Surf Report: Six sizzling summer gadgets
Summer is officially here, and for many of us it translates to time spent outside with friends and family.
And while high-tech gadgetry and the Great Outdoors might sound like polar opposites, the two aren't so mutually exclusive after all – if you choose the right gear to tote around with you.
Whether you're traveling for work or play or lounging in a backyard, here's a look at a half-dozen cool recommendations for a hot summer.
POWER PLAY
There's nothing worse than when your gadgets conk out before you do. To avoid being a "wall hugger," tethered to an AC outlet at an airport or coffee shop, consider the Chamberlain Portable Jump Starter ($129.99). Not only can this 8,000 milliamp (mAh) battery boost your smartphone or tablet, but this 3x5-inch backup battery can also jumpstart your vehicle up to 20 times – making it perfect for road trips. Best known for its app-controlled garage door opener, Chamberlain's latest also includes an emergency flashlight (with SOS and strobe options for illumination and roadside emergencies), digital display to show battery power level and numerous accessories in the box including a wall charger, auto charger, red and black jumper cables and tips for charging your mobile phone, tablet, GPS, camera, and more.
HOT OFF THE GRILL
For many of us with a Y chromosome, we'll be sold with these two mere words: "grill gadget." iDevices' iGrill mini ($39.00) is a wireless food thermometer to let you know when the desired temperature has been reached inside the meat sizzling on your barbecue. After you stick the silver probe into your beef, poultry, pork, lamb or other meat, the temperature is displayed on the unit's small screen or on an iOS or Android device up to 150 feet away via a free companion app. Additional features include a timer and preset and custom temperature alarms, a smoker option, history graph, grilling recipes and the option to share your barbecuing skills on Facebook or Twitter.
WATERPROOF WONDER
Those in the market for a smarter smartphone should consider the Sony Xperia Z4v, a stunningly slender 5.2-inch waterproof phone available this summer through Verizon (price is TDB). Unlike previous waterproof Xperia phones, the Z4v boasts a "capless" design, therefore there's no flap to open for access to the USB port. This Android device houses high-end cameras – a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera and 5-megapixel front-facing "selfie" camera (each with a 25mm wide-angle lens) – plus your photos and videos will shine on the first-ever phone with WQHD (2560x1440) resolution and Triluminous technology. Along with a powerful 3,000 mAh battery, there's support for high-resolution audio and PS4 Remote Play to remotely access your PlayStation 4 games on your phone while at home.
KEYS, PLEASE
If you're traveling this summer and might need to get a bit of work done – but don't want to lug a laptop – the Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard ($99.95) is a small, lightweight and clamshell QWERTY keyboard you can unfold on a table, desk or on your lap, and can be simultaneously paired via Bluetooth with two mobile devices. In fact, it measures just 5 millimeters thin and offers a spill-resistant design. Simply select the desired operating system in the top right corner – be it iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Android or Windows – and then you can write lengthy emails and documents. When you're done, simply close it to turn it off, fold it up and toss it into a pocket, purse, briefcase or backpack. On a related note, Microsoft last week announced the availability of Word, Excel and PowerPoint at Google Play for Android devices.
MUSIC MATTERS
Just because you're swimming doesn't mean you need to be without your favorite tunes. As the name suggests, Monster's SuperStar BackFloat ($169.95) is a floating wireless speaker to use in the pool, at the beach, in the shower or bath, or even while river rafting and inner-tubing. Available in black with neon blue or green highlights, this water- and shock-resistant speaker connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth, and delivers loud and clear sound with its stereo speakers pointing up while floating on its back. Of course it works with other audio on your phone or tablet, too, such as audiobooks and podcasts. Chat hands-free while lying on your inflatable pool lounger, as the speaker turns into a speaker phone should a call come in.
GADGET FOR THE GARDEN
Newsflash: Bluetooth can help your green thumb. The Parrot Flower Power Wireless Plant Sensor ($59.95) is a smart gardening gadget capable of assessing your plants' needs and sends alerts to your smartphone. Simply insert this "Internet of Things" ("IoT") doohickey into the soil and let its four sensors do the work. Then look at the accompanying iOS or Android app for real-time info related to sunlight exposure, soil moisture, temperature, humidity and drainage. It can recommended which plants will thrive in specific locations by matching algorithms to a database of more than 7,000 plants and flowers, along with diagnosing ailing plants and helping you identify unknown species growing in your garden or potted plants in your home.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at techcomments@usatoday.com.