Small Space Flashlight: Super Bogo Solar

Small Space Living is dedicated to living greener and helping others. We have a strong green streak and deep belief that individuals are defined by how they give back.

With this in mind, I cannot imagine a better flashlight in the world than the Bogo. The Bogo series of flashlights are truly innovative products. They are well-built, very durable, solar-rechargeable flashlights. The Bogo flashlights use LEDs so it is possible to get six or more hours per night from the on-board batteries.

If that were the end of the story they would be some fine flashlights. As the name implies these Bogo lights are “buy one give one.” Yes that’s not a typo its give one, not get one. When you purchase one of these very reasonably priced lights, one is given to someone in need that could not normally afford one.

Flashlights my not seem like life or death necessity, but I assure you they can make life easier. The whole idea of renewable flashlights, stopping the flow of batteries to landfills and helping others, makes the Bogo just about perfect in our book.

Noon Solar Logan Bag

In this world of gadgets you need a stylish way to carry your goodies. So why not add some additional function to your satchel?

The Noon Solar Logan is a handsome leather and hemp bag with a sunny side. The back of this shoulder bag contains a flexible solar cell that can be used to charge your stuff. The bag is quite attractive and available in black or rich brown. The ability to charge your gadgets on the go is a great plus in a very stylish package.

As long as we continue to rely on an ever-growing array of electronic gadgets, we may as well carry and charge them in style.

Small Space Integration, TubeStick

In small space living, every inch counts. It is important to prioritize the usefulness of objects and try to focus on items capable of multi-tasking. We have focused on multi-function furniture and other double-duty products. How about your personal computer?

I don’t watch much television — in fact I have never in my adult life had cable. I do sometimes enjoy watching some television, like Antiques Road Show and occasionally the news. I’ve been thinking about a new flat-screen television, but I would also have to bite the bullet and get cable.

So why not use your computer as your television? The TubeStick by Equinux is a clever little device about the size of a USB memory stick that lets you do just that. The TubeStick sticks in the side of your computer and with it’s two built in tuners it lets you watch free analog and that newfangled free digital TV as well. It also has a port that can accept an antenna for greater reception or cable.

The TubeStick has many features that make my Sony TV green with envy. You can record shows with the Tubestick, access an electronic program guide and remotely manage or watch programs with your iPod touch or iPhone. You can also zoom in on the picture and BuddySurf, a feature that shows chat rooms related to the show you are watching.

The though of having you new iMac also server as a fully functional HD TV is a proposition bound to free up space in small homes everywhere.

Small Space Laundry: LG Combo Washer Dryers

We all have dirty laundry. It’s how you get it clean that matters. I remember the days of going to a Laundromat. I remember them… I do not miss them. We have a washer and dryer that we have owned for ten years. I really have no complaints about the Kenmore units that I own. They are, however, ten years old and therefore not the most efficient options. They also live in the basement. It is my hope that we can purchase one combo unit and move it up from the basement.

LG makes several full sized washer dryer combo units. The LG units range from $1,300 to $1,900. With the space advantages aside, the LG units also have many other desirable features. These front-loading machines are generally well built and include high-end features like a stainless steel drum, a direct drive motor, steam wash and a ventless condensing drying system.

The machines also have a proprietary system called SenseClean that monitors fabric care as well as water and energy efficiency. The machines are also low decibel quite operating.

All the features and sensors make for highly energy water and space efficient machines. In fact, LG machines exceed Energy Star classifications by 39%.

Inexpensive Flash Alternative: Light Scoop

If you have an expensive digital SLR then you know that that built in flash can make your pictures look terrible. There are conditions where a built in flash can be just what you need, but for the most part it tends to create unnatural skin tones and harsh shadows.

There are alternatives namely expensive external flash units. For example, you can expect to pay more than $250 for a fully equipped flashgun with a tilt and swivel head. There is no doubt that an external flash can do wonders for your picture taking skills.

