Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women

You Are Really, Really Going to Need This

Maybe you won't need the FRX 3 this week but when the earthquake hits - and it will- or the hurricane system starts up again - and it will - you'll be glad you have this gizmo. Eton is showcasing three new emergency radios and each is self-powered, utilizing either
solar power or hand-turbine energy to re-charge the internal lithium ion battery.

Along with an AM/FM/WB digital radio and display with NOAA weather alert, the
FRX 3 and FRX 2 also feature "direct power transfer technology." What does this mean to you? Simply, that you can charge other mobile devices by connecting them via the integrated USB port. That's's HUGE, since chances are your mobile phone will be your only link to the outside world. Other features include a bright LED flashlight,glow-in-the-dark indicator for easy location, AC and DC input, and headphone jack and digital alarm on select radios.

Eton and the American Red Cross partnered on the FRX Series, now available for $25 (FRX 1) $40 (FRX 2) and $60 (FRX 3) in color options of red or black at retailers including Best Buy and Amazon.

Buy yourself some peace of mind.

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Posted by Evan Category: feature
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The DockTRAY: Another eco-friendly dock for your iPhone

We loved the simple design of the iBamboo speaker last week because it's such a basic concept, but made of completely natural materials. The dockTRAY, designed by YoungGun Cho is a similar concept, but it's all about charging your iPhone (or iPod) and keeping your stationary organised instead of amplifying music around the room.

[Via Yanko Design]

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Posted by Becca Category: accessories
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Mother's Day Gift Guide

A HEADSET TO MATCH YOUR OUTFIT

Give your Mom a bright turquoise bluetooth headset - or white, pink or tangerine, for that matter. Jabra makes the all-new CLIPPER Bluetooth stereo headset in trendy colors so she can still be stylish while streaming Motely Crue and making calls wirelessly.

The Jabra CLIPPER can be easily attached to bags, clothing, and belts making it harder for Mom to lose this one. It features noise-cancelling ear buds that comes in handy when on a call to the Grandkids. It's compatible with any device that has Bluetooth technology and can also connect two different devices at the same time.

And for a limited time, buy the Jabra CLIPPER on Amazon.com and automatically receive a $15 MP3 credit to Amazon Music Store.( This limited time offer ends on Monday, June 18th.)

]]> USE A WATER BOTTLE TO PROTECT YOUR iPHONE

Your old water bottle never looked so good. Tech lovers (read: us) can now protect their phones while also doing their bit to save the environment. Case-Mate just relased a beautiful line of cases for the iPhone 4/4S made out of 100% recycled post-consumer PET bottles.

The cases are $30 each and come in Lipstick Pink, Tangerine Tango, Lime, Turquoise, Black and White. (One recycled water bottle is used to produce each case.) We'll drink to that.

LOOK LIKE A GENIUS

It may not be the most "fun" gift to give your Mom but considering that it does everything but make your morning coffee, you'll look like a genius in no time.

Does Apple make this? Nope, but you can be forgiven for thinking that. The Air Genius is Honeywell's new top -of-the-line "smart" air filter, which captures mold spores, pollen, tobacco smoke, household dust, pet dander and leaves the air smelling fresher.

It also looks hi-tech, like R2-D2 sitting quietly in your room, with the one-touch panel glowing.

It comes with a reusable filter, automatic shut-off timer, a charcoal odor filter, andf a coffee fliter. Ok, just kidding on that last one.

$239 only at Target.

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Posted by Evan Category: feature
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No power needed for the iBamboo speaker

There's been a rise in the number of portable iPhone speakers recently that don't need any power and instead use clever shapes to amplify sound without the use of electricity.

So, if you don't like to use too much power AND like natural looking products, then you'll love the iBamboo speaker for your iPhone. It's been featured on Like Cool and crafted by Etsy seller Anatoliy Omelchenko out of a single piece of bamboo.

Just slot your iPhone 4 or 4S into the top of the speaker, start playing your favourite tunes and they'll fill the room naturally. What a clever idea!

[Via Like Cool]

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Posted by Becca Category: peripherals
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Total Defense for Your Gizmos

Scary fact # 1: A Consumer Reports survey showed financially related cybercrime cost American consumers more than $8 billion.

Scary fact #2 : Malware has increased worldwide from 200,000 new and unique threats in 2001 to more than 17 million in 2011 (according to AV-Test.org.)

That's where Total Defense Unlimited comes in; promising comprehensive security for ALL devices in the home, and for all household members, through a monthly subscription service. Total Defense claims to be the first to offer monthly versus annual billing and payment, so you purchase only what you need, when you need it.( A monthly subscription is $9.99.)

