Great gadgets for the kitchen, bedroom, yard and more.
First published in Wish November 2007
Rise & Shine
I love the iPod-compatible radios I’ve seen in many U.S. hotel rooms, such as the Ritz-Carlton. This one has dual alarms and a two-channel amplifier.
- Laura Byrne
XtremeMac Luna, $200.
Deck Hero
At our beach barbecues, instead of sticky, smelly bug spray, we simply turn on these handy lanterns. They emit a copy of natural insecticide from Chrysanthemum flowers that makes a 15 x 15-ft. area mosquito- and black fly-free.
- Kate MacLennan
ThermaCell Lanterns, $40.
Page Turner
This clever reading light is an illuminated piece of clear acrylic that you lay right over your book. In a pinch, it’s a dim flashlight, too.
- LB
LightWedge, about $35.
Breakfast Buffet
Have you always wanted to reheat your bacon and toast your bagel all at once? Me, too! This sleek stainless-steel beauty is the perfect solution for a small kitchen – a 1.2 cubic feet microwave with an IntelloWave even-heat system, and a toaster on the side.
- Alison Dixon
LG Microwave/Toaster Combo, $159.
Wine Me Up
This wine opener is cordless, with a rechargeable base. It opens a bottle of wine in seconds – it’ll even cut the foil for you. It makes wine opening so simple you might find yourself bringing it along to parties. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- AD
Oster Inspire Wine Opener, $40.
Clean Dream
Dust bunnies beware! This ergonomically correct handheld vacuum has twice the power of other dust busters. Not only does it have the famous Dyson “cyclone” technology, it also recharges quickly and is absolutely adorable.
- AD
Dyson Root 6, $180.
Custom Coffee
The problem: There is just not enough room on my countertop for an espresso machine and a coffee maker. The solution: This has a foolproof steam knob, coffee strength selector and a 1,200-watt, 15-bar pump machine to make my choice of coffee, espresso, latte or cappuccino.
- AD
Krups XP2070 Combo, $500.
Know-it-All
I tell this super-smart scale my height, age and sex, and it tells me how many calories I need to maintain my weight, my BMI, body fat percentage, water levels, bone mass and how old my body thinks I am (metabolism age).
- Julia Fransico
Tanita InnerScan Body Composition Monitor BC-533, $180.
Master Mind
I have my home wirelessly networked for all my internet, music and printing needs. I never have to plug my computer in and I can play music, go online and print from multiple locations around the house.
- JF
Apple AirPort Express, $200.
Cook Out
Would Al Gore approve of my solar-powered outdoor oven? You bet! Direct sunlight is the only required power source, then I can bake, broil or steam food while camping or puttering in the backyard. Bonus: It’s easy to clean.
- Joanne Latimer
Sun Cook Solar Oven, $360, Grassroots Environmental Products.
Digital Scrapbook
I love this big 10-inch photo display, with Wi-Fi, along with the built-in speakers that play my MP3s as a soundtrack to the slideshow. It even screens video footage directly from the digital camcorder or memory card.
- JL
Kodak EasyShare EX1011, $270.
Feel the Noise
I plug this into my iPod or computer and it’s better than a stereo! The subwoofer comes in a solid wood cabinet and has a beautiful sound. Specially engineered Micro drivers give a crisp clarity. Apologies to my downstairs neighbours.
-AD
Altec Lansing VS4121 Speaker System, $100.
Program Director
I don’t necessarily want to watch my favourite TV shows when they are on, and I really don’t want to watch commercials. So I really love my digital HDTV PVR . The HD picture and screen format are great.
- JF
Rogers HD PVR, $25/month.
Media Headquarters
This remote can operate anything with infrared remote capabilities, including my new MacBook Pro. I have just one remote that I set up online – it is extremely easy. With one button it sets all my stereo components to play music from my computer through the wireless network.
- JF
Logitech Harmony 670 Advanced Universal Remote, $180.
Play it Again, Sam
This DVD player is cool, with its exceptional picture quality and web-enabled capability that lets you download movies from a movie studio’s server. I haven’t bought it yet because I’m waiting for Blu-Ray and HD to duke it out to see which one comes out on top. I’m also looking forward to DVD recordability and international compatability.
- JF
Toshiba HD-A30 HD DVD player, $500.
Picture Show
Sleek and chic, this photo printer is one sexy unit. It prints sharp photos, so it’s the lynchpin of my scrapbooking hobby.
- JL
Canon PIXMA iP5000, $230.