By Gregg Ellman
McClatchy-Tribune
If I had to write my review of the Roku 3 streaming device in one sentence, I’d say it’s easy, fun, simple, has a user-friendly interface, is reasonably priced and — trust me — you’re safe to buy it without reading any more.
I know I’m late on getting to review this device so let’s just say it was worth the wait and won’t be one of those cumbersome gifts under the tree that frustrates your dad to no end with directions that are impossible to follow, regardless of the language.
It’s not as simple as plug-n-play, but after you connect your own HDMI cord to the TV and the hockey-puck-sized Roku 3 (3.5-by-3.5-by-1 inch), the onscreen instructions navigate you through everything in just minutes.
Once connected, the menus are easy to navigate. Many choices are pay sites (Hulu Plus, Netflix, etc.) but offer a free month’s service. If you have an existing account, you just have to enter your username and password.
Channel choices are endless and Roku advertises that it has more than 1,000, so there should be something for everyone including HBO GO, Amazon Instant, Pandora music service and the Vudu movie store.
In addition to the HDMI connection, the back of the unit has an Ethernet port if you don’t want to go with Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n compatible) USB and a microSD memory card slot.
A really cool thing built into the wireless remote is a 3.5mm headphone port. This way when you can connect any headphone to the remote, your TV will be muted and your headphones become wireless.
All the other usual controls are on the remote including back and forward buttons, volume, home button and some gaming controls.
Details: $99.99; www.roku.com
Triggertrap’s Mobile Dongle kit
How often have you or someone in your family set a camera on a timer and then attempted to get in the photo, with or without success.
Triggertrap’s Mobile Dongle kit along with the Triggertrap Mobile smartphone app is the perfect combination to make sure everyone gets in the photo this holiday season.
The hardware is a connection kit for most any DSLR or advanced compact camera that is triggered by the app on your smartphone.
Dongles are available for 17 of the major camera makers on the Triggertrap site. You choose the camera maker and your specific model to ensure that you get the correct connection.
Connect the specific connection side of the cable to your camera and the other cable into the other end of the dongle and the 3.5mm headphone port on your smartphone or tablet.
The newly designed Triggertrap Mobile 2.0 app takes over the controls from there. It has 14 advanced remote triggering options in a simple user friendly interface.
Just choose what you want, including instantly firing the camera, long exposure and wireless mode to use Wi-Fi to trigger the camera. The Wi-Fi mode even has the ability to create a network to control more than 100 cameras.
I tried a demo unit for a Canon 1DX and it was basically plug-n-play right out of the box, while using my camera on a tripod for time exposures.
There are way too many features to list but the most important aspect is it works great and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Prices vary depending on the model. The Canon 1DX and the Nikon D610 dongle and cable kit sells for $31.92, while an extra cable for each is $10.81.
Details: www.triggertrap.com
GlobaTrac Trakdot luggage tracker
There couldn’t be a more timely gadget than the GlobaTrac Trakdot luggage tracker, which tracks your luggage’s whereabouts.
Put the small device (3-by-2.25-by-0.5 inches) in your checked luggage and its built-in GSM chip communicates with cellular towers. Once this is set, it sends your phone a message with its location once you are back on the ground.
According to the company’s website, “Trakdot employs newly patented micro-electronics and ground-based cellular telephone technologies to track and report its position on the ground even while inside metal containers, such as cars, hardened suitcases, and parked aircraft.”
Once the aircraft takes off, technology inside the Trakdot will put it in sleep mode and the same technology will re-awaken it once the plane’s wheels hit the ground.
And there is no need to worry if the Trakdot will take up a valuable piece of your 50-pound limit since it weighs less than 2 ounces with the batteries (included).
There’s a free Trakdot app available for iOS devices in the Apple App Store and it’s also available for select Android OS devices (Galaxy S3, S4, Note 2).
Once you’re at the baggage claim area, if you have a Bluetooth enabled device you can locate the bag with the app to find the exact location as long as you’re within 160 feet.
Details: The Trakdot itself costs $59.95; a one-time activation fee is $8.99 and the annual service fee is $12.99; www.trakdot.com
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