It’s an HP iPaq 210 Enterprise Handheld. A mini-mini computer! I love it!

The hardest part about being a technology researcher and writer is seeing ALL these delicious gadgets. I DO SO want to try them out! I love this thing!

It’s a PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant. Kind of like a mini “home away from home” gadget. I like those. I am joined at the hip to the Internet (it’s my career). When I travel or am away from the computer, I have to be able to check in on my email and assignments. I have my iPod (which I adore), and I can connect to wireless hotspots, where available. I have no desire to find a replacement for my iPod just yet. I’m very happy with it. But I think eventually I will upgrade to something more. The iPaq is nice because it’s Windows-based (has Windows Mail, Windows Mobile Office Outlook, MSN Messenger, etc). And it takes an SD card for adding more memory (something the iPod seriously lacks). If I ever want to upgrade to something like an iPaq, I can give my iPod away to one of the kids (oh wouldn’t they love that! They love my iPod!) and get an iPaq and claim in for my business. That’s the nice thing about being self-employed– you can get gadgets and claim them for the business. Tax deductible.

Buy.com has the best price I’ve seen on these babies– under $400. That’s still a very very pretty penny. Not in my immediate future, that’s for sure. But it’s nice to know that there’s something out there waiting for me. See more deals and super sale at Buy.com. They are magnificent!

Basically, a powerline switch allows you to extend your Internet connection using your home’s electrical system. I had heard of this technology last year, and I figured it would be a while before it was really stable enough for me to consider. But there’s been a lot of progress in a year’s time. A tech dude from Netgear went to the Buy.com headquarters and made a very informative video about the Netgear XAV2001 Powerline Switch. This looks so amazing!!

OK, OK, I know some of you are totally uninterested in technology– but before your eyes glaze over, I want you to remember back when there was dialup and you had to learn about that, and then there was cable and DSL, and you had to learn about that…. so let me give a few gory details about this gadget. This just may be how we connect the Internet in the days to come.

• There are two powerline switches per box. One plugs into an electrical outlet and connects to your router. The outher powerline switch plugs into your electrical outlet somewhere else in the home (like the upstairs game room). The switch has a small port for an Ethernet cable. You connect your computer (or HDTV or Playstation or Xbox or Wii or print server or storage server!) into the powerline switch using the Ethernet cable. Voila, instant Internet.
• The powerline switch is geared to lessen the load on wireless. If you have a lot of people on wireless connection at once, you know how slow things get. The powerline uses the internal electrical system of your home to connect to the Internet router. The powerline switch is also terrific for providing Internet access to rooms that have spotty wireless coverage (or no coverage).
• Buy.com has the best price (of course!). I have seen this Netgear powerline switch for $100 or more everywhere else. Buy.com has a sale for $70 and free shipping.
• Netgear’s switch has a security feature– press a button on both switches, and it instantly encrypts all data streaming through the network.
• Data are fast– rates up to 85 Mbps, which is faster than 802.11g wireless.
• The powerline 4-port switch will connect up to 4 devices at a time.
• The switch works on standard 240volt electrical service. No special electrical receptacles required.

So I wonder, am I wasting my time and money, wiring all this Ethernet cabling?! Technology sometimes develops too quickly. I haven’t even gotten the NEW stuff in yet, and already there’s something newer. Whew, it just blows my mind.

The Verilux Sanitizing Pocket Wand goes where you do to disinfect and sanitize with UV-C light. This handy UV-C sanitizer folds into itself to become its own carry case- so even on the move, you can protect yourself from harmful germs that are the cause of colds, infections, asthma and allergic reactions. The Pocket Wand is the most convenient way to deliver powerful UV-C disinfecting and sanitizing when you need it most- traveling! Verilux UVC Sanitizing Pocket Wand with CleanWave Technology!

I think that means that it uses UV rays to kill germs.

COOL!

It’s a pretty penny– almost $75 right now– but prices are always flexible at Buy.com because they are always having some sale every day, every week. This would make a very cool gift for the traveler (or school teacher or day care worker). I’m interested in the technology behind it, too. Is this why hanging clothes out on the clothesline in the sun helps to kill germs? I always assumed it was the sunshine that killed the germs, never thinking what “exact” rays they were composed of that did all the disinfecting. ?? This is a really neat gadget! I think it would be cool to have a petri dish with some germs in it, then wave the Pocket Wand over it, and then look through a microscope to see if the germs were really killed. I’d be tempted to get it, just to find out and watch it happen.

