Want that new gadget? Here are some ways to sell your old gear

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If last weekend's massive launch of Apple's iPhone 6 - over 10 million units sold - has you craving a trade-in, here are some of the best ways to sell your old phone and move up, as well as moves to definitely avoid.

Matt Anthes-Washburn, a software developer in Beaverton, Oregon, keeps an eye out for new technology and sells off older models to help cover the replacement costs.

'I tend to have turnover of my devices, and so a good way to keep on the train is whenever I replace a device I sell it, instead of having it in a drawer somewhere,' Anthes-Washburn said in a telephone interview.

At one point, he'd used eBay, the global online auction marketplace: 'You get a good price, but it's a hassle,' he explained. 'First you have to create a listing, which is a lot of work, and then you really have to provide (tech) support to the buyer, (such as) 'How do I connect this to a carrier?' '

Anthes-Washburn is not alone looking for the most efficient way to unload electronic devices every time the next big thing hits the market. The demand has created a market for third-party brokers who have been doing brisk business helping consumers churn through cell phones, tablets, video game consoles and other devices.

Last week's release of Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus - resulting in 10 million units sold the first weekend - was the latest opportunity for this growing market of used electronics. Next month, Apple is rumored to have new iPad tablets ready for launch, potentially sparking another trade-up frenzy.

To be sure, business at eBay has been healthy as consumers auction off their new and recent iPhone models, said spokeswoman Kari Ramirez.

The site sold nearly 652 iPhones an hour during the launch weekend, she said.

'We expect to see more people continue to sell as they upgrade to the iPhone 6,' she added, 'and eBay remains the best option to sell your previous generation device or 'flip' your recently acquired 6 or 6 Plus.'

Third-party options

Still, users such as Anthes-Washburn prefer other options. And the third-party firms distinguish themselves in finding creative ways to simplify the process of valuing, buying and brokering the sale of used devices in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.

For Anthes-Washburn, he perfers Glyde, an online broker based in Menlo Park, California, through which he has sold six phones and tablets in the past two years.

He said Glyde hits a 'sweet spot' between selling on eBay and dealing the lowball offers from some we-buy-your-tech companies. 'Glyde is less hassle and you get a fair price for your device. I've posted devices for sale from the couch with three or for taps of my thumb,' he said.

Matthew Reardon, a Glyde marketing manager, said the company differs from some competitors because it is a 'peer-to-peer marketplace.' Glyde, which started in 2009 selling used videogames, books and DVDs, entered the consumer electronics arena in 2011. Reardon said last weekend was the firm's third iPhone launch sales event.

'We processed triple the amount of 'Sell iPhone' offers this September versus last September,' he said. 'There's been a huge interest in the iPhone 6, and a lot of upgrade interest from Android (phone users).'

Reardon explained that, based on information submitted by a seller, Glyde's software algorithms will suggest a price for a given device, advertise it and send the seller the packaging to ship the device, prepaid, to the buyer. The buyer has 48 hours to accept the purchase or return the device. If the sale goes through, Glyde processes a pre-authorized sale on the buyer's credit card and releases payment to the seller.

Anthes-Washburn said he was offered $300 for an iPhone 5s - last year's model - by a Verizon store, but sold it for $380 on Glyde. The broker's cut was $34.40 - a 12 percent commission on the first $100 of a sale price and 8 percent of the balance.

Gadget Review – The Ecoxgear Ecorox

My 'hobby' project has been recycling a salvaged golf cart that I purchased at a garage sale a few months ago. I live in a golf course community, so families riding around the neighborhood in these kinds of carts are an everyday occurrence. Many families have some really nice custom rides too, but I cannot afford to invest too much in what is technically a toy for me.

My latest project has been incorporating a car stereo into the golf cart. Little did I realize that this would be a costly endeavor. Just the wiring needed will run more money than I care to spend. Due to this, I decided to go with an enclosed system. I figured that a good wireless speaker system that would not need to be wired into the carts batteries would be the best way to go. It is not like I am going to be listening to the radio or cds - I just wanted something to pair with my mobile device to listen to stored music.

After all of my browsing, I decided on the Ecorox by Ecoxgear. The main reason being that the sound that this little unit pumps out is dynamic. I really could not believe that these are full range 6 watt speakers. When I first saw that they were 6 watts, I laughed and dismissed it; but I was corrected quickly after I paired it with my phone and belted out some tunes.

It also has a built-in mounting bolt on the bottom, so mounting it on my cart was as easy as finding a correctly sized bolt. It uses a standard camera sized mounting post, so it was no problem. It is also nice that it is completely water proof. Not water resistant, water proof - as in, it will float if you throw it in the pool. This is especially nice for riding around in all weather conditions, but also great for travel of any kind. Just put your phone in a baggie and Bluetooth connect the Ecorox and you are ready to go.

Other things that you would expect from a Bluetooth speaker are here also. I can be used as a speaker phone, it pairs very easily and it is compact and light. I have so far clocked about 9 hours of usage from mine on a full charge and it still has juice left. The manual states 10 - 12 hours of continual usage, so I would agree with that statement. It charges via USB plug, which it comes with the cord, but not the actual wall plug, so you would need to hook it to a computer straight out of the box - or use one of your other USB wall plugs from nearly any other device.

All in all, I would definitely recommend the Ecorox by Ecoxgear for anyone looking for an all-purpose all weather Bluetooth sound system. It is perfect for all those family events that one would have coming up - and it looks great on a golf cart too.

Europe relaxes gadget restrictions on all flights

You are here: Home Phones & Tablets

Phones, tablets and other bleeping beeping devices can now be used when cavorting through the skies in the EU without enabling flight safe mode. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has relaxed rules to ensure that people can use their devices at all times, although it will be up to individual airlines to decide what they will allow.

Rules on using electronic devices on flights have become confusing in recent years with different airlines having different policies. But the EASA warns that the changes might not make what you can and cannot do any clearer.

'Of course, it is up to each airline to allow the use of PEDs [portably electronic devices] or not. In order to do this, airlines will have to go through an assessment process, ensuring aircraft are not affected in any way by the transmission of signals from the PEDs,' a statement explained.

Changes to regulations could one day lead to so-called 'gate to gate' communication, with passengers able to use their phones to make calls and browse the internet for the entire flight. In June UK-based satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat announced that it was building an EU-wide network to provide in-flight Wi-Fi. The project, which is similar to networks already available in the USA, will be completed by the end of 2016.

