibrates just in case you are wearing the collar but do not have the earpieces in  It feels like a bug is trying to land on your neck - it gets your attention!. It does the same thing when you wander out of range. When you go back into range it tells you that you are re-connected.

At the time of this writing, this headset costs $24.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to check on current pricing:  Soundpeats Universal Q800 Stereo Bluetooth Headset

I rate this Bluetooth headset 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free headset in exchange for an honest review.

Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds (green) by Jadaol

  Great Entry Level Bluetooth Earbuds

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, six sets of ear bud tips and three sets of different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The instruction book has great graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written.

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3.

What came with the headset. The USB charger cord is not pictured.

The sound is very good. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard -but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either. Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a good deal.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone (my wife said it sounded better than when I talk on the phone the normal way) so what's not to like? I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

They come in three colors: green, blue and orange.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

As of the time of this review, the Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds cost $21.99. Check for current pricing here: Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport (Green)

Audiosharp AS1206 Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 Lightweight Sweatproof Headsets

  A Hybrid Bluetooth Set

The traditional Bluetooth headset is that in one ear set that people use to talk on the phone. But, almost all Bluetooth stereo sets have a phone feature as well. But, what if you want to talk on the phone and drive your car at the same time with one of those stereo headphones? If you put both speakers in your ears you really can't hear what's going on when you drive, but if you just leave one headphone in then the other one is dangling around.

This most distinguishing feature is that the connecting cable between the two is detachable so that you can use one of the earphones and use it as a single earpiece. Re-connect the cable and you have stereo headphone set. Note: because of this feature, both earpieces have to be charged separately but the set comes with a dual plugged USB charger cord to get that done.

The attached ear hooks swivel and are actually very comfortable. On the whole, this set feels well-built.

The music quality is pretty typical of what you get in a Bluetooth set. Everything is clear and sounds good, just not exceptional. 

The phone quality is just so-so. I called my mom and she said I sounded a "little fuzzy", but completely understandable.

This headset comes in three different colors: black, red and white.

I rate this headset 4 stars out of 5.

As of the writing of this review, this headset cost $29.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Audiosharp AS1206 Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 (White)

4 Pack Beach Towel Clips in Fun Bright Colors by Marrywindix

  Unbelievably simple and effective.

Normally I review tech stuff on this blog. But, it also says that I review gadgets and gizmos and these clips just may qualify as a gadget or a gizmo.

What they are is unbelievably simple and effective. At first glance they are just really big laundry pins. But, their size and the their design means that they are very strong. Most laundry pins would have a hard time holding wet beach towels to the line, but not these. 

We keep them around in the bathroom when they are not on beach patrol. The other day our bathroom rug got soaked by a faulty shower head and we used these clips to pin the rug to the inside of the shower door so that the water drained into the shower. 

I rate these towel clips 5 stars out of 5.

At the time of this review this set of 4 clips cost $5.95 on Amazon. Click here to check for current pricing: Marrywindix 4 Pack Beach Towel Clips
 
Note: I was sent a free sample of these towel clips in exchange for an honest review. I was expecting nothing and I was pleasantly surprised.

Best _Express New 2015 Lightweight Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds 4.0 Headset (black) by IMMI

     They are affordable and they do the job.

I have used and reviewed plenty of Bluetooth earbuds. Some come in fancy packages (these do not). Some come with fancy plastic casings (these do not). Some come with fancy flat wires (these do not). Some are very expensive (these are not). These are the most basic Bluetooth earbuds I have seen - and they work!

Everything about these earbuds is basic - and there is a place for that. If you are working in an environment that is hostile to tech (wet, very dusty, whatever) your earbuds will fail no matter how expensive they are. At $13.99, these are practically disposable. If you have a middle schooler, this might be a good place to start since they tend to lose stuff easily. Or, if you are like me, I work in a high school where I have seen lots of tech stuff get stolen over the years (phones, wired earbuds, wireless mice, wired mice, projectors, and more) than you don't want to bring a $200 set of Bluetooth earbuds.

But, it's not like these are a bad set of earbuds. They work more than 20 feet away from my phone, the sound is not amazing, but it is every bit as good as most of the earphones and earbuds as I have had in my life. They sound good with audiobooks, too. 

The earphones with a Bic pen for size comparison.

These earbuds pair a little harder than some and a little easier than other earbuds that I have used. Usually it takes two tries to get them to pair.

