April 16, 2005
A look at gadgets for young and old
What’s new for geeks:
Brawny’s Mouse Palm Sponge by Evercare. The familiar mouse shape takes on the task of cleaning dishes and cookware. The ergonomic design features a soap dispenser and no-drip valve. $3.99, at Target.
Radio Toaster by DeLonghi. Brown your Pop-Tart and listen to U2 at the same time. About $49.95. Available in August. Call 800-322-3848.
Blue Chill Freezer Jar by Oster. Chilling out with margaritas? This blue insulated blender jar will keep drinks icy cold for up to six hours. The freezer-activated jar fits most Oster and Osterizer blenders. Available in May at $14.99. More information at www.oster.com.
George Foreman’s Knock-Out Grill Cleaner. There are 70 million of Salton’s George Foreman Grills out there (!), and now Foreman himself has come up with a product specially formulated to clean them. This grease-cutting, plant-based cleaner sells for $2.99 at
Target and www.knockoutcleaning.com.
Metal Art Computer Accessories by Allsop. These industrial-looking racks keep home monitors, keyboards, laptops and printers angled for ergonomic comfort while allowing air circulation to help them function better. Available in chrome, pewter and black. $24.99 to $69.99
at Staples and Circuit City.
Commercial Garment Steamer by Rowenta. The word from Rowenta is that they’ve found twentysomethings despise ironing but love steaming. Eliminating wrinkles is easier with this pro model. About $190 at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Retro Ceramic Heater by DeLonghi. That portable heater warming the chilly back bedroom doesn’t have to be an eyesore. This ’40s retro style with chrome accents has a vintage look but safety thermal cut-off. Available next winter, priced at $49.95. For stores,
contact www.delonghi.com or 800-322-3848.
What’s new for geezers:
SmartGadgets Bagel Slicer by Copco. One of the most common accidents that send people to an emergency room is slicing their hands while cutting bagels. You don’t need perfect eyesight to use this gadget, designed to keep the blade away from your palm.
$6.99.
Airider Vacuum. Crowds gathered at the Airider booth to catch a glimpse of the cool new floating vacuum cleaner from Scotland. The bagless model uses hovercraft technology to float 1/8 inch off the floor, making it almost weightless during operation. Geezers will love the ease of
use; plus, the no-wheels design is easier on furniture and carpets. Available in May for $399. www.airridersystems.co.uk.
Massaging Pedicure Flip-Flops by HoMedics. How about a foot massage while your pedicure polish is drying? Battery-operated pink terry-cloth flip-flops vibrate gently between coats. $24.99 at JCPenney or www.homedics.com.
HeartStart Home Defibrillator by Philips. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, and the best chance for surviving sudden cardiac arrest is by applying a defibrillator within five minutes. This home model, just approved by the FDA for over-the-
counter sales, comes with voice instructions that talk you through the procedure. About $1,495 at www.heartstarthome.com or www.amazon.com.
Semi-Round Step Can by Simple Human. This 27-inch-high stainless steel trash can is a stylish accessory for those fancy kitchens geezers are putting in. Designed to fit flush against a wall. $99.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond for the black plastic lid model; $129 for a version
with a stainless lid is in Williams-Sonoma’s catalogue or www.williams-sonoma.com.
Multi-Mouse Opener by Zyliss. Hard-to-remove tops on bottles and cans are a daily annoyance for many people over 50, and even those younger. This three-way opener shaped like a geekish computer mouse twists off bottle caps, lifts up pop-top cans and pries open beer bottles.
Available this summer for $6.99. Check www.zylissusa.com.
Shiatsu Plus Massaging Cushion by HoMedics. One of these on a home office chair may easy the pain of paying bills. The dual massage mechanism imitates the steady massage action of two hands. And the remote lets you adjust the location of the massaging rollers. (We
personally tested and retested this item several times at the show. Mmmm.) Available in September 2005 for about $149 from www.homedics.com.
Brew Station Deluxe Coffeemaker by Hamilton Beach. This has a lot of geezer appeal. It has the counter eye candy look, easy one-hand dispensing into a tall travel mug and a digital clock with extra-large numbers and an easy-on-the-eyes blue background. Available in August for
$129.99. Check with 800-851-8900 or www.hamiltonbeach.com.
Time Squared Double Timer by OXO. This timer spans the generations, fusing an old-fashioned one-hour analog timer and a 100-hour digital timer. It also allows you to time two events at once, features easy-to-read graphics and has an angled face for visibility. Available in May for
$24.99. Visit www.oxo.com for retailers.
|
