The 12 Tech Days of Christmas (5-8)
Intro
For our second installment in the 12 Tech Days of Christmas comes some handy and crafty recommendations from our office manager Sindi.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our first installment here!
Sonos Roam
For a beach lover or firepit enjoyer like me, the Sonos Roam is the perfect portable outdoor-proof smart speaker. This speaker operates over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, just like its larger counterpart, the Sonos Move. It also has a long-lasting rechargeable battery (10 hours of playtime) . I just connect it to my phone and I can listen to the music I love all day long. Switching the Roam into Wi-Fi mode allows me to pair it with other Sonos speakers around the house or office as well. It’s a very versatile little speaker that, at $180, is a steal for Sonos quality.
Cricut Maker
My Cricut Maker allows me to craft like a pro. It cuts multiple materials quickly and accurately, from paper to fabric to leather. It allows me to make signs, T-shirts, lettering for wine glasses, and many other projects. It brings precise personalization to everything I make. While I don’t own a sewing machine, the Cricut Maker does have the ability to cut material for patterns. It’s such a robust machine. The Cricut Maker retails for $300, and material costs do vary.
Epson Eco Tank ET-3760 Printer/Scanner
This printer has done what so many others have always failed… It has saved me money. I was sick of buying 4 ink cartridges for $130 a pop many times a year. What makes this printer so special is that it comes with bottles of ink that are used to fill four tanks (pictured on the bottom right of the printer front). I have had my Eco Tank printer for over a year and have yet to run out of ink. 4 bottles cost around $50-60 to refill, which means that I’ve already saved hundreds of dollars and hours of my time this year alone. This printer works wirelessly, and it does it well. My favorite feature is being able to print documents from my phone anywhere in the house. The up front cost for this particular model is around $400, but the long-term cost savings are well worth it.
Apple CarPlay Enabled Receiver
(This one is not so much an individual product, but more of a feature. Not to worry though, there will be some suggestions at the end for CarPlay compatible receivers.)
An Apple CarPlay enabled receiver is one of the best presents that my husband ever got for me. I was an avid phone user in the car—not good. Furthermore, I drive an older model car that lacked any kind of handsfree features. Ever since installing my CarPlay receiver, I’ve been able to safely and conveniently use my phone without ever having to take my eyes off the road. For anyone who doesn’t know, CarPlay allows me to plug in my iPhone to my car’s USB port, and in turn have a streamlined version of my phone’s screen displayed on my receiver’s touchscreen panel. This means that I can make calls, text, control music, and bring up directions all using Siri.
My particular receiver is a BOSS Audio Systems BCPA9685RC Double-DIN, which is great for cars that have a larger radio slot in the dash. All cars are designed differently, so most manufacturers also make receivers for cars with smaller slots (single-DIN). As a matter of fact, the LegetteTech work van has an Alpine CarPlay 9” Touchscreen receiver that fits into a single-DIN slot. Meanwhile, the 9” screen is raised to eye-level above the dash. The price range for these receivers ranges from $400-1,000. Installation costs must also be factored in. While pricey, this is a game-changing upgrade for an older vehicle.