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Three Helpful Gadgets for Your Home

Bill Volk — 2013-05-17T11:42:00+00:00

Filed under: Computers & Accessories, Kitchen & Dining

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I'm a big fan of gadgets; I am, by training, a mechanical engineer, and I'm always entranced by gadgets that improve efficiency, make work easier, or are just plain clever. Here are three gadgets that I like.

The Charcoal Companion C oastal Grilling Kabob Skewers ($20 for a set of four) are highly suitable for not only water-borne food goodies, but also veggies or strips of fowl or beef. The selling point of these skewers is the double prongs which stabilize the food on the grill and not allow it to flip over or roll around. Stainless steel for a long life, the skewers are a generous 14" in length and feature four individual icons -- fish, crab, lobster, and scallops. Dishwasher-safe, these kabob skewers will serve you well for many a grilling season.

Computer monitors -- lots of folks have one ... or two ... or three; if you're in the latter category and are not satisfied with a trio of stands that occupies your entire desktop, check out this ErgoTech Triple Arm Monitor Stand ($228 and free shipping; was $430). Solidly built -- to excess, perhaps, but you don't want an expensive monitor to come crashing down -- at 27 pounds, you need no tools to get this triple monitor stand in service without drilling into, or clamping on, your desk. This stand will accommodate monitors to 25" and comes with a lifetime warranty. Nice.

For home use as a flashlight or as part of an emergency preparedness kit, this 30 Day LED Lantern ($44); the light will operate at a low setting of 29 lumens (an ordinary flashlight's brightness) for a month; if you crank it up to a super-bright 300 lumens, you get illumination for 30+ hours. The lamp also has a flashing strobe SOS setting, is water- and impact-resistant, and operates on ordinary D batteries.

Shop more helpful gadgets for your home.

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Three Smartphones -- One of These May Be Just Right for You

Bill Volk — 2013-05-15T12:18:00+00:00

Filed under: Cell Phones & Service

There are new smartphones being released just about every day; all with great features and at a variety of prices. Here is a comparison of three of the latest, for your perusal.

The HTC One 4G Android Smartphone ($80-$550, depending on your selected service plan from Sprint) is a featherweight five ounces, but packs a 1.7 GHZ quad-core processor, and 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, all in a smooth aluminum case. It runs on the Android Jelly Bean 4.1 system, but is reportedly about to get an upgrade to 4.2.2; again, reportedly. 19 hour battery, twin cameras, Ultrapixel and Zoe Modes, Blinkfeed to consolidate your desired content -- continuously updated -- on your home screen, all of which you may control using your HTC One as a remote using the Sense TV app. Add in Beats stereo, Bluetooth 4.0, and you have a powerful, multipurpose smartphone.

Next up, the Samsung Galaxy S4 4G Smartp hone ($200-$650, depending on the accompanying service plan), a really rockin' phone. Available for pre-order now, it runs on the Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS, with 2 GB of RAM and 16GB of storage (expandable). 1.9 GHZ quad core processor, 5" touchscreen, and a pair of cameras -- 13 mp rear and 2 mp front -- that may be used at the same time. Cool. In addition to all the usual connectivity stuff -- Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC -- the phone hosts a suite of features that require only a wave of your fingers to get the job done; for example -- Smart Pause to interrupt a video by looking away from the screen, or S Voice Drive to convert text to speech for listening to emails while you're on the road. Clever. This is my next phone.

The Nokia Lumia 920 4G Windows Smartphone ($20-$450, depending on your contract with AT&T) operates on Windows 8 with Live Tiles and Live Apps. It sports a goodly-sized display, at 4 1/2 inches, and has the usual pair of cameras -- 1.2 mp front and 8 mp rear -- that will easily handle your image-capturing needs. Tech stuff -- 1.56 GHZ four-core processor, and 32 Gb of memory; WiFi, Mobile Hotspot, GPS and Bluetooth 3.0. Weighing in at a paltry 6 1/2 ounces, this Nokia/AT&T combo will keep you in touch with family, friends, and business associates with no problems. A nice phone.

Shop a wide variety of smartphones.