Airlines wanting to let passengers use devices without enabling flight safe mode will have to go through an assessment process to make sure that no equipment will be affected. It will then be up to the individual airlines to interpret and apply the new regulations. The EASA said that some airlines may be 'more restrictive' and that some airlines may even have different rules for different aircraft.

People are still advised to check the airline's websites prior to the flight and to listen to announcements from cabin crew about safe use of electronic devices on board.

The most recent changes follow a 2013 ruling that made it possible to use devices for the entire duration of a flight in the EU so long as it was in flight safe mode. In October last year the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also relaxed rules on the use of electronic devices during flights.

Want that new gadget? Here are some ways to sell your old gear

Matt Anthes-Washburn, a software developer in Beaverton, Oregon, keeps an eye out for new technology and sells off older models to help cover the replacement costs.

'I tend to have turnover of my devices, and so a good way to keep on the train is whenever I replace a device I sell it, instead of having it in a drawer somewhere,' Anthes-Washburn said in a telephone interview.

At one point, he'd used eBay, the global online auction marketplace: 'You get a good price, but it's a hassle,' he explained. 'First you have to create a listing, which is a lot of work, and then you really have to provide (tech) support to the buyer, (such as) 'How do I connect this to a carrier?' '

Anthes-Washburn is not alone looking for the most efficient way to unload electronic devices every time the next big thing hits the market. The demand has created a market for third-party brokers who have been doing brisk business helping consumers churn through cell phones, tablets, video game consoles and other devices.

Last week's release of Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus - resulting in 10 million units sold the first weekend - was the latest opportunity for this growing market of used electronics. Next month, Apple is rumored to have new iPad tablets ready for launch, potentially sparking another trade-up frenzy.

To be sure, business at eBay has been healthy as consumers auction off their new and recent iPhone models, said spokeswoman Kari Ramirez.

The site sold nearly 652 iPhones an hour during the launch weekend, she said.

'We expect to see more people continue to sell as they upgrade to the iPhone 6,' she added, 'and eBay remains the best option to sell your previous generation device or 'flip' your recently acquired 6 or 6 Plus.'

Third-party options

Still, users such as Anthes-Washburn prefer other options. And the third-party firms distinguish themselves in finding creative ways to simplify the process of valuing, buying and brokering the sale of used devices in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.

For Anthes-Washburn, he perfers Glyde, an online broker based in Menlo Park, California, through which he has sold six phones and tablets in the past two years.

He said Glyde hits a 'sweet spot' between selling on eBay and dealing the lowball offers from some we-buy-your-tech companies. 'Glyde is less hassle and you get a fair price for your device. I've posted devices for sale from the couch with three or for taps of my thumb,' he said.

Matthew Reardon, a Glyde marketing manager, said the company differs from some competitors because it is a 'peer-to-peer marketplace.' Glyde, which started in 2009 selling used videogames, books and DVDs, entered the consumer electronics arena in 2011. Reardon said last weekend was the firm's third iPhone launch sales event.

'We processed triple the amount of 'Sell iPhone' offers this September versus last September,' he said. 'There's been a huge interest in the iPhone 6, and a lot of upgrade interest from Android (phone users).'

Reardon explained that, based on information submitted by a seller, Glyde's software algorithms will suggest a price for a given device, advertise it and send the seller the packaging to ship the device, prepaid, to the buyer. The buyer has 48 hours to accept the purchase or return the device. If the sale goes through, Glyde processes a pre-authorized sale on the buyer's credit card and releases payment to the seller.

Anthes-Washburn said he was offered $300 for an iPhone 5s - last year's model - by a Verizon store, but sold it for $380 on Glyde. The broker's cut was $34.40 - a 12 percent commission on the first $100 of a sale price and 8 percent of the balance.

'Immediate gratification'

Other sellers prefer immediate payment, and for them, Massachusetts-based NextWorth offers two kinds of service: a mail-in direct sale and branded kiosks at stores such as Target and Wireless Zone, where you can walk in with a phone and walk out with cash or credit for a new device.

'In-store, you get what you're quoted. (It's) immediate gratification,' said chief marketing officer Jeff Trachsel. For online sellers, he said, the firm tries 'to be as objective as possible in the questions we ask, and we try not to ask too many questions' to determine a device's worth.

Still, he said, in about 10 percent of the cases of phones sent to NextWorth, the device isn't as described - such as the person who believed they had an iPhone 4, but it was the later 4s model. But NextWorth reconciles such discrepancies by contacting a seller to explain why a lower price might be offered for a damaged phone or by paying the higher price for the later model, Trachsel said.

He said the firm's in-store business is a lot bigger than online and superior because it takes the guesswork out of selling. 'By and large, the prices are comparable,' between the two methods, but not always equivalent, he added.

Gazelle, a leading online buyer of devices, has been in the field since 2009, said Alyssa Voorhis, the firm's senior tech analyst.

In that time, she said, 'we've accepted more than 2 million devices from (over) 1 million customers and have paid out nearly $200 million for old and unwanted devices.' Once a device's information is submitted via an online form, sellers receive an offer, which Voorhis said is good for 30 days. Once the device is received, a seller can be paid via check, the PayPal.com service or with store credit at Amazon.com, which adds 5 percent of the sale price to the credit amount, she said.

Security protections

Security is also a concern for sellers and the intermediaries.

Anthes-Washburn says he removes personal information and programs from devices before selling them, a practice known as 'wiping' a phone clean. Android users, Cnet.com reports, can follow a three-step process to eliminate personal data from their phones; iPhone users have several ways of doing the same thing, an Apple technical note states.

Gazelle's Voorhis said the company will remove the seller's data for free 'to ensure personal data is kept secure, and through a partnership with (device registry) CheckMEND, we prevent thieves from profiting from stolen devices.'

The 2015 advent of kill switches for cell phones from Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung is also designed to deter thieves.

The 'kill switch,' which actually is a software control from a centralized server and not a physical switch on the phone itself, could be invoked by a user when they discover their phone is lost or missing. The server would disable the device and remove personal data, rendering the phone unusable and, therefore, worthless to resell.

Email: mkellner@deseretnews.com, Twitter: @Mark_Kellner

Groundbreaking gadgets aim to provide a feast for the senses

A recent competition run by an American bacon manufacturer to win an iPhone-connecting device that emits the smell of rashers with the wake-up alarm could be viewed as a cruel trick on the senses. But it proved popular with thousands of entrants and marked a breakthrough for the London-based academic behind the technology.

