Everyone knows how useful emergency chargers are. No one will die without one, but they’re just convenient to have.
But a $6 charger? Not very trustworthy compared to what the official ones from Apple cost. The aptly named Emergency Battery Charger for iPod Nano/Video/Touch/iPhone uses 2 AA batteries and weighs 2 ounces… and that’s about all the info there is.
I wouldn’t put my trust in something that promises so much for so little, but I suppose it’s worth a shot. The loss won’t be big, at least.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5.71 on DealExtreme.com.
Via GearDiary
Sometimes it feels like packaging is smarter than us. It’s not anyone’s fault if the user can’t spot that “pull here” arrow, but sometimes there’s nothing to pull or the lid is screwed on too tight. My usual approach is to play the damsel in distress and call my dad/brother/boyfriend for help, but this tends not to work when I’m alone.
The next best thing (plus girl power and all): the 6-Way Opener. It can tackle bottle tops, jar lids, bottle caps, pull tabs, safety seals and snack bags and makes kitchen life easier. Gone are the days of wrapping a towel around the lid and trying to open it… and I won’t miss them for a second.
Now, if they made one with a can opener…
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.95 on CrateandBarrel.com.
Via Outblush
Fess up: did you know how to do laundry before you left home? If you did, I bow before you. My mother must’ve explained it to me 10 times and I still didn’t get it. Then I moved out and, amazing, now it’s the easiest task ever. All it takes is a little practice…
But first anyone needs to be told how to do it. And because mum won’t always be around… she should get her kids one of these Laundry Bags with Printed Instructions. 3
It covers all the basics: powder and liquid detergent, cold, warm and hot wash. It can carry two loads of laundry, so now there’s really no excuse: even college students can wash their clothes without assistance. No more running home with a bag full of dirty socks as a “present” for the parents. Really.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.99 on Dormbuys.com.
Via FashionablyGeek
I’m leaving on holiday really soon, so I’ve got travel on my mind. And an image of my newly-borrowed black trolley bag among the other dozens of black bags on the conveyer belt. Do we see a problem? I do: it will take ages to recognize it.
The Razz Tagz are a stylish solution to that particular problem: the colorful tags will help you identify your bags in a flash. They come in almost 20 patterns and at $7 you can even buy one for every mood or destination. I’m not crazy about the designs, but I love the fact that they’re very visible, so I’d be able to spot my bag from away.
It’s too late for me to buy some right now, but I’m hoping they’ll help someone traveling in the near future.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7 on Razz-Tagz.AmazonWebStore.com.
Via Outblush
Bookmarks are a big part of book lovers’ lives. Most of my friends have tons of interesting bookmarks and keep buying more – even though they usually end up using receipts and candy wrappers instead. A new bookmark with something special is always welcome, however.
The Burning Bookmark is definitely impressive. Big orange flames coming out of the pages… very Fahrenheit 451-ish. Fortunately, it’s not just about looks: it screen-printed onto die-cut clear flexible plastic, so you can bet it will last.
While it’s not very practical for those of us who prefer reading on the move, its uniqueness makes it just about the perfect gift for a book lover. Together with that book they keep talking about, naturally.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6 on Gama-Go.com.
Via BoingBoing
Wii games rock, but don’t you ever feel silly moving that remote around like it’s an actual sports object? I’ve watched people do it and, honestly… it looks kind of stupid. Besides, the game would feel more “real” with better accessories.
Naturally, someone thought of a solution. Aimed at one particular game, the Wii Boxing Gloves are specially designed with pouches on the back for the controllers. Once the Wiimote and Nunchuck are safely fixed into place and the gloves adjusted with the velcro straps, wannabe boxers can enjoy a more realistic game.
Be careful, however: if the game you want to play involves pushing buttons, don’t get these; since the controllers are on the back of the glove, you won’t be able to touch them.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on Amazon.com
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Via ChipChick
My brain refuses to work with me. On one hand, I think so many women’s accesssories are perfectly silly and marketed to bimbos, and I feel a bit offended that people think that talking to me like I’m 10 is a good approach. On the other hand, I feel oddly attracted to a fair share of them… even the silly ones.
As far as “can’t live without” things go, the Miss Oops Rescue Sponge is not even close to Top 10. A white mark on a blouse is never the end of the world. But… wouldn’t it be lovely to skip the “oh, maybe it will come off with water” part? It’s tedious and never works well enough. This smart sponge promises to get it off with no effort (and no water), and that’s so tempting. Face powder marks on clothes? Again, just rub it with the sponge and it’s gone.
Since every pack come with 2 (reusable) sponges… I think that curiosity might be worth $10.00. It could pay off.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.99 in our store, powered by Amazon.com.
Via Outblush
Most phone charms are silly and useless, and a large number are also ugly. The Star Wars Phone Flashers look surprinsigly good, however – design and featurewise.
They’re shaped like a Darth Vader or Storm Tropper head, which will ensure instant sales from Star Wars fans, but they also serve a worthy purpose. Since they light up and spin whenever the phone rings or receives a message, it will allow cubicle monkeys to leave their cells in silent mode. Everyone knows you love your latest ringtone, but the rest of the monkeys would rather not be forced to hear it.
So, the Star Wars fan in your office? The one who has the theme song set as ringstone? Get him a present for his birthday and maybe you’ll be spared in the future.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: ~$9 on Firebox.com.
Via Gizmodo
As we all know, leaving gadgets laying on the floor is a Bad Idea. You never know just how bad until you step on your phone… My most glorious feat was stepping on the laptop… the screen didn’t appreciate it.
While the E-ZCharge can’t help for something as big as a laptop, it’s perfect for cell phones. And it’s really simple: a plastic cradle attaches to the charger, holding the phone off the floor and the cable in place.
However, I do have a problem with this: unlike other similar phone cradles, you’re supposed to (semi) permanently attach it to the charger (with an adhesive strip). If you’re planning to use it for several gadgets, you’ll have to buy more than one, and it will make your current charger even bulkier. But if you don’t plan on traveling with it and you’re happy to only use it for one gadget… perfect for the job.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.95 on E-ZCharge.com.
Via SlipperyBrick
You can never have too many multitools. Hm, let me rephrase that. You can never consider too many multitools until you get the perfect one. These little gadgets can be very useful to carry around, but you need to have the right one. If it does 18 things, but not the one you actually need…
The Gerber Artifact has 8 tools in one: Phillips screwdriver, lanyard, bottle opener, pry bar, wire stripper, 2 flathead screwdrivers and a knife (with standard #11 replacement blades). It’s about the size of a cigarette lighter and it sounds just right for someone into tinkering with electronics. Not so much for a mountaineer, however; remember to choose the right tool for the job, as I said.
The Artifact also makes a better present than all the other multitools I’ve seen. What’s so special? Nothing about the tool itself, but the company offers very affordable engraving so it’s easy to personalize it for the DYI fan in your life.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $13.48 on Amazon.com
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Via BoingBoing