"We believe it's time to change the game by making it more affordable for consumers to get the protection they need, whether they have two devices or twenty," said Paul Lipman, CEO at Total Defense.

To make their point, the company hired John Walsh to be their spokesperson. Now HE'S scary.

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Posted by Evan Category: feature
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Super cute shelter for cold and lonely animals

OK, OK, so it's not exactly a clever piece of tech, but we couldn't resist writing about the super cute oU boxes, designed to provide, cold or abandoned animals with a temporary shelter.

Created by designer Gyeongwan Koo, the boxes are really quick and easy to assemble, just push the O and U shapes out, fold and there you have a simple shelter for your furry friends.

There are different sized boxes depending on whether you're helping out a cat, dog or bird. AWH.

[Via Yanko Design]

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Posted by Becca Category: pets
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Clever USB safety pin means you'll never forget it

We love USB sticks that are designed to ensure we'll NEVER misplace them, remember the LOOPO that could attach to pretty much everything? Well the Bulavkus concept design may not be as multi-talented, but the fact it's attached to a safety pin means you can use it as a stylish broach/pin/fancy thing and never be left without your important documents.

Find out more about the Bulavkus from its designer at www.artlebedev.com/

[Via LikeCool]

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Posted by Becca Category: accessories
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JAMBOX Gets a Big Brother

The Bluetooth headset and speaker gurus over at Jawbone have taken the amazing wireless sound they put into their JAMBOX portable speaker and kicked it up a notch to create a super-sized version – the BIG JAMBOX!

Bigger, better JAMBOX = bigger, better sound = bigger, better party or even bigger, better conference calls (hey, it can’t always be fun and games).

BIG JAMBOX has all the same great features as its little brother – 3D Live Audio for great sound, updatable software and apps, advanced digital signal processing, built-in lithium-ion battery with up to 15 hours of playback time, and personalization via the MyTalk online software suite.

Summer is just around the corner and BIG JAMBOX is the perfect to help you and your friends get your grove on!

Available May 15th for $299 from Jawbone.

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Posted by Brian Category: accessories
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Would you buy a non-lethal weapon to protect your home?

No, it isn't a fake weapon from the realm of sci-fi films, this is the latest concept device from designer Isaac Richardson and yes, it is a laser gun.

However, the difference between this laser gun and those in Star Trek is that this one is non-lethal. Designed for those who are looking for a little added, futuristic protection for their home, according to Yanko Design this is what it does:

"[The gun] pulses an invisible laser that super-heats the surrounding air. The resulting plasma explosion delivers a swift kick to the intruder while electro magnetic waves induce temporary paralysis."

No, we're really not making this up.

You'll be happy to know the gun isn't all laser beams, paralysis and fighting aliens, but it comes with a camera and a microphone too, so you can record any nasty incidents.

Now before you get your spandex super hero outfit on and start practicing your light saber moves, you should know the new weapon is only a prototype right now. However, it could signal a new era of security devices that we're a little worried about already.

[Via Yanko Design]

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Posted by Becca Category: home
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There's Still Time To Enter Our Mother's Day Contest

TIme is a-ticking, but you can still get in on our contest to win Mom this nifty new Windows Phone for Mother's Day. Click here for the details.

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Posted by Brian Category: contests
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Mom Wants Gadgets for Mother's Day

No surprise here; Ebates, an online Cash Back Shopping website, today announced findings from its Mother’s Day survey that found what men want to give the mom in their life may not necessarily be what women really want.

The national survey conducted online by Harris Interactive among 2,215 adults discovered that the number one present American men think moms want for Mother’s Day is flowers - but the number one gift moms actually want is a spa day. Gadgets came up #4 on the list, but in our house, they'd be #1.

So-called "deal experts" at Ebates and FatWallet come up with 5 Top Tech Gift Ideas.

1. Laptops, tablets or smartphones open up a new digital world for mom to enjoy—she can communicate with family and friends, leverage apps to organize and track of her busy schedule, or just relax by reading e-books or magazines on the fly.

2. Scanners, VHS to DVD software, digital cameras, photo processing software will get mom up to date by translating old family videos, her wedding video or even a favorite movie from videotape to DVD format. A scanner or digital camera can digitize prized images for safer storage online and photo processing software can edit/retouch favorite photos.

3. Wireless network/wifi and wireless enabled devices like Bluetooth accessories and e-readers will improve mom’s mobility to do a host of activities (like streaming video or access online movies) while on the go.

4. Tech tutorials can teach mom how to use tools such as screen sharing, video conferencing and all the many apps available for her tablet, laptop or smartphone.