The ear clips are an issue. If you are going to be doing a lot of moving around you will probably have to use these ear clips. They are made of clear plastic and latch onto the earbuds and then slide over the ear. But, if you have fairly large ears, like me, you may find them to be uncomfortable after a few minutes. If you are not moving around a lot, this will not be an issue.

The phone feature on this headset is tremendous. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons. But, the sound quality for both the call in and the call out is excellent - much better than on most of the headsets I have tested.

The earbuds come in four different color combinations: black/white, white/white, blue/white and pink/white.

So, to sum up, these are not fancy. They are not an audiophiles dream but they are affordable and they do the job. 

As of the time of this review, these earbuds cost $13.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Best _Express Lightweight Bluetooth 4.0 Headset

Note: I was sent a free copy of these earbuds for review purposes. in exchange for an honest review.

Brightech String Lights with 120 Warm White Color LED's, 20-Feet

So, here's what you get -  a 6 foot wire heading out to a 20 foot string of 120 LED lights. The lights look like they are attached to a naked copper wire but the wire is actually covered with some sort of clear coating so you don't get the shock of your life.

The fact that the wire is basically just a wire makes it pretty easy to install. You can easily wrap it around nails, screws, go around corners and more. Be careful, though. The fact that the wires are so thin means that they are easy to kink and can get damaged.

These are for indoor use only and the instructions recommend that they not remain plugged in for more than eight hours at a time.

I rate these lights 4 stars out of 5.

As of the writing of this review these lights cost $19.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Brightech String Lights with 120 Warm White Color LED's, 20-Feet

Note: I received a free set of lights from Brightech for review purposes.

Brightech - BrightPlay Car HD™ Bluetooth 4.0 Hands-Free Car Kit

So, let's say your car is new enough to have an "aux in" port but not new enough to be Bluetooth enabled. With this device you simply plug it into the cigarette lighter, connect your Bluetooth device to the BrightPlay Car HD and plug it into your aux in port and Bam! you've turned your car into a Bluetooth device. 

Now, you may be thinking that if you have a portable device and you have a "line-in" aux line to your car's stereo than you are probably good without this device because you can just use your phone to change songs, pause the music, answer the phone, etc. That is very true, except that this device has a button that skips all of that logging in/swiping to get into your phone (which can be dangerous while you are driving). Hit the button and you change songs. Hit it another way and you are answering the phone and so on. 

If you do not have an "aux in" port for your car's stereo you have to do something else to get Bluetooth on your car's stereo. 

Also, while the device is streaming, you can plug your phone into a USB port built into the back of the charger that powers the Bluetooth device

Note: I was sent a BrightPlay Car HD in order to write a review.

Brightech - BrightPlay Car HD™ Bluetooth.

I rate this device 4 stars out of 5.

Note: I was sent a BrightPlay Car HD in order to write a review.

The Original Starry Solar String Lights by Brightech - 20ft LED Light String Set with Solar Panel: Warm White / Cool White / Multicolor

Note: this is a review of three different light sets. They are identical except for the color of the lights.

So, here's what you get with each of them - each has a solar panel with about an 8 foot wire heading out to a 20 foot string of LED lights. The lights look like they are attached to a naked copper wire but the wire is actually covered with some sort of clear coating so you don't get the shock of your life.

The fact that the wire is basically just a wire makes it pretty easy to install. You can easily wrap it around nails, screws, branches, go around corners and more. Be careful, though. The fact that the wires are so thin means that they are easy to kink and can get damaged. They are made to be outside in the elements but they would also work well inside, so long as you can get the solar panel out in the sun.

The solar panel comes with a stake to put it into the sunlight (it needs 8+ hours of good sunlight to make a full charge). But, if you want, the box also includes a wall mount with two screws and two drywall anchors.

How bright are the lights?

Well, you cannot use them to light your backyard, but these would make great accent lights along a deck railing, in a gazebo, under picnic tables or under an awning. If you have a patio, these would be great on bushes, lattice work or even on a tree. Make sure that the solar panel is not in a location where it gets exposed to light during the night - if it does the lights may flicker or not even work at all.

The paperwork makes it very clear that the battery will have to be replaced after a year of use. The panel looks fairly straightforward to remove with a screw driver. 

As of the time of this review, a set of these lights cost between $23.99 and $29.99 on Amazon, depending on which set you are interested in. They can be found here: Warm White LEDs and here: Cool White LEDs and here: Multi-Color LEDs 

These are a lot of fun. I rate them 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received 3 sets of lights at not cost so that I could evaluate them in order to make an honest review.

