Dan’s Papers March 16, 2012 danshamptons.com Page 27
captain microchip by Matthew Apfel
who might mistake it for some kind of weapon or communications antenna. The Cold Tap Let’s say it’s really, really cold outside. Your phone is working fine, but you don’t want to take off your gloves to access the tap keys on the screen. Quirky has a good solution here: a product called “Digits.” Digits are mini circular pads made of conductive silicone. They attach to the fingertips of your gloves and remind me of those round felt pads that you stick onto furniture legs to protect the floor or carpet. Once in place, Digits provide enough sensitivity and finger control to operate your device’s touch screen with gloves ON—even in subzero temperatures. Installation is fairly simple; they’re kind of like earrings where you stick a pin through your gloves and attach it with a tiny clasp. At $12 for a set, Quirky Digits are a great, fun way to protect your hands—and stay connected—on the coldest days of the year.
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any airport these days, and you’ll see packs of travelers huddled around those free charging stations, jockeying for pole position at the first open outlet they can find. It reminds me of olden times— the 1980s—when people would gather in front of electronics stores to watch television. Quirky has a nice solution: the “Ray” solar charger. I found it for sale on the web for about $40, shipping not included. To operate, simply connect your device to the docking unit via its USB cord, place in the sun, tilt the adjustable lever to maximize solar exposure, and let Mother Nature do the rest. The Ray does more than just charge your phone; it actually stores power inside its own battery, which means you can always have it ready and charged to use as a backup if your phone craps out. Bonus feature: the Ray comes with a strong suction cup that lets you attach it to a car window or dashboard for best charging. You can even attach it to an airplane window and charge while you fly—but be careful about nervous flight attendants
Smart phones go South for the winter
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Cold Temps, Hot Tech
Winter barely visited the East End—but bargain hunting is a constant. When temperatures plunge, the last thing on your mind is getting outdoors to catch some rays—unless you happen to be reading this from your winter place in Key West or St. Barth’s. For those of you who stick around when the snowbirds fly south, cold weather can put a serious damper on your technology fun. For starters, low temperatures zap battery life. The problem is even worse with Apple accessories, which seem to be perpetually low on power even in the best of conditions. Then there’s the hassle of trying to navigate the touch screen with shivering fingers on a snowy or rainy day. It’s all enough to make you want to put away your iPhone and pick up a copy of Moby Dick. But then came my first “Aha moment” of 2012. I was at Agawam Park with my kids on a bright, frosty morning. I put down my smartphone on a bench, sitting in direct sunlight, and spent the next hour chasing my son while he invented new ways to send himself to the Southampton Hospital Emergency Room. When he was finally finished, I returned to the bench to get my phone. My bare hands were still aching from the cold, but the phone felt as warm as a fresh donut from Dreesen’s. That’s when it hit me: despite the frigid temps outside, the sun’s magical rays had superheated my device. All of this got me thinking about how technology can help you enjoy the great outdoors during winter. I did some digging and discovered a neat little company called Quirky (www.quirky.com). Quirky manufactures everything from a telescoping ice scraper for your car’s windshield to a double-sided coat hanger for your closet. I was able to find two affordable, fun gadgets that can help you harness the sun, power up and squeeze the most out of life, even in the dead of winter. Here’s the lowdown: The Sun Also Charges One of the biggest issues facing any smartphone or tablet owner is keeping it charged. Walk through