Confessions of a Gadget Geek

I'm used to using my phone as a nightstand clock. All of my previous Android phones have been used that way, with various stands, so I didn't expect to have any trouble with my latest. The only difference is that I wanted to use wireless charging (Qi) with this one (a Samsung Galaxy S5). That turned out to be a lot harder than I expected.

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I like having some sort of masking sounds to cover background noise when I sleep. White noise is the classic answer, but I prefer repetitive natural sounds like rain or a bubbling brook. There are plenty of devices made for this specific purpose, but I've found them to be mediocre, at best, and badly overpriced. So when my last one broke I decided to replace it with a better, and less expensive, solution.

I bought an inexpensive digital music player, replaced the firmware with free open source software, purchased a "nature sound" MP3 track, and edited it into a loop using more free open source software. Total cost was around $30, plus an hour of my time to replace the firmware and edit the track. No real technical expertise was required.

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One of my simpler gadgets is a device made by Nite Ize called the Figure 9. The name comes from its shape.



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I'm a big fan of multitools, but the conventional folding plier designs are too bulky for a lot of people to carry casually. There is another less common approach that is often referred to as the one-piece multitool. These are usually made from a single flat piece of metal with cutouts that perform various functions.

I carry a Piranha from PocketToolX.



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I have discovered what I suspect is the smallest possible vehicle charger for USB devices, the Amzer Atomic USB Vehicle Power Charger.



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Are you familiar with blind spot mirrors? They are small convex mirrors that attach to the outside mirrors on a car or truck. You have almost certainly seen them on school buses and semis.

Do you have blind spot mirrors on your own car? If not, you probably should add some. Soon.

Blind spot mirrors allow you to see into the gap that exists between the outer edge of your peripheral vision and the inner edge of what you can see in your regular rear-view mirrors. That area is bigger than we tend to think. Entire vehicles can hide in that gap. Isn't a device that helps you avoid hitting them worth five bucks and five minutes?

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My name is Bob Quinlan and I am a gadget geek. I love all kinds of gadgets from smart phones to pocket knives. My friends come to me for advice on what networking gear, or flashlight, or pen to buy. And I usually have some new piece of gear to recommend that they don't know they need...yet.

I have just returned from a visit to my friend dragonfly. While I was there I helped her pick out a networked printer and offered my usual unsolicited advice on other gadgets that she really should pick up. For her part, she encouraged me to write this stuff up as I come across it and introduced me to Dreamwidth. I will be delighted if some of my advice turns out to be useful to others too, but I know I have a loyal audience of at least one.