By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

In the portable electronic world, stocking stuffers are easy to find. Here are some for those last-minute holiday gifts on everyone’s list.

Aside from telling time, the eco-friendly Bedol Water Clock is a portable alarm that is also waterproof in the event you feel like standing in a rain storm or showering with it.

It’s battery free so all you do to keep the clock running indefinitely is just fill it with water.

A natural chemical reaction between two of its internal metallic plates generate enough power to keep it running indefinitely.

www.bedolwhatsnext.com $17

Logitech’s Apple-friendly Broadcaster Wi-Fi webcam is great for online chatting and its wireless functionality makes it a great companion as a second angled video camera beyond what your computer, iPhone or iPad’s camera will do.

The camera has an internal battery, which is charged via USB for 2 hours of life and has a built-in mono microphone along with a port to add an external mic.

Video is captured in HD 720p and can be moved to any angle since it’s wireless.

Logitech has designed the camera to let users press a button to switch to the camera, giving your chatting partner a different angle.

The Broadcaster ($199.99) works with Mac video applications including QuickTime, Photo Booth, iMovie, Final Cut Pro or chatting with FaceTime, iChat or Skype.

Logitech also has a few cool high tech-looking Windows 8 friendly mice with the t400 and t620.

The Logitech Zone Touch Mouse t400 ($39) has the functionality of a traditional mouse along with a touch strip to support horizontal and vertical scrolling.

Just click on the top of the touch zone for instant access the Windows 8 Start Screen and clicking on the bottom of the touch zone will scroll you through all your open applications.

The Touch Mouse t620 ($49) features a full touch surface letting you scroll horizontally and vertically from anywhere on the mouse, and to access the Windows 8 start screen you just swipe the edges of the mouse.

www.Logitech.com

iFrogz EarPollution Plugz with Mic noise isolating earbuds are as simple as they get and work just fine.

You get three different-sized ear pieces to get the right fit along with an in-line microphone for cell phone use and most any portable electronic device.

The sound is decent and it makes a great handsfree choice.

www.iFrogz.com $9.99 – in a big selection of colors.

Bracketron, Universal USB Travel Power Kit ($26) includes an Apple 30-pin and Micro USB connections 3-foot cable for charging just about any device on the go.

The cable can be connected to a computer or the included USB AC adapter for 2.1 Amp charging, which includes power hungry tablets.

A 12V car charging USB adapter is also included.

Bracketrons, MetalDock ($18.91) is a contemporary-looking charging dock for the iPhone 4/4S, built with heavy-duty metal construction resulting in a lightweight and portable design.

It connects to any USB port for charging/syncing with its embedded 3-foot cable and works in landscape or portrait modes.

A company representative has emailed me that everything on the Bracketron site December 12-17 will be 40 percent off!

www.Bracketron.com

Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.

By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

The best part about the Colby CSMP95 Soundbar speaker system should be the great room-filling sound it puts out.

But after connecting and hearing it, you’ll be equally impressed with the easy the setup and the great low price.

The amplified soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer to extend the sound from your TV.

You have a few different connection options (cables included) for the plug-and-play speaker but the 40W Subwoofer is wireless (2.4GHz) so it can be placed anywhere in the room.

Front-facing 20W speakers broadcast the sound from the slim constructed Soundbar, which has four presets for different sound modes.

It has a high-gloss piano lacquer finish and front-facing LED indicators.

Volume controls and your sound source are also front facing with the connections on the back.

The CSMP95 is only 2.17-inches thick, so it’s thin enough to be wall-mounted with the included brackets to complement any wall-mounted TV.

A remote control is included.

www.cobyusa.com $112.85

G-Technology’s G-RAID hard drive is now available with a Thunderbolt connection to give you one of some of fastest data transfer speeds available.

After using the drive on my new Mac MIni it’s obvious it’s fast. G-Raid rates it double the speed of USB 3.0 and over 12 times faster than my preferred choice of Firewire 800.

A pair of Thunderbolt ports allows multiple connections or even daisy-chaining up to six Thunderbolt-compatible devices.

Inside the 4TB unit I tested is a pair of Hitachi 7200 RPM drives, running RAID 0 to back up the digital files across both drives.

For those not familiar with the RAID system, it’s designed to give you a storage across multiple disks for added security for the digital files.

Right out of the box the desktop sized (9.25 x 5.125 x 3.374-inches) G-Raid is Time Machine-ready and the chassis is constructed to mirror the Apple look.

It runs on the included AC power adapter but you’ll have to get your own Thunderbolt cable.

A Kensington security slot is also built in the back (cable not included) for attaching a security lock to keep the hard drive from walking away.

www.g-technology.com 4TB $599.95, 8TB $799.95

It’s common to see someone sitting on the floor in airports or shopping malls charging a portable electronic gadget but if you had one of the myCharge devices you can avoid the filth of the floor.

They come in a choice of pocket-sized and lightweight rechargeable batteries with built- in connectors for most devices.

The built-in cords are designed for Apple iDevices, Android and Blackberry’s among others with the 30-pin, microUSB and USB port connections.