5. Gift cards: Technology related services like iTunes, the Apps marketplace, Netflix, or Hulu make gifts to keep on giving to mom all year round.

Also worth mentioning is that from April 23 to May 13th, Mother’s Day shoppers can get up to 24% cash-back from select retailers at Ebates. Cash-back means Ebates automatically sends you a check in the mail every time you shop at stores such as: eBags, Jewelry.com, Philosophy, The Body Shop, Harry & David, Sephora, and more.

It's almost like they pay you to shop. Ok, it sounded like a good excuse to us.

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Posted by Evan Category: deals
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Is this THE most talented iPhone case you've ever seen?

We've seen plenty of multi-functional iPhone cases over the past few years, but this one may be the most talented and clever yet.

The Rechargeable iPhone Speaker Amplifier Case (catchy name, huh?) features a rechargeable battery that could well double the life of your mobile, a subwoofer that amplifies the sound by about ten times and it's got a stand on the back to take good photos, or to put to good use when you're watching a video. Oh yeah, it protects you phone too, always nice to have that from a case.

To say it's got so much going for it the case is surprisingly slim AND cheap at just over $40 from Distinctive Style.

[Via Chip Chick]

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Posted by Becca Category: accessories
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Kickstart(er) Your iPhone Dock

We like the clean lines and smart mechanism of the ODOC dock (not OCD, which is what we kept calling it aound the office) plus the fact that because the dock is weighted you can easily remove said iPhone with one hand.

What we don't like is that it's currently only in development as a project on Kickstarter and unless $70,000 is pledged by Saturday Jun 9, the dock will never be mass produced. So far they've raised a little over 9K.

IF you're curious, here's the link.

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Posted by Evan Category: design
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The Jopple is a fun, fitness seat for your office

We spend so much of our working days sat down that many health professionals are now making lots of (unsurprising) links between our sedentary lifestyles and our health.

We've come across a range of office gym equipment in the past, like treadmills with a space for your laptop, or a cross trainer with an iPad stand, however none of them are really going to stop you look VERY stupid beside your desk or cost a reasonable amount.

So here's The Jopple, which might be a much more realistic option (we can't guarantee you won't still look a bit silly on it though!).

This bright little chair aims to get you using a few extra muscles while you work, so use your stomach and core to stop you from wobbling around and then when you're taking a quick break you can do crunches or move the mat onto the floor for a range of different stretches.

However, the Jopple would only be a success if more than one person in the office had one and if your boss was super understanding about it all too! We wouldn't want you getting fired for doing a few lunges now would we.

[Via Yanko Design]

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Posted by Becca Category: home
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Windows Phone Mother's Day Giveaway

In honor of Mother's Day, Popgadget is giving away a swanky new flagship Windows Phone Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone - all courtesy of the folks at Microsoft.

Whether she's in the 'family room' or the 'boardroom,' Mom is the ultimate CEO and deserves some appreciation... and simplification. Windows Phone is the perfect time-saving tool to help do-it-all moms complete life's little (or even not so little) tasks in a way that's simply faster and easier. There is a WP phone perfectly tailored for every mom - whether she's budget conscious or camera happy. Mom can even choose the color that best fits her personality, like the stand-out cyan blue that our Nokia giveaway phone comes in.

Read more after the break about what WP can do for Mom and for contest details.

]]> Some of WP's Mom-perfect features include a built-in camera with social sharing that includes a dedicated camera button which bypasses the lock screen for super-fast photography and automatic photo upload to SkyDrive to keep all those photos permanent; the Me Tile on Windows Phone makes it easier and faster to send Facebook and Twitter updates all from one spot - no apps required; the People Hub features at-a-glance updates from family and friends so Mom is never out of touch; and the Live Tiles let Mom personalize her phone to feature the people and information that mean most to her on her start screen.

WP also helps the 'boardroom' Mom stay in touch and stay organized with Linked Inboxes and Groups. Linked Inboxes allows Mom to quickly and efficiently access all of her e-mail accounts in one place. Groups lets her easily group specific contacts together in one place, pin to her start screen and communicate with everyone at once. She won't have to call and update each person at the office when she can send them all the same text message with one touch.

With a Windows Phone, Mom can also download the latest apps, like Hand Crafted, where she can browse millions of made-by-hand items from Etsy, or Skype, so she can stay in touch with the kids easily and virtually - no matter where they are.

To enter, all you have to do is like us on Facebook. Winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, May 6 to allow plenty of time for Mom's gift to show up in the mail. And, yes, it's for Mom and not for you!! Winner will be announced on Facebook and here on Popgadget.

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Posted by Brian Category: contests
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