New Products: This button takes voice commands
You're driving down the highway and you want to hear Rockin' Down the Highway. You know it's on your playlist but you don't have time to pull off the road to find it. And you certainly don't want to search for it while driving. One possible solution is the Command Remote, an oversized control button that can be placed on your car's dashboard via its Velcro adhesive backing. Designed to work like an iPhone's Home button, the remote lets you send requests to an iPhone via a Bluetooth communication system. Once it's set up, you can press the remote to get Siri's attention to request a song without taking your eyes off the road. The device from iBOLT can also be set to work like a headphone's inline remote button and a camera's shutter release. It costs about $40.
Pack extra light, power
You're hiking through a terrain that deserves a selfie. But do you risk using up your cell phone's battery? You do if you've packed a Spring Solar Charger-Convert. Designed to work with Apple and Android devices, the USB charger from Vapium sports a 5000mAh Lithium battery and a built-in flashlight. You can recharge the device with eight hours of sunlight, or if you're indoors, you can recharge it via a micro USB cable. It will be available this spring for about $50.
Charger displays phone
The PowerStand Boost provides a convenient charging option when you need to power up while also keeping an eye on your device. Compact enough to tuck in a roomy pocket or small bag, the cylinder-shaped charger has a 2600 mAh battery. Equipped with an extendable rubber mat, the charger can hold your phone upright, allowing easy access to the phone while it's recharging. Priced at $25, the charger from PowerSkin has a USB output and a micro USB input.
Singing in the shower
The Splash Tunes Pro lets you rinse off while listening to your favorite tunes. Designed with a suction cup that can stick to a bathroom wall, the waterproof speaker streams audio from connected Bluetooth devices. Using its controls, you can play music, skip songs, adjust the volume and even answer phone calls with the help of its built-in microphone. Available in blue, pink and gray, the disc-shaped speaker from FRESHeTECH can deliver about 10 hours of playing time on one full charge. It costs about $70.
E-mail new product suggestions to techporterfield@gmail.com