Fun Gadget Gifts

Posts Tagged ‘under $100’

If you are using a laptop (or notebook) you know, that the battery can get really hot. This is notebook pad is “cool” addition to your setup. It is thin and clear. It has 3 LED lit up cooling fans – in the dark room it looks like your laptop is floating on blue lights.

The cooling pad tilts your laptop slightly forward for better typing experience. The fans are quiet and do not create a twister on your desk. The fans connect through a USB port. The USB dongle has a pass-through connector that allows you to plug in another device into that port.

You cannot put it directly on your lap: the fans are exposed. But if you put it on top of a laptop pad, it works well. The pad does not have an on/off switch. It could be a neat gift for a laptop power-user.

Get Laptop Cooler Pad on Amazon.com. Price: $11.99.

Meet Moshi – the voice control digital alarm clock! Simply say “Hello Moshi,” followed by what you want. Moshi responds to 12 basic commands. Commands include “time,” “alarm,” “set time,” “set alarm,” “turn off alarm,” “sleep sound,” “night light” and more. Speak the commands exactly as directed or you will get errors.

Plus, you can choose from three different alarm sounds and three soothing sleep sound programs. Uses three AAA backup batteries (not included). AC adapter included. Alarm will shut off by touch or voice.

There are buttons on the back of the clock to change the volume. There are three settings.  The night light can be changed too.  Set it to single or to multi. There are only three sleep sounds lasting 15 minutes. Nightlight colors are bright. Customers mention that if you do not have the nightlight on in the dark, you cannot see the clock.

Get the Moshi Alarm Clock on Amazon.com

Tom Merritt of CNET posted a video reviewing top 5 cell phones reviewed by customers. Here is the CNET list.

5. Palm Pre (Sprint)
   Despite of a crammed keyboard and bad battery life, Palm Pre makes up in style, solid web browsing, and excellent touch interface.

   Price: $99.99 from Amazon with new service plan.

4. RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 (T-Mobile or AT&T)

   According to consumers, Blackberry Curve 8900 is the best BlackBerry phone going. It has great design, faster performance and feature rich. The only thing missing is 3G.

   Price: $0.01 from Amazon with new service plan. When the deal is off, it is $399.99

3. Apple iPhone 3GS

   The usual complaints are about call quality and signal reception. However, iPhone 3GS has fantastic design, intuitive and friendly interface and amount of features like no other phone.

   Price: $299

2. Samsung Memoir T929
   This is an ultimate camera phone boasting 8.0 megapixel camera. Navigation is a breeze. Performance and features are excellent. The phone’s web browser, howerver, is lacking.

   Price: $149.99 with $200 LetsTalk instant discount

1. LG enV Touch

   This phone has great design, multitude of features and 2 displays of QWERTY keyboard. It has 3.2 megapixel camera as well. Wi-Fi is missing, but if you have good EVDO coverage with Verizon in your area, you will not miss it.

   Price: $99

credit Timbuk2

credit Timbuk2

Timbuk2 T-Pack Laptop Case is pretty nice if you want to carry just your netbook around. It is small, will fit in any bag, and has backpack straps. Zip pocket at the bottom can be used for your power adapter. The bag will fit notebooks up to 10″ and sells for $30.

Reviews mention cons: not enough pockets, too small for some notebooks, fits only essentials (usb sticks, power cable). Pros: small, practical, great for travel.

For some who appreciate new technology and high quality video, Blu-ray players became a reality. CNet editors report that the fastest players they’ve tested are the LG BD390, Sony PlayStation 3, and the Samsung BD-P3600. And the CNet award for the fastest Blu-ray player went to the Samsung BDP-1600.

Unfortunately, the video selection is still not great. But if you are already looking for Christmas ideas, check out CNet Top 30 must-have Blu-ray Discs list. Below are the top 5.

Baraka
This movie was filmed in 24 countries and in high definition which is suited so well for Blu-ray. The soundtrack encompasses the cultures of those countries and creates the feel of belonging. The movie connects various peoples and the spaces they inhabit, drawing unexpected parallels.

Black Hawk Down
Perfect movie for a Blu-ray showcase. The detail is so much more vivid. Like other war movies, you are put in the middle of events and high-def video intensifies the experience. Great soundtrack too.

Blade Runner
Remastered from the original, this disc has bonus features and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Five DVDs are included in the box set. The low light scenes have better details.

Braveheart
1080p High Definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Epic soundtrack compliments the grand scoping shots of Scottish highlands. Watching this movie in high-def is a breathtaking experience.

Bolt
Great family entertainment now available in high-def. It looks 3D. With better video quality this movie becomes somehow more engaging. The disc is packed with bonus features.

View the rest of the list.

If you are planning to go on a short trip, check out Travelon Sheets.  These sheets dissolve in water and become an instant shampoo, conditioner , body wash, laundry soap, hand soap, etc.

All sheets are TSA (Transportation Security Administration) compliant. You can put them in your carry-on: slide through airport security checkpoints because you are not carrying liquid.  The sheets are compact – half the size of a cell phone. Safe for the environment (biodegradable), the sheets are under $3 for a pack of 50 sheets. You can use them as soap for camping or any other adventure where resources are limited.

I suggest you try the sheets before you take them on your trip.  Customers who used them indicate that if you have long hair, the product does not work as well: it clumps up and hard to rinse off.