The Light Wedge is Awesome

I kept hearing about something called the "Light Wedge" and thought it was just another book light - not so...this is totally cool, I've ordered one for myself, and another for a gift. I had to do a bit of checking, but I found this post on good gadgets to buy for the holidays (I've only listed those under $50). If you're just looking for where to get a Light Wedge, you can go straight there: Bedtime Bliss Book Lights

WAY 2: High-tech gadgets
The shimmer from gadget LEDs can cast a holiday glow

November 26, 2007

BY HEATHER NEWMAN

FREE PRESS DIGITAL LIFE WRITER

If you want to give the gift of cool, you've got to think gadgets. Geeks are still in, and things that go beep in the night are still tops on the wish lists of good boys and girls all over.

Stumped for what to get the geek-inclined person in your life? Here's a rundown of some of this season's most original, thoughtful, funny and practical gifts that plug in or use batteries (or help gadgets that do):

• If you know someone who's always taking his laptop on the go, a goofy shirt from ThinkGeek can be a best friend. The logo is undeniably geeky: a radio tower labeled 802.11 with sound waves coming out from either side of it. But it's also practical; those sound waves subtly light up depending on the strength of the wireless network in the area. Search for Wi-Fi Detector Shirt at www.thinkgeek.com; $30.

• If your giftee is the hands-on type, be sure to consider a subscription to Make magazine, which is loaded with ideas for making your own nifty gadgets. Even if you never lift a screwdriver, it's still amusing reading -- recent issues explained how to build water rockets and remote-controlled blimps. See www.makezine.com (quarterly, $35).

• And from the makers of Make, there's also a cool book for office jockeys everywhere: The "Eccentric Cubicle" by Kaden Harris (O'Reilly, $29.99) has directions for everything from a desktop guillotine to a USB-powered bubble blower.

• If your friend is a commuter (or just spends a lot of quality time with her iPod), why not give her some great -- or not so great -- literature? Digital audiobooks are a snap to use on any digital audio player, and they're a great way to while away that long drive home. Check out sites like Simply Audiobooks (www.simplyaudiobooks.com) or Audible (www.audible.com) for individual titles, a monthly subscription or a gift certificate.

• I keep waiting for the day when LEDs will overtake traditional lightbulbs in the marketplace -- their light is pure, they sip electrical power and they last forever.

There are a bunch of LED book lights available. I'm partial to the LightWedge www.biggerandbrighter.com. It shines the LED through a clear plastic wedge that lights up the whole page. A red light version is available for checking maps in the car so you don't blind the driver -- a nice touch. They start at $25 for a paperback-sized version.

Posted on freep.com (Detroit Free Press) Nov 26, 2007
Freep.com - High Tech Gadgets