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New Home Gadgets[2007-07-15]
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New Home Gadgets
A door lock that reads fingerprints... a shopping list you can talk to... all affordable now!
Chi-Lan Lieu
Host of HGTV’s "I Want That! Tech Toys"
reprinted from Bottom Line/Personal, July 15, 2007
URL: http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/blpnet/article.html?article_id=42198
Each year, thousands of new high-tech home products flood store shelves. While most are unnecessary and many are ineffective, a few actually make life easier or more enjoyable. Eight of the most interesting and innovative new offerings...
Voice-activated answering machine. This Hammacher-Schlemmer device is the world’s easiest-to-use answering machine. Just say “answering machine” to get its attention, then tell it what to do, with any of 15 voice commands, including “play new” messages and “set volume.” It has a stylish, minimalist design. $249.95. 800-321-1484, www.hammacher.com.
Fingerprint-activated lock. Never get locked out of your home again. The Keylock86 (#6600-86) door lock allows entry not only by key but also by access code -- which can be easily changed -- or by fingerprint. It can store images of up to 75 fingerprints and remove them whenever you want, so family members, friends and trusted workers can let themselves in. That’s a lot safer than handing out keys, which can be lost, stolen or copied. You can install the lock yourself. $249 (four AA batteries required). 800-978-6625, www.akmelock.com (click on “All Fingerprint Locks”).
Grocery list recorder. Press the SmartShopper’s record button, say the name of a food or product, and this small, wall-mounted unit will use its voice-recognition technology to save it in its memory. Then when it’s time for your next trip to the store, press the print button for a shopping list categorized by grocery departments, such as frozen foods or produce. $150, including wall-mounting kit and three thermal paper rolls. 866-369-8585, www.smartshopperusa.com.
Electric digital turkey deep fryer. Most turkey deep fryers place an open flame a short distance from a vat of boiling oil -- a combination so unsafe that the fryers are typically used only outside. This Masterbuilt fryer makes the same crispy, delicious deep-fried turkey -- a 14-pounder cooks in about an hour -- but it’s safe enough to be used indoors. The heating element is electric, not an open flame. The unit has a thermostat with a safety shutoff to reduce the risk of accidental overheating. The outside surfaces remain relatively cool, so it won’t burn countertops or tabletops. $159.95. 800-489-1581, www.masterbuilt.com.
CD and DVD repairer. The Skip-Away CD and DVD portable device from VenMill Industries repairs and cleans damaged CDs and DVDs by heating the surface of the discs to make them malleable, then pressing them back into shape so that scratches disappear. It’s more reliable than common wax-based disc-repair systems and not as damaging to discs as sanding-based systems. VenMill says the Skip-Away should successfully repair close to 90% of scratched discs. $250, plus $19.99 for a cartridge that lasts for 50 full repairs or 150 light cleanings. 800-928-0090, www.venmill.com.
Automatic pet feeder. Feed your cat or dog the correct amount of food at the proper time of day even if you’re not home. This PetWatch device distributes pet food according to your programmed schedule or whenever you instruct it to do so via the Internet. Cat owners can leave their pets home unattended for days with this feeder. That’s safer than setting out a week’s worth of cat food, because it won’t allow the cat to eat all of the food the moment you’re out of the house. The feeder includes a real-time Internet-accessible digital video camera so that you can check on your pet’s feeding while you’re out. $295, plus $49 shipping. 213-385-3480, www.petwatchusa.com.
Measurements by photo. Snap a picture of a room or a garden with a digital camera or camera phone, and use the iPhotoMeasure software tool to determine the dimensions of anything in the picture -- with 98% accuracy. Just place the 7.5-inch by 7.5-inch “target” in the area to be measured, take the picture from within 30 feet and view the photo in your computer through the iPhotoMeasure software. Measurements can be printed out. It is especially useful in areas where it would be difficult to use a tape measure, and it makes it easy to shop for items such as furniture, appliances, lamps, art, plants and trees. $99.99 for the standard edition. 888-368-6632, www.iphotomeasure.com.
Kitchen TV/radio/Web connection. The iCEBOX Entertainment System is designed for the kitchen. The attractive unit mounts below a kitchen cabinet and folds out of the way when not in use. It includes a 12.1-inch touch screen that can be used to watch TV or DVDs or to access the Internet. The iCEBOX can play CDs and FM radio. The system can be operated through the touch screen, remote control or wireless keyboard. $1,999. 877-463-7637, www.smarthomeusa.com.
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Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Chi-Lan Lieu, host of HGTV’s I Want That! Tech Toys, a cable-TV program that reviews the latest high-tech gadgets. www.hgtv.com. She reviewed tech products previously for STUFF magazine and TechTV’s Fresh Gear.
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Bottom Line Publications publishes the opinions of leading authorities in many fields. But the use of these opinions is no substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions.
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