Technology

At Home Spa: ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker

August 24, 2016 · Leave a Comment

ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker

My masseuse has this incredible sound system in the treatment rooms. I am no stranger to epic sound systems for my equally epic digital music collection, but the ones I have tried in my at-home spa are always a little tinny. So I am thrilled to find the ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker.

I have a dedicated (and always evolving) playlist for when I’m relaxing during an at-home spa treatment. So finding a speaker that has great sound and works with my iPhone, which is where I keep my playlist, has been my aim.

When I first took the ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker out of the box and saw the size of the unit, I didn’t have high expectations of a deep, robust sound, or a soothing light. But this small Nightlight and Speaker packs a lot of power into a small unit. The light is deep and saturated, and the sound is absolutely amazing.

ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker

When I think of a nightlight, I tend to think of a light that is just bright enough to orient yourself when you see it in the corner. The ZHOPPY Night Light produces just enough light to be able to very gently illuminate the room, but not as much as a bedside lamp. It isn’t enough to read by, but it is bright enough to provide a soothing glow. The color of the light is easy to change: simply tap on the top and side on the device at the same time. The color will change immediately to another soothing shade. Keep repeating the “double tap” motion to find the hue that suits you. To increase or decrease the brightness, tap the speaker grid on top. One of the options is to turn the light off completely. This is convenient if you like complete darkness during the night (as it does aid sleep), but would still like to have a nightstand option for light if needed, or a lower level of light closer to bed.

Changing the color of the ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker

The sound is incredible. The first time I tested it out was late at night when everyone else was asleep. I pressed play, and the loud, crisp, deep bass rang through the house as I quickly scrambled to turn it down. I did not expect such amazing audio from a small device! It is comparable to a speaker system I have with a pretty decent subwoofer.

The device is powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts impressively long between charges (I have only had to recharge it once in about two weeks) and it is easily charged via USB, which is convenient. I have mainly been using the Auxillary mode for audio, however, so the battery life might be shorter if used in Bluetooth mode, which I only used for a few hours.

I’m quite happy with this small but powerful device for its soothing light and its powerful speaker for my beauty treatment relaxation time!

ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker

Find the ZHOPPY 2-in-1 Night Light and Bluetooth Speaker at Amazon.com.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdfWeQdqIX0[/embedyt]

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Travel in Style: GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack

August 21, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I was pleased to have the opportunity to use the “GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack”. The ten piece pack consists of an aluminum card wallet that measures approximately 4 3/8″ by 3″ by 7/8″, and comes with six top-loading card sleeves, two side-loading card sleeves, and one Passport sleeve. The top-loading card sleeves include five extra slim design for regular wallets, and the side loading cards include one extra slim design. Amongst these cards, are RFID sleeves, which provide additional protection for your card in and out of the GECKO wallet. The top loading cards and the Passport sleeve are imprinted with useful information to have on hand while outside the home or to travel, such as a tipping guide, a medical information card that can be personalized, a map with time zones, along with other helpful information. The wallet is a sleek, attractive chrome, it easy to carry, fits into a schoolbag, backpack, purse, pocket or briefcase. Suitable for men, women’s, teens and kids.

GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack

The technology is that the aluminum coating creates a “Faraday Cage”. This is named after a British scientist who discovered a way to create a grounded metal screen surrounding a piece of equipment (in this case the RFID information on your credit cards) to exclude electrostatic and electromagnetic influences (such as unauthorized scanning devices used to swipe credit card info). In layperson terms, it is a way to block nefarious thieves from using scanners to get to the RFID on your cards to get your identity, credit, and debit card information without you even being aware of it. Not just any metal box creates a Faraday Cage, so storing your credit cards in an Altoids Tin, for example, cannot prevent digital theft of RFID information via an unauthorized scanner.

I will have a use for all pieces of the pack and have already utilized everything but the passport sleeve.

COMPETITOR RFID PROTECTION WALLETS
Previously, I had purchased an aluminum wallet that looked very similar to the one in this set but this Gecko wallet is heavier, sturdier, and much better constructed, inside and out. The other one I bought quickly broke. I’d thought perhaps it was defective and returned it for a replacement, but that soon broke as well. A broken case can be held together, but won’t offer any protection.

THE GECKO WALLET
With eight credit sized card sleeves and the aluminum wallet, at least fourteen cards can be protected. To use both the sleeves and the wallet together for extra protection, I place the sleeved card in the middle of the wallet pockets. Then any non-magnetic strip cards, such as my ULTA and Sephora Insider Rewards Cards and hotel and restaurant and museum loyalty program cards, I put those in the outer pockets of the wallet. This gives the most protection and space for sleeve protected cards in the center. If you have a wallet you already prefer to use, such as a checkbook wallet or french wallet, the sleeves can offer some protection to your individual credit cards in your existing wallet.

GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack

The GECKO kit also comes with a Passport Protector. Newer passport books have RFID chips in them like a credit card does. Which unfortunately means that all the information on your passport is insecure. For those who travel, this Gecko passport protector is an excellent security measure. It is durable and easy to use. There is so much to worry about when traveling; a secure passport takes one thing off your mind.

GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack

CONCLUSION: Higher quality durability and ease of use than competitor’s RFID wallets, the GECKO wallet, and passport holder are both useful and effective. Though it is unfortunate we need to protect our cards; I feel much more comfortable having a high-quality product like the Total RFID Theft Protection Pack to address the problem.

GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack

Find the GECKO Travel Tech Total RFID Theft Protection Pack at Amazon.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKwaaWk6lxo[/embedyt]

Squinting isn’t Pretty: BenQ E-Reading Lamp

August 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment

BenQ E-Reading Lamp

Thanks to my Amazon Kindle, I’m an avid reader of ebooks. My e-reading falls into two categories: books or PDFs I read for work and pleasure reading. Either way, I want my reading to be a pleasant experience that doesn’t strain my eyes. Think of all the other ways that screens have permeated our lives: watching a Netflix movie on a tablet, late night browsing, or the infamous middle of the night Instagram check.

That is why I am thrilled with the BenQ E-Reading Lamp. This lamp is sizable enough to cover a large area with light but has a slim line to it. The sleek design is adjustable, so if you are doing intricate work (like beading or digital editing), you can focus the light on your work.

With just a tap on the ring, the lamp switches between warm white light and cool white light. Much like the Night Setting on tablets, this adjusts the light for the time of day and the activity in which you are engaging. This is a really nice feature, as most lamps just have one setting, but this lamp takes in the “human factor”. It also responds to the ambient light and adjusts accordingly.

Some might question the price of this lamp. Considering how much computing affects vision, I think the price is quite reasonable compared to worsening vision and the associated risks of long hours at the computer, including headaches due to flicker or glare. Additionally, lack of proper lighting when using computers or tablets can lead to bad posture, which can cause a whole slew of health issues. So this lamp is priced quite reasonably when you consider the cost to health. Additionally, the price is competitive with other lamps with such a sleek design.

I plan on buying another one to put in my office on my desk. I really am thrilled to have discovered this lamp.

Find it at Amazon.com.

I received this product in exchange for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Beauty Gadgets: intelliARMOR 5A 4-Port USB Ultra Fast Portable Wall Charger w/ intelliSMART Technology

June 24, 2016 · Leave a Comment

intelliARMOR 5A 4-Port USB Ultra Fast Portable Wall Charger w/ intelliSMART Technology

So you just splurged on a new Clarisonic, LED light therapy device, Epilator, or massaging facial brush cleansing system. Congratulations! Most of these devices require an initial charging for 8-16 hours before the first use. Notice something unusual about your new beauty tool? Many of these beauty devices now charge with USB ports instead of the traditional electric plug. This is a handy advent, but it made us notice a problem: not all USB chargers are created equal.

When I excitedly charged my first USB enabled beauty gadget, I found my generic, no-name USB charger got fairly hot to the touch when it was plugged in for more than an hour. I never noticed this when using it just long enough to charge my iPhone or tablet, but it sure worried me to charge my brand new expensive LED light therapy system on a generic USB charger that now seemed somewhat dodgy. I didn’t trust this generic USB port to be left plugged in while I was out of the house at work for 16 hours or leave it charging my new LED Light Therapy System overnight.

So I was pleased to hear about the IntelliARMOR 4 Port Wall Charger because it is sturdy, fast, portable, and kinda cute. The IntelliARMOR name may sound familiar because they make those rugged screen protectors that can save an accidentally dropped phone from a cracked screen disaster. This four port charger can handle not only the heftier electrical draw of charging beauty devices but also tablets, Kindles, phones, and iPods.

As a trusted brand, I feel comfortable leaving my various tech and beauty gadgets on this IntelliARMOR USB port whether it needs a longer initial charge or a super fast recharge just to “top it off” before use. The IntelliARMOR port is a small but powerful portable charger that can handle multiple types of tech devices. I notice with some generic brand name USB chargers that tend to stop working after a while, and I am reluctant to use a questionable generic USB charger on an expensive item such as an LED light therapy device.

APPEARANCE
The IntelliARMOR It is a sturdy but slimline plug that takes up a small amount of room on a strip or the wall, so that does not obscure adjacent outlet plugs. There are no loose or wiggly pieces. The plug prongs fold for portability, so it fits in my bag or laptop case for quick use on multiple devices at home, work or while traveling.

FEATURES
The most impressive thing about this charger is it is FAST. Often I forget that my tablet, Kindle, or phone needs a charge until about 30 minutes before leaving the house, yet this charger gives a full charge very quickly, even when I am simultaneously charging four devices at once. It is four times faster than other chargers.

FLEXIBILITY
I also like that it can charge multiple device types ranging from my Kindle to my iPhone and iPad, and my various beauty devices all at once. I now use this charger for my Kindle, my iPad, my Samsung Galaxy Tablet, my iPhone, and my old classic iPod that I like to use during an active workout at the gym.

Emjoi AP-66T Clear Skin Phototherapy Device $25.92 at Amazon

June 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Just noticed the Emjoi AP-66T Clear Skin at Amazon.com for $25.92 (regular price $50).Â I haven’t tried it, but seems like a good deal for a no-frills phototherapy device for acne.