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Sennheiser Momentum Headphones -- for Luxurious, Noise-isolating Music

Bill Volk — 2013-05-13T10:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Audio, TV & Home Theater

If you're way into music, or you travel too much to your liking and want to isolate yourself from jet engine whine -- or the chatty kid in the seat behind you -- earbuds just won't get it. What to do?

The best solution -- over-the-ear headphones, for your living room or business-class seat. And Sennheiser has just what you need -- their Momentum Headphones ($350 and free shipping). Seven ounces of concert hall quality, wrapped up in soft, premium leather circumaural ear cups and an adjustable headband, and crisp stereo sound via the rare-earth magnets.

On board the headphones -- 3.5mm stereo jack, standard and i-device cables, hard protective carry case to safeguard your (substantial) investment, and a two year warranty.

With these top notch headphones, you can luxuriate in your own little (musical) world. Nice.

Shop more stereo headphones and earbuds.

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The NDuR Survival Straw -- if You Travel, You Need This

Bill Volk — 2013-05-11T10:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Luggage & Travel

You don't need to be a through-hiker on the Appalachian Trail to appreciate the need for clean drinking water when you're traveling; if you are planning on making a trip to any country where the water quality may be iffy, you'll be glad you have a very portable water purification device that requires no boiling, iodine tablets, or pumping water through a ceramic filter. The NDuR Survival Straw ($24; was $42) removes 99.99% of chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals (but it's not designed for purifying salt water). The NDuR weighs in at a measly five ounces and will effectively filter up to 25 gallons of ordinarily non-drinkable water.

Shop a wide variety of water purification devices.

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The Smartphone Wallet -- a Great Mothers Day Gift

Bill Volk — 2013-05-07T11:19:00+00:00

Filed under: Accessories, @Ad Event Mothers Day

Your Mom likely has a smartphone, and for sure she carries a wallet; to keep from having both hands full, a clever accessory is the smartphone wallet. No need for a purse or a tote bag; all the good stuff -- electronically and all else -- is in one easy-to-carry clutch.

For example, this Lodis Paddington Smart Wallet ($32 and free shipping). Supple leather, lined interior, a top zip closure to keep items from going astray, a removable wrist strap, and is available in her choice of three colors. The lightweight -- two ounces -- smartphone wallet has an exterior pocket for her phone on one side, and an ID window on the reverse. And, at 3 1/2 x 5 inches in overall size, it's easy-breezy to carry. Nice.

Shop more smartphone wallets for your Mom.

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Tote Bags -- for Your Mom on Mothers Day

Bill Volk — 2013-05-06T10:46:00+00:00

Filed under: Women, @Ad Event Mothers Day

What Mom doesn't love a tote bag? The right bag will mix and match with whatever outfit your Mom may be wearing, she need not worry about any wear and tear it may take in the course of a day, and it will hold a lot of stuff for everyday shopping or trips to the pool or beach.

LL Bean has a reputation for offering exceptional quality in their study goods, and this tote is not an exception -- the LL Bean Saltwash Canvas Tote ($45 and free shipping); this 26 ounce washed bag features thick, rolled handles for a dependable grip, an outside pocket for sunglasses or the like, and a fully lined, plaid interior. The bag is sturdy enough to stand on it's own, but not so rigid that it's clumsy to carry. The bag is available in your choice of four colors.

Tommy Hilfiger terms this Clear Tote ($24) tote a big girl's bag; the clear jelly bag sports a canvas strap, a substantial bottom that will ensure its durability, and canvas fittings. The bag is secured with a snap closure and is machine washable, so if your Mom should happen to spill something on it -- or in it -- she may put it in the washer for a quick cleanup. Perfect for shopping or a trip to the park or beach, this Tommy tote will be a perennial favorite.

If your Mom prefers a tote with a shoulder strap, this one may suit her perfectly -- the eBags Piazza Day Bag Tote ($36 and free shipping; was $40). The lightweight tote features a single shoulder strap, an outside zippered pocket and water bottle holder, and a roomy interior. Available in your choice of eight hues, this compact tote is still roomy enough to easily hold a wallet and keys, smart phone, and a small tablet computer.

Shop a wide variety of tote bags.