Now there is an inexpensive alternative — Professor Kobre’s Light Scoop. The Light Scoop is an innovative angled mirror that slides into the hot shoe of your digital SLR. The Light Scoop bounces your camera’s built in flash off the ceiling so a more natural and less harsh light illuminates your subject. I’m actually impressed with how well it works.

There are very specific conditions required for the Light Scoop to function properly. The ceiling should be white or light colored. The surface you are bouncing off must also be fairly low — if the ceiling is to high, the light will dissipate too much to work well.

Below are two shots of a local band, Swagger Back at a local bar. The first photo, the top one, is with no flash; the second one uses the Light Scoop.

Small Space Digital Poster: RedPost

I’m sure you have a local coffee shop or grocery store that has a community bulletin board. You know, that magical place where everyone posts their multi-colored flyers and posters. Well RedPost is trying to change the way local advertising works.

RedPost sells the Sign Beta — a compact 19-inch LCD screen mounted in an aluminum frame with a full-blown computer on board. The Sign Beta can be mounted anywhere. You could mount it in your home and use it as a high tech digital photo frame. You could hang it in your business and use it as a digital bulletin board for digital advertising. This is the amazing part. You can update the Sign Beta from your PC with its WIFI connection. It can also be updated via an internet connection, again using WIFI, from a special web site.

Specialized software called Corktop allows you to manage your Sign Beta in several ways. Corktop allows you to manage what is displayed on your sign through a play list function much like iTunes. It also allows others to submit “flyers” to you online for your approval. You can offer your ad space free of charge or on a paid basis. Corktop manages the income, accepting payments and mailing you checks for revenue earned.

There is much to figure out here, but basically you buy the Sign Beta, set up your Corktop account and start selling or offering your sign space. I see this process helping local bands and family yard sales to go paperless.

It’s all very high-tech but these days what isn’t?

Small Space iPod and Gadget Charging Solution: The Sanctuary

So I like gadgets — cell phone, iPod, GPS, and more. In most homes there are at least two cell phones and often multiple ipods and a slue of other battery guzzling gadgets. So how do you manage all the chargers?

The sheer number of charger requiring gadgets in a standard home is mind blowing. Finally, BlueLounge has a solution. The Sanctuary is a sleek multiple unit charging station. Unlike other units, instead of just providing a power strip and cord organizer, The Sanctuary is the charger for up to twelve devices. So it’s bye bye to all those bulky AC adapters and chargers. I like that you could also now take a chargers that you use need frequently to another location, like work.

The Sanctuary is available in black or white and it’s a whole lot more stylish than the ball of cords it replaces. It would work well near your door or on a bedside table; there is enough room in the tray for your keys and wallet also.

Its about time someone came along and saved us from the dirty side of our gadget addiction and it looks like BlueLounge has done it.

Small Space Integration: Hulger Old School Telephone

I miss the Telephone. You know, sitting on the floor in the kitchen playing with the spiral cord. Actually paying attention to your conversation because you could not walk through the house and multi-task your mind out. The weight of the receiver, the tactility of the phone — I miss Ma Bell.

Not that I hate cell phones, I do hate rude people on their cell phones. I also hate my cheap cordless phones at home— the batteries always seem to die all at the same time. One phone leaves me scampering for the other with the annoying beep-beep-beep of the dying battery.

I think Hulger may have solved my problem. More and more people are using their cell phone as their primary phone. Many people are even using Skype or other internet phones for their from-home calls. In the true interest of integration, Hulger is making it possible to use your pc, mac or cell at home with style and class.

Hulger produces a wide selection of tethered, old school phone cord, and Bluetooth receivers that adapt to your specific set up. Imagine coming home, plopping your cell in its charger and answering your calls on an old school receiver — oh to be fourteen again. I’m not sure kids will get this one, but we, the informed been there done that crowd, will enjoy the nostalgia. Who cares what the kids think.

Now if Hulger could just make me an acoustic coupler modem, you know the ones with the receiver sitting on the top, I’d be in nostalgic bliss.