SoundPEATS A1 Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones with Built-in Mic and 12 Hour Battery (Black)

As a rule, I am not a fan of the bigger over the head type of headphones. Although the sound is always awesome, eventually the weight of the headphones themselves becomes an issue or they phones themselves start to hurt my ears and the top of my head.. Not the inside of my ears - the outside part, where the headphones are sitting and rubbing. I don't know if it's because they pinch too tight (I have a large head) or what but they start to hurt.

The SoundPEATS A1 solves two of the three problems. It is very lightweight and it does not hurt my ears but they do hurt the top of my head unless I position them just right. On the other hand, my daughter has worn them on her head for hours and not complained. 

But, do they work well?

Absolutely. This is a fine set of headphones.

The Bluetooth pairs easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and my Chromebook.

The headphones do not get super loud. I know that some people like to have their headphones so loud that everyone can still hear their music. These headphones will not do that. But, they are loud enough to block out everyone else and immerse you into your own personal world of sound.

The set includes a telephone feature so you can answer the phone while wearing them without having to undo all of the Bluetooth connections. The phone is merely so-so. 

The SoundPEATS A1 comes with an optional wired feature. If you have a wire with two male ends you can plug the headphones into a non-Bluetooth device. The headphones come with a wire, but the jack on the headphones is damaged just one speaker works.

The headphones also come with a mini-USB cord that you can plug into your computer to charge the device.

As of the time of this review, the SoundPEATS A1 headphones cost $39.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Soundpeats A1 Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones with Built-in Mic and 12 Hour Battery (Black)

Note: I received a set of these headphones for review purposes in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these headphones 4 stars out of 5. 

Audiosharp AS1130 Ultimate Noise Isolating In Ear Headphones with Super Enhanced Bass Metal Housing by Audiosharp

    Extraordinary Bass

As I am writing this review I am listening to Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor being played on a pipe organ. I know that most people would use hard rock music to test the bass, but I have already done that and I was impressed. The version I was listening to was played on a massive pipe organ and if you have never sat next to a very large pipe organ you have no idea of the depth of the bass and the strength it sends out across the sanctuary. Listen to what I was listening to here. 

The extraordinary bass of the Audiosharp AS1130 conveys that overwhelming bass amazingly well. My head feels like I am listening to it live - the speakers vibrate my skull (and, no, I am not listening to it with the sound all jacked up). The bass just goes that deep and that strong.

So, here's what you get with these earbuds: 

-a small leather carrying case.

-four sets of earbud tips to customize your fit.

-a CD to break in your headphones (I confess that I did not use it - my computer has no CD player). 

-An amazing set of headphones. I have reviewed headphones that cost much, much more but none sound better.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a set of these earbuds in order that I may evaluate them and give an honest review. Honestly, these things will rock your musical world and won't empty your wallet.

At the time of this review the Audiosharp AS1130 cost $29.99 on Amazon. Click here for current pricing: Audiosharp AS1130

GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth Earphones (Silver) by GLCON

The GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth Earphones come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, three ear bud tips and two different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The instruction book has great graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly not written by a native speaker of English but it is easily understood.

The GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 but it refused to sync with my Chromebook even though the Chromebook recognized that the GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two was there. 

The sound is very good. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either . Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a good deal.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

On top of that, the device comes with an excellent built-in phone (my mom said it sounded better than when I talk on the phone the normal way) so what's not to like?

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

As of the time of this review, the GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two cost $32.99. Check for current pricing here: GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth (Silver)

Marrywindix Fashion Unisex Computer Glasses- Anti-reflective ,Anti-glare ,Clear Lens, Uv Protection (Amber)

       They do work, but probably not the way you would think

I admit, I could see no use for these things. The distributor offered me a free pair in exchange for an honest review and I said, "Sure." But, what I was thinking was, "Yeah, right!"

So, here is what you get:

1. a nice hard-sided glasses case with a clip so you can attach it to a backpack (in case you are hiking to computer camp?)

2. amber tinted plastic frames with plastic lenses. The lenses are very slightly tinted yellow which makes them like the old "blue blocker" lenses or "shooter's glasses", but just not as tinted.

3. the glasses are comfortable and stylish in a geeky sort of way.

Do they work?

Well, yes and no.

Here is what I discovered:

My laptop is by a window that gets a lot of sunlight. During the day the screen has to be turned up fairly bright just to counteract all of the natural light. But, in the evening there is just the interior lighting and the screen is really more bright than it needs to be. I have adjusted this by just hitting the button on my keyboard that makes the screen less bright. But, the colors and the contrast don't "POP" like normal. Everything is much more subdued.

