Tech Tidbits: Thursday, October 1, 2009

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Published: October 1, 2009
Modified: September 30, 2009 at 5:13 pm

TrickleStar PC TrickleSaver

→Get it for: $16.95 at www.smarthomeusa.com.

This device offers a simple and affordable way to reduce energy consumption by reducing standby energy consumed by a computer’s peripheral equipment such as a printer and monitor. Just connect the TrickleSaver to a PC with a standard USB connector, and it will detect the power status. It will cut power to peripherals when the computer is off and switch everything on when the computer is powered back up. The TrickleSaver can be connected directly to equipment or to a power strip to which many peripherals are connected.

Split Stick

→Get it for: $24.99 at www.quirky.com/products.

With this double-sided USB drive, it’s easy to maintain that divide between office and personal, home and away, yours and hers or whatever else you choose to separate. The Split Stick is two 2-gigabyte retractable USB drives that are built into one slim 4-gigabyte stick. It features an anodized aluminum body in a range of colors, a protective rubber membrane and a plastic button to easily navigate between the two sides of the drive.

Innotech VR600 Accenda Voice Control for iPod

→Get it for: $59.95 at www.buy.com.

Verbal commands control all basic iPod functions when using this hands-free device that clips to a shirt or hangs around the neck. Saying "volume up” or "volume down” commands the iPod to increase or decrease the volume level by one increment. It also recognizes play, stop, go to the next track, go to the previous track or replay a song. No batteries are needed as it draws its power from the iPod, and it is compatible with all iPod headphones, speakers and automobile audio systems that use the iPod headphone jack.

Kalorik Dual Wine Cooler

→Get it for: $127.99 at www.overstock.com.

Take the guesswork out of chilling wine with this tabletop wine chiller. It maintains the perfect temperature for two bottles through use of two wireless temperature probes.

A built-in microprocessor is programmed with four recommended serving temperatures for each side, and a display shows when wines have reached optimal consumption temperature.

Compiled by Penny Soldan