New products: Surge protector is ultra portable
- Quik Pod helps you take self-portraits on camera
- Fleece jacket makes room for gear
- MOVBand is the next step in pedometers
This weekly roundup takes a look at the practical and sometimes quirky aspects of tech products.
Device delivers portable protection
You probably already use a surge protector at home to protect your smartphone, tablet and other electronic gadgets. But who wants to haul around a bulky surge protector when you are traveling? With the help of a compact surge protector, you don't have to. The Compact USB Surge Protector from Satechi has one grounded outlet and one amp USB port. Designed to protect your gear from electrical spikes, its LED indicator lets you know when it is providing enough protection to your connected devices. Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, it costs about $10.
Fleece jacket makes room for gear
Here's the dilemma: You want to carry your phone and other personal items securely in a light fleece jacket and not look like a nerd while doing so. That's where the SCOTTEVEST Fleece 7.0 comes in. Equipped with 23 discreet pockets, the stylish jacket includes an inner see-through pocket that lets you operate your smartphone without removing it.
Better yet, the pocket contains an audio jack that connects to earbuds that can easily be accessed from an inner pouch in the collar. The thoughtfully designed pockets also include a water bottle and key compartment with an elastic strap to keep the bottle in place. There is a holder for your keys, a zippered inner pocket for important documents, a roomy pocket for a tablet, a pocket for a camera, a slim pocket for a pen and a pocket with an attached cleansing cloth for glasses. The only downside to having so many choices is that you're apt to forget what you stored where.
The jacket is available in black or red, and its sleeves can be removed and stashed in a back pocket, effectively turning the jacket into a vest. Priced at $160, the comfy jacket is set to start shipping by Oct. 31.
Arm extends camera's reach
How many times have you wanted to get a picture with a friend but didn't want to impose upon a stranger or go through the hassle of positioning your camera on a ledge, setting the timer and scrambling back into range? A line of hand-held "monopods" from Quik Pod allows you to snap photos with ease. The newest version, the Quik Pod DSLR/POV, is designed to hold sports cameras and point-of-view "helmet" cameras. The waterproof monopod functions as an outstretched arm with a built-in mirror, allowing you to take a self-portrait while standing still, kayaking down a stream or snorkeling underwater. Available in late October, the 18-inch device can be extended up to 53 inches. It costs $70.
Your moves add up
Pedometers have been around for years, allowing users to count their every step. But what if you want to record all kinds of movement, whether it involves shooting hoops, jumping rope or dancing around the room? The MOVBand is a wrist-worn activity monitor that uses an accelerometer to track side to side, front to back, and up and down movements and then convert those moves into mileage. The $30 device from MOVABLE includes a monitor, a USB charging cord and a wristband. Additional wristbands in a variety of colors cost $5 each. Group programs also are available.
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