Small Space Library: Amazon’s Kindle

Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

I know what you’re thinking, e-books are dead — I though that too.

The Kindle was released in November 2007. It has been in the hands of consumers for a few months now, and the consensus is that it rocks. In fact it rocks so much, Amazon at the time of this post, is sold out.

The Kindle is a truly innovative electronic reader. Amazon packed in many of the features that prevented the success of its predecessors. An electronic reader can’t succeed if it’s hard to read and the Kindle’s electronic paper-paper display has covered. The screen really does look and read just like a paper book. There is no backlight, but books don’t have backlights either. The kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as it can by your bead-side lamp.

The selection of books alone available to the Kindle is staggering. At this time there are more than 100,000 books available, including 90 of 112 current New York Times Best Sellers. Also many of the nations top newspapers and top magazines are available for download.

Also more than 250 top blogs are updated daily. It’s important to note, at this point that Amazon has, obviously in error, neglected to add Small Space Living to this list. I’m sure this situation will be remedied as soon as Amazon comes to its senses.

The Kindle can hold 200 books and with the SD card slot that number can increase to infinity.

The battery needs to be charged every other day with average use.

It was a surprise to me to learn that the Kindle does not require a computer at all. All of the downloads and blog browsing is preformed through its free wireless connection. That’s right the wireless connection is free or included in the purchase price. You can also browse the Internet with the Kindle.

The Kindle also has a search engine/service called Kindle NowNow, it is powered by real humans. They research your question and get you answers in about 5 minutes.

All in all The Kindle packs a serious punch in its 10.3 oz package. I am excited to see how it continues to develop. I am also astounded at the possibility of having an entire library in one small paperback sized device. The Kindle really is an amazing small space book lover’s companion.

Small Space Music: Vers 2X

Music is good; it’s the one thing I strongly suggest you fill you small space with. The trick is getting that big sound in a small package.

The 2X from Vers is the perfect small space sound companion. Let’s face it, we all have an iPod. Are you making the most of yours? If you have taken the time to load all of your music onto your iPod, why not use it.

The 2X is a great alternative to the plethora of plastic dock options out there. It is constructed from eco friendly renewable cherry. No other material sounds as warm and rich as wood. The unit has two three inch full-range speakers, which are powered by a twenty-watt per channel (peak) class-d amplifier. The 2X has dual base ports that help to pump even more base from the diminutive 11.5 x 5.6 x 5.6 package.

The unit is a truly environmental friendly product. The wood comes from sustainable cherry wood plantations. It is assembled without glue, using screws. It also comes packaged in a recycled paper package.

Chumby

Chumby is tricky device to classify. There are not many other devices that have the multifunction of Chumby.

Chumby is a small Wi-Fi compatible device with a 3.5 inch touch screen and a soft leather case. The Chumby is intended to replace your clock radio. But to call it a clock or radio would be so short sighted. It can be loaded with a number of widgets — the list grows daily.

There is no end to the multifunction goodness of Chumby. The Chumby can be a clock or an internet radio. It can track EBay auctions or display photos form your Flicker account.

The device sells for $179, which is the hardware break-even point for the manufacturers. It’s an unusual thing for a manufacturer to sell a product for no profit, but the intention is to make money by selling advertising on the Chumby units.

Chumby could fit well into your small space life — it’s little and has a multitude of uses.

Small Space Camcorder

So camcorders are somewhat essential pieces of our digital lives. With You Tube being so prevalent, videos are powerful tool. The right video could direct millions of views to the site of its creator. We like to watch stuff — it’s true. However, having a camcorder with you everywhere is not always practical. Well now it can be.

There have been several variants of pocket-sized camcorders. The Flip Video by Pure Digital has clearly established itself as the market leader in the tiny camcorder market. These little wonders are not going to be used to film the new Indian Jones Movie — or anything of the kind — but for most casual users, they should fit the bill nicely.

The newest model, the Flip Video Ultra has been upgraded to include some nice features. There is a better quality LCD screen so you can see what you are filming. There is also a one-touch button to upload video straight to You Tube and AOL Video. The Ultra is also Mac compatible.

