TECH SPOTLIGHT

Recommendations for Cyber Monday shoppers

The Petcube (petcube.com) allows pet owners to view their pets through a security camera, and play with them via a laser controlled through a smartphone app.
The Petcube (petcube.com) allows pet owners to view their pets through a security camera, and play with them via a laser controlled through a smartphone app.

Given that today is Cyber Monday, I thought I'd make a few tech toy recommendations for those who might need some shopping suggestions.

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

The RHS MA750i noise isolating in-ear headphones with remote and microphone provide excellent sound and a snug fit.

Out of all the cool tech toys I've reviewed this year, the one product I have received the most emails about is a television antenna.

I reviewed two new digital antennas this year. While both did a decent job, they still couldn't compare to last year's winner, the Winegard FlatWave Amped indoor antenna. This gem picked up channels I didn't even know existed, and it's still the best antenna I've tried. Right now, the antenna is discounted on Winegard's website (winegard.com) from $99 retail to $59. This would be a gift to consider for those looking to "cut the cord" on expensive cable.

For pet lovers, the Petcube camera not only offers a way to view pets remotely, but it also lets pet owners play with their pets while away from home. The Petcube works over its own social media app and allows users to view their pets through the device's security camera. The camera can be used by the pet owner alone, or the owner can share the link in the Petcube app and online and allow others to watch, view and even control the Petcube remotely. This isn't just a camera. It has a built-in laser pointer that can be controlled, as well, so users can send the little red dot flying -- and the pet scrambling to catch it. The Petcube (petcube.com) retails for $199.

Smartphones likely will be under a few Christmas trees this year. For those looking to protect those new smartphones -- or even the older ones -- I highly recommend Urban Armor Gear's Navigator (urbanarmorgear.com). For those who need a refresher, this is the case that impressed me because they did a drop test from space. Yes, space -- 101,000 feet elevation.

While the case doesn't have native screen protection (just those screen sticky things), it has lips over the edge of the phone that protects the screen from direct face drops. The rest of the case offers great protection. I used mine for months before setting it aside for tests on a few new ones, and neither the phone nor the case got a scratch. The case is made for smartphones from Apple, Samsung, HTC and others, and prices range from $35-$40 retail, depending on the model.

The Kraken A.M.S. case from Trident (tridentcase.com), made for a variety of smartphones and tablets, is another favorite of mine. This one offers complete protection, including rubber flaps that cover the charging and headphone ports to keep out dust and dirt. It has a built-in screen protector and a place on the side to connect a lanyard. It also has a kickstand on the back that comes in handy more times than one would think. There's a standard model ($49 retail, depending on the model) and an antimicrobial version ($79 retail).

With the latest Star Wars movie about to hit theaters, the Star Wars-themed products are pouring onto the shelves. I took a look at the Star Wars Second Edition headphones earlier this year from SMS Audio. The headphones come in R2-D2, Chewbacca, Tie Fighter and Darth Vadar. The first edition included Stormtrooper, Bobba Fett, Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire headphones. The headphones produce excellent sound, though they are wired rather than wireless. The over-ear headphones retails for $179, but the website (smsaudio.com) has a link to a Macy's sale for $99, as of this writing.

My favorite over-the-ear headphones are still the Phiaton Chord MS 530 wireless headphones (phiaton.com ). I reviewed these back in April, and I'm still using them. They still have a long battery life and incredible sound. They're expensive at $299 retail, but they are worth the price for true music lovers. The sound truly is amazing.

I also happened to find earbuds I liked this year, an amazing feat given I can never find earbuds to fit properly and I just don't like them in general. But I loved the RHA MA750i noise isolating in-ear headphones with remote and microphone. It's a long name, but it only covers some of the great features of this product. It includes a carrying case and a multitude of soft silicoan ear pieces, so you can find the perfect fit for both ears. The wires hook behind the ears to keep the earpieces in place, even while walking or running. The best part is, the sound is outstanding. The headphones are $129 retail, but may be hard to find because they're from a UK startup company, RHA Audio. The best bet is to go to the website (rha-audio.com) and start from there. The MA750 headphones are $119 but aren't made to be as integrated with Apple iPhones and iPads as the 750i.

Finally, if you want to please the nerd in your life, Think Geek (thinkgeek.com) offers up a bit of 1980s television nostalgia with the Knight Rider K.I.T.T. USB Car Charger. The charger looks like the talking panel inside the souped-up Pontiac Trans Am made famous in the TV series. When the car starts, the charger starts up with K.I.T.T.'s initial greet and explanation of what it is, including its boast of having "1,000 megabits of memory," which equals about 125MB of memory. (Hey, it was the 1980s.) A button on top plays other phrases from K.I.T.T., all in the voice of the original K.I.T.T. himself, actor William Daniels. The charger has two USB ports so it can charge two smartphones at once. It's bulky but fun, and at $29 retail, it's not hard on the wallet. (Think Geek also has a Flux Capacitor charger from the Back to the Future movie series for the same price.)

Hopefully, these suggestions will give you a few starting points as you surf through Cyber Monday sales. Happy shopping!

Melissa L. Jones can be reached via email at mljones72@me.com.

SundayMonday Business on 11/30/2015

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