Affordable Stairlift Alternative – StairSteady

Throughout the western world, the tendency is to provide the necessary means to enable elderly people or people with disabilities to remain self-sufficient, allowing them to live at home longer. One problem that many of those people face, however, are the stairs. The classic solution to that problem is to install a stairlift. But a cheaper alternative that seems to make sense is the StairSteady.

Sports Ball Storage – Ball Claw Holds Them For You

Balls are fun for playing, a pain for storing. They’re one of those objects that never stay on the shelf where you’ve put them, because … well, because they’re round. Ball Claw is a simple yet original solution to this problem.

This Tripod is also a Protective Case for Your Point-and-Shoot Camera

It’s only a small step for mankind but, since I’m a photo enthusiast, I can’t resist bringing you this wrap-up protective case that’s a tripod at the same time. It also looks like the perfect companion for the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj camera with its built-in projector.

Shoe Storage – Floor to Ceiling

The most original attempt at a versatile shoe rack is the Rakku wheel design. But this floor-to-ceiling shoe rack is another great alternative. It takes up only 144 square inches of floor space and can still hold 36 pairs of shoes.

Laptop Privacy Filters from 3M

Most of you are probably reading this article on a laptop screen, since laptops have completely overtaken desktop PCs. They’re increasingly being used in public places too, sometimes putting private or confidential information on display. These easy on/easy off microlouver laptop privacy filters from 3M decrease the dangers of someone looking over your shoulder.

Compact Folding Ladder for Home Use

A few weeks ago we told you about a telescoping ladder that can even reach to your roof. Another type of ladder that’s annoying when it comes to stowing it in your home is the classic folding ladder. With this type as well, designers have been very creative recently, developing models that can even fit in the corner of your closet if space is really tight.

Inflatable Chimney Pillow Stops Drafts (and Santa)

The Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100) shows you where there’s room for improvement in your home’s thermal insulation. If your chimney is a cold spot in your house, you’ll probably have felt the draft without needing the TLD for that. But what can you do about it when you still want to be able to make use of the chimney sometimes? This energy saving chimney balloon might be the answer.

Free Remote PC Support for Your Relatives – Netviewer

A few months ago, we posted an article on ShowMyPC, a free software package that helps you to control someone else’s PC remotely from your own chair at home. Ideal for helping relatives and friends when they're stuck with their computer. But when I’d been using ShowMyPC for some time, I noticed that it didn’t work in every situation. When either myself or the other person was working from behind a strict company firewall, connection wasn’t possible. In that kind of situation, Netviewer Support can help out.

Telescoping Ladder now Extends to 15.5 Feet

I love telescoping ladders. They’re extremely compact and easy to stow compared to the classical alternatives that always get in the way in your basement or garage. Those are really difficult to handle when you need them around the house – or worse, elsewhere. The telescopic alternatives, however, often weren’t up to the “serious” tasks on your roof or drainpipe. But now the new models reach up to 15.5 ft!

Paint Your House Fast – Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller

Time to paint the masonry of your house once again? It’s not the most pleasant of chores, and it’s either too hot, too cold, too windy or rain is expected shortly. You might want to get it over with quickly, then. That’s exactly what the Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller System should help you to achieve, and they claim you can get it done twice as fast as normal.

iPod Dock and Universal Remote – Philips SJM3151

Recently, we posted an article on the Bexy iMirror iPod docking station and remote control. We liked it from the start because, contrary to most iPod docks, you can even see and select the tracks on your iPod on the iMirror’s screen. One commenter on the article pointed me to the Philips SJM3151, which has roughly the same functionality but also includes that one feature that I was really missing in the Bexy – the SJM3151 is also a universal remote control!

Rechargeable Batteries that Don’t Lose Their Charge – LSD cells

NiCd rechargeable batteries have been around for decades, preventing tons of toxic battery waste, before the new NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) types were designed to cure the old NiCd’s “memory effect”. So far so good but, until recently, no one has ever managed to make a rechargeable battery that kept its charge for prolonged periods. When you take your point-and-shoot camera out of the drawer a few months after fully charging the batteries, it barely has enough charge left for a few pictures. Or your portable DVD player quits on you in the middle of a film.

Now the new low self-discharge (LSD)(don't get too excited, it's a legal substance) batteries from Sanyo (eneloop), Panasonic and other manufacturers finally seem to have this issue under control.

Extra Trunk Space or Bike Carrier – Westfalia Portilo

A bike carrier is commonplace nowadays, and so is the car rooftop box. But what if your needs vary and you don’t have a station wagon that can easily accommodate your rooftop box? The Portilo from Westfalia is an original new approach that can be either bike carrier or extra trunk space, depending on the needs of the moment.

Solar-Powered Bluetooth Headset – Infinite Standby Time

What’s the advantage of Bluetooth headsets anyway? Admittedly, you don’t have a wire dangling around, but on the downside it’s yet another device that you need to charge. And now you have two batteries that can run out in the middle of a phone call and two chargers to plug in. Here's an excellent solution to that problem.

First camera with built-in projector – Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj

It’s never been our intention to cover every new digital camera or every small advancement or gadget in digital photography, but since a projector built into a camera is something radically new – and a world-first – we think that the Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj deserves its place on this blog. It allows you to take pictures or shoot videos during any event and show them to the participants before they’ve even left.