Adrian Cheok, professor of pervasive computing at City University London, designed the gadget, which attached to the iPhone via its headphone jack and released a puff of bacon-scented mist, as well as the sound of frying, in a promotion for the Oscar Mayer meat company dubbed Wake Up and Smell the Bacon.

Cheok's device may have been harnessed to an advertising gimmick, but the Australian scientist has an ambitious plan: to transmit taste and smell electronically so that when someone looks at a picture of a rose on a phone they are able to smell it, or experience the aroma of a Spanish paella when looking at snaps from their holiday on the Costa Brava.

Cheok's technology is also behind a device available in Japan called Scentee, which is a small balloon-shaped smartphone attachment that emits a smell when programmed to do so.

The £12 device has a motor that vibrates and emits a mist containing the concentrated fluid essence of rose, coffee, lavender or rosemary, among others. It can be programmed to give out a hazy floral puff when someone's partner contacts them. Smells are contained in separate attachments, which are sold individually and contain between 200 and 300 bursts.

This first step to bringing more senses to the digital world follows a career in which 42-year-old Cheok has worked on augmented reality systems, where computers enhance a user's experience.

One of his creations was a virtual reality Pac-Man challenge, where the user would put on a specially designed suit and headset to roam the streets looking for 'cookies'.

Cheok said: 'In the real world we don't just sense the world with our eyes, we have five senses.

'So with virtual reality, we can see a virtual rose on the table but we can't touch it, we can't pick it up, we can't smell it, we can't taste it. That is when I started to think that we needed to develop a new type of augmented reality for all of the five senses.'

During early experiments he worked with elderly people, developing applications to avoid loneliness so that relatives could cook together via the internet while separated.

Cooking utensils were augmented to include haptic technology - devices that recreate the sense of touch. This allowed users to 'feel' when they were doing their tasks and used 3D food printers to replicate meals.

'Right now when we think about computing, we don't think that we can have taste and smell experiences. But actually taste and smell are the only two senses which are connected to the limbic system of the brain, which is also responsible for the emotion and memory,' said Cheok.

'It is actually true that a smell can subconsciously change your mood, so they are very important senses that you can bring to the internet, especially when you are talking about emotional communication [between] for example the elderly and grandchildren,' he added.

The main problem with transmitting taste and smell was clear. While light and sound can be digitised, taste and smell are chemically based and 'you can't send chemicals through wires,' he said.

The initial development was the Scentee, which was launched in Japan and emits only single smells. This is just a first step, however, and other more ambitious projects are in progress.

A prototype device has been made that stimulates sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes when the prongs are pressed on a person's tongue.

Low-level electrical currents stimulate the taste neuron, which produces artificial taste sensations.

Cheok is also working with neuroscientists to make a magnetic coil to go in the back of the mouth to indirectly stimulate the olfactory bulb, a key part of the brain responsible for smell. Using a device like a mouthguard, he said, this could produce artificial smell perception in the brain.

'Once you have digitised this signal, you can transmit through the internet. You can transmit to your mobile phone. It becomes a signal which does not require the transmission of chemicals,' he said.

'My research goal is to go beyond the chemicals. We want to make versions of this where you don't need this digital device so you basically just have the electronics and then the electronics could be just embedded into your mobile phone or the back of your mouth and then making infinite kinds of smell combinations once you can control the signals.'

The advent of wearable technologies that interact with the body, such as health monitoring devices, will result in people accepting such devices in coming years, he said.

'[Now] you still can't feel the experience of what it is like to be in this place in London or if we share a meal together or go to the pub together.

'In the future we will be able to communicate our experience - not just communicate information but experience.

'I believe we will go from the information age, which is where we are now, to the age of experience.'

Also in development is a ring to be worn on the finger, which, using haptic (tactile) technologies, can be squeezed to send a sensation to a corresponding ring - effectively creating a greeting between partners.

'Once we make these devices, the virtual world will become almost as physical as our reality,' said Cheok.

Scent messages

While Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant is known for implanting an iPod into shells so that diners can hear the sound of the sea during one of their fish courses, Spain's Mugaritz - also ranked among the best eateries in the world - went one step further. The head chef, Andoni Luis Aduriz, used a Scentee to simulate one of his dishes so that when someone virtually crushes herbs and spices using his restaurant's smartphone app, aromas of black pepper, sesame and saffron are emitted from the device.

Gadget Ogling: Smart Wine, Wooly Sound and a Clever Light Bulb

We would like to shed some light on exactly what successful international sellers are selling into the global online marketplace. See the analysis made by Webinterpret here.

Welcome to Gadget Dreams And Nightmares, a peek at the latest products to sneak out of consumer electronics labs.

In this week's installment: a flip-style smartphone, a fashionable soundbar, a light bulb full of bright ideas, and a pair of gizmos that just received their U.S. debut dates.

As ever, the ratings I assign to each item are reflective only of my interest in using them.

LG Wine Smart

I give LG a little flak for constantly releasing new smartphones, but here's one with a twist.

LG is pegging the Wine Smart (pictured above) as its first flip-style smartphone. Yes, the compact style is back, only this time its fuel is Android, instead of whatever arcane OS manufacturers might dream up.

I suspect this is more about style than function, outside of a dedicated button for opening an instant messaging app. Still, it looks like a fun toy to take for a spin for a day or two.

Everything old is new again, and maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Rating: 3 Out of 5 Glasses Of Wine

Samsung Galaxy Gear S

In the time it takes the second hand on a smartwatch to tick once around the dial, I might just have finished the length of my typical yawn from hearing of a new smartwatch.

Suffice it to say, Samsung is trying something to raise my interest, with a smartwatch that's actually usable when not tethered to a smartphone.

The Gear S, smartly, will have a 3G connection all its own. That puts it above competitors like the Apple Watch, which is essentially useless without a tethered iPhone (save, perhaps for telling the time).

I mentioned in my Apple Watch writeup that it had been a long time since I'd worn a watch at all. I am somewhat tempted to get my hands on the Gear S and the LG flip phone noted above, if only so I can feel like I'm 14 years old all over again.

Rating: 3 Out of 5 Unlocked Cages

Libratone Diva Soundbar

Under the hood, this bar packs in five speakers to cover a range of tones and probably ensure your movie-watching experience is immersive. What's especially enjoyable about this bar, more than others, is that it's covered in wool.

While one might typically nestle a soundbar under the main display, I'd be more tempted to have that woolen surface cover my feet on chilly winter evenings, all the while blasting out the In Bruges audio track for the 30th time.

