More than 2,000 high-tech companies displayed their latest products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. My favorites…
Automatic gutter cleaner. Place the Looj by iRobot in your house gutter, then use its remote control to navigate backward and forward, flipping out leaves and other debris along the way. The Looj saves home owners the time, trouble and danger of climbing and descending a ladder over and over again as they move around the perimeter of the home, pulling out leaves by hand. Under typical conditions, the Looj can clean approximately 250 linear feet of gutter per battery charge. Recharging takes 15 hours. Cost: $100* for the Looj 120. 800-727-9077, www.irobot.com.
Smart umbrella, made by Ambient Devices, automatically receives local weather data from AccuWeather.com through a long-range wireless system available across most of the US. (Consult map.myambient.com to make sure this service is available in your region.) The umbrella’s handle glows when precipitation is expected, warning you to take it along when you go out. It’s powered by a single C battery that provides power for up to one year. Cost: $129. 866-311-1999, www.ambientdevices.com.
Open It! This inexpensive but well-designed cutting tool by Zibra can quickly and safely open sealed plastic packaging and boxes. Cost: $12.99. 866-869-7544, www.enjoyzibra.com/openit. Also available at The Home Depot, Walgreens and other retailers.
CarShield. This small, easy-to-install device provides OnStar-like services, such as driving directions and emergency assistance. While OnStar is available only on GM vehicles, CarShield works with any car built since 1996. Just plug CarShield into your car’s diagnostic port (generally located under the dashboard on the driver’s side), and it will monitor the vehicle’s systems and warn you via text message, E-mail or phone if the vehicle’s battery is dying or its tires are getting low. It can unlock your car if you accidentally lock yourself out and track your car’s movements if it is stolen. If there is a teenager in the family who drives the car, CarShield can let you know if the car is driven out of a predetermined authorized area or goes above a specified speed. Emergency tow service is included. CarShield is available through some auto dealerships and will be available in stores beginning in June. Cost: $300, plus a $150 annual service charge. 800-411-2227, www.mycarshield.com.
Mini flash drive. DataTraveler Mini Migo Edition computer flash drive by Kingston Technology is barely one and a half inches long but provides up to four gigabytes (GB) of digital storage. It is one of the smallest, cheapest, easiest ways to transport digital photos, video or other data. Cost: $8 for a one-GB model… $9 for two GB… or $14 for four GB. 800-835-6575, www.kingston.com/flash/dtmini_migo.asp.
Super Webcam. QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam by Logitech is an Internet camera for Windows that uses high-quality optics and autofocus technology to provide near-television quality video images on a computer. It is a good choice for anyone with broadband Internet access who uses Skype (www.skype.com) to make free video-phone calls… or who engages in Internet-based video conferencing. Cost: $100. 800-231-7717, www.logitech.com. (Mac users can get the similar Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision for $130 at Apple stores or online at http://store.apple.com.)
XPower PowerSource Mobile 100 by Xantrex provides portable power for virtually any electronic device. Plug electronics into it as you would plug them into a wall outlet. Provides up to two hours of additional laptop use, or plug in your cell phone to recharge its battery. No adapters are necessary, unlike with most other battery-powered portable chargers. The PowerSource has USB ports to charge portable electronics devices, such as handheld organizers and iPods. The PowerSource itself can be recharged via a wall outlet, the cigarette lighter of a car or an airplane power port. 2.4 lbs. 8.1″ x 3.5″ x 7.9″. Cost: $130. 888-800-1010, www.xantrex.com.
*All prices in this article are suggested retail unless otherwise noted. Lower prices may be available. Shipping charges might apply when products are purchased through online retailers or directly through the manufacturers.