Depending on the battery and the gadget needing a charge, you can get up to 4 times the running time for the device.

The Peak 6000 is the biggest, with a 6000mAh Lithium Polymer battery inside good for up to 27 hours of talking on a 3G network.

www.myCharge.com prices range from $24.99 for the Sojourn 1000 up to $79.99 for the Peak 6000.

SMS Audio Sync by 50 over-the-ear headphones give you the big sound from a big set of headphones but without a cord.

All you do is connect the 3.5 mm 2.4GHz wireless transmitter (included) into your device’s headphone port, pair it with the headphones and the setup is done.

The headband is made of a custom polymer plastic so it’s flexible and the ear cups are made with a soft leather memory foam, which combine to make it simple to to get a comfortable fit.

Controls for volume and song selections are built into the left earcup along with a microUSB port for charging and 3.5mm input for the audio cable if you don’t want to go wireless.

The audio cable has an in-line mic for cellular use and a zippered travel case is included.

As for the sound, I’m not one for big sets of headphones but in this case bigger is better. Crank up the sound and you really get into your own world.

http://smsby50.com $122

Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.

By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

It doesn’t take a genius to know that tablets will again be one of the top purchases this holiday season. Choosing the right one might take a little work if you’re not just going with a popularity contest.

The Kindle Fire HD is packed with every feature you would want in a tablet, including a responsive touchscreen LCD, simple USB charging/connections and a size (7-inch model tested) that’s big enough to see each function but small enough to pack for travel.

Everything you ask the Kindle to do, it does really well; email, web surfing and watching movies from endless choices at the Amazon store.

Dolby Digital Plus technology is built into the tablet, which is an advanced surround sound audio code designed for today’s media devices.

Just put on a movie with a good set of headphones and you’ll hear the difference in what is described by Dolby as a “cinema experience.”

www.amazon.com $199

Kensington’s latest portable combination laptop lock uses words, not numbers, as a security code to keep a laptop from walking away.

Most laptops have a security slot, which was created by Kensington and has become the industry standard, for the cable to attach.

Use is simple: just set a four-letter passcode, attach the self coiling cable around or through anything secure and attach the lock. The cable is just a few inches long when coiled up but stretches up to six feet.

Over 10,000 word combinations are possible with the lock.

www.Kensington.com $27.99

Keeping on the coiled theme is Griffin’s PowerJolt SE coiled car charger.

What makes this one stand out among the millions of car chargers is that it is the first I’ve seen and available with the new Lightning Connector, Apple’s 8-pin dock connection on one end.

A standard 12-volt outlet to deliver a 10-watt charging circuit is on the other end to plug into your car’s charging port.

The strong coiled cable can stretch up to 4-feet and the device has a built-in, self-resetting SmartFuse, to protect your device from power fluctuations.

www.griffintechnology.com $22.99

Quirky’s Pivot Power Flexible power strip ($29.99) has six outlets, which can all be used simultaneously, regardless of how big or bulky your power supplies are that need to be plugged in.

The power strip is flexible, allowing it to stay in a straight line or curving to let several of the larger power adapters to be plugged in.

With its flexibility, you can curve it under or around desks or furniture for easy access to take plugs in and out.

A six foot cord is attached to the strip.

Another cool and useful computer accessory from Quirky is the Contort ($24.99) for connecting up to four USB devices into a single one on any computer.

It’s built with a flexible neck, which allows it to take minor bumps without damaging your device and is built with cord management to wind up any excess cable from the connected devices.

www.quirky.com

The Swingline Stack and Shred 60X ($139) is compact enough to keep under your desk but powerful enough for up to 60 sheets of hands-free shredding.

Once your documents are loaded into the paper tray, close the cover and rollers automatically feed the paper into the cutters for cross-cut and quiet shredding.

The shredded paper goes into a waste bin, which has a view window to see when it needs to be emptied.

Other models available are available larger amounts of handsfree shredding up to 500 sheets.

stackandshred.com available in red or black

www.Chroiclebooks.com
Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.

By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

Airbac backpacks are designed with air cushion technology for  a comfortable fit and after loading it up and putting it on your back, you canfeel the comfort.

A pinhole connection is built (and hidden) into lower side of the backpack, which faces you when in use, to adjust the amount of air for the most comfort.

It takes some trial and error but once you get the right amount of air pumped in, you’ll feel, as the company describes, like you are carrying half the weight you actually packed up in gear.

The air pocket design also helps you feel like the weight is distributed more evenly and the backpack rests on your back and hips more comfortably.

Airbac tests revealed “that the Airbac requires 1/10th the amount of energy and stress on the spinal column to carry than does a standard backpack carrying the same weight,” according to a recent email from a company representative.

Users can adjust the amount of air depending on how much gear is stored and carried.

They are available in a variety of sizes and models with each having a lots of pockets for laptops, tablets and accessories.

www.airbac.com prices range from $49 to $149 depending on color and style

MEElectronics in-ear sports headphones (Sport-Fi M6) have an over-the-ear design with a stainless steel memory wire.

This enables you to get the right fit over your ear but then have the same fit each time they are taken off and then put back on.

