Tablets are designed to be functional as well as beautifull, so why not display your iPad as if it were an art work, or at least mount the device on your wall for hands-free use?
Mobile-device mounts for walls, dashboards, and appliances already exist, and they can be pretty darn convenient, as phones and tablets are able to control an increasing number of conditions, electronics, and appliances around the house.
Here are some products you should know about:
The PadTab
The PadTab by PadTab. This two-piece, clear plastic bracket fastener sells for $20. A strong adhesive holds the larger piece on the back of the tablet, while a smaller hook fixes the first piece to your wall. Reciprocal tabs interlock to hold the tablet horizontally or vertically. It’s possible to misalign the tabs, however, so be careful! This is a simple product to install and use, though many iPad owners would sooner glue a bracket to a puppy than to a tablet.
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Let There Be “Authentic” Light!
Nostalgic Tubular bulb from Bulbrite
Isn’t it counterintuitive to bring a fine old house back to its original splendor, only to then hit it with modern lighting? Energy-efficient, super bright, and evenly distributed fluorescents and LEDs leave everything in a room lit for a Hollywood movie.
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- Other Rooms >
- Rock the Job Site with ION’s Tailgater Bluetooth
Rock the Job Site with ION’s Tailgater Bluetooth
Tailgater Bluetooth from ION Audio
Truly, this is the golden age of job-site music. There are a multitude of devices, some very sophisticated, to fill the gaps between hammer reports and circular-saw screams.
As a rag-man electrician (the lowest rung of the union ladder), I noted how each trade had its own half-crushed radio tuned to a different station in its supply area. That tinny music was a relief valve and a pacesetter, but it wasn’t pleasant.
Now there’s the ION Tailgater Bluetooth music player and amp, which retails online for $140 and up. The Tailgater looks like a very small musician’s amp—black, boxy, metal front grille, aluminum bumpers on all eight corners and small control knobs.
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Solar Power On the Go from Solio
Solio Classic 2 Solar Charger
When you lose power, as many people have recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the lights going out isn’t the only issue. Our reliance on mobile phones means that, when their batteries run cold, we’re really left in the dark.
Perhaps the solution is simply tapping into the power source that predates our oldest ancestors—the sun.
When topped off, the Solio Classic 2 solar charger can give you enough juice to revive a smartphone up to three times (before the charger itself needs to be recharged).
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App Review: Houzz Interior Design Ideas
Houzz Interior Design Ideas
Let’s say you love Asian home design. There are plenty of places you could turn for design inspiration. But Houzz.com and its Apple iOS app Houzz Interior Design Ideas may offer you the most impressive selection of eye candy.
As of this post, the service boasted 758,561 images for you to sample in planning your home decor. You choose a style, a part of a house, or both, and the app shows you pictures that match your search.
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