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Electronic Mothers Day Gifts -- for Your Tech-savvy Mom

Bill Volk — 2013-05-05T13:04:00+00:00

Filed under: Computers & Accessories, Camera, Photo & Video, Cell Phones & Service, @Ad Event Mothers Day

Any one of these three top-notch Samsung electronics would make a great Mothers Day gift for your Mom, and she doesn't need to have programming skills to make them work efficiently and easily. The Samsung company prides itself on making tech-friendly products for its customers, and these are no exception.

The Samsung ATIV Bo ok 5 Ultrabook ($900 and free shipping) sports Windows 8 technology; on board your Mom will find a 3rd gen i5 processor, 4GB of memory, and 500 GB of storage for images that she's saving to send to you some day (eg: embarrassing baby pictures). Dual JBL stereo speakers, webcam, a trio of USB ports, and a 6 1/2 hour battery. All this in a fiberglass and aluminum case that is less than an inch thick, and weighs in at a hair over four pounds. Nice. And portable.

If your Mom is into photography -- you know, grand kids and all -- but a smartphone camera just won't cut it, how about a Samsung NX200 Compact Digital Camera ($726; was $900)? This lightweight (2.2 pounds) magnezium and polycarbonate-cased camera features a 20.3mp CMOS sensor for crisp images and HD video. 18-55mm lens, 3" display, Auto Focus -- all grouped for easy operation. And you get great low-light pictures from the 12500 ISO capability of the camera. Your Mom can fill a lot of photo albums with images from this camera.

What cool Mom wouldn't like a smartphone? Here's a great one; the Samsung Galaxy S II I 4G LTE ($458) is perhaps best known for its S Beam apps ("as seen on television!"), where two compatible S III phones are touched back-to-back to share music, videos, and images. It's a speedy smartphone, with a 1.4 GHZ dual-core processor, two GB of RAM, and 16 GB of memory, all enabled by the Android 4.1.1 operating system. Not to mention a nearly 5 inch display, voice commands and dialing, 8mp front camera and 1.9mp rear imaging, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Shop more Samsung electronics for Mothers Day.

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Five Eclectic Mothers Day Gifts

Bill Volk — 2013-05-03T10:56:00+00:00

Filed under: Women, @Ad Event Mothers Day

It's all well and good to give your Mom items like candy and flowers for Mothers Day, but they'll soon be gone, and along with them the memory. Why not please her with gifts that keep on giving, so she'll remember you each time she sees them?

For example, this Stella & Dot Zinnia Bracelet ($59). It's ideal for any kind of social occasion, with the vintage appearance of the bright Kelly green stones emplaced along the gold-plated, bamboo-like links. There's no lead or nickel in this bracelet and it may be expanded from 7 1/4" to 8 3/8" in length for a perfect fit.

Red wine is best imbibed after it's been allowed to "breathe" for a few minutes in order to oxidize the tannins and let it mellow out; your Mom will appreciate this Wine Enthusiast Vivid Wine Decanter ($40 and free shipping). At 10" tall, just over two pounds in (easy handling) weight, and with some 47 ounces of capacity, this decanter boasts a wide base to enlarge the surface area of the wine to aerate it for the perfect taste in accompanying your meal. The sturdy, hand-blown, lead-free crystal is best washed by hand to ensure all the "legs" are removed before each use.

With Mothers Day comes nicer weather and plenty of sun; that calls for protection from sunburn, and here's a great way to get that cover -- the Sloggers Original Women's Wide Brim Braided Hat ( $16; was $25). With a UPF of 50+, the amply sized brim will protect your Mom's skin from damaging UV radiation; the wind lanyard keeps the hat from taking off on its own, and the interior band is comfortable on her forehead. The hat is ideal for gardening, the beach, or walking the dog.

For use when you are enjoying some beverage other than your decanted wine; this set of four Mason Jar Mugs ($25). The mugs are perfect for any cold drinks that your Mom may make when the weather calls for something icy. The handles are generously sized for an easy grip, the glass is lead toxin-free, and the mugs are all dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Because these are not canning jars -- they have handles, after all -- there are no tops included with the mugs.

