Good gadget karma
Solar-powered charger donates to charity; AppRadio 3 is postmodern and high tech at good price
1. Power keeps you on the grid The Waka Waka Power is a compact solar charger that’s capable of converting eight hours of the sun’s rays into energy that can charge mobile phones and power its own built-in flashlight for 40 hours. It’s worth the small cost to keep one of these devices in your glove compartment for that inopportune moment when you do not think to charge your phone before heading out on the road, and then pop a tire while driving in a remote location. But the Power is also a cool product because it’s designed by a company that first set out to create an efficient, sustainable, solar-powered LED lamp that would be affordable for people who cannot afford traditional hydroelectricity in Africa. After perfecting a first model, they turned to Kickstarter to crowd-fund production, and fast-forward two years later, here we are talking about it. The manufacturer maintains its socially conscious roots, as a donation from each sale is made to non-profit charities, so you’ll be doing some good for the less fortunate, while the Power is doing some good for you. $80; visit getwakawaka.com.
2. The Kuro of car stereos The Pioneer Kuro was the best television the world had seen, but not enough of the world knew it, and so we no longer have the Kuro. History ought not repeat itself with Pioneer’s AppRadio series, which now launches its sleek third-generation AppRadio 3 SPH-DA210. The device has an array of custom-built apps, Mirror Link capability so a smartphone screen on various apps will be mirrored on the stereo screen, as well as Siri Eyes Free, which lets Apple’s omnipresent virtual personal assistant operate through AppRadio and Google Voice Search for voice-enabled search on compatible Android phones, not to mention Bluetooth capability for handsfree dialling. This innovative device features a seven-inch touchscreen as well as CD/DVD capability, but users not interested in the antiquated optical drive can opt for a $100 cheaper unit, sans slot. Above all, AppRadio 3 is postmodern and high-tech, and considering it is not priced outrageously high, we hope it garners the success it deserves, and doesn’t go the way of the Kuro. $600; visit appradioknows.com.