Rating: 4 Out of 5 Woolly Socks

Stack Alba

I have a horrible tendency to leave lights on in rooms in which I am not present. It's a terrible waste of energy, and especially distracting when I'm trying to focus on a task, only to have the light from another room beam into my face.

Thank heavens, then, for Stack's Alba. Stomping all over the path laid before it by Phillips' Hue system, Alba includes sensors to detect motion, ambient light and room occupancy, and it adjusts the level of light emitted based on those signals.

Perhaps more interestingly, Alba can learn your movements and preferences -- so, for instance, it could set itself to a soothing color scheme around the time you take your nightly soak in the tub. Of course, all of the Alba's features can be controlled through an app too.

It's a marked advancement on what we've seen in the smart light bulb market. Having the Alba system learn my typical evening patterns is a compelling thought, though one has to wonder about the consequences should a hacker breach the system and find out that I'm not actually at home on a given evening.

Rating: 3 Out of 5 Flashing Lights

Sony PlayStation TV

Although the PlayStation TV made its way to Japan's shores almost a year ago, it's worth touching on since it's finally coming to North America next month.

The portable console is compatible with PlayStation Vita games (which can be played on a large-screen TV instead of a handheld console), other PlayStation titles through the PlayStation Now streaming rental service, and the PlayStation 4, in that players can stream games from the PS4 to a separate TV.

It's a versatile little thing, and for gamers who travel often and need a fix while cooped up in a hotel room, a solid option for big screen gaming. Personally, I'm looking forward to playing Destiny from the comfort of my bed without having a clunky full-sized console taking up space in the bedroom.

Rating: 5 Out of 5 Remote Controls

Kris Holt is a writer and editor based in Montreal. He has written for the Daily Dot, The Daily Beast, and PolicyMic, among others. He's Scottish, so would prefer if no one used the word 'soccer' in his company. You can connect with Kris on Google+.

iPod Touch 6G Rumors: The Media Player Gadget is Coming, is it Still on Top of ...

iPod Touch 6G Rumors: The Media Player Gadget is Coming, is it Still on Top of the Competition iPod Touch 6G Rumors: The Media Player Gadget is Coming, is it Still on Top of the Competition

Apple might just be out to give us more surprises this fall. Apple's 6 ^th Generation of iPod touch, or also known as iPod Touch 6G has been awaited by many and might be released this fall or early winter. Since the release of the 1 ^st generation of iPod Touch, this media player gadget has been so widely received by everyone. For the last months, the iPod aficionados have been gathering every bit of information on their most favorite gadget. As of now, Apple is still on top of the competition because they never fail to provide the best quality devices. The next product lines are the iWatch, iPod Nano 8G, iPad 6, iPad mini 2014, and a new iOS 8.

So, what will be the 6 ^th generation of the iPod be like? It has been foretold that the design of the hardware will be similar to the iPhone 5s. This is something the has received positive remarks. The price might be around $230. As for now, everything remains to be officially announced, but here's more clue - the 5 ^th generation of the iPod had a 16 GB, and the 6 ^th generation of iPod might have a wider memory space. Isn't that exciting? So for those who want to buy the 5 ^th generation of iPod, just wait for a couple of months because most definitely, the latest iPod will be out, and your iPod 5's value will greatly diminish.

There is also this news that a month or two after the release of the latest iPhone is when the 6 ^th generation of the iPod will be released. Apple might want the focus to be on the iPhone - from its marketing to sales. All the hype around the iPhone is certainly expected to bring in more profit to Apple, and of course they want to remain on top of the game.

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New gadget workshop MakeMK coming to Milton Keynes

If you're the kind of person who loves taking things apart to find out how they'll work or building things, you'll love Make MK - a new gadget workshop opening in Milton Keynes next month.

MakeMK, at Denbigh Business Park (previously named MK:ONE), in First Avenue, Bletchley, is a social enterprise with the aim of stimulating innovation by providing people with space and tools that they do not have access to at home.

Laurence Praties, the business owner, said: 'MakeMK will make access to a wide array of cutting edge machinery and technologies available to anyone who wishes to come along and use them.

'It is aimed at everyone from small businesses and schools to DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, up-cyclers and artisans.

'If your idea is bigger than your shed, come along to the gala.'

The MakeMK workshop is a first of it's kind for Milton Keynes and will be opening for business on October 6, with a special VIP gala event taking place on October 4.

Celebrities will be attending the gala, including wallpaper man Chris Boylan from itv2's 60 Minute Makeover, and local cage fighter Linton 'The Swarm' Vassell, himself an ex-tradesman, who has just returned from several high profile competitions in the USA.

MakeMK will be working with local artisans and engineers to put on workshops for everything from wood-turning to building your own smartphone controlled quad-copters.

Laurence added: 'As part of our commitment to the local community we'll also be offering discounted sessions to local charities and non-profit organisations.'

Joe Muscat of Denbigh Business Park owner, Bucks-Biz, said: 'MakeMK is a fantastic idea and we're pleased Laurence chose Bucks-Biz. We have the flexible space available for a vast array of business uses, including innovative workshops like this.'

Julie's gadget diary – What features would your dream phone have?

I received an email from Verizon telling me that the New Moto X smartphone and Moto Maker rolled out today. If you're not familiar with Moto Maker, it's a special customization service for the Moto X Android smartphone. You use it to choose from a thousand combinations for the back, front and trim colors of the Moto X. Actually it's not just colors that you can change. You can even have a leather or wood back cover, making the phone very personally yours. So that got me thinking... what would my dream phone look like and what features would it have that phones these days do not already have?

After some thought, this is the feature set for my dream phone:

Same physical size as my LG G3. This is a better size for me than larger phablets like my previous phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Speaking of the Note 2, I'd want my dream phone to have a stylus like the Note 2. I don't use a stylus very often, but when I want to use one, I want it to be as precise as that one. 5.5 inch display that looks as good indoors as outdoors. I've yet to find a phone with a screen that you can read in direct sunlight. While we're at it, let's make it a transforming display that goes from color to e-ink when you want to read a book and not use a lot of battery life. The phone must have Qi wireless charging, NFC and an FM radio that doesn't require you to use your headphones as the antenna. Some type of very long range Bluetooth so that I can leave the phone on my desk and then go 100's of feet away while still being able to receive texts and calls on a watch or smaller pocket device. A dedicated physical shutter button for the camera because I hate tapping the screen to take a picture and seem to always have my phone in the wrong orientation to use a volume button. Volume buttons as shutter buttons can also be awkwardly placed like the on LG G3. If you want to take a picture in landscape mode, it seems odd to reach around the back of the phone to snap the picture. A battery that lasts for 24hrs of heavy use and some sort of solar cell in the display that can trickle charge the phone's batteries with ambient light. That tech is already in devices like the Logitech Solar Wireless Keyboard that we reviewed almost 4 years ago.. 128GB of memory and a microSD card slot for even more storage. A tiny LCD screen on the bezel that always shows the time of day and tiny icons for missed calls or messages without pressing any buttons. I don't know about you, but the notification LED for Android isn't very good... especially on my LG G3. It blinks so slow that I rarely ever notice it. Android OS. Sorry Apple but iOS just doesn't do it for me anymore. Won't bend if I put it in my back pocket - just kidding ok, not really kidding.