To accompany the floppy hat, your Mom will likely be wearing sunglasses, and if she is rockin' some retro, oversized sun specs, she will appreciate these Sakkas Butterfly Hard Clamshell Sunglasses Case ($13; were $21). The hard cover of the trendy designer case is coupled with a smooth interior to keep her sun glasses well protected.

Shop a wide variety of lovely Mothers Day gifts.

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Hanging Baskets for Your Summer Annual Flowers

Bill Volk — 2013-04-30T13:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Now that warmer weather is upon us, it's time to get going with Summer annual flowers. In addition to the traditional sites for planting flowers -- mailbox, foundation beds, and within carved out islands in your yard -- a great location is a front or back porch. Hanging baskets are, of course, the perfect solution for elevated plantings.

For example, this Hayrack 18" Hanging Basket ($25); it will hold a copious amount of annual flowers suitable for either sun or shade and the best part is that there is a water-retaining inner liner in between the layers of basket material; it's working to reduce the amount of water needed, for healthy growth, by about half. This basket is ideal for sites that are exposed to both sun and wind, two environmental forces that tend to dehydrate plantings.

Should you have a back deck that is in need of some Summer color, and the drink cap atop the handrail is at least 3" wide, this planter would be perfect. The Panacea Products Flat Iron Series 30" Deck Planter ($20; was $24) is a sturdily constructed, powder-coated steel frame which holds a cocoa liner. The planter is 8 x 8 x 30" in size and will easily contain a flat of annuals.

My favorite type of hanging basket is similar to this -- the Black Round Cocoa Lined 4-Arm Basket Tree ($117; was $152). It's 5 1/2 feet tall and built with strong round tubular steel topped with a powder-coated, weather-resistant paint. Included with the tree are four, 12" baskets with cocoa liners and hanging chains. This hanging basket tree would find a home on a front walkway or porch, or a back patio or deck. If your preference for the amount of flowers to be planted is like mine -- the more color, the better -- this hanging basket tree will probably fill that need. Nice.

Shop a wide variety of hanging baskets.

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HMDX Audio JAM Wireless Speakers --Tiny Speakers, Big Sound

Bill Volk — 2013-04-30T10:13:00+00:00

Filed under: Computers & Accessories

The HMDX JAM Wireless Speakers ($40; were $50) produce amazing sound up to a distance of some 30 feet; hook them to the end of a Bluetooth connection and the 2 1/2 x 2 1/2" speakers are perfect for the beach, back deck, or hotel room if you're on the road. They'll pack easily -- in their original shipping container -- in your carry-on or backpack.

The on-board batteries are good for a charge of four hours and you may easily power them up from your computer (shown above). The bottom of the speaker sports a rubber base, so it won't walk around on you when in action. Included in the package, a USB to micro-USB charging cable. The speakers are available in your choice of six hues. Get a pair of them for rockin' your stereo tunes or doing the Skype thing with your family when you're away from home. You'll like the convenience of these wireless speakers.

Shop a horizon of wireless speakers.

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The hipKey -- Serious Proximity Protection for Your iDevices

Bill Volk — 2013-04-29T14:18:00+00:00

Filed under: Cell Phones & Service

Electronic gadgets keep getting more and more prevalent, and more and more clever. And when they are more than just fun stuff, but offer some serious advantages, I'm a big fan. If you own one of the more recent offerings of Apple's iPhones -- the 4 or 5 series -- or the iPad Mini, or iPad 3 or 4, you'll be interested in this movement and location device.

With two-way alarming and motion sensing via Bluetooth 4.0 and an iPhone app, the hipKey Proximity and Movement Alarm ($84) is useful for commuters, road warriors, or anyone who tends to forget keys, smartphones, backpacks, or carry-on luggage.

The free app allows you to set up any of four modes for differing circumstances -- Alarm, Safe Zone (so that you may use your device without setting off the alarm), Motion, or Child; the latter most valuable if your toddler just happens to be fleet of foot while in your presence. Should your tagged item move from its designated location (up to some 165 feet distance), the hipKey will alarm to let you know it's on the move; conversely, if you forget where you've placed an item, you can use the app to "ping" the location of the errant item. Cool.

