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5 new gadgets that are worth checking out
Heykube
The iconic Rubik’s Cube drove me nuts when I had one. Fast forward a few decades to today’s Heykube, a next-gen, technology-driven version of the toy that’s much more fun and much less frustrating.
The programmable six-sided, 3-by-3 smart cube puzzle teaches you how to solve it — a nice, modern advantage over the ’80s version. Players solve scrambles with hints and different levels of difficulty, including quick solve and learn to solve.
Heykube allows users to create, share and solve their own algorithms via Python. Users with a Raspberry Pi can access the Heykube’s Python library for controlling the lights and sounds in the cubed smart toy. The Heykube companion app is available for sharing with others and watching tutorials.
Solving the puzzle is the same as in the past: turn the pieces up, down and sideways, with each side’s center square determining the color for that side.
The tutorials and the LED lights lend a helping hand in solving at first, as there are tricks to know and learn. Sometimes the solution was quick, but other times it brought me the same frustration and determination as the older cube.
The lights on the center-piece rotate, telling you the rotating direction. When the sound changes, the mode has changed. The hints can be turned on or off, making it programmable to a different level of difficulty.
Inside the Bluetooth-enabled Heykube is a microprocessor and long-lasting internal battery. The cube charges via micro USB (cable included). $79.99, heykube.com
Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD
Kingston Technology is unveiling a pocket-sized external SSD with industry-leading read/write speeds.
The XS2000 transfers data at lightning-fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds — up to 2,000 megabits per second. The drive connects via USB-C and includes a removable rubber sleeve and IP55-rating.
The XS2000 measures 2.73-by-1.28-by-0.53-inches and is available in three capacities: 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB. A USB-C cable is included. Starting at $99.99, kingston.com
Phoozy Apollo thermal phone cases
Phoozy’s Apollo smart device cases are promoted as Spacesuit technology for every adventure, bringing protection with the brand’s patented Chromium Thermal Barrier. Adapted from NASA technology, the barrier prevents overheating in the sun and extends battery life in the cold.
The case deflects up to 90% of the sun’s heat to maintain a safe operating temperature. The inner layer insulates the device in cold environments, enabling up to four times more battery life than that of an uninsulated device.
The heat protection was easy to test. I took a drive with a phone in a Phoozy case and another phone not cased sitting on my dashboard. I played music from the uncased phone to gauge that it was working. Once the music stopped, I pulled over, and, sure enough, the uncased phone had overheated and shut off. The Phoozy-cased phone was still in fine working order.
In addition to heat management, Phoozy’s Apollo cases are designed to be climate-proof, germ-proof, drop-proof and sink-proof — handling extreme conditions of almost any kind.
You can find a Phoozy case to fit almost all of today’s smartphones and tablets. They all protect against heat and cold but differ in looks and other features, including a water-resistant flotation XP3 rating and antimicrobial materials.
Starting at $29.99, phoozy.com
Twelve South StayGo mini USB-C Hub
Twelve South’s StayGo mini USB-C hub brings four extra ports to your iPad or MacBook: a headphone jack, USB, USB-C and HDMI.
The ports can add external drives, pass-through power, external displays, headphones and speakers or other external peripherals.
The hub measures 2.8-by-1.25-by-1.49 inches and is built with an aluminum exterior shell to dissipate heat. It can be connected directly to the device or via the included 19-inch extension cable for added flexibility — which is great when you have a protective case on the device.
$59.99, twelvesouth.com
