Gadgets of the year

[emmzzi]

I do spend a lot of time looking at and thinking about gadgets for an easier life. Often they are not so useful on arrival, but here are the gadgets that have genuinely made my life easier/ cheaper/ better in some way this year.

1. The lakleland heated clotheshorse

The tumble drier setting on the washing machine trips the fusebox. This is cheaper, more gentle, and leaves stuff needing less ironing.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21873/Dry-Soon-2-Tier-Heated-Tower-Airer?src=gfeed&gclid=COiiwa71zrQCFW_KtAodjX4Ahw

2. The steam press. I have been getting away with being a scruffy sod for a while now but I am going to more meetings that need sharp creases.

This does a week's ironing by the time I have listened to one epsiode of The Archer's. nb do not pay this much - mine was on offer at £100

http://www.idealworld.tv/The_Original_FastPress_Ironing_System_with_2_Year_Guarantee_266289.aspx?fh_location=//idealworld/en_GB/categories@lt;{8465}

3. Mifi. Our work laptops won't take a dongle, but they will connect to wifi. Hook it up with the sim from your regular dongle so you are on monthly and not PAYG and there you go.

http://store.three.co.uk/view/product/ql_catalog/threecatdevice/2293

4. Nexus 7.

I guess any tablet will do, but this has a very nice interface. It's great for days running between meetings when I a) don't want to carry and gaint laptop and b) won't have time to do work requiring much typing.

http://www.google.com/nexus/7/

5. Sound bar
 
It's loud enough for me and really, who wants to mess about with wires everywhere?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-HW-E450-Soundbar-Subwoofer-Compatible/dp/B007L3ZO6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357310487&sr=8-1

6. Microwave soup mug. This is a work essential and leaves the microwave clean!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Soup-Mug-656-ml/dp/B005D6Y1OM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357310700&sr=8-1

Gadgets in the hall of shame this year are

- tagine (just use your slow cooker and the lid makes it a pain to store)

- Nintendo 3DS. I got one from the pawnbrokers to play one specific game. It didn't enhance my gaming experience at all, and I feel pressured into buying it as all the games I want are on 3DS only now. You can turn the 3D bit off, but still, it's a bit daft.

- Ipod. Simply because itunes customer support blows chunks.

- Electric can opener, specifically this one. The battery goes very fast and if it goes mid can opening you can't get anything open or remove the gadget
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003IHUH8C/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i02


My online retailer fail of the year is are Asda for total inaction and placation when I had a credit card fraud. (Amex wins for fixing it perfectly!)

Comments

[cobrabay]

That Lakeland heated clotheshorse looks ideal for me. I could really do with something like that as my current airer is held together by cable ties and habit.

[emmzzi]

If you are not in a hurry you don't need to turn it on. If you are, summer weight clothes are dry in 12 hours ish; in winter I do a wash friday night and can put it away Sunday lunchtime. So not as fast as a tumble but faster than air alone.

They do a 2 and a 3 tier and I find 2 is fine for just me plus folds away easily :)

(I should get a job on QVC...)

Cable ties and habit... I am too nervous a type for anything to run on that!