But, when you look at the screen when it is turned low while wearing these glasses the "POP" comes back. The contrast looks normal. 

So, what does this mean?

The glasses do very little to reduce glare - they are just barely tinted, after all. But, what they do is they allow you to turn the brightness down on the computer and still enjoy what you are looking at and the simple act of turning down the brightness on your computer screen does reduce the glare. 

I rate these glasses four stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review these glasses cost $13.99 on Amazon. For current pricing, check here: Marrywindix Fashion Unisex Computer Glasses- Anti-reflective ,Anti-glare ,Clear Lens, Uv Protection (Amber)

Jadaol® Small Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (camo) byJadaol

  A Lot of Noise in a Small Package.

If you are looking for a room-filling speaker, the kind of speaker that rocks out a large space, this is not your speaker. But, if space is a premium, for whatever reason,  and you are in the market for a very small speaker that makes a comparatively large amount of noise this may be your speaker. 

This little cube measures about 1.6 inches on each side, comes with a little carabiner so that you can clip it to a backpack and listen as you hike. It also comes with a mini-USB cable to charge it.

The manufacturer claims it is waterproof (and show pictures of it in water). I will take their word for it. Four sides are covered with a rubberized material. The hole to charge the speaker has a little rubberized door that I have a hard time sealing shut (although my daughter does not - there must be a trick that I do not understand).

This speaker comes in four colors: black, blue, pink and camo. Mine is camo and sometimes the pattern makes the buttons a little hard to see. Not impossible, but tricky.

The same goes with pairing with my Samsung Galaxy 3. It does pair, but not as fast as other devices do. It usually takes more than one try and can take several. 

For the money, there are bigger speakers out there but if you travel a lot and just want a little music in the tent or the hotel room than this may be worth the loss of some volume for gain in space in your suitcase.

I rate this speaker 4 stars out of 5. I took off a point for the issues with seeing the buttons and pairing with my phone.

As of the time of the writing of this review this Bluetooth speaker cost $31.88 on Amazon. Click here to check on current pricing: Jadaol®small Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (camo).

Note: I received a speaker in exchange for an honest review.

Aduro PowerUP Smart 6-Port USB Rapid Charger by Aduro

  Take Charge with this Little Charging Tower

The concept of a multiple USB wall charger is great for travelers since it is certainly hard to find enough outlets to plug in chargers for GPS systems, phones, kindles, travel batteries and Bluetooth headsets in a hotel room, especially if you are sharing your room.

But, if you are like me than you are quickly discovering that your house and your office were not built to charge up all of the rechargeable devices that you have accumulated over the last couple of years. There just are not enough outlets in convenient places to charge up everything. The multi-port charger has quickly become an indispensable part of my daily tech life.

The Aduro PowerUP charger is an attractive well-built device. I have 3 other multi-port chargers and they all lay on the desk on their sides. This one, however, is designed to stand up which does two things: it saves desktop space and it makes it easier to access the charger (the top USB ports anyway). The plug is removable so that it can be easily stored away for travel.

The Aduro PowerUP comes in three different color schemes: 
1) black body with a grey face (pictured);
2) white body with a grey face;
3) black body with a blue face.

I really have only one complaint about this device.  It has 6 ports with the middle two designed for the iPad and the iPhone. Those devices require more power to properly charge and those two slots are the only two that provide enough power to charge them at the normal pace. The other four slots will be slow or may not even be able to completely charge them. The other three chargers that I own all have chip technology that allows the device to determine the type of device that has been plugged in and then provide the correct amount of current. This one requires the user to make that determination and users who are not careful or well-informed may not get their devices charged properly.

For that reason, I feel that I can only give this charger 4 stars out of 5. 

As of the time of this review, the Aduro PowerUP was selling for $24.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Aduro PowerUP (Grey).

Note: I received a free Aduro PowerUP so that I could evaluate it in order to write an honest review.

Mpow® Cobble Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Wireless Headphone Car Earpiece for Smartphones and Bluetooth Devices by Mpow

This is Mpow's newest version of an old classic - the Bluetooth earpiece. This unit features the classic Bluetooth earpiece design - no extending microphones or any wires going to your ear.

The sound is very clear and it stayed connected more than 20 feet away from my phone in my house. The single speaker is designed for voices so if you are an audiophile and you like to listen to music through your smart phone in between calls you are bound to be a little disappointed. I mean, it's not bad, it's just like listening to music on your car stereo if it has one of those "talk radio" settings for the graphic equalizer. On the other hand, it is really a phone - the music is just a nice bonus.