Six  different sized ear tips are included to get the right comfort in your ear, along with a tangle-resistant cord for the great sounding headphones, which bass enthusiasts will love.

They are available in black, clear, orange, pink, purple, teal and white with a color matching carrying case for $29.99. If you want it with an inline microphone, black is your only choice for $34.99.

www.meelec.com

A mouse is no longer needed when you use the Logitech T650 touchpad.

The device works great to give you the laptop touchpad feel on a desktop computer for clicking, scrolling and pinching to zoom.

Logitech’s tiny USB unifying receiver is included to make a wireless connection and it charges with the included USB cable.

It’s designed for Window’s 8 but lists Windows 7 as being compatible.

It’s built with a smooth glass surface and lets your fingers move in a small manner in up to 13 unique Windows 8 gestures, according to Logitech.

www.Logitech.com $79.99

Ten One Design has announced the availability of the first Pogo Connect, which they call the world’s first pressure-sensitive Bluetooth 4.0 stylus.

It’s has a solidstate design and a new magnetic tip system for easy on and off, so it should be compatible with interchangeable tips that may be designed in the future.

Inside is a new patent pending technology called Crescendo Sensor, requiring no calibration and giving the user so much sensitivity that the tip will be responsive and recognize the slightest touch.

The Pogo Connect is ideal for artists who want to adjust the pressure

www.tenonedesign.com $79.95

A new way for gamers to play with multiple users is Combiform, which allows them to combine controllers creating a game out of the controllers themselves.

It consists of set of four game controllers, which snap together with magnets, enabling players to team up and interact while playing, requiring them pay close attention to each other.

They also double as traditional controllers that can be used to play games on an iOS, Android, PC, Mac or HDTV.

It’s currently under the Kickstarter project, a funding platform for creative projects to raise money in hopes of bringing it to the retail market.

www.combiformgame.com $54 for 2 or $99 for 4 controllers

Garmin’s StreetPilot app has a 50 percent off deal for Black Friday this year for the North American Garmin StreetPilot Onboard and NAVIGON apps as well as the NAVIGON for Android and Windows Phone apps.

For example, Garmin StreetPilot Onboard USA for iOS devices, which normally sells for $49.99, will be available for $24.99.

The apps interface is very similar to a Garmin nüvi unit, which makes it simple to use for first time Garmin users or for those who have owned a nüvi before.

After you turn on the app, just give it a few seconds to acquire the satellite and your specific location, just tap the “Where To” icon, which then offers the choice of inputing an address or searching for specific points of interest. This includes sites such as gas stations, hotels, ATM machines or shopping.

The address feature first asks for a house number and then the street. The Garmin figures out your location and gives you choices; each time it was right on and the first choice was the location I wanted.

I found the app is as accurate in all ends of the country over the past year, including traffic, finding restaurants and fuel options.

Some of the features, such as the live traffic cameras, cost extra ($9.99) but after you factor in the cost of a stand-alone unit typically costing about $200 the app is really a great deal.

www.garmin.com

Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.

By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

Tech gifts this year will be big hits with audio, tablet and smartphone accessories leading the way.

Bluetooth also seems to be a common theme and here are some tech head choices.

The three-foot-tall iHome iP76 tower stereo speaker system isn’t stocking-stuffer friendly and will cost you a bundle in wrapping paper but bigger is better when you hear the room-filling sound.

Your device can connect via Bluetooth, use a top-loading Apple friendly dock with the included wireless remote or just plug it into the aux-in jack for using any portable media player.

On iHome’s website these are described to “deliver astounding clarity, depth and power” and after hearing them you see that this is accurate.

Additionally, the sides of the tower have LEDs, which change colors in a choice of modes in indigo, blue, green, white, orange, red, violet and yellow.

www.ihomeaudio.com $199

If you want to stuff your audio gift in a stocking, try the CUBEDGE EDGE portable wireless speaker.

It’s shaped like a brick and connects via Bluetooth 3.0 for a wireless connection for use with a 3.5mm headphone connection

In addition to the great portable sound, you get 10 hours of battery life after a USB charge; it also works to answer calls, Skype or other voice options with a built-in microphone.

http://cubedge.com available in black or white for $149

Kensington’s slim profile and pocket-sized Portafolio Due wallet for iPhone 5 works like any other case to protect all sides of the iPhone and even covers up the screen when its tucked away not in use.

What gives it an edge vs the other millions of iPhone cases available it it doubles as a wallet with slots on the inside for a drivers license, credit cards or even cash.

But it doesn’t end there: it has a built-in stand to keep your device hands-free for calls, video conferencing or just to look cool in both vertical and landscape positions.

www.Kensington.com $39.99, in choices of brown marble, red snake, and black

The 200-watt PowerLine PowerCup looks like a coffee cup but don’t fill it with liquid.

It sits in your vehicle’s cup holder and  an18-inch cord comes out to plug into a vehicle’s 12V power port.

On top of the cup is a pair of AC outlets and a USB port for powering and charging just about any electronic gadget for a road trip or camping.

www.powerline.com $26