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iClever
If your house is anything like mine, there’s a nerd’s ransom of mobile gadgets waiting in line at the charger: phones, tablets, e-readers and, ironically, various mobile chargers to keep them all running on the run.
You can cut down on a lot of cord clutter — and charge more devices at once — by deploying a desktop charging station. Like this one: for a limited time, and while supplies last, Hisgadget (via Amazon) has the iClever six-port smart USB desktop charger for $19.99 when you apply coupon code EVEREST1 at checkout. Regular price: $25.99. Shipping is free with Amazon Prime, or you can pad your cart to at least $35.
This is a 50-watt charging station that’s smart enough to know what kind of device is plugged in (phone, tablet, etc) and deliver amps accordingly. In other words, it won’t merely trickle-charge your tablet, which is what happens with many a lesser hub.
Also, because it has six USB ports, it should be able to accommodate nearly all your gadgets at the same time. (See the above photo.) There’s a very similar Anker product that’s also priced at $25.99, but it has only five ports. Six is better. Because it’s one more. For less money.
What I find especially impressive about the iClever hub is its user rating: 4.9 stars (out of 5) from nearly 300 buyers. Granted, the aforementioned Anker has 4.6 stars from over 9,000(!) buyers, but 4.9 is better. Because it’s 0.3 more. For less money.
Bottom line: if you don’t have a desktop charger like this (meaning one that’s “smart”), you need one. And for 20 bucks out the door, you just can’t go wrong.
Bonus deal: I remember a time when a 1080p projector would set you back at least $1,500. Not today: Amazon has the BenQ MH630 3D-ready 1080p projector for $478.44 shipped. Though not necessarily designed with home theaters in mind (it’s referred to in some quarters as a “data projector”), it seems to have all the right stuff for one: a 1080p native resolution, 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and support for Blu-ray-powered 3D (though nowhere can I find any mention of what kind of glasses are required). There’s also a built-in speaker, small though it may be, for easier anywhere viewing.