This earpiece will not last an entire workday - it is designed to work for 5 hours straight. But, that is really quite a long time considering how small the battery must be in this lightweight device.

The earpiece comes with two optional over-the-ear hooks and two extra inserts that go into the ear. The over-the-ear hook might not be necessary if you are not moving too much. This earpiece fits me pretty snugly without the hook.

At the time of this review Amazon.com did not have a price for this earpiece. But, you can check here to check for current pricing: Mpow® Cobble Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Wireless Headphone Car Earpiece for Smartphones and Bluetooth Devices

I rate this Bluetooth earpiece 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received an earpiece for evaluation purposes in exchange for an honest review.

KingTop Optical Gaming Mouse

   My New Go-To Mouse

I was offered this mouse to review by KingTop and I jumped at it, not because I am a gamer (far from it) but because I am a teacher.

You see, we have Chromebooks at my school and I use mine all of the time in class for various things and I use a mouse rather than the mouse pad (I detest mouse pads). But, while my Chromebook is relatively safe in my building because we can track them, the mice are not. I lost a mouse with a retractable cord thanks to a freshman that kept pulling on it to get it to retract and eventually the USB plug came off. I also lost a wireless mouse because someone stole the mouse but not the dongle that makes the mouse work with a computer. So, now we both have two useless pieces of electronics.

So, when I was offered a mouse I figured that chances are I would need it sooner rather than later. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is now my "go-to" mouse rather than just a back up mouse. 

Why is it now my "go-to" mouse at home?

There really is only one reason - it is very, very comfortable to use and it works without being jerky. 

It certainly isn't the look of the mouse. At best, you could say that it looks like it was designed by the team that designed the Batmobile in the last Batman trilogy - it looks kind of wicked. It has a spider on it and it pulses blue, pink, red, yellow, green and turquoise. 

Even though I am not fond of its looks, my hand just rests so comfortably on this mouse. The design was more concerned with how it feels rather than how it looks. In the end, that is what most important is the feel of the mouse and how it works. This teacher gives both this mouse an A+ in both of those categories.

As of the time of the writing of this review this mouse cost $12.99 on Amazon.com. Click here for current pricing:  Kingtop Gaming Mouse

I rate this mouse 5 stars out of 5. 

Kinzd® Ultra Thin Aluminum Metal Wallet - RFID Blocking Credit Card Wallet Holder for Men & Women

Normally, I would not review a wallet on this blog but since it is an anti-RFID wallet it sort of counts as a piece of tech, or at least I can call it anti-tech.

If you are not aware, it is technically possible for a bad guy to steal information from some credit and debit cards with a reader without even having to look at the card or even take the card out of the owner's wallet.

So, what about this wallet?

Pros:

-Aluminum does block those readers so this aluminum wallet should do the trick.

-It securely holds up to six cards in the wallet. Once they are in there, they are in there tight.

-Additional spending cash can be folded into thirds and tucked in with the cards where it fits snugly.

-The corners are rounded so that the metal does not wear holes in pockets so easily.

Cons:

-It only holds six cards and it is fairly bulky for holding so few cards. I cannot make the move from my leather wallet to this wallet.

-The online description claims that it can be used to hold business cards. Regular business cards do not fit in this wallet.

The short version: It does what it is designed to do, but it's just not big enough to be used as an everyday wallet.

As of the time of this writing this wallet cost $7.49 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: Kinzd® Ultra Thin Aluminum Metal Wallets - RFID Blocking Credit Card Wallet Holder for Men & Women

I rate this wallet 4 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free wallet in exchange for an honest review.

Zoom Power Bank Z-6000 and Zoom Power Bank Z-12000

Extra battery power is almost a must nowadays. So much more is accessible on tablets and phones but the batteries on most phones don't have enough juice to make it to the end of the day. 

Both of these Power Banks fix that problem, it's just a matter of how much extra power you want to bring with you. I am reviewing both of these because they operate the same in every way except that one is twice as powerful and twice as large as the other.

Both units have a simple interface that tells you how "charged up" it is. Zero lights = no charge, one light = 25% charged on up to 4 lights = fully charged. 

Both chargers with a pen for the purposes of size
comparison. 

The Z-6000, the smaller of the two chargers (it is about the size of a typical smart phone), can recharge your cell phone 4 times before it is exhausted. This would be perfect for that long flight when you have to do a lot on your phone and you don't have access to a wall plug.