Its small size does have drawbacks. The Flip Video Ultra records in MPEG-4 — a more compressed video than the MPEG-2 format recorded by more full sized camcorders. The zoom is less than speculator and there is no expansion slot for additional memory.

For the $150 price tag, the Flip Video Ultra is a contender. It’s a great little camcorder for the not so technologically inclined. You mother or grandmother could be filming in no time.

Lunar Eclipse, Small Space Astronomy

This week on Wednesday February 20th there will be a total lunar eclipse. The Eclipse will be visible in most of North America. Here, on in the east, the eclipse will be observable form 8:45 p.m. until 10:01 p.m. The next lunar eclipse will not be visible until December of 2010.

With the upcoming eclipse, I thought this was a good opportunity to talk about astronomy. I have always loved astronomy; it’s a wonderful hobby and a great family activity. I have owned several telescopes over the years, but have always coveted the Questar 3.5.

The Questar 3.5 has long been regarded as the finest small telescope in the world. It is a maksutov-cassegrain design — that’s fancy telescope-speak for using lenses and mirrors. The precision construction of this scope is amazing. The Questar 3.5 is machined from aluminum — it is a thing of beauty. The barrel of the scope is anodized and silk screened with a moon map and star chart — it is a striking and functional design. The entire package fits into a small leather case; it looks like something Hemmingway would have had on safari.

This is an heirloom quality scope produced since 1954, and they are still in use today. The new production models weigh in at $4,000. Not an inexpensive scope. The make and quality of this product insures that, with care, several generations could use and enjoy it.

Get out there and enjoy the eclipse — you don’t need a scope to see it. Astronomy is a great family activity; it’s fun and educational.

Small Space Radio

I love the radio. As I have mentioned before I spend far more time listening to the radio than I do watching television.

Two years ago I received a PogoProducts Radio Your Way LX as a Christmas present. I cannot think of any product that I use with more frequency, no pun intended. It’s a fantastic little radio. It gets great reception; it is very small and it’s easy to use. The size is comparable to an iPod, just a smidge thicker but a bit lighter. In addition to the radio, it also functions as an MP3 player with a slightly less innovative interface than an iPod. The MP3’s are stored on SD cards or internal memory.

By far the best feature of the Radio Your Way LX is its ability to record. It can be programmed to record any radio show to its internal memory or SD card. You just program and let it catch your favorite show for you. The Radio Your Way LX is also capable of recording from an external microphone. The recordings are directly encoded to MP3 at bit rates of up to 256 Kbps, making perfect for bootlegging concerts, not that we condone that sort of activity.

If you need a small radio that’s big on features, you will love the Radio Your Way. I use mine every day and I’ve not been disappointed yet.

Etsy Find of the Week: HiFi Speakers

Good speakers are a necessity. They don’t necessarily have to be huge to sound great, however looking good is always a plus.

Exeluxe sells these amazing Custom HiFi Speakers. They can be made for you in almost any color you choose. They look like vintage Fender guitar amps, but they are actually high quality home stereo speakers. They are constructed with high-quality Audax coaxials, 5 1/4" drivers plus 1"dome tweeter. The speaker dimensions are 11.5"x12.5"x7". At $295 they are not inexpensive, but not at all near the high end of audio equipment.

If you have read my previous Etsy posts you know that I’m a big advocate for buying hand made.

Bug Labs

CNET calls it “The Lego of Gadgets.” A very captivating idea, Bug Labs has created an interactive mini Linux-based PC. This micro PC, the BUGbase, is the center of it all. It is gadget-sized device with a variety of ports and buttons. There is also an assortment of snap on modules including a camera, a motion detector, LCD screen and a GPS receiver. All of these modules can be added to the BUGbase to create costume gadgets.

An example could be to use the base with the camera and motion detector and writhing a script that tells the device to snap a photo and email it to you whenever motion is detected.

