Cool ideas for less than $50
By Kim Komando
There are plenty of tech goodies available for less than $50. I have 10 cool ideas to get you started:
Griffin's iKaraoke ($50) connects to Apple's iPod Nanos, Minis and iPods with a click wheel. It removes lead vocals so you can sing along.
Screenlife's "Scene It" ($40) is good family fun. It features a DVD with movie clips. Players must guess the movie and the actors. There are additional trivia questions.
Zizzle's iZ ($40) is a strange-looking creature. Twist its ears, hit its stomach or punch its head to make music. And if you're not satisfied with that, connect it to a music source.
Hasbro makes a number of digital pets that interact with music. Prices range from $10 to $40. Less-expensive models light up in response to your music. After the music stops, it plays its own.
For gamers, consider a special gaming keyboard. Ideazon sells basic keyboards for $50. The control makes gaming more comfortable. You can buy add-on key sets for popular games. They run $20.
3M's privacy filter ($50) isn't the coolest item going, but it adds a touch of James Bond to the computing experience. The filter fits over a laptop screen. It helps protect the screen from scratches and reduces glare. More importantly, it keeps private documents private. Only the person sitting in front of the laptop can view what's on the screen.
Anyone who owns a cell phone likely has experienced a dead battery. Energizer's Energi To Go ($20) plugs into your cell phone. The replaceable batteries provide your phone with a full charge. It works with most popular phone models.
Blue Box's Mi Flower ($25) interacts with your music. Hook up an external music source and watch it light up. Leaves move to the music. The flower and petals illuminate.
Radica's 20Q ($13) is an update on the 20-questions game. Technophiles will love the retro look and flashing LEDs. Simply think of something and the game will try to guess within 20 questions. It is surprisingly accurate!
Remember the old-school games from Activision, Atari and Namco? Well, they're still around. Jakks sells simple controls that hook directly to a television. No console is needed. The controllers feature a number of classic games. Prices range from $20 to $30. Kids and adults will love these games.
Contact Kim Komando at gns tech@gns.gannett.com.
