Author: Staff (Page 31 of 38)

Online research is always critical

With the shopping frenzy of the holidays, there are so many deals out there your head will spin thinking about them. Also, your list of items can get ridiculously long.

Does anyone shop blindly today? Do you ever just walk into a store, browse around and buy something? I guess that still happens, particularly with things like clothes, but with gadgets, electronics and bigger stuff like cars, doing research online before you venture into a store or showroom is critical if you want to make a smart purchase. First, you have to get a better idea of what you want to buy, and then you can think about what deals are available so you can save money.

The good thing is that there’s a ton of helpful information out there on gadgets, electronics and cars. You can browse expert reviews and then look for reactions from consumers. Cast a wide net, and if you’re open minded and flexible, you can end up with amazing deals.

If you think about cars, for example, you can use an online used car price guide to arm yourself with information before walking into a car dealership. Now, like I said, flexibility is important. If you’re dead set on a 60s Mustang or a used Porsche 911 , then obviously you will have less leverage. But if you have a variety of potential cars you want, you’ll do much better.

The same applies to electronics. You might not be able to negotiate in the stores, but you’ll see auctions for products. If you’re not married to one product, you will do better with price.

Activity gadgets for the holidays

There are all sorts of gadgets that will be popular this holiday season, from game consoles to iPads to smartphones. But in today’s world you have to ask yourself whether there is too much emphasis on gadgets that reinforce a sedentary life for our kids. Video games are great, but do we want kids doing that all day long?

Keep that in mind when you’re buying gifts. We live in a time where childhood obesity is a serious problem, and while we want to give kids what they want, we need to consider sending a more balanced message.

With that in mind, think about gifts that encourage kids to get up and move around. When you think of gadgets, think beyond small electronics that fit into a kid’s hands.

One option of course would be a video games that involve movement. The Wii and Connect systems are brilliant for their innovations in this area. Virtual games like tennis and boxing can help kids work up a sweat.

Old-school games like ping pong also encourage movement, so maybe a real ping pong table is in order for your basement.

And then of course we have games like basketball, that really get kids moving around. Think about the excitement kids would have if you went shopping for adjustable basketball goals that you could install in their driveway! Now that’s a gadget that they would remember.

Gadgets for the holidays

The holiday season is here, and today is Cyber Monday so it’s time to go searching for deals. There are a ton of gadget gift guides out there, and Bullz-Eye.com has a gadget section in their 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. The WOWee One Slim Portable Speaker is one of the featured products.

You’ll be amazed when you plug this tiny gadget into your MP3 player or phone and turn on some music. Of all the gadgets we’ve tested recently, the WOWee ONE Slim Portable Speaker is one of our favorites. It’s about the size of a deck of cards and easily plugs into any device with an audio jack. All of a sudden you can have a party. The WOWee turns flat, solid surfaces like tables, counters, bumpers, hoods and truck beds into bass-filled sound systems using patented gel technology. The sound changes depending on the type of surface and you can really feel the base on some surfaces. It’s perfect for events like tailgates as it provides about 10 hours of tunes and can turn your grill/cooler/hood into a high-end sound system for the whole parking lot. It’s also great for impromptu parties as it can fit in your pocket, computer bag or glove compartment. Take it on a trip and have parties in your hotel room or by the pool. The possibilities are endless and kids will love it as well. It seems like everyone listens to music alone these days with their headphones, so the WOWee makes it easier for everyone to share and enjoy music.

There are a ton of gadget gift guides out there, so do your research and you’ll find some great stuff. You can start with the ones from USA Today and CNET.

5 Electronics-Related Tickets You Can Get While Driving

Drivers have so many options to keep themselves entertained when they are on the road: iPods, satellite radios, portable DVD players, instant messaging, email, and even the world wide web. Many of these allow drivers to stay connected to the world while they are on the wheel. However, what some call a means to staying connected, others might call a driving distraction. Since you are hurtling down the road driving 60 miles per hour in a metal machine weighing several hundred pounds, it might be a good idea to limit your distractions to a bare minimum.

And if drivers can’t control themselves, the friendly officers of the law are there to protect them from harming themselves or someone else. While people are aware of the direct relationship between speeding tickets and insurance rates going up, police will gladly give tickets for using electronic devices improperly, which will also cause rates to go up. 

1. Using a Cell Phone

Cell phone use while driving.

In many countries, using a cell phone while driving is illegal and will result in a penalty or even worse. Some places have amended laws to allow cell phone use if the driver is using a hands-free device, such as a headset or Bluetooth, but that’s just mainly for answering calls.

2. Texting While Driving

Texting while driving.

Given that texting requires the driver to focus and type on a tiny screen while actively ignoring the road, texting or emailing are completely illegal.

3. Watching a TV/DVD

TV/DVD.

It is not uncommon to follow a minivan and see the kids enjoying a cartoon in the back seat while mom or dad drives. It’s also not that uncommon to see a small screen running a DVD in the front seat being watched by the driver.

4. Having a Radar Detector
Even though radar detectors are still easy to buy in most electronics shops or online, many countries and states ban the use of any type of radar detector in the car.

5. Blasting the Radio

Radio.

Even if you have no one in the car but yourself, you can still find yourself at the receiving end of a ticket if your radio is too loud. Many cities have ordinances specifying a maximum decibel level and/or reasonable distance for your music to reach. Unlike the above-mentioned driving distractions, this one is a little harder to prove or disprove in court.

The List Could Go On and On
Distracted driving includes anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road or causes them not to be in complete control of the vehicle. Even if you have a completely legal device in your car or are just enjoying a burger and fries and a cup of soda, you can still get a ticket.  
Bottom line: Drive safe and drive smart.

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