Techish

Here’s the wacky stuff you should buy for the Eclipse 2017

  ·

Our Christina Tynan-Wood did a great story on all the practical stuff you NEED for the eclipse on Monday. But what about the stuff you really WANT? I mean, the total solar eclipse going down on August. 21 is kind of a big deal. For the first time in 99 years, the moon's shadow will make its way across the entire United States from the west coast to the east. If you live in these states on the map to the left here, it's going to pass right over the top of your head. And that's a big freaking deal. Such a big deal, this one event links Hindu mythology, the world's first computer, and Albert Einstein. So obviously, you'll need a memento or two to mark the occasion, right? If ... Read more

MacGyver Gadgets For Busy Families (As seen on CNN/HLN)

  ·

When you buy for back-to-school this year, why not get the gadgets and tech tools that will make a big change in your day-to-day? Maybe you're always crunched for time, space, or just trying to find the best bargain... whatever it is, there are amazing news tricks and tools to solve common problems, that most students and parents have no idea exist. Edge Desk $399 : Save space This is an insanely cool portable one-piece chair/desk combo that comes fully assembled in the box, then folds into customized positions – in less than a minute. I think it of it like a modern Murphy-bed-type instant office or study space – that you can tuck away when you're not using - perfect for dorms or small ... Read more

Back-to-school computer options for all ages

  ·

Good news for students (and parents) facing the inevitable computer upgrade: there’s never been a better time to buy one. Not only are there more options than ever before – in size and shape, brand, and specifications (“specs”) – but there are attractive back-to-school deals to take advantage of. But choosing the right device to match your needs and budget can be an overwhelming task. The following should help you decide what’s best for the student in your home, divided into various ages. Kindergarten to 6th grade While not as popular as laptops, a stationary desktop computer might still be best for younger students. Not only do they cost less, on average, but they could be kept in a ... Read more

DEALish! 10% Off Rocketbook smart notebook

  ·

Some of us enjoy the tactile feel of pen on paper. But after we have indulged, we are left with lifeless and easy-to-lose ink on paper. Can’t edit it. Can’t copy it to Word to expand on it. Can’t set a reminder for later. The Rocketbook Wave is a paper notebook that lets your write with an actual pen – not a stylus on screen. But it sends your notes to the cloud, using your own smart phone. Symbols at the bottom of each page allow you to send notes to specific cloud locations. If you write on it with Pilot FriXion pens (included), you can erase the notes and get a clean notebook by putting it in the microwave. Want to try it? I got you 10 percent off of Touch of Modern’s ... Read more

BEAUTY GADGETS! Can this tech make me look 10-years younger?

  ·

https://youtu.be/RavvH-TDUGM New technology is giving the 80-billion dollar beauty industry a massive makeover. At its foundation, a slew of Silicon Valley startups have raked in more than 70-recent rounds of funding, to the tune of 1.7 billion dollars, according to CG Insights. At the center of it all — artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the promise of  a bit of gadget-magic. MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL:  Hi Mirror Plus, $369 Smart mirrors are a thing now - I’ve reviewed five of them in the last year alone. Most are Wi-Fi and bluetooth enabled, but the HiMirror Plus has the potential to be high-tech belle of the ball: HiMirror uses a skin-scanning facial recognition ... Read more

DEALish! 10% Off Eardial Invisible Earplugs

  ·

Many great bands, from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Cage the Elephant, have two important things in common: The founders met in high school and are four times more likely than the general population to suffer from hearing loss. So if you -- or your offspring -- plan to form a band this school season, now is the time to thing about hearing health. It is easy to prevent but very difficult to repair or treat. Eardials are smart earplugs that filter the sound hitting your ears so you can listen to live music at a volume less damaging to your hearing. They are small and transparent so you don’t look like a dork wearing them and made of soft silicone so they aren't uncomfortable. The earbuds monitor ... Read more

DEALish! 10% off WonderCube phone charger

  ·

Your phone’s tendency to issue a “Battery low” message at the most crucial moments can be a serious hit to your astonishing productivity – or procrastination. Someday someone will fix this. And, when that happens, your late-in-the-day YouTube videos will no longer be interrupted, you won't fear getting lost on the road, and you will no longer be able to use the, "My battery is dying!" excuse to get off the phone. For now, you need backup chargers. And you need them at hand so you don’t have to chase one down to get a charge. The WonderCube is a super small one that fits on your key chain so you’ll have it with you . It also syncs your phone and doubles as a phone stand for more ... Read more

Tiny Photos Printers that Fit in Your Pocket

  ·

At this point in the summer, the thought of sending the kids back to school comes with some regret and a massive amount of anticipation. Enjoy a cup of coffee alone? Go to the store without an entourage? No more wrestling over how much is too much Internet? (At least for five hours a day.) Who wouldn't be counting the days? Don't forget, though, that school comes with school plays, science projects, and more impossible cuteness that will never be repeated. Those events need to be recorded. For that end, we want to put a new(ish) category of tech toy on your radar: The tiny photo printer. These affordable, pocketable, and super fun printers let you get your photos off your phone, out of ... Read more