The dongle weighs in at about five ounces, so it's not going to be flopping around and getting in your way. The rechargeable battery is good for a month (+/-) depending on how often the audible alarm is sounded.

This clever device is not cheap, but it's less expensive than replacing an iPhone or iPad. If you get my drift.

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The Samsung Galaxy Reverb -- an Inexpensive, Prepaid Smartphone

Bill Volk — 2013-04-29T13:19:00+00:00

Filed under: Cell Phones & Service

You want a smartphone to be able to efficiently communicate with business associates, family, and friends, but you don't want to drop hundreds of dollars to do so. Consider a prepaid smartphone -- you get up-to-date electronics, on a month-to-month pay plan. What's not to like?

One such smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy Reverb ($149 and free shipping; was $200) running on a no-contract, prepaid plan from Virgin Mobile that will cost you some $35 to $55 a month, depending on your digital needs.

The phone operates on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream) system using a 1.4 GHZ processor. You get 4 GB of memory -- expandable to 32 GB -- and 768mb of RAM; Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, turn-by-turn GPS, Face Unlock, Voice Input dictation, access to thousands of Android apps, and a 7+ hour talk time battery.

Add to all that the 5mp rear camera, 1.3mp front video camera, LED flash, and a 4" navigation screen, all in a phone that weighs in at 4 1/2 ounces, and you have a powerful smartphone that won't break your budget. Nice.

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Candelabra -- Don't Wait for a Special Occasion to Use Them

Bill Volk — 2013-04-29T10:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Furniture & Decor

You can make an evening repast more special by adding candelabra, but why wait for such an infrequent occasion? It takes little effort to add some flickering ambiance, and it's not necessary to put a multi-branched candelabrum on the table -- a single candle will add a nice touch.

For example, this Home Decorator's Collection Lyon Antique Candle Holder ($19 and $4 shipping); it's handcrafted with a distressed metal appearance and will fit in nicely at any meal, casual or formal. The candle holder is just shy of a foot in height and has a wide base to minimize a tip-over.

For a little more illumination, and a whimsical appearance, this candelabra; finish off that bottle of wine at dinner and add this Triple Wine Bottle Stopper Candelabra ($10; was $15). Doesn't include the bottle or candles, of course, but three of your 1" diameter pillar candles will fit snugly in the cups. Bronze finish over metal construction, and 6" tall, the candelabra arrives in a gift box. When it's not in active use this candelabra will add a nice touch to the top of your dining room sideboard.

OK; going one step further with the wine bottle candelabra theme, this Montpelier 8 Candle Wine Bottle Candelabra ($39). It's a scrolled wrought iron design with a slightly distressed finish and accepts 1" diameter candles in the 13" tall and 8 1/2" wide candelabra. And because this particular candelabra is so attractive, you don't have to be a wine aficionado to make effective use of it as an accent in your home, or a great way to display decorative candles.

If your taste goes to floor height candelabra, this very nice decorating piece may be for you -- at nearly five feet in height, the Cyan Design Rialto Floor Candelabra ($198) features an antique patina on the twisted curl design. The candelabra is narrow enough in width to fit easily into a nook of your dining room or kitchen; it's out of the way, but beautifully visible. You supply the five candles needed for this candelabra that's ideal for daily use or, with seasonal embellishments, a holiday accent for your home.

If you're of the "go big or go home" school of thought, you'll appreciate this 13 Light Tree Floor Candelabra ($440; was $820); with a clustered tree design, this all-metal floor candelabra is adjustable in height from 70-95" and is available in your choice of four hard acrylic finishes that require no polishing. You supply the 13 tapers for the illumination of this stunning piece of home decoration. You likely won't use this for BBQ on the back deck, but it's ideal for just about any other social function in your home.

Shop a wide variety of candelabra for your home.

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Dishwashers on Sale

Bill Volk — 2013-04-28T13:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Home Appliances

Of all the appliances in my kitchen I appreciate my dishwasher the very most; I don't think of it so much as a way to get my dishes clean, but as a sterilizing medium, removing any source of illness-causing bacteria. It's a time-saver, of course, but it also saves water (and a bit on my utility bills), and because it's Energy Star-rated, it uses less electricity to get the job done. Although my dishwasher isn't, some dishwashers may be set to run at off-peak hours (read: after midnight) when power costs less, thus saving even more cash. I like that. If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, now is a great time to buy.

