As the dog days dwindle down students across the country prepare for the upcoming school year. As always, AZTB found some cool gadgets for high school and college students, and parents looking to gear up their kids for the year. From home security to portable power to techie backpacks, we have the latest for the tech savvy student.
VIS Tiger
The VIS Tiger is a one-of-a-kind gadget that acts as the ultimate power bank and jump-starter. It features a battery power of 8,000 mAh that gives you 25% more power, resulting in increased performance and capability. If your smartphone loses battery quickly, hakuna matata, the VIS Tiger charges your iPhone 6 or similar powered smartphones up to 3 or 4 times on a single charge, and it’s capable of jump starting your 12V car battery up to 20 times on a single a charge. Oh, and did we mention it’s also a handy flashlight? The innovative gadget from Jumper Power Labs is currently on Kickstarter and will retail around $99.99.
Logi Blok Family
Logitech’s newest product line is a family of cases that secure your iPad from the occasional drop. The Shell, Case, and Keyboard Case are the perfect gifts for any student this upcoming school year. The iPad case makes it easy for students to flip through powerpoint presentations and take down notes during a lecture. The cases have square corners designed to help protect the most sensitive part of the iPad, its corners. The price for each: Shell $39.99, Case $69.99, and Keyboard costs $129.99 at Logitech.com.
BACtrack Vio
Don’t drink and drive! BACtrack Vio is a keychain breathalyzer that uses Bluetooth technology to sync wirelessly to your smartphone. So, next time you decide to go out for a beer or two with your buddies, you can self-monitor your blood alcohol level. The slick device is about the size of a USB drive and syncs to a free app on your phone for easy testing. The ZeroLine feature even tells you when your BAC will return to 0.000, so you know when you’ll be safe to get back behind the wheel. This gadget is perfect for the 21+ crowd. Available for purchase $49.99
Life Mounts LED Pack Light
Life Mounts’ LED Pack Light with strap mount is the perfect gadget for those late night walks back to the dormitory or around a questionable area of town. Brighten up your path with this easy-to-use and compact light that can attach to just about anything. The powerful LED flashlight has 3 modes, operates on one AA battery and can be seen for over 1,000 feet. Available for purchase for $20.00.
Selfie on a Stick
We had to include the Selfie on a Stick! The cultural phenomenon that is the “selfie” has transformed the way people today capture photos. Able to fit any phone size (iPhone 6 Plus fits no problem), the Selfie on a Stick comes with a handy plug-in that goes directly into the headphone jack that syncs with a separate button at the base of the stick for easy photo snapping. Models and socialites Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner used a Selfie on a Stick in an April 2015 Vogue photo shoot. Available for purchase for $24.99.
frē by Lifeproof
The frē case by Lifeproof is the perfect iPhone 6 case for the clumsy or adventurous student heading back to school. The case is submersible to 6.6 feet of water, is completely sealed from dirt, dust, snow and ice, and can survive drops from 6.6 feet. The case is sleek and easily can slide into the pockets of your jeans. The frē comes in 6 colors (black, white, pink, purple, blue, and red). Available for purchase for $71.99
Olympia SB5500
Harness the power of the sun with Olympia’s Solar Power Series and never worry about running out of battery again. You can use the sun or plug it in to charge it up (here in Arizona we have no shortage of sunlight). Charge smartphones, tablets, flashlights, two-way radios or anything with a USB or Micro-USB port. And for those sunless times, don’t fret, it has a power bank that stores energy. A great gift idea for the student that has a busy course schedule. Available for purchase for $59.99
Related: Gadgets for the Guru: Get Ready for Summer
Ultimate Ears’ family of speakers
It’s no secret that AZTB loves the sound of Ultimate Ears (UE) products, and now UE has a price point for everybody! The UE Roll is the smallest speaker in the family and retails at an affordable $99.99. Compact and waterproof, the UE Roll comes with a pool floatie for those who love to jam in the pool. The UE Boom is the middle child and is known as the gadget company’s flagship Bluetooth speaker; it retails at $199.99. Last, but certainly not least, the UE Megaboom packs the biggest punch and is slightly wider and taller than the regular Boom. The Megaboom retails at $299.99. Three great options for the music-loving, education-driven student! Visit Ultimate Ears website here. Check them out at UltimateEars.com.
SleepPhones and RunPhones
These headphones are the most comfortable listening gadgets you’ll ever wear. Thin padded speakers are lined on the inside of both headphones, wrapped around the same Polartec fleece. The fabric is perfect for dozing off into a deep slumber after a long day of studying, or wiping away drops of sweat while listening to your desired music. To keep clean, the speakers are removable, which enables the headband to be washed. Go for a seamless run or a cozy sleep with these comfy headphones. Available at SleepPhones.com or RunPhones.com and they range from $39.95-$99.95
Board Blazers
Inspired by an ASU “Bro” skateboarder who duct taped Christmas lights to the bottom of his skateboard, founder Greg Rudolph created attachable lights called Board Blazers. The Arizona-based company sells circular, multi-colored, adhesive lights for skateboards that twist on and off. The compact lights are waterproof and are strong enough to withstand extreme tricks, provided you place them behind the wheels. Available for purchase for $24.99.
DVR+
Channel Master’s subscription-free DVR is the perfect option for the dorm-dwelling student. Never miss your favorite show again. The HDTV antenna option is also perfect for an indoor or outdoor setting. The DVR+ is an operator-quality, powerful DVR with two tuners and comes with a WiFi adapter. The DVR+ also comes equipped with a free professional channel guide, a few streaming services (Vudu, Pandora, YouTube), and about 40 free Internet streaming channels like WGN, NASA, Vevo, FoodyTV, the Outdoor Cooking Channel, Sky News and ABC News. Available for purchase for $299.00.
YubiKey Edge
The YubiKey Edge combines Yubico’s two most popular strong authentication methods, one-time password and FIDO U2F, in one single device. Durable and compact, the YubiKey Edge offers a second layer of security to a username and password login. Just insert it into any USB port and touch, no drivers needed. Keep your laptops safe with this extra set of security. Available for purchase for $30.00.
Drive HD™ Dash Cam CDR 855 BT
Dash cams are slowly becoming a standard accessory in cars, so Drive HD came out with their own dash cam that allow drivers to protect their vehicle, relive their journey and share interesting footage by continuously recording video of the road ahead in 1080P HD video. It includes a two-inch LCD screen, ultra-wide 160°lens and embedded G-Sensor to automatically save and protect clips if an impact is detected. In addition, the CDR 855 BT is the first of its kind to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth® Smart wireless technology. The smartphone connection enables new features including embedded GPS location, time, G-force and speed information footage, as well as providing alerts for upcoming speed and red light cameras, live police locations and shared radar alerts from the iRadar Community. Available in September for $169.95.
SkylinkNet Alarm System
Security is on every parent’s mind when they move their child out of the house for the first time. As freshmen in college head out of town and move into their dorms or apartments, parents can rest assured knowing that their kid’s dwelling is secure. The alarm system kit is controlled by the internet hub and includes a motion sensor, keychain remote, and 2 door or window sensors. Pair it with cameras that sync up with your smartphone for the ultimate home security package. It is compatible with iOS and Android and is available for purchase for $99.00 (add-ons cost extra).
TYLT Energi+ Backpack
This high tech backpack not only carries heavy textbooks, it also acts a portable power haven for your laptop, tablet and smartphone. Charge your devices on-the-go with this stylish and functional backpack from TYLT. It features a removable 10,400 mAh rechargeable battery that can charge up to three devices simultaneously. The Backpack boasts over 1,450 cubic inches of storage, and includes charging pass-thrus to 7 of its 13 specialized compartments, keeping cords from tangling and allowing plenty of space for school supplies. Available for purchase for $169.99.
Check out more of the hottest gadgets on the market here!