Yep, I’ve managed to keep my kids away from the excessive electronica of our day for this long, but I’ve got a few sons who are suddenly into music. And cameras. And stereos. All we have around here is ONE CD player and one old cassette player (and I still have my old record player, by the way!). But problem is, we don’t buy CDs or cassettes anymore. Everything is moving to mp3 and digital files, and now that the boys like their music…. I guess I’m going to have to adapt. I am very comforted that they like good music, though– Hillsong, Kutless, Newsboys, Andres Segovia, etc. So while I do have to get them mp3 players, at least I don’t have to stomach the fingernails-on-chalkboard screeches of Metallica or anything. Whew!

So. MP3 player. Gosh, where do I begin?! They are expensive! $350 for an mp3 player, for a TEENAGER? That’s crazy! I don’t even have electricity in my upstairs bathroom! NO WAY am I getting an iPod or iPhone, NO WAY.

Ah, but looky here– an iPhone imposter! It’s at Buy.com and it’s very, very slick! It’s the V-Touch 8GB MP3/MP4 2.8″ Touch Screen, and it has a camera and earbuds, too. On sale right now for under $50, with free shipping. I love it, because it does everything a cell phone does except make and receive calls! (My sons have no need for a cell phone, but they like to play with mine because of all the features it has). The V-Touch has got a webcam, a digital camera, plays music and videos, has a voice recorder, an e-book function (very nice!), has a calendar, and more. I think this is perfect for kids, and not *too* expensive, either. It sure beats the $350 price tag for those other players. It’s on sale right now at Buy.com, along with sales on loads and loads of other stuff. I also use Buy.com for my household needs, such as small appliances and parts, garden supplies, etc. I love Buy.com! And I think my kids will love Buy.com, too. This gadget is definitely going on the Wish List!

Here’s a banana boat Salt & Pepper shaker set! I absolutely love this! I want one! I love quirky things like this.

And this is just beautiful– it’s another Salt & Pepper shaker, as birds of paradise. This wouldn’t last too long on my crazy dinner table (where dishes and food are frequently flying around), but it would make a really unique gift. Love it!

This, my dear friends, is a toilet brush! LOL!!!

And here’s a bird of paradise milk jug– wow!

You can see loads and loads more creative stuff at the website– the Alessi line is really neat- very unique stuff. I saw a cute bird soy sauce container, pepper mills, pencil sharpeners, etc. All very quality stuff sold at the prestigious Lumens.com website. The wall sconces there are really nice– if you’re looking for classy lighting fixtures, check them out. I’m shopping around for some fixtures and the stuff there caught my eye. They also have clocks, all sorts of lamps, lights, doorbells, and ceiling fans, and more. A GREAT site!

Over the holidays, we got some fancy-schmancy toothbrushes for two of the kids. The Oral B Triumph with SmartGuide toothbrush, and the Oral B Pulsonic. Both toothbrushes come highly rated by our dentists and orthodondist’s office. I decided to try them out, and gave the Oral B Pulsonic to my 16 year old daughter (who wears braces) and the Oral B Triumph to my 12 year-old son, a reluctant brusher. I’ll review my son’s Triumph toothbrush in this post, and give my opinion about my daughter’s Pulsonic in a future one.

First off, I want to say that I am a freak of a mom, when it comes to brushing. The Wrath of Mother may come down from the Heavens if my children do not brush with frenetic fervor. You see, I had terrible dental hygiene as a kid. I rarely brushed, didn’t see a dentist until my late teens and subsequently I have seven teeth missing from my set (and a gold crowned tooth, which is very cool to show off to kids, lol). ANYWAY, as a mom I was determined that my kids would not be in the pain and agony that I was– they were going to have good teeth. My two daughters have marvelously clean teeth (the 16 year old has never had a cavity). I slacked off with my sons (too much candy flowing around here) and they have had cavities. Plus, my youngest never liked brushing very much. It IS a dull chore, I know….

So… what do you do with a kid who hates boring chores like toothbrushing but loves electronic gadgets? Blend the two! That’s what Oral B did, and I have to hand it to them– they did a fantastic job with this toothbrush. No longer do I have to stand over the sink like a vulture, watching my son to make sure he does it right and brushes long enough. Oral B does it for him, and makes it fun to do. It’s really cute, they must have had kids in mind with this.

Be prepared for sticker shock– it’s $149 at Walgreens (but it is on sale right now), so it’s no cheap fix. Amazon has it for about $100, which is more reasonable. But it makes a very nice gift (and I do prefer practical gifts for the kids). And ALWAYS look for coupons, rebates, and promo codes before buying. Last I heard, there was a $15 rebate on this toothbrush, and things go on sale from time to time, too.