Here's a fine example -- the Maytag JetClean 24" Built-in Dishwasher ($584 and free shipping; was $677). With room for a 13 place setting of dishware, this very quiet, Energy Star-rated dishwasher boasts a stainless steel tub, six different wash cycles, a 2-8 hour delay function so you may run the appliance during off-peak-hour power, and a pair of warranties: a one year (limited) parts and labor, and a ten year (limited) on the internal -- rack, tub, etc. Nice.

Shop more dishwashers on sale.

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A Trio of Lightweight Computers

Bill Volk — 2013-04-26T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: For Him

When you're on the hunt for electronics, it's a good idea to scan the horizon of products to see what you'll get for the cash you lay out. Herewith three easily handled computers, of varying capabilities and prices, that may get you on the road to the perfect digital device.

The Lenovo A2107 Tablet ($130 and free shipping) is a budget priced, 7" touchscreen computer, with more than ample capabilities -- Cortex A9 1.0 GHZ processor, 512mb of memory, 8 GB of (expandable) storage and a battery that will keep you up and running for north of nine hours. As durability goes, this (less than) two pound tablet computer sports a stainless steel roll cage to keep the vitals protected from bumps and knocks. To top it off, front and rear cameras, GPS, and Wifi.

Moving up in size -- with a 9" screen -- but down in weight at about 1 1/2 pounds, and with an average battery life of some five hours, the HP Slate 500 9" Tablet ($550; was $989) and features an Intel Atom Z540 processor and two gigs of RAM. Add in the WiFi and you have contact with the rest of your world, so long as both of you are on the 'Net.

At the top of this particular digital food chain, the Google Chromebook Pixel Laptop ($1549); weighing in at some 3 1/2 pounds, and about 2/3" in thickness, this ultra-portable computer contains a speedy, 3rd generation, dual-core i5 processor, 4 GB of memory, and three years of Google Drive Cloud Storage. Hi-def webcam, a pair of 2.0 USB ports for easy connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, and dual-band wireless LAN. Nice.

Shop more highly portable computers, many of them on sale.

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Pet Feeders for While You're Not at Home

Bill Volk — 2013-04-24T13:19:00+00:00

Filed under: Dogs, Cats

Now that the weather is getting more amenable to vacations and weekends away from your home, it's time to consider how to take care of your pets while you're temporarily absent. While you may ask a neighbor to look in on your pets, why not take care of the feeding and watering processes automatically? It's easy enough to do.

Stable and convenient to fill, this Bergan Gourmet Automatic Pet Feeder ($12) is a dependable way to ensure that your pet is well-fed during your absence; the feeder holds six pounds of dry food and smoothly dispenses it on demand by your cat or dog. The tower is easily detached from the bowl and both parts of the feeder are dishwasher-safe. Should you need a larger feeder for a bigger pet, or for more than one dog or cat, the feeder is also available in a 13 pound capacity. Depending on the size of your pet(s), this feeder will take care of their nutritional needs for a number of days.

If you have a need to limit the amount of food your pet receives at any one meal, this Petmate Le Bistro Portion Control Automatic Feeder ($35); for apportioned amounts of food on a predetermined schedule, this battery-powered auto feeder needs no electricity to operate. It dispenses amounts of pet food from 1/4-2 cups at three times during the course of the day, from the five pound capacity reservoir. Runs on a trio of D batteries -- for up to a year's service -- and the feeder comes with a one year warranty.

Can't forget the hydration needs of your pets; they'll get all the more thirsty as the weather warms. Dosckocil offers their Cafe Gravity Waterer ($18); an automatic refill waterfall device, the BPA-free bottle holds three gallons of water and has recessed handles for easy refilling. The base of this waterer has non-skid feet so your pet won't push it around on a smooth floor. Your pets may drink anytime with this nice automatically refilling watering tower. Nice.

Shop here for more automatic pet feeders and waterers.

