Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford


APC Network Battery Backup + Mobile Power Pack Review: Keep Your Network Alive

Isn’t it aggravating when you’re working on something important, the power goes out, and you lose your laptop’s internet connectivity? Sure, you could use your mobile phone as a hotspot if you’ve got a tethering data plan, but if your modem and router were plugged into the APC Network Battery Backup + Mobile Power Pack, you wouldn’t have to.





The Withings Aura Connected Clock + Sleep Sensor Accessory Review

Sleep and I have a sometimes erratic relationship. Some nights I deal with insomnia, and I might sleep 4 or 5 hours at best; other nights I’ll need to catch up on sleep so badly that I’ll pass out for 12 or more hours. Ideally, I should get 8 hours sleep per night. Obviously, what I’ve been doing isn’t ideal.


IllumiBowl Takes the Guesswork out of Nighttime Bathroom Visits

Have you found that it’s pretty jarring to deal with bright overhead bathroom lights when you get up in the middle of the night to relieve yourself? Bright lights can wreck our sleep ability and cause health issues, it’s proven, but you still need to be able to see where you’re going and what you’re doing.



The SanDisk 200GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card: A Tiny Marvel

One of the things I’ve never liked about iPhones and iPads has been Apple’s refusal to add a memory card slot. No removable battery? Fine. A closed ecosystem with curated apps? Fine. No ability to expand my phone or tablet’s memory without paying exorbitant upgrade prices? Not so fine. That’s where Android and Windows devices have a definite advantage.



The Knomo Dering Charging Power Purse Will Keep You Going

You know what it’s like to be out and about, looking at an ever sinking phone battery percentage. The Knomo Dering is a classic and fashionable wristlet with an integrated 3,000mAh battery; not only can you carry your essentials in its two main internal sections, your phone will sit inside a padded compartment safe from scratches while charging. The water and dirt resistant nylon and Saffiano leather trimmed Dering measures 8.5″ wide by 5″ tall by 0.75″ thick, but it has gusseted sides so that it can expand a bit to hold your necessities inside its grosgrain lined interior. Gold…



Blue Lola Sealed Over-Ear High Fidelity Headphones: Experience Music the Way It Was Meant to Be Heard

Last year Dan and I took a look at the Blue Mo-Fi Headphones, and to this day, they are still among my favorites. At $349, the Mo-Fi might be a bit out of grasp for the casual audiophile, though. If you don’t necessarily need the built-in amplifier the Mo-Fi sports, then you should consider the comparably built, less expensive Lola. Included in the box are the Lola headphones, a soft travel case, an almost 4-foot long flat tangle-free audio cable with Apple iPhone/iPad controls and microphone, an (insanely long) flat 10-foot audio cable, and a 3.5mm-to-1/4 inch adaptor. If you…



The Just Mobile AluPlug Is Fancier Than Most USB Wall Chargers

In the grand scheme of things, USB wall chargers probably don’t rate too highly on your list of “things that should be pretty”, but it’s nice when one comes along that not only looks good, it also does a fab job of quickly charging your USB powered gear; that’s the Just Mobile AluPlug.


The Lander Powell Apple iPhone 6 /6S Plus Case + Travel Case Review

When you think of protective iPhone cases, you probably imagine something bulky and cumbersome, like Otterbox and other similar styles. But if you want serious protection that doesn’t add a lot of bulk or weight to your incredibly thin iPhone 6/S Plus, you need look no further than the Lander Powell. Before we jump into the case review, let’s talk about the package. At first glance, it seems a bit much for what should be a simple iPhone case … But upon further examination, you’ll find that the packaging is actually a reusable, somewhat waterproof two-piece rubber travel box; the paper wrapper…



The Nomad PowerPlant American Walnut 12,000mAh Battery Is a Natural Beauty

As long as manufacturers are making devices with batteries, we’ll need extended batteries; and as long as manufacturers are making extended battery packs, we’ll be covering them. It takes a little something extra to pique my interest in a battery anymore (yes, I’m slightly jaded), but the Nomad PowerPlant in American walnut 12,000mAh battery did just that.


The Vapir Prima Vaporizer Review: An Awesome Little Package

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. I’ve only reviewed a few dry herb vaporizers, but I have a strong sense of what works for me and what doesn’t. As I’ve mentioned before, I like to vape a mixture of 12 Aromatic Dry Blends that produce a calming effect — specifically a combo of damiana and lavender.



Just for Procrastinators: Some Last Minute Holiday Gifts

Somehow — in between travel, office parties, and life — the holidays have snuck up on you, and you’ve no time left to purchase a gift. That’s okay, thanks to the internet and its own special brand of instant gratification, we’ve got you covered. Every one of these last-minute gifts can be sent via email, and each is awesome.