So this gadget is pretty high tech for a toothbrush. There is wireless signal from the toothbrush (when activated) to the timer box. This is the most amazing thing about the Oral B Triumph, I think. My son loads up the toothbrush machine with his brush (there are two brushes that comes with the package) and activates the brush. The timer box has a screen that shows how long you must brush and where. When you have completed that section of the cleaning time (30 seconds per area), the timer box shows what you must attend to next. This MAKES SURE that my son brushes for at least two minutes– no more guessing about brushing time, and no more guessing about what part of his teeth he cleaned and what he forgot. I have to say I just love this gadget! The timer box works as a clock when it’s not in use for the brushing time, too.

When the entire cleaning procedure is done, a smiley-face appears on the timer box screen (adorable!). And if you continue brushing longer, a winky face eventually shows up. It’s really a perfect gadget for the reluctant toothbrusher. We’ve been using this toothbrush for over 30 days now, and there has been a noticeable difference with my son’s teeth (and his breath). And most importantly, my son’s dental hygiene HABIT has been changed– from an “I don’t feel like it/I think I brushed enough” to a “This is cool/I know I brushed everything completely” attitude. And that means no more nagging and fussing for me!

Other little things about the Triumph:

• The timer display box tells you when you will be needing to replace the brush.
• The timer box also tells you when you are brushing too hard!
• The timer box can be handheld, but it comes with a small case that has sticky-tape on the back. You can therefore attach the case with the timer box in it, on the wall to save space. Love this!
• There are multiple brush attachments you can use, including a nice polishing brush.
• It comes with a travel case.
• The Triumph is completely rechargable– needs no batteries.
• The toothbrush handle is waterproof.

Definitely the Oral B Triumph is an investment, but worth it. And like I said, this would make a really great gift. There’s a website about the Oral B Triumph toothbrush. It has manuals, a gallery, information, etc. And there’s a good site here more about how the Triumph works. I found it useful. If I get this for myself, I’d need to read the manual, but my gadget-savvy son picked up on the toothbrush very quickly, without reading anything! This is really great for kids!! Thanks, Oral B!! Thumbs up from the Mecombers!

Stay tuned for my review about the Oral B Pulsonic for my daughter…

ANYWAY! Who cares! I found ANOTHER really, really cool gadget! This time it was at the Dollar Store. I was shopping for bird seed for our new bird feeder when I saw….. THIS!!!

Oh it doesn’t look like much. Um, actually, there WAS something in there. I took it out. I always do that, darn! I always wind up taking photos of empty boxes. But I am so eager to try the thing out when I get home, I just can’t help myself!

This was $5 at the Dollar Store. Yes! A steal! (The Touch&Glow thing was $15). Of course,this gadget is not as high quality, but it does do the job. I plugged it into my outlet receptacle, and plugged in my lamp. I have a lamp in the Laundry Room because the ceiling fixture doesn’t work. I’m still working on the electric in the house, so we have all these lamps. These gadgets are perfect because 1) I hate touching lamps when my hands are wet, and in the Laundry Room and Kitchen my hands are always wet. 2) The touch-y gadgets are very convenient so we aren’t groping in the dark. 3) We are not wearing out the switches on our lamps anymore, which is a huge plus. Lamps are $25 or more, and I was buying new ones every few months.

OK, so here is the Easy Switch gadget in action.

It is a wireless connection. The package says the components can be as far apart as 60 feet. I installed the switch about three feet from my lamp. (There’s a little hook you screw into the wall, and the switch can be used as a “remote” when you unhook it from the wall hanger). However, I did walk around the house a little, to test out the reception. It does work from long distances! You have to point the remote toward the lamp for it to work best. (And this could be soo much fun, shutting the lights on and off by remote when someone is in the room, heehee).

For $5, you really can’t go wrong. I love this gadget! And now I won’t have to do laundry in the dark!

This time it’s a little LED message board. It can be programmed to display any message and even bother you with audio. It’s touted as a way to “leave a message” when, perhaps, you are away from your computer for a while. Helloo?? Energy crisis? Do we really need to waste energy for something so trifling? What’s next, USB-powered handcrafted jewelry with neon lights? If you have to leave a message while you’re away, why not just write a note on paper?

Here’s the video, see for yourself.

The reason why such clutter is becoming more aggravating to me is because my area in New York State is the target of a proposed behemoth power line transmission path. A company wants to invoke eminent domain to slice through our towns so they can install a 200-mile path of power lines to New York City. They say that NYC is running out of power, and Upstate towns must bear the burden. Boy, that steams me like nothing else! Grrrr.