Gadgets: Easy solutions for everyday problems

KUSA - This edition of Gadgets is all about problem solvers-whether its a scratch on your car to hard-to-manage thermostats.

Innovation Insider Steve Greenberg showed off a few examples on 9News 7 a.m.

Dupli-Color Scratch Fix All-in-1

Easily and quickly repair bothersome - and potentially very costly - automotive paint scratches, chips and nicks with Dupli-Color's new Scratch Fix All-in-1. It's the first touch-up solution of its kind to combine paint and a clear protective top-coat in a single package.

The abrasive tip helps you prepare to paint by removing loose paint and rust. The one-coat prime and paint formula helps you restore vehicles back to the original factory finish quickly and produces an expert finish at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional.

Available at Advanced Auto Parts, AutoZone, Canadian Tire, Meijer, O'Reilly and Pep Boys for a suggested retail price of $14.99. For more information, visit www.duplicolor.com

zBoost SOHO and zBoost METRO

ZBoost, a leading provider of cell phone signal booster kits provides a solution for dropped, missed and choppy voice calls, eliminating dead zones and the need to say, "Can you hear me now?"

The zBoost SOHO and zBoost METRO boost indoor signal for multiple carriers and multiple users simultaneously. zBoost cell phone signal boosters come in a kit with everything you need. Additionally, your cell phone does not need to be synced or connected to the booster.

It requires a signal antenna to be mounted outside where good signal is present (at least 2 bars.) The zBoost SOHO can be found online through various etailers such as, Walmart.com and Amazon.com for under $200.

The zBoost METRO can increase indoor coverage up to 1500 sq. ft. making it the ideal choice for apartments, condo's, lofts and other smaller settings. It requires a signal antenna to be suction cupped to the inside of a window where good signal is present (at least 2 bars.) The zBoost METRO can be found online through various "etailers" such as, OfficeDepot.com and SolidSignal.com for under $150. For more information go to www.zBoost.com

Ooma Telo

Ooma Telo offers free crystal-clear and reliable PureVoice HDTM calling anywhere in the United States. After purchase of the Ooma Telo, all you pay is applicable taxes and fees, which are usually less than $4 a month.

It's easy to set up and even easier to use; all you need is high-speed Internet and a regular home phone. With the Telo, users have access to voicemail, call-waiting, caller-ID, and more. Users can also gain some peace of mind with Ooma's unique 911 Alerts feature, which immediately sends a text message or email to recipients when 911 is called from the Ooma phone number.

The Ooma Telo was ranked the #1 home phone service for the third year in a row by the readers at Consumer Reports (2011, 2012, and 2013 issues). The Ooma Telo is $149.99 and available at leading retailers and online destinations, including ooma.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Costco, Staples and more.

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat With Voice Control The latest connected home innovation from Honeywell, the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control is a first-of-its-kind device. Simply say, "Hello, thermostat" to activate, and the thermostat will recognize simple, intuitive commands such as "make it four degrees warmer" or "make it much cooler" - even from across the room and over the ambient noise of a busy household.

The cloud-based thermostat will even get smarter over time, adding more commands based on its interactions with homeowners. In addition, the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control allows design-focused homeowners to customize it to match or accent their home décor.

www.wifithermostat.com/voice $349 at Lowes.com, HomeDepot.com, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com.

Netchef

This is a computer designed for your kitchen. With your home's wifi, it gives you access to over 2000 recipes. Touch the screen, you can watch cooking videos, and look through food apps and the popular cooking websites that have been preloaded so you get access to an unlimited number of recipes.

You can even store and display your own recipes. With Netchef's built-in camera you can have video chat from your kitchen. Netchef also brings music, videos, photos, social media, and much more right to your kitchen countertop. The touchscreen makes it easy and very intuitive to use. Netchef can be purchased for $279.99 from Amazon.com, SkyMall, Rakuten.com, and other online retailers with more to come in the next couple months for the holiday season. For more info go to www.netchef-usa.com

Reviver Freshening Swipes

Reviver is the World's First Dry Deodorant for Clothes. Whether we smoke, eat, travel, work, or sweat, malodor always finds a way into our lives and onto our clothes and hair. While there are countless solutions for combatting bad breath between brushings - gum, breath mints, breath spray, and even breath strips - there are virtually zero ways to freshen our clothes and hair between washings.

Each swipe is packaged in a reseal-able packet and delivers multiple uses. The reseal-able packaging provides customers the convenience of storing it in a purse, pocket, briefcase, car or desk. To use, simply slip the swipe over your fingers and rub against your clothing or hair. The wiping action releases proprietary non-toxic compounds that safely neutralize odor-causing elements without damaging clothing. Each reusable Reviver swipe is $2.99 and available for purchase at www.Reviver.com or at any Walgreen's nationwide in the laundry aisle.

Hickies

Replaces your traditional shoelaces, and turns any pair of lace-up shoes into comfortable slip-ons while keeping them secure on your feet. As long as your shoe has eyelets, Hickies will fit; each set is adjustable to any shoe size, from kids to adults.

Made of a flexible elastic that loosens and contracts with your foot, Hickies have a bit of memory so they keep their shape. They're perfect for just about anyone - from everyday athletes, business travelers, the elderly and kids who can't yet tie their shoes to style-conscious folks who like their kicks to match their style.

Mariquel Waingarten and Gaston Frydlewski created Hickies because tying shoes is a hassle and the bow on the top of the shoe never looked quite right. They disliked how easily and often their shoes came untied and how dirty the laces became with use. After several years of research and testing, they invented a better shoelace, and launched it on Kickstarter. Each pack includes 14 Hickies and are available on The Grommet for $19.99.

PocketMonkey from Zootility

This is a 12-in-one utility tool thin enough to fit in the credit card slot of your wallet, yet strong enough to handle everything from opening a bottle to loosening a tight screw. Company founder and self-proclaimed tinkerer, Nate Barr set out to find a pocket tool that wouldn't weigh him down.

When he couldn't find one, he used his background in mechanical engineering to create the PocketMonkey. While Nate is not the first person to design a wallet tool, PocketMonkey succeeds where others have failed because it's heavy on function, light in your pocket and can hold up under pressure.

The secret to packing so much strength and utility into a piece of stainless steel only one millimeter thin is in the manufacturing-PocketMonkey is heat-treated for maximum durability and is made with quality in the USA. Cell phone stand, bottle opener, orange peeler, screwdriver, hex wrench, ruler, letter opener, scraper and more are all packed into one credit card sized tool. With multiple screw driver heads and varying wrench sizes, PocketMonkey has at least a dozen functions. It's even TSA compliant.

Put it to the test and if you find a use we haven't mentioned, be sure to let us know. PocketMonkey is available on The Grommet for for $23.95 (set of 2).

Brewsees Sunglasses

You never know when an outdoor adventure might turn into an opportunity to enjoy a cold drink. Brewsees sunglasses have bottle openers built into the temple tips, so anytime you're wearing your shades, you're ready for an impromptu party.

The inventor, Rob Ianelli, used to wear flip-flops with a bottle opener embedded in the sole, but after stepping in something nasty, he started thinking about a better carrying spot. His Brewsees glasses are a wraparound style with polarized lenses, a polycarbonate frame, and anodizedaluminum tips.

When you're golfing, fishing, skiing, or biking, Brewsees do double duty. They provide sun protection and keep you prepared for unexpected cocktail opportunities. Each pair comes with a BrewCoozie, so you can keep your favorite beverage cold. Cheers! Brewsees are available on thegrommet.com for $29.00 (add on a beer coozie for $4.95)

Ostrich Pillow

Sometimes all you need is a power nap - after a stressful day; to counter jet lag; or for a chance to relax. The Ostrich Pillow could be your dream come true. