Gadgets – Best and Top Deals, Reviews, Hot Gifts for Men

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager with Heat – Shoulder – Foot Massager

amazonian — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 02:47:42 +0000

Buy on Amazon.com: New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

I have been using this New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager and have to say it is well worth the $34.99 price tag.

There are three buttons to the massager – one button to turn the heat on/off, one button to change the direction of rotation, and one button to turn off and on the massager.

Note: the massage automatically shuts down in 10 minutes – just in case you fell asleep or something with it on maybe?

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

There is both an AC adapter(110-220V AC to 12V DC) and car adapter included for home, office and car. I tried to use it in the car and it worked great, but probably don’t recommend using it while driving. I guess you could if you are waiting at a red light for a long time.

They said you could use this not just for the neck, should, and back, but also the legs and feet and arms – haven’t tried that out yet but I can say it is great for the neck and shoulder. Depending on how hard you want your massage you can pull on the straps to adjust pressure.

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

As someone who works in an office all day, sitting at the computer, this is a great massage tool to get those knots out. If you play a lot of sports or lift weights and have some sort of sports related soreness or muscle knot, this is a great tool as well.

They also have a great policy for customer satisfaction guaranteed: 30 days refund, no question asked and a factory Warranty of 3 years.

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

When you turn the heat option on it turns a little red light on in the massager. It reminds me of those massagers you see that they sell but added straps on – I think this is ingenious. One thing I wish was that the cord was longer or it was cordless so I can walk around with this on. I did purchase this with a coupon but this is my own thoughts without any influence – I think it is well worth the full price.

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

Pros:

x Pressure and location control for all those hard to reach places. You can literally place this anywhere on your back and get at those knots.
x No batteries
x Great Value

Cons:

x Longer cord needed, the cord included is about 5 feet (60inches) long.
x I wish I had one that covered my whole body

Be right back, I have to go turn on my massager. Edit: It’s been two weeks and going strong!

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

Buy on Amazon.com: New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager

Jackery® Mini Premium iPhone Charger 3200mAh Power Pack – 76% Off “The world’s smallest external battery charger”

amazonian — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 05:06:27 +0000

Jackery® Mini Premium iPhone Charger 3200mAh Power Pack – Ultra-Compact Aluminum Portable Battery Charger External Battery Pack for Apple iPhone 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, iPad, Air, Mini, Samsung Galaxy S5, S4, S3, Note, Nexus, LG, HTC, Moto. Power Bank, iPad Charger, Portable Charger, Backup Battery, External Charger, USB Battery Charger (Orange) – $16.95 on Amazon

List Price:	$69.95
Price:	$39.95
Sale:	$16.95 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35.

High-capacity portable phone charger with 3200mAh rechargeable battery power capacity with 1A output. Adds 10 extra hours of talk time or 1 full charge to your iPhones. This portable battery charger (external battery charger) adds 100% extra battery life.

The world’s smallest external battery charger; Fits easily into any bag or pocket; Compact, portable & stylish design; Easily fits into your bag to provide instant power; Perfect for long flights, road trips, or whenever you need to charge your mobile devices; often used as a substitute for a car charger, such as an iPhone car charger, dual USB car charger and iPad car charger.

Package includes:
Jackery Mini External Battery,
premium Micro USB to USB 2.0 cable.
Grade A Li-ion polymer cell and premium microchips create high-quality portable charger;
Premium aluminum case;
Secured battery safety with 4 layers of smart safety protection circuit;
Advanced power lock technology with standby time up to 6 months after fully charged. 500+ recharge cycles over the life of the battery.
4-color LED indicator to indicate the charging status;

Jackery Mini can be used for Samsung Galaxy S5 charger, Samsung Galaxy S4 car charger, Samsung Galaxy, S3 extended battery, Samsung Galaxy S2 battery, iPhone 6 portable charger, iPhone 5s portable charger, iPhone 5c charger, iPhone 5 charger, iPhone 4s portable charger, iPad external battery, HTC battery bar, and much more.

Brand Name	Jackery
Item Weight	2.7 ounces
Product Dimensions	3.7 x 0.9 x 0.8 inches
Item model number	4122600A
Batteries:	1 Lithium ion batteries required.
Number of Items

How do you charge the charger? Can you plug it into the wall?

A: The end that charges the item has to be plugged into a USB receiver. Either a PC or an iPhone plug that plugs into the wall. To add to my last review… I must say that after re-charging it and using it a few times, it seems to be holding a charge way longer then the first time, making it more handy to have for emergencies! I’m considering purchasing another for my teenager. Hope this helps!

Exactly what would I need to buy to charge my iPhone to the Jackery? Please be very specific,describe, as I know nothing about tech stuff.

A: You would not need to purchase any additional items. This product has a USB port where you plug the USB side of your phone charging cable. It works just like the charger base (little white box that plugs into the wall) that comes with your iPhone. It just doesn’t need to be plugged into the wall because it is a portable battery.

VERY IMPORTANT INFO if item appears to stop working…
By Lisa Hoke on December 30, 2013
Color Name: Orange Verified Purchase
I purchased two of these, one for my daughter, and one for myself. They worked great. My daughter has not had a problem with hers at all. I went out to take some photos Saturday night, and I use my iPhone 4S and professional cameras. The battery on my iPhone 4S crashed and so I plugged in the jackery mini and it did not work. I was able to get my iPhone going again, thought the external battery was charging but then my phone crashed again and saw no indication that the external battery was charging. So I emailed Amazon to alert them to the problem, started reading through customer reviews and read one where a person was told by jackery to press and hold the power button (that activates the leds) on the external battery for a few seconds until it was obvious the phone was charging. I tried that with my battery after plugging it into the phone and it started charging. This info was in the instructions, but I found the instructions confusing, and since the battery initially worked without pushing the power button, I never noticed. Based on that review and others that had the same complaint as I did (led lights work but battery won’t charge), I would bet that most returns of this product are unnecessary. So far very impressed, once this problem was resolved. Giving it four stars because I think Jackery should go to more effort to make this info clear, it would save them money and customers aggravation, but it probably deserves five stars. If both units continue to work well, I’ll change the rating if I can.

So far, so good and still testing…
By Owen’s Mom on November 27, 2013
Color Name: Orange Verified Purchase
I’ve charged my iPhone 5s three times, my husbands 5s once, my old iPhone 4s two times, my son’s 4s once, my husbands old 4s three times and I’m charging my husbands iPad as we speak. I’m going to try my iPod Classic tomorrow. I’m shopping for a business gift and need to buy 28 or so. I do passive research for a business holiday gift all year long then act on it around late November/early December. I buy singles of a few top contenders, test them out, agonize over niceties and settle on one.

One of the best features I like on the Jackery Mini is the four lights that show the level of charge it’s holding. I know it’s a small thing, but it’s something that makes it uniquely smarter than others with just a “dumb light”. That’s the light that’s either on or off and that’s pretty much it. I also like that it’s square and doesn’t roll off the table. Love the color, works for both men and women. Satin finish, anodized aluminum looking, rich, deep orange, not a happy, cheerful orange. I read some people have had issues with ill-fitting USB (I read all the one star reviews first) but I didn’t have that problem. I did notice that there is a rise in warmth in both the Jackery and iPhone when charging but not nearly as warm as my MacBook Pro gets. I find the warmth quite pleasant in the winter. Packaging is nice too, feels high-end with good photography and typography. Very Apple-esque. Good packaging helps with the like-ability of a present. Finally, I like that it isn’t one of the products that has thousands of reviews. I’m into supporting a smart product that’s just starting out on Amazon. And this makes it less likely that the receiver already has this one. If they already have a similar one, they might be inclined to keep this one. If not, it’s very re-giftable.

Not sure about the double cord problem. One cord to charge the Jackery, another cord (Apple’s) to connect the Jackery to my iPhone. I assume that would be an issue with any similar chargers. (Makes a tangled mess in my purse with my earbuds.) Guess I’ll use a temporary inelegant solution like a snack size ziplock bag.The included cord charges the Jackery. The proprietary end fits the Jackery and other is USB. I attach my Apple USB Power Adapter and plug it into the wall socket (or you can just plug it straight into your laptop to charge). Also, I still don’t know how long the Jackery will store a full charge. I guess that’s TBD.

Sony Playstation PS Vita TV to release in Japan Only?

amazonian — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:32:08 +0000

More info for PlayStation Vita here: http://amzn.to/15flwEK

PS Vita TV.

The tiny gadget is a very similar to the Apple TV and Roku.

The PS Vita TV will only be available in Japan at first. It’ll cost the equivalent of about $95 U.S., putting it in the same price range as the $99 Apple TV. Sony’s box has a slot that lets you load games for the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s portable video game console, so you can play them on the big screen using a regular PlayStation controller. It can also play some games from the original PlayStation.

The Vita TV will be able to connect to the upcoming PlayStation 4 console and will let you wirelessly beam games from the console to the Vita TV if the Vita TV is in another room. With one PS4 console, you could play your games in any room in the house.
It will even let you play your PlayStation 4 via Remote Play with DualShock 4; this functionality will come later via system update.

The Playstation Vita TV has Hulu, Netflix, and some other streaming video services specific to Japan. Will launch in Japan in November 14, US Release Date remains Classified.

Would you get one?

More info for PlayStation Vita here: http://amzn.to/15flwEK

Best Protein Shaker? – Sundesa Blenderbottle with Blenderball

amazonian — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 16:14:20 +0000

As effective as it is unique, the patented BlenderBottle by Sundesa is a great way to mix protein and meal replacement drinks while on the go, but it’s also handy for mixing pancake batter while camping, mixing salad dressings and marinades, or just using as a water bottle. This 28-ounce BlenderBottle is great for 8- to 20-ounce drinks. The BlenderBottle is made of BPA-free plastic, while the lid and flip cap are made of #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene).

Effortlessly mix protein drinks, pancake batter, sauces, dressings and more by shaking bottle with patented BlenderBall
28 ounce capacity to the rim of the cup with measurements on the back up to 20 ounces
Stay-open flip cap, GripperBars make it easy to hold
Cup made of BPA-free plasic; BlenderBall made of surgical grade stainless steel
Dishwasher safe; do not use in microwave or with hot or warm liquids

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

The key to the BlenderBottle is the BlenderBall wire whisk–simply drop it in with your ingredients, screw on the lid, and shake. The surgical-grade stainless-steel BlenderBall moves freely throughout the bottle as you shake it, mixing the thickest ingredients with ease, and it’s designed to remain in the cup until you’ve enjoyed your ingredients. Before shaking, screw lid firmly onto cup and press flip cap down until you hear it snap closed. For best mixing action, hold gripper bars and shake from the wrist. Powders mix best when liquid is added first.

The BlenderBottle is not for use with hot liquids. Hot or warm liquids (and other ingredients such as pancake batter, soda, etc.) may build up pressure within the bottle and cause the flip cap to open unexpectedly and spray contents. Not for use in microwave. Dishwasher safe (with BlenderBottle on top rack and BlenderBall in the silverware bin).

Because life’s too short for lumps!

A wide variety of bright colors to choose from.
View larger.
BlenderBottle portable mixers let you make smooth, great-tasting drinks with ease. No batteries, no cord, no hassle!

Mix It Smooth–Anytime, Anywhere

Tired of sifting lumps through your teeth? Now there’s a better way. With the BlenderBottle portable mixer, drinks taste better because they’re mixed better.

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

BlenderBall mixes as you shake.
View larger.
Made of surgical-grade stainless steel, the BlenderBall wire whisk makes short work of your mixing needs. Simply drop the ball in with your ingredients and shake. The ball is designed to remain in the bottle until you’ve enjoyed the contents.

Simpler is better. No batteries or electricity means portability and dependability. Use it in the kitchen, at the office, at the gym, when you travel, or on the go. Did we mention it also makes a great water bottle? Now you can make great-tasting drinks anytime, anywhere. Life is about to taste a whole lot better!

Mix, pour, and store–all in 1 container.
View larger.
Think Inside the Bottle

Make smooth, great-tasting drinks with ease.
View larger.
No Ordinary Bottle

Stainless-steel BlenderBall wire whisk inside
20- or 28-ounce capacity
Available in a variety of colors
GripperBars make it easy to hold
Embossed ounce and milliliter markings
StayOpen flip cap won’t close on your nose
Easy to clean–dishwasher-safe
Large drink/pour spout
Secure screw-on lid prevents leaks
Wide mouth makes it easy to add ingredients
Fits in most car drink holders
BPA-free
Unlimited Possibilities

Nutrition/Protein Shakes
Salad Dressings
Pancake Batter
Yogurt Smoothies
French-Toast Batter
Lump-Free Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Pudding
Omelets
Water

Indications
Food sensitivity: BPA-free.

Ingredients
N/A

Directions
Recommended use: Perfect for:
•Protein shakes
•Nutrition drinks
•Scrambled eggs
•Omelets
•Meal replacement drinks
•Salad dressing mixes
•Smoothies
•Dressings
•Gravy
•Pancake batter
•Water

The BlenderBall is surprisingly effective. Try adding these and other ingredients for a flavorful experience: ground oatmeal, peanut butter, yogurt, applesauce, cocoa powder, fruit juice, cinnamon.

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

Top Tech Gadget Gifts for Christmas 2012

amazonian — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 03:45:17 +0000

Nintendo Wii U
Price: Starting at $300

More info, reviews, and deals on Amazon.com

Nintendo (NTDOY) revolutionized games in 2006 when it rolled out the Wii, featuring a motion-sensitive controller. Now it’s upgraded the groundbreaking console with the Wii U, which features two main improvements. The first is a hand-held tablet called the GamePad, which includes a tablet touch screen to play games, in addition to the normal buttons. Next, the Wii U features high-resolution graphics, unlike its predecessor. “The Wii U is pretty radically different.”

You can also stream online video content or surf the Web, and use the controller as a universal remote. Plus the Wii U lets you play games on the tablet instead of the TV.

The Wii U may provide a much-needed shot in the arm for Nintendo stock, which has traded down to around $16 from above $70 in 2008.

Nintendo Wii U
Price: Starting at $300

More info, reviews, and deals on Amazon.com

Tablets and minitablets
Price: $199 to $660

More info on Amazon

Leading the pack of new tablets will be the iPad Mini from Apple (AAPL), sporting a 7.9-inch screen that sets it apart from the 7-inch screen crowd.

But the iPad Mini is pricey, at $330 to $660. So lots of shoppers will opt for the Nook HD from Barnes & Noble (BKS). At just $199, it offers better screen quality than the Amazon.com (AMZN) Kindle Fire HD and is lighter, say reviewers at Consumer Reports and the New York Times.

Google (GOOG) enters the fray with the Nexus 7 ($200). Note that this is the first piece of hardware sporting the Google brand. Does this mark a new direction (and profit source) for the search giant?

Consumers who want the convenience of touch on a tablet, and the old familiar keyboard, will go for the Surface, offered by Microsoft (MSFT). And for kids, there’s the Nabi 2, which runs on Android and features a protective frame.

Tablets and minitablets
Price: $199 to $660

More info on Amazon

Phablets
Price: $150 to $300 with contract

Take a smartphone and cross it with a minitablet, and what do you get? A phablet. “It’s a phone with a screen on steroids that’s big enough to be like a tablet,” says Ramon Llamas, research manager for mobile phones at IDC, a technology research group. Phablets usually sport 5-inch screens, which means they’re better than smartphones for watching movies or playing games.

Some phablets come with a stylus that makes it easier to work in spreadsheets or PowerPoint, says Llamas. Two he particularly likes are Samsung Electronics’ (SSNLF) Galaxy Note II, which goes for $300 with a contract purchase from Verizon Communications (VZ), and the Droid DNA by HTC, which costs $200, with a Verizon contract.

Phablets
Price: $150 to $300 with contract

Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight
Price: $119

More info on Amazon.com

Digital books continue to catch on, and many shoppers will be opting for the latest Nook Simple Touch from Barnes & Noble (BKS) to get family or friends in on the trend this holiday.

This Nook is cheaper than the comparable e-reader from Amazon. They’re technically priced the same, but you don’t have to pay extra for a charger, included with the Nook, and you don’t have to pay $20 to get ads removed, as with Amazon’s version. Plus the Nook is lighter.

You also don’t give up any content, since Barnes & Noble has comparable book offerings. The “GlowLight” features special settings that allow the Nook to work well in sunlight or low light. If you opt for the Nook, you won’t be alone. Barnes & Noble digital content sales grew 46% in the most recent quarter.

Quality Nook e-readers and tablets should help Barnes & Noble move away from its reliance on brick-and-mortar stores, which has been one of the chief challenges for its business and stock.

Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight
Price: $119

More info on Amazon.com

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Price: $500

More info on Samsung Galaxy Camera deals and reviews on Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Camera takes “shoot and share” to a new level, by combining the features of great compact camera with the connectivity of a smartphone. It’s Wi-Fi enabled, so you can quickly post your pics to Facebook (FB), email them to friends or move them to cloud storage. And it outperforms smartphones on the quality of videos, low-light shots and images overall.

Here’s another advantage: It’s powered by the Android Jelly Bean operating system. So you can load on cool apps for shooting and editing — and who knows what else as developers contribute. That’s not an option with most cameras.

All of this suggests the camera will be popular this holiday season, says Ben Arnold, a tech gadget analyst with NPD. “It’s part smartphone, part digital camera. But it is by far a better camera that you have on your smartphone,” he says.

You do have to buy a monthly data plan from AT&T (T), for $10 or more. And the camera is not cheap. But early adopters are used to paying up. And this is the first camera available in the U.S. with a data plan and only the second with the Android OS.

Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) phones already offer a serious challenge to archrival Apple (AAPL), and the Samsung Galaxy Camera gives Samsung another leg up in this war.

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Price: $500

More info on Samsung Galaxy Camera deals and reviews on Amazon

Windows Phone 8
Price: $50 to $200 with contract

More info on Windows Phone 8 deals Amazon.com

Early reviews suggest smartphones powered by an overhauled Windows operating system may do better than a lot of people expect. “I’m a huge fan of Windows Phone because it has a different user interface. It’s not the dreaded wall of icons,” says Llamas, who manages mobile phone research at IDC.

Instead of the app-centric approach found on Android phones and the iPhone, the Windows Phone 8 interface features information-rich tiles that serve as windows to your favorite websites, your email, digital content or whatever else you choose. The tiles are “live,” meaning they’ll regularly display social media site updates, news updates, new mail messages or fresh sports scores, depending on how you set them up.

The Windows Phone 8 is a complete overhaul of the Windows 7 phone, offering faster processing power, high-definition screen capability and expandable memory. “Windows Phone 8 is absolutely worth using, especially if you enjoy a simpler, bolder interface,” according to CNET. A Kid Corner lets you convert the phone over to a children’s entertainment center that keeps the phone and the Internet off limits. Two popular models are the light and trim HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia (NOK) Lumia 920, which offers more features. Early reviews suggest the Windows Phone 8 might help Microsoft (MSFT) finally get seriously into the phone game.

Windows Phone 8
Price: $50 to $200 with contract

More info on Windows Phone 8 deals Amazon.com

Video games
Price: $40 to $80

Roku LT Streaming Player
Price: $50

More info and reviews on Amazon

Just about everyone loves TV. And just about everyone loves the Internet. So why haven’t we seen a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups moment, mashing the two into one? Companies like Apple (AAPL), of course, are said to be working on a grand merger. Meanwhile, this season, Roku, sold by a private company, offers an affordable way to get at least a lot of the Internet onto your TV. So its boxes will be a hit.

The biggest attractions are that it they are cheap and easy to use. “They are simple enough that they are good grandparent gifts,” says Ackerman. Just hook it up to your Internet connection and voilà, you have streaming content on your TV. But don’t expect a Web browser. Instead, you get a set of channels to use, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go and MLB.TV, says Ackerman. Roku also offers good search capabilities across these platforms, he says.

This device will be a big hit with “cord cutters” who want to ditch the monthly cable bill. Another product in this camp: Boxee TV, which is being sold through Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) this holiday season. You’ll be thankful these boxes are so cheap, because they will evolve rapidly. “In two or three years these boxes will look like a horrible stopgap, but they are getting more refined,” says John Bradley, an editor at Wired.

Roku LT Streaming Player
Price: $50

More info and reviews on Amazon

Beats by Dre Executive headphones
Price: $299

More info and reviews on Amazon

As we fire up more songs, videos and games on our mobile devices, sales of quality headphones are taking off. “We have seen increases, especially in those priced over $100,” says Arnold at NPD, which examines sales data from retailers to spot trends. “Especially during the holidays, they make a good gift. Headphones are huge.”

Literally. Many of the popular portable headphones aimed at the college crowd — a key demographic here — are large, which helps pack in better quality. Headphones now often have built-in microphones for calls.

But the Beats by Dre Executive headphones are more compact, without sacrificing on quality, one reason Arnold thinks they will be a hit this holiday season. “If you don’t want to be the person walking around with huge cans on your head, these offer more of an adult look, while maintaining quality,” he says. Road warriors will find they fold up nicely to fit into a briefcase. And they offer noise cancellation, but this feature requires batteries.

Beats by Dre Executive headphones
Price: $299

More info and reviews on Amazon

Nest Learning Thermostat 2.0

Price: $250

More info and reviews on Amazon

Any trip home for the holidays may well involve an age-old routine: the battle of the thermostat with Dad. Well, it may be time to dazzle Dad with a new thermostat that just might persuade him to turn up the heat — since the thermostat may save him money in the long run.

The Nest Learning Thermostat, sold by a private company, monitors your behavior and controls heating systems, air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, based on your habits. An “auto away” feature figures out when your house is empty and adjusts temperatures accordingly within a half-hour. Wi-Fi access lets you control your thermostat remotely to make sure the house is heated or cooled by the time you arrive.

The latest thermostat — from “father of the iPod” Tony Fadell — upgrades one first released a year ago. It is smarter, and it works with more home heating and cooling systems. The price may seem high for a thermostat, but the company claims you can save up to 20% of your annual energy bill. Dad shouldn’t be thinking about the price tag, since he’ll be getting his for free as a gift. That 20% savings should put a smile on his face.

Gadgets – Best and Top Deals, Reviews, Hot Gifts for Men

New Five Star FS8801-BLK Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager with Heat – Shoulder – Foot Massager

Jackery® Mini Premium iPhone Charger 3200mAh Power Pack – 76% Off “The world’s smallest external battery charger”

Sony Playstation PS Vita TV to release in Japan Only?

Best Protein Shaker? – Sundesa Blenderbottle with Blenderball

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

Buy the BlenderBottle on Amazon.com today

Top Tech Gadget Gifts for Christmas 2012

Nintendo Wii U Price: Starting at $300

More info and reviews on Amazon

More info for Nest Learning Thermostat on Amazon

Nintendo Wii U
Price: Starting at $300