Game Winning Gadgets for Super Bowl 2014 : USA Today’s Tech Now
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From USA Today’s Tech Now with Jennifer Jolly:
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Game Winning Gadgets
With temperatures so cold “cops yell ‘thaw!’ when chasing bad guys,” and “you’re thankful for hot flashes,” the best place to get your game on this Sunday Bowl Sunday might just be right in your own home. But before you cuddle up with a basket of chicken wings (did you know that Americans will eat some 1.25 BILLION this weekend?!), here are the top game-winning gadgets to keep you basking in glory all year long:Photo courtesy: Logitech
1.Logitech Harmony Remote
Juggling a hand full of remotes every time you want to change the channel or turn up the volume is like fumbling the kickoff. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate ($349) universal remote is that opening play you need, akin to scoring touchdown on the opening drive. The backlit touchscreen is easy to use to control every aspect of your home entertainment center, including pairing with Philips Hue light bulbs to set the ultimate mood. It’s also completely customizable, and lets anyone in the house turn their smartphone into personal universal remote, including 50 favorite channel icons and one-touch activity control.
2. Jawbone Big Jambox
When it comes to sound, why not go big or go home? The Jawbone Big Jambox ($299) has 15 hours of battery life and also manages to be a lot louder than its modest footprint would suggest, making it perfect for listening to the big game. You can connect Big Jambox to your tablet, smartphone, or computer via Bluetooth to listen to music or live game commentary, or even plug it into your portable television with a 3.5mm jack to even more sound.Funflicks large screen for parties.
3. New HDTV — Sales All Around
Hopefully you already have a superb set to catch all of the action, but if you don’t you can rent a giant movie screen from funflicks.com.
This is also a great week to score a great deal on a new TV. Amazon has Sony and Samsung HDTV’s for a $1,000 off — while Target and Best Buy have a 60-inch Vizio E-series running about $800. Costco is offering a deal on a high-end Samsung 75-inch LED TV. At $2,500, it’s not cheap by any means, but it’s about $200 less than anywhere else.
4. Coleman RoadTrip Grill LXE
Now, for the fun stuff. Food and drinks. You can’t have a proper tailgate-esque party without burgers and barbecue, so you’ll need a grill that’s easy to roll out or carry along to your Super Bowl celebration, no matter where it is. The Coleman RoadTrip LXE ($179) is powered by propane and folds up for easy transport, all while providing enough cooking space — 285 square inches — for all of your grilling needs.
5. Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker by WeMo
Okay, this is just a tease, because Belkin’s WeMo Crock-Pot Slow Cooker (available Spring of 2014 for $99.99) isn’t on the market quite yet. Still, start planning for next year’s party now with this Crock-Pot that lets you change the cooking time, set a reminder, and check on your dish — all from your smartphone. Foodini 3D Printer
6. Foodini 3D Food Printer
If you can’t be bothered to cook — at all — there’s a new 3D food printer that will soon be on the market as well. Just load the Foodini (available mid-2014 for around $1400) with capsules filled with fresh ingredients and out comes printed cheeseburgers, raviolis, chicken nuggets – even a sort of gourmet version of nacho’s. This printer doesn’t actually cook the food for you, so you will have to that yourself. Still, a gadget that preps your food for you? Score!Beer Cooling Rods
7. Chillsner Beer Cooling Rods
No one likes warm beer — unless that’s going to be some weird new trend that takes hold in the sub-zero weather expected at this year’s uber-frigid Super Bowl venue — but you’ll be super hot if you show up to a party with these Chillsner beer cooling rods ($29.95). Just freeze the rods and then drop them into a bottle of beer — they fit most 12 ounce bottles — for an icy cold brew. Seriously cool. Photo: Roddy Blelloch
8. Remote Controlled Rolling Beverage Cooler
Have a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out)? Then don’t get up to get a cold one, rely on this remote controlled rolling beverage cooler from Hammacher Schlemmer ($59.95) to save the day. This little beer-bot carries a six pack with style, rolling across a patio, rug, or kitchen floor to deliver a well-timed beverage to parched party guests. The radio remote’s simple controls send the cooler forward, backward, and left or right.
9. Grillbot
Once the Super Bowl is over, you’re left with the unfortunate task of cleanup. But why not turn to some high-tech help? The Grillbot ($119) is, as its name implies, a robot that scrubs down your grill — so you can save your energy for next football season.
10. Moneual Rydis Robot Vacuum+Mop
Even better than the halftime show, and maybe even some of the commercials, is this new Moneual Rydis H67 Hybrid Robot Vacuum Cleaner ($399). I took this little baby for a test drive in my own home recently, and it swept the competition when it came to pet hair, crushed tortilla chips, and even avoiding my rambunctious cat who likes to play aggrssive games of chicken.
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