The best part of the BUG is the DIY aspect. It is really just an assortment of raw electronics designed to interface with limitless opportunities for the owner. Currently the device is being offered for sale with the recommendation that you understand JAVA script. With new modules in development and the open source nature of the development, soon you will be able to buy one and download hundreds of applications.

Combination Appliances

In my small kitchen, counter space is a real limited commodity. My wife and I hope to completely overhaul the kitchen at some point, but there is a long list of other more pressing issues in this small, old house.

So currently the strategy is purchase high quality small appliances that can fill the need and free any space they can. The LG LTM9000 is one such appliance. It is a compact, well made, combination appliance. It combines a microwave and a toaster — two appliances most people use often — in one small package. LG has impressed me more and more recently; they have been producing some very high-tech electronics lately. If you find yourself wanting for more space in your kitchen or are tired of stowing the toaster in a cabinet the LG LTM9000 is for you.

Pacsafe Dailysafe Backpack

If you’re like me, you have stuff. Ok I’m unabashedly a gadget guy. I have it all — Laptop, iPod, GPS and so much more. I don’t often travel with it all, but sometimes I need stuff. So the problem when you travel: how do you bring all your stuff and not worry about who is doing what with it in the hotel room.

Pacsafe has solutions for all your travel needs. They make a complete line of travel friendly, slash proof, lockable and snatch proof bags. The dailysafe is one such bag. It is small enough to be easily carried and large enough to stash quite a bit gear. It is not possible to easily cut through the Xomesh panels that protect your stuff. It also has a snatch proof teather that allows you anchor the bag to objects in your hotel room like the bed frame or pluming fixtures. With such features, it nearly impossible to heist your valuables.

If you travel — or even if you live with unsavory roommates — it’s a great way to protect your investments.

MacBook Air

Slim is in. And Apple’s new MacBook Air has the skinny. At a mere .76 inches and 3 pounds it is thinner than even the Eee PC. Apple's new object of lust the Air is yet another upping of the ante by Apple. With gadgetry lately is seems like everyone is playing catch-up with Apple. The iPod, iPhone, and now the MacBook Air, Apple is truly on its game.

The MacBook Air is a 13 inch 1.6 GHz or1.8 GHz slim laptop. It comes with 2 Gig ram, fairly impressive for a slim machine. The Air also has super fast built in 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR. If you don’t get all the geek-speak I’ll sum it up: slim on size, but far from slim on power. The power of the multi-touch trackpad adds so much function to the standard touch pad. Borrowing innovation from the iPhone screen, with the ability to pinch, swipe and rotate by simply moving your fingers, it's genius.

There are some shortcomings. No optical drive, ok this is easy to overcome. The Air ships with software that lets you borrow drives from other computers with Wi-Fi. There are also USB optional drives available. Apple was the first major computer company to drop floppy drives, so this not so surprising. The biggest flaw I can see is the 5-hour battery. I know, 5 hours that’s great. But wait, it’s not removable so that’s it. I also hate that when the battery dies and you know it is off to the Apple Store with your Laptop. These relatively minor issues aside, the MacBook Air looks amazing. With Microsoft’s Vista faltering, the sky is the limit for Apple.

Asus Eee PC Now in Colors

If you are unfamiliar with the diminutive two-pound Eee PC it’s a miraculous little laptop. Packed into its small frame is a seven-inch 800x480 screen, a 900mz Intel mobile processor, 512 MB ram, and a 4 or 8 GB SSD hard drive. The operating system is a customized flavor of Linux, although hackers have already installed Windows XP. Asus intends to release a Microsoft OS version in the near future. The Eee PC is intended to be easy to use for children and individuals unfamiliar with PC’s. It has a streamlined tab-based interface with tabs for the internet, work, learn, play, and favorites.

The Eee PC is travel friendly and small enough to fit into many everyday bags. Although it lacks the power needed for heavy-duty processing of images and video, it would certainly make a great travel companion. As very viable option for a small space PC perfect for internet browsing and email, the Eee PC is a steal at $300 to $499.