5 minute read
Summer Gadgets | Bill Ramsey & Phillip Hampton
We absolutely love summertime with the backyard BBQs, softball tournaments, days at the beach, and lazy afternoons in a hammock. While it is prime time to unplug and get away from the office rat race, we still find a way to use technology to enhance our “unplugged” time. Call us tech junkies if you will; but we take some of our gadgets with us on summer vacation. Here are some of our favorites:
Bose Frame Smart Sunglasses: Whether we’re biking the Natchez Trace, running on the beach, or simply enjoying a rigorous hike in the mountains, we never leave our Bose Frame Smart Sunglasses behind. These high quality, stylish sunglasses also serve as an open ear Bluetooth audio source so we can listen to our favorite Spotify playlist or podcast as we go about our summer activities. With our smartphone in our back pocket, we can stream great sounding audio without putting an earbud or Airpod in our ear. Our Bose sunglasses are an essential part of our summer vacation gear.
Portable Neck Fan : In the part of the country we’re from, it gets very hot and humid during the summer months. Those backyard picnics can get quite toasty in the summer heat. We have found the perfect solution. The 8.8 ounce Portable Neck Fan sits unobtrusively around your neck and provides a nice breeze with its 72 wind outlets and twin-turbine air blades. It operates super quietly (but who’s going to notice anyway at a neighborhood block party); and it helps us keep our cool, literally.
Smart Grill : We’re probably late to the smart grill party as we have a penchant for old-fashioned charcoal grills (you know, the kind you have to light five times before the charcoal actually gets hot enough to cook). But we recently upgraded our old grill to a Master Built Gravity Series Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker. Mind-blowing; world changing. This grill (and others like it), combines the old style of charcoal grilling with a digital temperature-setting dial that lets you control the temperature continuously throughout the grilling/smoking process. Once the meats are arrayed on the grill, we can simply control and monitor the cooking process from our smartphones (as we rest in a nearby hammock).
KuccHero Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker : Whether we are going to the beach or simply hanging out with the family in the backyard, we always take along our favorite Bluetooth speaker/LED lantern to enhance the atmosphere. The KuccHero Outdoor speaker fits the bill. You can buy one or a hundred and pair them together, creating a lush canopy of music over your summer soiree along with atmospheric lighting. The speakers can stand alone, be mounted on a wall, or attached to a stake for a tiki torch effect. They are IPX5 water resistant; so, no worries if a rambunctious guest accidentally drops one in the pool.
Bird Buddy : Summer season is bird season; and we love to invite our feathered friends to our backyard bird feeder. The Bird Buddy Smart Hummingbird Feeder has taken our bird watching to the next level. The feeder comes equipped with a smart camera and microphone. We are notified via our smartphone app when we have guests arriving to feed. The camera captures a photo of our feathered guests and can classify the bird species via AI technology. Even better, with the optional solar roof on the bird feeder, the sun is our power source for all this technology.
Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch : If your summer activity involves water (and whose doesn’t?), then you probably need to invest in some protection for your constant companion, your smartphone. Yes, it’s probably advisable to leave your phone on shore before you embark on a rollicking white water rafting tour; but how will your friends ever know the dangers you faced unless you chronicle it on Instagram? The dilemma is solved with the Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch for your smartphone. This see-through IPX8-rated phone bag and accompanying lanyard will allow you to keep your smartphone safe and dry as you take it with you on your water adventures this summer.
Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker : And who doesn’t like a cool iced drink in the summertime? Ice makers are nice, but very expensive if you have one of those fancy ones installed under the counter. This ice maker gives you restaurant quality nugget ice on your countertop for a much smaller price. Just pour water into its reservoir and viola you have ice in 15 minutes. The bin holds 3 pounds of ice at a time; and it can produce 44 pounds of ice per day. Bill loves it when he makes Singapore Slings!
As you “unplug” this summer for a much-needed break from the office grind, don’t forget that technology can help you reach that summer nirvana that you’ve been dreaming of since January. Happy Summer.
