By Gregg Ellman
McClatchy-Tribune
Odds and ends, a little office cleaning or just call it another one of the endless holiday shopping gift guides for the procrastinators. Any or all of the above translates into a bunch of last-minute holiday suggestions for gift lists.
Bookbook Travel Journal
Twelve South’s BookBook Travel Journal is more than a great looking vintage world book-style case for an iPad Air, mini or any other table that fits.
It’s has a leather-covered hardback outside and the inside is soft-lined to keep your tablet safe and scratch-free, but it doesn’t end there.
A dozen pockets and adjustable bands are great for keeping your headphones, mouse, cables, chargers, cables and documents in place and within easy reach.
It measures 8-by-10.3-by-1.9 inches and weighs just 16 ounces before you load it up.
Details: $99.99; twelvesouth.com
Powerflask
Digital Treasures PowerFlask is a portable battery with an incredible 13,000mAh of power, which you can use for charging just about any portable electronic gadget.
Up to three USB devices can be charged simultaneously including tablets, smartphones and gaming devices.
The internal lithium battery is surrounded by a flask design with an aluminum finish wrapped in a black leather coat.
The top has a pair of USB charging ports (1A and 2.5A output) and a single mircroUSB charging port. A dual LED illuminator there alerts you of the remaining power.
Details: $69.95; www.digitaltreasures.com
Uberbuds
UberBuds by MuseMini has new Fitness Earbuds, which are wireless (Bluetooth 4.0) and connected on a tangle-free cord.
Music can be streamed to the earbuds from any Bluetooth-enabled device up to 30 feet away. They are good for about 8 hours of use before a charge is needed (USB).
You get three sizes of earbud covers (S, M, L) to get the right fit and a storage case is included.
Details: $129.99 available in black or yellow; musemini.com/uberbuds/
Sony MDR X10 headphones
For over-the-head sound I have a few choices including the Sony’s MDR X10 headphones with padded ear cups.
For what it’s worth, they are celebrity branded by Simon Cowell but more importantly they have 50mm speakers in each ear connected by an adjustable headband.
An inline mic and remote are included on the audio cable for handsfree calls and controlling Apple devices. There also are controls on the side for volume and track choices.
They sound great and fold up for easy storage in the included hard carrying case.
Details: $99.99 (price recently cut in half) and available in black and red; www.sony.com
iFrogz Coda Forte headphones
The iFrogz Coda Forte headphones are also over-the-head style, with padded ear cups, but are wireless with Bluetooth technology.
They have an inline mic for hands-free calls and are lightweight and comfortable.
You get about 12 hours of great sound until a USB charge is needed and they also can be used with a wired connection (included).
Details: $99.99 available in black, blue and pink; www.zagg.com
Cable traps
Maxell cable traps are a dream come true for most any desk. They come in a three pack and are self-adhesive, sticking to your desk to hold your wires together.
They are probably one of the simplest gadgets or accessories I’ve seen and also one of the most useful.
Details: $9.99 for three; www.maxell.com
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