The Minx Air 100 from Cambridge Audio is priced at $450. (Photo: Cambridge Audio)
A radio for the Internet age
Ask a Baby Boomer if he remembers transistor radios, those omnipresent devices that let you listen to scratchy broadcasts on the AM band. Fast-forward to 2013, when everything is about the Internet - including some of the more modern incarnations of the radio. Consider one of the latest offerings from Cambridge Audio, which gives listeners access to more than 20,000 Internet radio stations. Compact enough to fit on a nightstand or end table, the Minx Air 100 wireless speaker can also stream music from audio devices via Bluetooth and AirPlay. Better yet, the 100-watt speaker delivers crisp and rich audio that will please picky listeners.
Instructions for connecting the speaker to your home network are easy to follow, making setup relatively painless. You can control the speaker with built-in controls, an included remote control or via a free app on your iPhone or Android phone. The app works best, as it provides more options and is easier to use.
The speaker has five preset buttons: Cambridge has preset an eclectic mix, but you can easily update the selections to reflect your own favorites. Just be prepared to change your mind frequently as you browse through the various genres, including comedy, classical, folk and jazz. Priced at $450, the Minx Air 100 also can be connected directly to your TV, DVD player and other home electronics.
If you crave bigger sound and have room for a bigger speaker, the Minx Air 200, a wireless speaker with 200 watts of power and an active 6-inch subwoofer is available for $600. Or, if you prefer portability and a lower price, the Minx Go is a good bet. Compact enough to stuff in a backpack, the Minx Go's built-in battery can deliver 18 hours of superior sound on a full charge. Priced at $150, the Bluetooth speaker can be set to work with eight different devices.
A Silicone Case for Texas Instruments' TI 84 Plus Graphing Calculator costs about $15, while a patterned Hard Slide Case-Cover for a TI 84 Plus calculator is about $17(Photo: Guerilla)
Put some color in your calculator
Personal calculators used to be about the nerdiest accoutrement you could own: It's hard to look cool when you are toting around a device designed to help you get through algebra or trigonometry. But taking a cue from those clever folks who have designed snazzy covers for iPhones and other mobile devices, Guerilla's Calculator Accessories provide cool options to dress up Texas Instrument's graphing calculators. The line includes protective cases, interchangeable faceplates and covers in a variety of styles and colors. For example, a Silicone Case for Texas Instruments' TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator in pink, green or blue costs about $15, while a patterned Hard Slide Case-Cover for a TI-84 Plus calculator (and similar models) is about $17.
The Moonstone portable power bank starts at $70.(Photo: Lepow)
A source of power for women
Here's a new way to empower women - or at least provide them some power. Lepow, has introduced its Moonstone line of portable power banks specifically geared for women. Available in glossy yellow, red, green, black and ivory, the rounded device is small enough to slip into a pocket or small bag. Designed to charge phones, tablets, digital cameras and other devices, the portable charger has two USB ports, a micro USB port and a USB/micro USB cable. Its lithium-ion polymer battery can hold a charge up to six months, allowing you to keep it on hand just in case. A 6000mAh model costs about $70.
CableOrganizer.com's Split Wire Loom costs 65 cents per foot.(Photo: Photographer:Paul Holstein)
Maybe it's time to get untangled
It's been clear for a while now that many of our major clutter crises involve cables for computers and other devices. Lately, we've seen a number of products hit the market to make it easier to untangle this dilemma. CableOrganizer.com's Split Wire Loom, for example, provides a relatively simple and inexpensive way to rein in the mess. The split wire loom's corrugated tubing lets you wrap up cables and organize them in a neat bundle. Available in a variety of bright colors, the loom protects cables from heat, vibration, water, sunlight and other damaging elements. If you need to add another cable to the mix at a later date, you can easily slip it in with the other cables. A loom with a ¼-inch inside diameter costs 65 cents a foot. Other sizes are available.
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