Cleaning out a notebook from the 2013 consumer electronics show that ended Jan. 11 in Las Vegas is an impossible and endless task, but here are a few items I either used all week or caught my attention as cool everyday items.
Power gladThe Innergie PocketCell Duo, did an amazing job keeping my iPhone and iPad powered up all week while I was away from an electrical outlet. It's a pocket-size charger, just 3 3/4-by-1 3/4 inches and an inch thick, about 40 percent smaller than a typical eye glass case.PocketCell is a rechargeable battery with 6,800 mAh of power -- enough to charge a smartphone four times or a tablet once. A pair of USB ports can use either standard USB cables or the included Innergie Magic Cable Trio, which has a single cable with Apple 30-pin, Micro USB and Mini USB connectors.A power-level gauge and activation button are built in. PocketCell Duo is charged up itself via USB and is certified for use with Apple devices including those with the new Lightning connection along with Android tablets and smartphones.www.myinnergie.com $99.99 available in March, Innergie Lightning Tip available in early April.Go solarGoal Zero, the world's largest manufacturer of portable solar products, launched the Goal Zero Yeti 150 Solar Generator. The toaster-size device weighs 12 pounds and has a 150 watt-hour battery for powering anything from lights to laptops via built-in AC, 12-volt and USB ports.The 15-watt Bolder 15 Solar Panel can fully charge it up in 15 hours of sunlight, but it also plugs into a wall outlet.www.goalzero.com $359.99 and available in the springWhere's my bag?Air travelers will love the pocket-sized Trakdot Luggage tracker.All you do is put it in your checked bag, and then you can follow its whereabouts in real time on your mobile devices.Once the tracker is registered on the Trakdot website and placed inside a bag, it sends out a text or email alerting the owner of its location. The location can also be followed on Trakdot.com with the free Trakdot Luggage app.www.trakdot.com available in March for $49.95, activation fee of $8.99 and annual service fee of $12.99.Get organizedThe iHome 15.6-inch Smart Brief shoulder bag is as gadget- and organization-friendly as I've seen.Like everything else the company makes, it's Apple-compatible and designed with what seems like an endless number of pockets for chargers, cables and accessories along with a laptop and iPad.Your laptop is stowed in a separate compartment, with zippers to make it easy at airport security. A shoulder strap is included, or use the handles for carrying the two-tone nylon, slim profile bag.www.ihomecases.com $99.99Hitting the right cordThe CordCruncher ($24.99) came out last year, but since it caught my attention then, it's worth noting that they added a new color to catch your attention -- neon green -- along with a new partner in iHome.The earbuds are attached to a cord encased in an elastic sleeve. But the cool thing is that it stretches from 16 inches to 3.5 feet and stays tangle-free the whole time.After you put the speakers in your ear and plug into the 3.5-mm headphone port on your device, just stretch them out to extend the earbuds out of the sleeve. To retract them you pull both ends of the sleeve and the headphone wire shoots into the sleeve.Then you can just roll it up in a ball and you're all set for the next time you want to use them.CordCruncher says they have partnered with iHome to combine their new iB10 headphones ($19.99) with CordCruncher technology.www.cordcruncher.comBluetooth headphonesScosche's new RH1060 Reference Grade Bluetooth Headphones feature the company's proprietary design using 40-mm drivers made from rare-earth neodymium magnets and precision-wound copper voice coil to create accurate musical reproduction.Bluetooth gets you a wireless range up to 33 feet, and the headphones have controls to change tracks, adjust volume and play/pause. There's also a built-in mic for voice control or hands-free calling. A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to nine hours of continuous audio streaming.www.scosche.com $199.99 available in the springHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