I tried not to get too out there with crazy features like a 3 inch device that transforms into a 10 inch device. Actually most of the features I've mentioned could be added to phones right now. The only ones that are futuristic are the very long range Bluetooth and a battery that can last for a full 24hrs of heavy use.

What am I missing? What features would your dream phone have?

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Why Is Gadget Fashion Still So Bad?

You wanted a bigger phone, you got a bigger phone. Lots of bigger phones. Phones that are now bigger than the biggest pocket of your biggest pants. So where are you going to keep your big phone now?

The evolution of gadgets in a few short years has been impressive. The evolution of gadget-ready fashion has not. Why so... bad? Let's check out some of the current offerings.

Yep, this is a real shirt. For your smartphone. That can also turn you into a walking YouTube ad.

Not into the chest pocket? Alright how about this:

You can keep your phone right there on your thigh and you can use it. And don't worry, they have jeggings.

Or looking for something a bit more subtle?

A 'stylish' scarf to safely stash your phone. Yeah still not that subtle.

A vest is, maybe not as awful? But bear in mind you would have to wear one of these jackets all of the time.

These particular items may have you rolling your eyes rather than rushing to the store. But how to design a more convenient, safe, and stylish way to carry our devices that have become an extension of ourselves is a perfect reasonable question. For the past decade or so, if we've wanted to keep our smartphone at the ready, there's really only one place to put it: in the pocket of our pants.

Oversized bending smartphones have resurfaced the question, yet f rom the looks of what some fashion companies are proposing, we're gonna need an entire layer of outerwear to hold our gadgets. Take this jacket with an iPad 'shelf,' by Alphyn, reviewed by our friends at Engadget:

This seems like a good idea. When you're not busy checking your 2011 calendar, the jacket zips up, securing your device to your belly, and transforming you into an Apple kangaroo. But how practical is wearing your phone like that? You could just carry a bag. A more minimal solution is actually what we need, one that, as a woman, I'm not seeing nearly enough companies address.

I know where I stick my phone when I'm not carrying a purse: In my bra.

I know, it just looks like she crammed her phone in her cleavage but there's a customized pocket in there. This is a real thing.

And for the men:

Or is something like this too close for comfort?

Fashion will surely slowly adapt to accommodate our gadgets. Lee is adding six-by-six-inch cargo pockets to some of its shorts, specifically to address growing phones.

Clothing can also add features. Perhaps privacy will be so tantamount that we'll need special pouches engineered into our pants and jackets to block devices from surveillance.

This microfiber-coated tie looks like potentially useful wearable gadget gear which can help you shine up the glass surfaces of your devices since we'll all just be carrying them around in our hot little hands.

We need a solution soon. We've come far from toting around strapped-on gadget bags. But not that far.

We can't even look to futurist sci-fi for the answer. He's in a romantic relationship with his OS and still carries it precariously in his shirt pocket.

Anyway, I think I know the answer to where we'll be keeping our phones in the future. On our wrists.

British company The Affair has created a number of science fiction themed fashion lines, but their latest is a masterpiece. The clothing is all... Read more

Europe OKs In

The skies are about to get a lot more tech-friendly over Europe.

The European Aviation Safety Agency on Friday issued new safety guidance allowing the use of portable electronic devices, such as cell phones and tablets, at any time during flights. Under the new guidelines, European airlines can now allow passengers to leave their electronics switched on throughout the flight, without the need to be in Airplane Mode.

That includes any kind of personal electronic device brought onboard - smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, MP3 players, you name it.

'As a result, passengers will be able to use their [electronics] just like in any other mode of transport: throughout the trip,' the Cologne-based agency said. 'This is the latest regulatory step towards enabling the ability to offer 'gate-to-gate' telecommunication or Wi-Fi services.'

It will be up to each airline to decide whether to allow the use of electronics. Airlines will first need to go through an assessment process to ensure planes are not affected by signals from the electronics.

'For this reason, there may be differences among airlines whether and when [electronics] can be used,' the EASA said.

The move comes after the Federal Aviation Administration last October gave U.S. airlines permission to allow the use of electronic devices at all stages of a flight - including takeoff and landing, though they must be in airplane mode. Canada followed suit in May, and Australia adopted the more relaxed in-flight gadget rules in August.

Meanwhile, Microsoft this week announced that its Surface Pro 3 has been cleared by the FAA to serve as Electronic Flight Bags. This means the tablets can now replace the heavy paper-based flight kits containing navigational charts and aircraft reference materials that must be kept onboard airplanes. Delta last year deployed the Surface 2 to its 11,000 pilots as part of an effort to eliminate paper flight manuals.

Europe OKs In

The skies are about to get a lot more tech-friendly over Europe.

The European Aviation Safety Agency on Friday issued new safety guidance allowing the use of portable electronic devices, such as cell phones and tablets, at any time during flights. Under the new guidelines, European airlines can now allow passengers to leave their electronics switched on throughout the flight, without the need to be in Airplane Mode.

That includes any kind of personal electronic device brought onboard - smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, MP3 players, you name it.

'As a result, passengers will be able to use their [electronics] just like in any other mode of transport: throughout the trip,' the Cologne-based agency said. 'This is the latest regulatory step towards enabling the ability to offer 'gate-to-gate' telecommunication or Wi-Fi services.'

It will be up to each airline to decide whether to allow the use of electronics. Airlines will first need to go through an assessment process to ensure planes are not affected by signals from the electronics.

'For this reason, there may be differences among airlines whether and when [electronics] can be used,' the EASA said.

The move comes after the Federal Aviation Administration last October gave U.S. airlines permission to allow the use of electronic devices at all stages of a flight - including takeoff and landing, though they must be in airplane mode. Canada followed suit in May, and Australia adopted the more relaxed in-flight gadget rules in August.

Meanwhile, Microsoft this week announced that its Surface Pro 3 has been cleared by the FAA to serve as Electronic Flight Bags. This means the tablets can now replace the heavy paper-based flight kits containing navigational charts and aircraft reference materials that must be kept onboard airplanes. Delta last year deployed the Surface 2 to its 11,000 pilots as part of an effort to eliminate paper flight manuals.

15 cool gadget cases you NEED to own

For many of you, your electronics are some of the most important things you own. It makes sense that you'd want to protect your device(s) from harm. If you drop your phone, laptop or gadget on the ground and it breaks, all of the precious data and information contained within is lost forever.

The best way to protect your gadgets is to slap on a case. There are thousands - if not millions - of different cases out there for every gadget imaginable. It can get pretty daunting sorting through the seemingly endless horde of options to find the best. In light of that, we've crammed together a list of the fifteen coolest gadget cases you need to own.

1. Handmade Gadget Cozies From Life Geekery

Want to turn your kindle into an adorable narwhale? How does turning your iPhone into an Ewok or Harry Potter look-alike sound? You can do all of these things and more by picking up a handmade gadget cozy from Life Geekery on Etsy. Even better, you can order a cozy for any model smartphone, tablet or e-reader.

2. Cute Laptop Sleeves From Zazzle

Check out these cute laptop sleeves from Zazzle. The sleeves fit over your device when closed and they zip shut. Theses sleeves will keep your laptop from getting scuffed up in a backpack, purse or even while you're holding it. There are hundreds of designs to choose from, such as panda bar prints, cat and dog outlines, various patterns and more. They all cost about $30, so you don't have to worry about breaking the bank.

3. Handcrafted Tablet and Smartphone Sleeves From Mujjo

These unique handmade iPhone and iPad sleeves from Mujjo might be exactly what you're looking for. Even though they have been designed for Apple devices, they should fit most comparable sized handsets and tablets. They do offer custom sleeves for Samsung Galaxy branded handsets. They will protect your device from daily wear and tear pretty well. Prices range from about €30-50 ($50-60).

4. Montague Laptop Backpack From Knomo

The Montague Laptop Backpack from Knomo is remarkably thin, lightweight and stylish. It can hold most laptops up to 15″ offering padded protection for anything stored within. You could also store an iPad or tablet inside if you don't use a laptop. It's quilted and comfortable, and sits nicely on your shoulders as any backpack should. It comes in a couple of different colors, both priced at $159.

5. Lifeproof Cases for iPhone, iPad, iPods and Galaxy

If you're looking for a more affordable waterproof case for your handset or tablet, Lifeproof is the way to go. There are cases available for multiple generations of the iPhone, iPad and iPod as well as the Samsung Galaxy handsets (S3-S5). Even though these cases are watertight, you can still access the touchscreen, camera, buttons, microphone, speakers and headphone jack. Depending on the case model, they run from about $70 to $90.

6. Adopted Leather Wrap Case for iPhone

Want something a little more chic that matches the style of your iPhone? The Adopted Leather Wrap cases are perfect, and they come in several different colors and styles. The best part is that they cost about $40.

7. Waterproof Pouches

For those times when you're going to the beach or hanging by the pool you can opt for a waterproof pouch. The pouches listed here come from Bed Bath and Beyond, but you can also get similar pouches on Amazon and through major retailers like Wal-Mart. These will set you back about $10.

8. SlipStopper

Do you loathe cases altogether? You can pick up a SlipStopper which is more like a slipper, or plastic protective screen that covers the entirety of the device. Currently, they are only available for different generations of the iPhone and iPad Mini. They're incredibly easy to apply and only cost $20.

9. Nuvango Gel Skins (Formerly GelaSkins)

If you want to spruce up your gadget with a custom skin, you can't go wrong with a Nuvango Gel Skins. They don't offer heavy duty protection obviously, but you can easily find an additional carrying case if your laptop is on the go a lot. Nuvango's skins are priced well and there are tons of custom designs to choose from.

10. Arkon Smartphone Cases

The Arkon Smartphone cases are essentially protective mounts for your device while you're driving. There are plenty of options available for devices from Apple (iPhone and iPad), Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, Sony and more. The price depends on the model of the case you want, and of course what the mount is for (car, bike, etc.).

11. Built NY Smartphone and Gadget Cases

Built NY makes some great neoprene sleeves, which serve as carrying cases for a whole slew of smartphones. As with most anything else on this list, they come in a wide variety of styles and designs.

12. Fortte Smartphone Cases

Fortte offers a variety of leather style cases with the professional in mind. If you don't want flashy designs or skins plastered on your device you can go with a more conservative case like this. Fortte supports devices from Apple, to HTC and Motorola. There are also laptop and tablet cases for those who need something larger.

13. Case-Mate Cases

If you want a much larger selection of cases and designs, you can check out Case-Mate. They offer cases for smartphones, tablets, and media players such as the iPod touch.

14. Incipio Cases

Incipio offers a large selection of cases for iPhones, Android smartphones, tablets and MacBooks. Most of them are designed with solid, hard-plastic to protect the device they cover. There are options for almost every budget too, whether you want cheap or more expensive the option is there.

15. Vyper M3 MacBook and Laptop Case

The Vyper M3 is a compact and extremely durable sleeve with a rugged design. While it may be designed for MacBooks, it will fit any 13-17″ sized laptops or netbooks (depending on the sleeve size you purchase). It will definitely protect your laptop or netbook from scratches and excessive wear and tear.

Image by Viktor Hanacek

Former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson to launch gadget delivery service ...

According to a report on Tuesday, former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson is looking to open an on-demand delivery service for electronic devices, a sector currently being explored by the likes of Amazon, Google and others.

Citing people who spoke with Johnson about the project, The Information says the as-yet-unnamed startup will focus on on-demand deliveries, a departure from the retail guru's most recent job as CEO of J.C. Penney.

Johnson has also hired on former Apple employees to help with the new venture, including Vice President of Retail Jerry McDougal, who left the Cupertino company in 2013 to spend more time with his family.

While specific details are unknown, the upcoming service reportedly involves branded eco-friendly vans that are sent out on delivery runs on an on-demand basis. Similarities can be drawn with Uber, which is also experimenting with quick deliveries by way of food orders.