DEALish! 10 percent off Vaux — an Amazing Echo Dot Accessory

  ·

Alexa – of Amazon Echo fame -- moved in at my house over a year ago. In that time, she’s become one of the family. As a disembodied artificial intelligence, she has a couple of dwellings in our house: The Amazon Echo is in the kitchen. And the Echo Dot is in the bedroom. I think (as a dedicated deal hunter), that the Echo Dot is the better deal of the two – and one of the best deals in tech. It is my go-to gift for everyone. It is smaller than the Echo but just as mighty -- in every way except the built-in speaker. And that is why I love the Vaux, a speaker and battery combination designed to upgrade the Dot’s speaker and make it mobile. Add the Vaux to the Dot and you have an ... Read more

The best ebook readers and apps to get caught up on summer reading

  ·

Summer is well and truly upon us, and in between trips to the beach and scorching sunburns from weekend barbecues, hopefully you can find at least a little bit of "me time" to kick back, sip an iced tea, and catch up on some summer reading. If you really want to maximize your reading time, it's easier than ever to streamline your book browsing and buying with top-of-the-line ebook readers and apps. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite You just knew there would be some Amazon gadgets on this list, and you were right. The Kindle Paperwhite ($119.99) is all the rage in reading circles for its gorgeous epaper display and sharp resolution that makes the screen as much like paper as possible. It has a ... Read more

DEALish! 25% off Leviton Smart Lights

  ·

Here we are in late July. And for those of us who enjoy summer for its less-strict bedtimes, it is now time to think about getting back onto that tyrannical early-bird schedule required by schools. No more reading into the wee hours if you want to be up for lunch making, school commuting, and the drop off line at school. And to make that happen, at least in my house, that means becoming the warden of “Lights out!” Smart lights make this much easier. After you have announced 15 minutes to lights out, you can let the technology take it from there. When it’s time to kill the light, tap your phone or ask you Amazon Echo or Google Home to turn them off. This is awesome for your own bedtime, ... Read more

8 Clever Mom Hacks for Driving with Kids

  ·

  Does it seem as if a big chunk of your family time happens on the road? Considering that Americans spend, on average, 290 hours a year driving, that's not just frustration talking. This is a reality. That is more than seven work weeks, spent in the car. And, if you have teenagers, this might even be the only time you spend in one-on-one conversations where they can't storm away and slam a door. Here are some hacks for making that time the best family time it can be. Maybe you can turn this modern, mobile moment into some of the best time you have together. Make the Car a Rule-Free Zone Whatever rules you have about limiting time spent gaming or accessing the Internet at home? ... Read more

DEALish! Toddy Gear 15% Off

  ·

Toddy Gear makes some of our favorite microfiber cloths. They are fuzzy on one side, smooth on the other, and adorned with beautiful images.  A microfiber cloth is an essential smart-phone accessory because touch screens get filthy with fingerprints, makeup, and all manner of other yick. A microfiber cloth is a quick remedy. [Check out our Dos and Don’ts on cleaning your gadgets.] Toddy Gear also makes phone cases, power banks, and cables. And --best part! -- any of them can be adorned with a design of your own. If you have a small business, this would be a great promo. Need a gift? Also awesome. How many times a day do people plug in, charge, and wipe their smart phone? And -- every ... Read more

DEALish: $10 off Circle with Disney

  ·

  We are big fans of the Circle with Disney ($99) here at Techish. This device (pictured below) attaches to your wireless router and gives you the parental controls that should have come with the Internet. There are too many devices – phones, tablets, computers – in most homes to even think that installing something on your kids’ devices that filters out the seamy underbelly of the Internet will be enough. You need much more than filtering, one device at a time. You need to protect kids from content, from addiction, and from distractions. You need – especially before school starts again – to be able to shut the Internet off to create bed times and family time. But sometimes ... Read more

The 10 Best Amazon Prime Day GADGET Deals 2017

  ·

Here are the best deals we've seen yet on all things gadget-y and techish during Amazon Prime Day 2017: Amazon Echo Devices Amazon has plenty to offer when it comes to deals on its own products. The the standard Echo will go for $89.99, a 50% discount off its regular price, while the smaller Echo Dot will cost $34.99 instead of $49.99. A few bundle deals are available as well, with Amazon offering a $75 discount when purchasing an Echo Show and Arlo Security camera. The Echo Show usually costs $229.99, while a single Arlo camera is priced at $169.99. Shoppers can also get an Echo Dot (usually $49.99) and Sony XB10 portable Bluetooth speaker (regularly $58 on Amazon) for under $70. A ... Read more

How To Score The Best Prime Day Deals from Amazon!

  ·

https://youtu.be/oqwKyAQTtYY Amazon's Prime Day is as close as you'll get to a Black Friday event in the middle of the year, and if you're searching for something in particular — or just want a good deal on cool stuff you didn't even know you needed — you'll need to know how to find them. We've got you covered. When is it? Prime Day starts July 10th and 9:00 pm EST, and lasts for 30 hours. Sales roll out gradually over the full length of the event, so it pays to follow these insider tips & tricks! Where to watch Amazon's App - This is the most obvious destination if you're search for bargains, and Amazon itself recommends using its official app for iOS and Android as the do-it-all ... Read more