By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
AirPrint is a feature Apple put in iOS devices a few years ago to help users print emails, documents and photos without using a computer if you had a newer, AirPrint-ready printer.
The problem for many people is you already have at least one printer that doesn’t have the feature so printing is not possible. That’s where the Lantronix’s xPrintServer Home Edition comes in.
The device (4.5 x 2.4 x 0.8-inches) is small enough to hide behind a printer and has ports for USB, ethernet and power all on one side.
It comes with everything you need to get it going except a USB printing cable. The setup is pretty simple: plug in the printer, ethernet cable and power cable in that order and give it a few seconds to set itself up.
Then your iOS device or any computers on the same network will recognize your printer(s) as “Auto Discovered (USB)” and you print.
Within the instructions it’s noted that the xPrintServer can work with up to eight printers with a USB hug (not included), I tested it with a few Epson printers and it worked perfectly.
A listed of compatible printers is at the company’s website and you can ask to have yours added if it’s not included yet.
I reached out to company officials about any future of an Android version and they indicated “Lantronix is focusing on providing iPad and iPhone printing solutions at this time, and at the point when an Android solution is available, the company will announce it.”
www.lantronix.com $100
At first glance the iStabilzer Dolly looks like a kid’s toy but it’s actually a useful device that attaches to your smartphone to turn handheld, shaky video into smooth rolling and panning footage.
Four smooth rolling wheels are on a pair of axels and attach to the bottom of the metal base. An 8-inch arm is attached in the front, back or center of the base.
Your smartphone or even a GoPro is attached to the arm with the iStablizer mount and can then be pivoted and angled to most any angle you want. The mount can also be used on any standard threaded tripod mount without the Dolly.
Roll it, angle it, put it up high, down or anywhere you can reach or it will fit.
While I was testing it, I had my iPhone out of its case but since the mount is spring loaded I would think it would be fine with most smartphone cases.
The dimensions are 8 x 3 x 5 but changes when you attach the arm and it weights 1.25 pounds before you attached you phone or camera.
The Jabra Solemate, called the Ultimate Portable Speaker, definitely gets the WOW vote from me.
Pair it up with any Bluetooth-enabled device for a wireless connection or just use a microUSB or 3.5mm audio cable (included) to connect ’em up.
But after you’re connected and you turn up the volume you’ll hear the great sound. The sound, with a great deep bass, comes from front-facing dual tweeters and an integrated subwoofer.
In addition to music, it’s built with a microphone so hands-free cell calls can be used with it or just have it cranked up for great sound while gaming.
The design is the speaker is also pretty cool with a handle for portability on one end of the body. The other end as all the ports and power control.
The top and bottom of the handheld speaker is made with rubber, while the body is made with a high-quality metal mesh body to let the sound out.
It also comes with a sound bag to keep it clean free from weather, dirt or dust but still blasting out the sound.
The internal battery should last for up to 8 hours of use before a USB charge is needed.
www.jabra.com It’s available in black or white models for $199.
Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.
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