Amazon and Google have been looking for ways to make on-demand delivery services work, but so far their attempts have been largely unsuccessful. The logistics and economic viability of fast deliveries, however, continues to be roadblocks in rolling out a wide network.

Johnson is best known for realizing the Apple Store concept, which has become a major revenue driver for Apple and arguably serves as the face of the company. He left the company in 2011 to take on a position at J.C. Penney, but was fired in April of last year.

Best Buy, Designers Team for Exclusive Gadget Cases

Attention, Fashionistas. If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop could use a makeover, Best Buy might have just the thing.

The big box retailer on Wednesday announced it has teamed up with well-known designers Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui, and Isaac Mizrahi New York on exclusive new lines of colorful and stylish tech accessories. The fashionable tech coverings are available for pre-order on Best Buy's website now and will be hitting stores Sunday, Oct. 5.

You'll find a myriad of polka-dotted, striped, floral, and sparkly cases for the iPhone 5 and 5s, Samsung Galaxy S5, iPad mini, iPad Air, as well as some pretty laptop sleeves for 13-inch notebooks. Best Buy said it will have cases for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from each designer beginning in mid-October.

All the new tech accessories are priced at less than $50. The smartphone cases will set you back $29.99, while the tablet cases range from $34.99 to $39.99, and the laptop cases are all priced at $39.99.

When you purchase one of these pretty accessories, you'll also give back. Anna Sui and Nanette Lepore are donating their proceeds of the sales to the nonprofit Council of Fashion Designers of America, which supports professional development and scholarships within the fashion industry.

This is not Best Buy's first high-fashion collaboration. The company earlier this month exclusively launched a new line of Kate Spade accessories designed 'for women who want their devices to express their very personal fashion sensibilities.'

For more, check out our roundups of the best iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases in the slideshows above.

Best Buy, Designers Team for Exclusive Gadget Cases

Attention, Fashionistas. If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop could use a makeover, Best Buy might have just the thing.

The big box retailer on Wednesday announced it has teamed up with well-known designers Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui, and Isaac Mizrahi New York on exclusive new lines of colorful and stylish tech accessories. The fashionable tech coverings are available for pre-order on Best Buy's website now and will be hitting stores Sunday, Oct. 5.

You'll find a myriad of polka-dotted, striped, floral, and sparkly cases for the iPhone 5 and 5s, Samsung Galaxy S5, iPad mini, iPad Air, as well as some pretty laptop sleeves for 13-inch notebooks. Best Buy said it will have cases for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from each designer beginning in mid-October.

All the new tech accessories are priced at less than $50. The smartphone cases will set you back $29.99, while the tablet cases range from $34.99 to $39.99, and the laptop cases are all priced at $39.99.

When you purchase one of these pretty accessories, you'll also give back. Anna Sui and Nanette Lepore are donating their proceeds of the sales to the nonprofit Council of Fashion Designers of America, which supports professional development and scholarships within the fashion industry.

This is not Best Buy's first high-fashion collaboration. The company earlier this month exclusively launched a new line of Kate Spade accessories designed 'for women who want their devices to express their very personal fashion sensibilities.'

For more, check out our roundups of the best iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases in the slideshows above.

Best Buy, Designers Team for Exclusive Gadget Cases

Attention, Fashionistas. If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop could use a makeover, Best Buy might have just the thing.

The big box retailer on Wednesday announced it has teamed up with well-known designers Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui, and Isaac Mizrahi New York on exclusive new lines of colorful and stylish tech accessories. The fashionable tech coverings are available for pre-order on Best Buy's website now and will be hitting stores Sunday, Oct. 5.

You'll find a myriad of polka-dotted, striped, floral, and sparkly cases for the iPhone 5 and 5s, Samsung Galaxy S5, iPad mini, iPad Air, as well as some pretty laptop sleeves for 13-inch notebooks. Best Buy said it will have cases for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from each designer beginning in mid-October.

All the new tech accessories are priced at less than $50. The smartphone cases will set you back $29.99, while the tablet cases range from $34.99 to $39.99, and the laptop cases are all priced at $39.99.

When you purchase one of these pretty accessories, you'll also give back. Anna Sui and Nanette Lepore are donating their proceeds of the sales to the nonprofit Council of Fashion Designers of America, which supports professional development and scholarships within the fashion industry.

This is not Best Buy's first high-fashion collaboration. The company earlier this month exclusively launched a new line of Kate Spade accessories designed 'for women who want their devices to express their very personal fashion sensibilities.'

For more, check out our roundups of the best iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases in the slideshows above.

There's A Japanese Gadget That Magically Turns A Single Egg Into Pudding

Posted:

Instant pudding is seemingly the easiest fix when in need of a creamy dessert: Dump the powdered mixture into a bowl, whisk it with milk, refrigerate and serve. A Japanese kitchen gadget, called Okashina Tamago Mawashite Mawashite Marugoto Purin (or, Pudding Whole Turn Turn Funny Eggs), could make the process even simpler.

The egg spinner transforms a plain egg into purin, which is a Japanese flan-like custard. Purin is sold in plastic cups similar to the iconic American Snack Pack.

You'll need a bit of elbow grease to work this egg-spinning contraption. It functions sort of like a slot machine, except you cash out every time (and instead of coins, you win a custard egg). To start, secure a shelled, uncooked egg into the plastic encasing and then transfer it into the lever case. Spin the egg round and round by pulling on the lever for about two minutes.

Once the egg has been properly twirled, heat a pot of water to a boil and then turn it off. Sit the egg in the hot water for about half an hour. When the time's up, you'll have a little serving of custard cutely packaged in an egg shell.

The treat can be eaten plain or drizzled with caramel or fruity sauces for a bit of added sweetness.

According to RocketNews24, the toy from Takara Tomy Arts is set to hit shelves on September 25. If you can't wait to get your hands on it, or need pudding this instant, grab your spoon and try a couple of these:

[H/t: Rocket News 24]

Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr. Genius!

Amazon to boost hiring at secretive unit in smart gadget push

Monty Rakusen | Cultura | Getty Images

In a statement, Amazon said Lab126 was moving 'incredibly quickly' and cited the company's 2014 devices, including the Fire phone, Fire set-top box and several new tablets and e-readers.

'We will continue to invent and create new features, services and products, and to support this innovation. Lab 126 is also growing very quickly,' Amazon spokeswoman Kinley Pearsall said.

Aim to be indispensable

Whether or not Amazon ultimately sells connected home and wearable devices, the experiments hint at Bezos' broader ambitions. Lab126 has become increasingly important to Amazon's broader aim to use devices to make it indispensable to its more than 240 million active users.

Read More Michael Dell on the state of PCs and going private

Bezos is deeply involved in developing Lab126's projects, from the 2007 debut of the first Kindle e-reader to the Fire phone.

The Fire phone, which Lab126 worked on for four years, debuted this summer to lackluster sales and reviews. Earlier this month, Amazon cut the price of its phone to 99 cents with a two-year contract with AT&T.

Amazon shares are down nearly 20 percent this year.

Other tech leaders are also seeking a central place in the home. In January, Google bought Nest Labs, a smart thermostat maker for $3.2 billion. In June, Apple announced plans for HomeKit, its own framework for connecting household gadgets.

Embedding households with such devices would be much more lucrative than merely selling gadgets like wireless LED light bulbs or wi-fi garage-door openers.

With Lab126's experiments, Amazon envisions homes decked out with Internet-connected sensors that would allow it to tell customers ahead of time when they need to replace air conditioner filters or service their washing machines, one of the sources said.

Read More Can you fridge go any faster? Get ready for 5G

'If I walk into my laundry room and there's a big pool of water and the floor needs to be replaced, I'd love to know about it two weeks before it happens,' said Ryo Koyama, CEO of Weaved, a startup working on connected-home technology.

Lab126 had almost 3,000 full-time employees in its 2013 taxable year.

On

Ron Johnson, Apple's former senior vice president of retail operations, is planning an on-demand delivery service for gadgets, MacRumors said on Tuesday, citing an initial report from The Information's Jessica Lessin.

Lessin described the high-end delivery service as 'Best Buy's Geek Squad meets Apple's Genius Bar.'

Tweet

Separately, MacRumors said it has heard similar suggestions that point to a Johnson startup, including attempts by the former Apple leader to recruit other ex-colleagues from the firm.

Read More Shares up 140%, but CEO sees more work to do

Read the full story at MacRumors.

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Ron Johnson Launching Gadget Delivery Service, Poaching Apple Employees

Apple's former retail chief Ron Johnson is planning to launch a 'high-end, on-demand delivery service for gadgets, reports The Information's Jessica Lessin. The startup has reportedly been described as 'Best Buy's Geek Squad meets Apple's Genius Bar.'

MacRumors has heard similar rumors about Johnson's startup plans, with a source suggesting he's been attempting to recruit former and current Apple employees, including Jerry McDougal, who once served as Apple's vice president of retail under Johnson.

Before leaving Apple, Johnson worked at the company for more than 10 years. He's largely credited with transforming the Apple retail experience and setting the company on a path towards rapid retail growth. In 2011, Johnson left the company to take over as CEO of J.C. Penney, a position that he held for just two years.

Following Johnson's departure, Apple's retail division was left in flux, with no successor named. John Browett, formerly CEO of Dixons Retail, took over as head of retail at Apple in 2012, but he was ousted later that same year. Apple remained without a retail chief until the hiring of Angela Ahrendts, former Burberry CEO, who officially joined the company in May 2014.

Gadget deals – Big savings to cure your Monday blahs

There's no better way to cure the Monday blahs than a little bit of retail therapy, otherwise known as online shopping, when you should be working. Don't worry, I won't tell your boss. Today's deals include time limited coupon codes for savings on a 29 inch LED monitor from Dell, laptops from HP, Lenovo and Dell and more.

Today's Top Deal Laptops Desktops

Dell Inspiron 3000 4th-gen Core i3 Slim Desktop w/ 19.5″ Monitor & AX210 USB Speakers for $479.99 with free shipping (normally $579).

Accessories

LG ND5630 iPhone 5/Android Dual Speaker Dock with Bluetooth Airplay & NFC for $97.99 with free shipping (normally $119.99).

iClever ICH02 360-degree Rotation Universal Windshield & Dashboard Car Mount Smartphone Cradle for $11.99 only (normally $24.99).

Phones & Tablets

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 5.7″ 1080p Factory-unlocked GSM Phablet for $509 with free shipping (normally $649).

Finding Gadget Insurance gets easier with Moneymaxim

Moneymaxim today re-launch the latest version of their popular mobile phone and gadget insurance comparison service. The new service offers: * The ability to compare insurance for both single and multiple gadgets * Automatic calculation of the total cost including discounts for insuring more than one item * Ability to tailored results to focus on features such as loss or accidental damage cover * Filters so families can find policies providing cover for gadgets used by children * Cover for both new devices and insurance from a later date, perhaps to replace existing arrangements

Coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch, the new service has reacted to developments in the market that reflect the changing lifestyles of the average UK household.

Whereas just a couple of years ago most gadget insurance buyers wanted cover for an individual phone or laptop nowadays many Moneymaxim users are looking to insure a range of products from the latest smart phone to their tablet, games console, headphones and laptop. To accommodate this Moneymaxim have totally redesigned their search engine.

Now users can select either single items or input details of a number of different devices, and the Moneymaxim service will identify policies that with cover the basket of products. Results will be displayed for both 'multiple gadget' policies (typically covering 3 or 5 items) owned within a household or individual policies.

The service has also been developed with families in mind. Filters allow parents to find policies which cover smartphones are now used by younger members of the family. As many insurers only cover use by those over 18's this feature can save much time spent in researching inappropriate products.

Mark Bower, Managing Director of Moneymaxim, said: 'We have designed our new mobile phone insurance comparison service (which also covers most other battery powered gadgets) to meet the demands of today's gadget owner. Nowadays it is not unusual for an individual to walking the streets with devices approaching £1000 on their person. And when you consider all the items owned within a family that figure can multiply fast.'

'We have retained key elements of our service, such as our insistence that all insurers are backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, reassurance that comes into sharp focus this week with the unfortunate demise of Phones4u. With policies covering up to 5 gadgets starting at under £55 we can display policies that will cover a whole family's devices for less than the cost of covering a single handset through a high street retailer.'

Notes:

About Moneymaxim: Moneymaxim.co.uk is an independent internet based comparison site. Services include gadget and mobile phone insurance comparison from some of the leading UK insurers in this field. Moneymaxim's unique search engine will do all the hard work, so users can compare policies for either an individual handset or combine up to 5 devices.

Editor's Note: Interviews can be arranged with Mark Bower, Moneymaxim's Managing Director.

For more information please contact:

Tony Longstaff on 01628 474280 or by email at tony.longstaff(at)marketingdecisions(dot)co(dot)uk.

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