The Gadget Thread

[WickerBill]

If you can't tell by all of these types of threads I start... I like aggregation. :) I'm going to list some of the items I've recently acquired that have made things better / easier.... and would very much appreciate it if you would join in. It may help someone find Christmas gifts, ya know.

- Roku (with free Plex app): Finally broke down and bought a Roku 2 XS refurb from Amazon for $55. Quickly learned from reading that there's a free app for it called Plex, which turns a computer into your house into a streaming media server. Since I already rip all of my DVDs and BRs for use on iPad, it was dead simple to import them into the Plex framework. The great thing about Plex is... it goes out to the internet and grabs all of the movie / tv show episode information including artwork, etc., automatically. And for $5, PlexPlus will allow you to stream those movies outside your home network (I haven't done that yet and not sure I will). Free iOS and Android app for Roku allow for instant streaming from phone/tablet to screen. And of course the Roku has apps like Netflix/Vudu/Amazon Video on the device, vs Chromecast, which requires streaming to it from a phone/tablet/computer.

- Sonos: Tired of me chirping about this yet? Great sound for the price, fantastic streaming capability, dead simple setup. Want to give your parents or less-technical siblings something great that they pretty much can't screw up?


You know what's annoying? I had three things to write about when I started this thread and I cannot remember the third. Life-changer, obviously.

[dando]

Chromecast.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/google-chromecast/4505-6739_7-35823617.html

It's better than watching crickets on a Roku (looks @ Elmo). :gomer:

[Andrew Longman]

Neat portable organizer.

If you deal with a lot of receipts, etc. (I do) it does exactly what it is suppose to do and is very clever.

The cheezy TV ads don't lie.

[Elmo T]

Roku :thumbup::thumbup: We are using it more and more.

We even used ours on the road to FL via wife's iPhone hotspot and a power-inverter. ;)

Other gadgets:

MagLight XL200 flashlight - small and but very powerful. Can flash S-O-S if you crash your plane :gomer:.

Forget the Leatherman pocketknives - a single decent locking knife is a must. Kershaw Vapor III - all stainless steel - is holding up nicely.

In the Suburban - power tilting side view mirrors may be the greatest vehicle invention e-v-e-r. :)

[nrc]

Lowes IRIS - http://www.lowes.com/cd_Iris_239939199_

I love being able to check on the dogs from my phone when we're away, control our lighting, activate the shark lasers, etc. It's fun for the nerd tinkering but it also provides "comfort and security" as they say. I really like having the Christmas tree lights on when we get home because they came on when the alarm was deactivated or having the lights come on in a room when I walk in.

[dando]

In the Suburban - power tilting side view mirrors may be the greatest vehicle invention e-v-e-r. :)

Sez the man that likes a heated steering wheel. :gomer: :p

[TravelGal]

Not many readers are gals but you KNOW gals so here's my no-tech gadget. A couple of years ago a friend gave me a hook with a nice decoration on one end and a spring clasp on the other. You clasp your keyring on one end and put the hook over the outside of your purse (or somewhere inside it) and you never again have to finish through the bottomless pit to find your keys. It ain't rocket science but it makes the world a better place by lower blood pressure about 30 points, both mine and TravelGuy's.

[Gnam]

cool beans.
http://s7.postimg.org/6mml0ala3/HYPER_KEY_FINDER_INFO.jpg

[Gnam]

moar purse/hook technology: ;)

http://s29.postimg.org/njzwif6on/Purse_Hook_Table.jpg

[Don Quixote]

Not many readers are gals but you KNOW gals so here's my no-tech gadget. A couple of years ago a friend gave me a hook with a nice decoration on one end and a spring clasp on the other. You clasp your keyring on one end and put the hook over the outside of your purse (or somewhere inside it) and you never again have to finish through the bottomless pit to find your keys. It ain't rocket science but it makes the world a better place by lower blood pressure about 30 points, both mine and TravelGuy's.


cool beans.
http://s7.postimg.org/6mml0ala3/HYPER_KEY_FINDER_INFO.jpg

This would never do in my household. I couldn't live without the panicked frenzy of my wife running around the house every morning looking for her keys.

[TravelGal]

This would never do in my household. I couldn't live without the panicked frenzy of my wife running around the house every morning looking for her keys.

:laugh::laugh: I have both of these but the table one is always falling off. :D

[WickerBill]

I believe some bag makers are now building them into purses and handbags... pretty sure one of the daughter's purses has an interior hook.

Amazing that this took decades to think of...

[dando]

Elmo's fave new gadget. :gomer: :p

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/disney-unveils-new-magicband-details/-/1637132/20355902/-/10imyjf/-/index.html

[Mr. Vengeance]

http://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=102

Must have for those of us that live and work in the middle of nowhere, but it should be required equipment for anyone heading into the wilderness.

Delorme's InReach is better but more money; either one will save your ass if it all goes wrong.

[Gnam]

I keep waiting for someone to sell a wrist worn life monitor device like that family wore in those Ewoks movies. Cell phones, facebook, GPS beacons, and wrist phones are pretty close but not the same. ;)

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Life_monitor
http://s30.postimg.org/na86vydo1/Life_Monitor.jpg

[WickerBill]

I remember what #3 was, finally.

Ooma - if you want to keep your home phone and phone number but avoid the POTS prices, this is by far the most solid VoIP service for the money. Free long distance, voicemail, etc and all you pay is the E911 service fees (for me, about $2.90 a month). Check local listings if you live outside the US.

[G.]

I remember what #3 was, finally.

Ooma - if you want to keep your home phone and phone number but avoid the POTS prices, this is by far the most solid VoIP service for the money. Free long distance, voicemail, etc and all you pay is the E911 service fees (for me, about $2.90 a month). Check local listings if you live outside the US.

Ooma rocks!

+1
:thumbup:

[Gnam]

Remember when they used to put lights under Honda Civics?
Now you can rock that look on ice skates: glo-blades

http://www.glo-blades.com/

http://s21.postimg.org/6x9po3y1z/52d6cddeba378_preview_620.jpg