The Z-12000, the larger of the two chargers (it is about the size of a battery for a small laptop), can recharge your cell phone 8 times (!) before it is emptied. We use this on vacations. It is too big to carry around in your pocket but if you travel with a backpack you can easily carry the Z-12000 around with you.

These are both powerful chargers - they carry a lot of power and can take up to 12 hours to completely charge. If you are using these on a trip, make sure you plug these guys in as soon as you get back to your room. 

Both chargers come with a three-headed USB cord. One is for the older style iPhone plug, one for the new iPhone plug and one is a mini-USB like androids and kindles use. There are two USB ports on each Power Bank. One for iPhones and tablets, one for androids.

Both chargers are sharp-looking but if you are like me you value actual battery power over how good it looks. These are the real deal.

I rate these Power Banks 5 stars out of 5. 

As of the time of the writing of this review the Z-6000 cost $24.77 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: Z-6000(Electric Blue)

As of the time of the writing of this review the Z-12000 cost $44.77 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: Z-12000

Note: I received a free sample of both power banks in exchange for an honest review. 

iPow Selfie Stick with Adjustable X Clamp Phone Holder & Built-in Remote Shutter by iPow

If you have ever wanted to take a group selfie or just wanted to get you and a whole lot of the background in a selfie, a selfie stick is the thing you want. This particular selfie stick stretches out to 40 inches - that doesn't sound like much but it can really add a lot to your picture.

The set up is easy. Your phone locks into a sturdy spring-loaded butterfly clamp and you screw the clamp onto the end of the stick (like you would to a tripod). Large devices such as a tablet will not fit into this clamp. 

The camera can swivel left and right and up and down and so you can pick the best angle and then tighten everything down. The extension works like an old-fashioned radio or TV antenna and it is very sturdy. 

On a newer Apple phone the white cord plugs into the earphone plug and makes the camera snap pictures. Now you can take pictures with a button in the handle of the selfie stick. Aim it at yourself or maybe turn on the video and stick your camera up into your very scary attic.

But, if you have an Android or another operating system you will have trouble. The manufacturer promises on the Amazon website that it will work with Samsung Galaxy 4 and above. I have a Galaxy 3 so I just used the 5 second delay feature and held the stick up and took my picture. It worked just as well and I was pleased with the results.

The selfie stick comes with a cloth drawstring bag to store the stick.

As of the time of this review this selfie stick cost $12.99 on Amazon. You can click here to check on current pricing: iPow Selfie Stick.

Note: I was sent a selfie stick for review purposes so that I could write an informed review.

Pack of Two DE 14500 Li-ion Button Top Rechargeable Batteries with Charger in Retail Packaging - 750mAh, 3.7V by DE

  Momentarily confused, but I figured it out.

When I first opened this battery charger I was confused. There is no cord. But, on the side I found a micro-USB jack and realized that you were expected to provide your own. If you are like me, you are awash in micro-USB cords of all sorts of different sizes and colors, so finding a cord was not a problem. I am used to chargers that plug directly into a wall outlet and I think that this is a superior plan. Most computers have multiple USB ports and there are so many multi-port chargers out there that this certainly beats tying up an entire wall outlet with just one wall charger. Plus, you can charge them from you car, which could be helpful if you are traveling.


Secondly, I had a heck of a time getting the batteries placed in the charger to charge. The charger is designed to accommodate AA and AAA batteries and, as I have recently discovered, not all rechargeable batteries are the same size - they vary in length and width just a bit (the ones included with this device are just a tad long) so this charger's spring loaded "bottom" takes care of those differences. All of this ability to be slightly flexible means that it takes a little time and attention to get those batteries into place to charge. 

While it is charging there is a red indicator light. When it is charged it turns green. The charger is pretty fast, although I must admit I have not put it to a timed test. 

The batteries work well. The manufacturer suggests that these batteries be used with devices such as laser pointers, flashlights and other devices "that require lots of power in a short period of time." Be prepared that these particular batteries may not fit well in your device (like my daughter's digital camera) but fit fine in other devices (like my flashlight) because they are larger than a AA. But, the charger can accommodate other sizes of batteries.

At the time of this review, Amazon sold this charger for $19.99. Click here for current pricing: Pack of Two DE 14500 Li-ion Button Top Rechargeable Batteries with Charger in Retail Packaging - 750mAh, 3.7V

Note: I received a sample copy for review purposes in exchange for an honest review.

I rate this charger 4 stars out of 5.