By Todd Bernhard
I've been playing with Word Dance ($2.99) from Design Luscinia. It's a clever app that lets you create "Word Cloud" animations like you see in videos and on TV, but without any special training or complex software. You simply specify a set of words to use, and choose a silhouette to have the words presented in. You can choose from numerous options for video size, colors, fonts, and transitions.
By Todd Bernhard
Regular readers will note that I don't usually write about crowdfunded projects because of the uncertainty around whether the product will actually come to market or function as advertised; but here's one that was a success over a year ago, so the company has a solid, working, shipping product that I was able to review. There's no wonder the DART Laptop Charger ($99.95) from FINsix was funded, since it offers something quite valuable. First, it's a universal laptop charger that offers up to 65 watts of power. I always carry a spare laptop charger in my laptop bag; plus I have one on my desk and one near my couch, so I'm never far from power. If that was all the DART offered, it would be a good start.
By Todd Bernhard
I have been a fan of General Magic since the Apple Newton days. But like the Newton, they went away for a while. Now they are back, with a successful Kickstarter campaign under their belt for a totally new product, Safety Lens ($99.99). Safety Lens is a combination magnetic car mount, magnetic iPhone case, and an intelligent app.
By Todd Bernhard
Satechi specializes in making low-cost accessories that fit right in with Apple gear and in many cases, provide features Apple left out, such as the absence of an SD card reader in the new MacBook Pros. Case in point, the Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub & Card Reader ($29.99). This combination USB 3.0 hub and card reader matches the Apple look and feel with its aluminum composition. Satechi actually added some touches I wish Apple did, such as a grippy rubber bottom to keep the card reader in place on your desk.
By Todd Bernhard
I've always wanted a smart home, perhaps since I first saw Star Trek as a child. After smart light bulbs, one of the first smart home accessory you should get for your home is a smart door lock. I love the ability to unlock my door, or make sure I locked it, from my app. I can do this now with the Kevo Touch-to-Open Smart Lock ($229) from Kwikset. What I like most about the Kevo is that it's from a trusted door lock security vendor, so you can feel safe. For example, they include serious security features like BumpGuard protection. This prevents bad guys from trying to use traditional burglar techniques to override the mechanical key mechanism.
By Todd Bernhard
My family has three different iPhones with the same form factor, namely the iPhone SE, the iPhone 5s, and the iPhone 5. All have a different color, so we should be able to tell them apart, but we can't if they are in the same case. That's where the Impact CLEAR Case for iPhone SE, 5, and 5s ($34.95) from Tech21 comes in. The same clear protective case could be used with all of those iPhones and still we could tell them apart thanks to the clear view the case offers. It's not 100 percent transparent... there's a bit of a muted finish that dulls the look, but nothing dramatic and you might find it desirable.
By Todd Bernhard
It's becoming clear that the folks at Belkin own a lot of Apple gear, because they know where there are gaps in Apple's product lines and how to fill them. They also take a lot of styling cues from Apple, and the result is much needed accessories that blend right in with an all-Apple environment. For example, I wrote about Belkin's Lightning splitter which will address the charging-while-listening dilemma for iPhone 7 users. Now they offer the Valet Charger Power Pack 6700 mAh for Apple Watch + iPhone($99.99), which was given one of iPhone Life's Best of CES 2017 awards.
By Todd Bernhard
Gamers rejoice! There's a new pair of headphones in town that adapts to your needs, whether you're on the road or at home. The Duel Modular Gaming Headset ($189.99) from Fnatic is more like a computer system than a computer accessory. You can "program" it to be a travel headphone or a gaming headset. Just swap in the optional boom mike. Want to reduce background noise? Use the larger ear cups. When traveling, using the more compact versions.
By Todd Bernhard
Epic. That's how my daughter described the Kushion Bluetooth Speaker ($299.99) and I have to agree. It is an impressive piece of equipment and a unique take on a portable Bluetooth speaker. First, it's big—about the size of a king size pillow. And it serves as a pillow, hence the name Kushion. You can rest your head in the center and get stereo sound for each ear. You have to hear it to believe it. This is one loud Bluetooth speaker; you'll want to take advantage of the built-in buttons to control the volume and playback and even answer your phone call.
By Todd Bernhard
There are a lot of high tech toys out there to choose from, but I've always found that the best toys are the ones that you build yourself. As a kid, I carried around a briefcase full of Legos. That was my "work" and eventually I upgraded to Erector sets, and then tearing apart electronics. Kids today have Thimble, a monthly subscription service and learning platform that is now shipping its first learn-and-build electronics kits. In fact, Thimble is the gift that keeps on giving, not only because of the educational value in building the items, but it's also available as a monthly subscription service ($59 per month) versus $89 for just one kit. If you get the subscription, a new kit arrives each month, with step-by-step instructions and the kits get more complex over the year.