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The Dell Ultrasharp 30" Monitor -- for a Widescreen Experience

Bill Volk — 2013-04-24T10:42:00+00:00

Filed under: Computers & Accessories

You may have wished, upon occasion, that you could view your computer documents in (larger than) life size, or watched a favorite video up close and personal. Thanks to Dell -- you may, on their Ultrasharp 30" Monitor ($1100 and free shipping; was $1300). The flat panel monitor features IPS for a wide angle viewing experience; add to that the 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600 screen resolution and you've got yourself a powerful monitor.

For connectivity, the HDMI, DVI-D, and USB ports will allow for hooking up to just about any auxiliary digital device you have.

If you're concerned that laying out more than a thousand dollars for a computer monitor is high-risk, you're fears will be allayed by the three year warranty. Nice.

Shop more big-screen computer monitors.

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A Pair of Very Clever Gadgets

Bill Volk — 2013-04-22T10:47:00+00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Dining, Camping & Hiking

I'm always impressed when the Mother of Invention comes to the fore after necessity calls. A need arises, and somebody comes along with a clever solution. So it is with these two gadgets.

For large families, or family reunions that involve a lot of kids, the Klipy Cake and Pie Divider ($14). It's only two inches in diameter, and doesn't involve a lot of setup to get it working -- simply select the number of slices desired, from 6 to 14 -- and set the gadget atop the center of the dessert. Rotate the knife to the predetermined position, slice, and serve. The tool is both dishwasher- and food-safe.

You don't have to be an overnight camper or long-distance hiker to appreciate the Columbia River Eat N' Tool ($12; was $15). Stick this handy gadget in your vehicle, picnic basket, or backpack as you head out for the day. The multi-tool combines a spoon, fork, can and bottle openers, a trio of hex wrenches, and a pry bar. Keep it from getting misplaced -- or borrowed by a friend who takes a liking to it -- by virtue of the included carabiner.

Shop a wide variety of clever kitchen gadgets.

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Cheese Graters -- From the Simple to the Sophisticated

Bill Volk — 2013-04-18T10:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Dining

Nothing sets off a great meal -- fondue, pizza, or spaghetti, for example -- like shredded cheese; and hand-sliced bits of cheese just don't get it, in my book. Cheese graters come in all manner of designs; here are three that would be very much at home in your kitchen.

For occasional use in shredding cheese as part of your food prep for a meal, or to take along in a picnic basket, for example, the Koziol Kasimir Transparent Cheese Grater ($10). This arching hedgehog design allows for sliding a bowl or plate under it while grating the cheese. Made from durable, recyclable, translucent plastic, the grater is available in your choice of seven colors, and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Moving (slightly) up the scale of mechanical complexity, but still simple enough for your child/junior kitchen helper to easily use, the Strauss Stainless Steel Rotary Cheese Grater ($35 and free shipping; was $40); just add bulk cheese to the hopper, press the tongs together, and rotate the handle; your fingers don't contact the cutting blades. Easy to clean, it's dishwasher-safe.

Finally, if you're a (near)professional cook or a four-nights-a-week cheese aficionado, this Presto Professional Electric Shredder/Slicer ($45 and free shipping; was $70). It shreds cheeses, vegetable, fruits, potatoes, or nuts for toppings, salads, or desserts. You get four different sizing cones to enable you to end up with thick slicings, ripple cuts, or shreds. The base is wipe-clean and the implements are all dishwasher-safe. This very nice appliance will serve you well for a number of years.

Shop a variety of efficient cheese shredders.

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Wine Carriers -- for a Classy Way to Transport Your Vino

Bill Volk — 2013-04-17T13:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Dining

Now that you have made your pick of the wine glasses you need for a special occasion, and you don't want to carry your wine around in a brown paper bag, how about a nice way to get you, and your wine, to the location of your celebration?

Perhaps with this? With a temperature-regulating thermal insulation lining, and in a durable 600D ripstop bag, the Classic Windsor Sunset Wine Travel Carrier ($34 and free shipping) is perfect for a trip to a family gathering or a secluded spot on the beach. There's ample room for a bottle of your finest, and the travel carrier is complete with space for the (included) wine glasses, napkins, and a combination corkscrew. Nice.

Shop more travel wine carriers.

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