Gadgets: Protect that new phone

I know many Apple purists like to keep decorative smartphones natural, unprotected, and case-less, but the accessories are a necessity for some. While keeping the looks in mind, a better way to choose a case is thinking about what works for the level of protection needed to keep it working after it’s dropped and banged, which will happen. For everyday use, the Smartish GripZilla armor ($19.99) is perfect with its hard exterior and soft rubberized interior. Smartish, an iPhone accessory company known for clever innovative products that are useful in so many environments and prides itself on ine...

Dream about travels now; travel the dream later

Wanderlusters and road trippers may not be ready or able to travel yet, but they can still dream about it and plan for it, even enjoy a sampling of their longed-for destination while waiting. Regional books, magical accoutrements and other items and experiences can help keep the dream alive until the time is right to go. WILDERNESS WONDERLAND In a year when fresh air and wide-open spaces are what travelers are craving, the Adirondacks in upstate New York is the answer to that call of the wild. At its heart is the largest state park in the continental United States, the 6 million-acre Adirondac...

Gadgets: Check your vision from home

EyeQue has announced EyeQue VisionCheck 2, a do-it-yourself smartphone vision test available for purchase on Kickstarter with an expected delivery of May 2021. The company touts it as the fastest, simplest way to order eyeglasses and track vision changes from home. VisionCheck 2 is a lightweight optical smartphone attachment and mobile app (iOS and Android) with results expressed as EyeGlass Numbers, which is the lens-power needed to correct vision. EyeQue’s mobile app presents a vision test with two colored lines viewed through an optical smartphone attachment. While using the buttons on the ...

Gadgets: This digital frame makes a great holiday gift

First the answer: The Brookstone PhotoShare digital photo frame. That goes with the most common question I get this time of year, “What’s a great holiday gift.” Years ago digital photo frames were a hot item. I still have mine. For the most part, you loaded photos onto a memory card and the frame cycled through the images. Now, years later with the ease of instant pictures from smartphones and photo sharing via Wi-Fi, combining this with the digital photo frame makes a great product. Brookstone’s PhotoShare is perfect for your home, or think of how happy an out of town relative will be when pr...