By Todd Bernhard
I must confess that when I see those kids' sneakers that light up, I get a little jealous. I'd like to have light up sneakers, if for no other reason than walking my dog safely at night. So the iB91 FreedomGlow wireless Bluetooth headphones ($69.99) from iHome may be appealing to both kids and grownups!
By Todd Bernhard
I've been using Wink products to make my home smarter for over a year. My favorite use case is opening and closing my garage, from my Apple Watch. This comes in handy when walking my dog. I can close the door if I end up going farther than I planned to, and I can open it just before I get to my house, all without digging my iPhone out. But Wink products do so much more. You can monitor your propane tank level, and access your thermostat, security system, and lighting. I also have a door lock and Ring video doorbell that are Wink compatible.
By Todd Bernhard
Thanks to the iPad, the days of paper-based note taking may be coming to an end. But paper is still with us. I find I need to carry a briefcase or portfolio along with my iPad, to classes, business meetings, and more. That's why I need the Business Leather Portfolio ($49) from Sunrise Hitek. First and foremost, it's a quality buttery soft leather portfolio, with a paper notepad, storage for papers, pens, business cards, and more.
By Todd Bernhard
Having the best iPhone car accessories for your iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, and earlier iPhone models can make your daily commute significantly smoother. Whether you are looking for the best iPhone car mount or the faster iPhone car charger or just wondering what is CarPlay and should you get it for your car, this roundup has everything you need when it comes to iPhone accessories for you car.
By Todd Bernhard
I switched to satellite-based DirecTV a while ago, when AT&T (owner of DirecTV) offered unlimited wireless data for DirecTV subscribers. It was a good deal, as we were anxious to leave Time Warner but not ready to cut the cable cord yet. But for those who prefer watching TV using apps, the company just announced DIRECTV NOW, an app-based streaming service that includes live TV as well as on-demand shows. It could be a bargain and it just got better.
By Todd Bernhard
Amazon Prime and Netflix have been battling it out with original content such as Transparent, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, The Man in the High Castle, Orange is the New Black, and more but one advantage Amazon has had is offering its users the ability to download video content for viewing offline. There are many times I've used Amazon Video to watch movies and shows on an airplane or on a train with poor Wi-Fi or cellular reception. Netflix has a lot of content I'd like to view that way, but until now, you needed a live connection.
By Todd Bernhard
The Black Friday 2016 ads are leaking already, some intentionally and some not so intentionally. If an Amazon Echo Dot is on your wishlist (and it should be) set your calendar as they will be discounted from $49.99 to $39.99 at Staples, online on Thanksgiving Thursday and in store on Black Friday. Keep in mind that the original Echo Dot was $89.99 just a few months ago. Now, at under $40, you can get one for every room in the house.
By Todd Bernhard
Every year, when I come home from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, people ask me what the "theme" was. This past year, it was two things: virtual reality and drones. Naturally, someone would come along with a product that incorporates both technologies, and it's an impressive engineering feat. The VIDIUS HD ($75 on sale from $95) from Aerix Drones is remarkably small. In fact, the company claims the title of the World's Smallest FPV Drone and I believe it. Honestly, if I have any complaints, it's that perhaps it's too small, as it could be hard to find in the sky, and also the drone has a proprietary charger instead of microUSB. But it certainly will fit in a stocking and make a great tech gift for kids!
By Todd Bernhard
For day-to-day use, I prefer my iPad, but given the low price point of the Amazon Kindle Fire (starting at $50 but sometimes on sale for $35 to $40) I had to buy a few of the Amazon variety. They work well for watching videos using Amazon Prime; and given their price point, they are practically disposable. For example, I've spent more on a case for my iPad than the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet costs.
By Todd Bernhard
While Apple took a hiatus from offering Black Friday discounts in 2015, the company just posted a teaser that indicates shoppers should see some Black Friday 2016 deals on Apple products. The company has put up a simple web page that says "Friday can't come fast enough" and says to come back for its one-day shopping event. Ironically, it is true that Friday can't come fast enough, as many "Black Friday" sales will start on Thanksgiving Thursday.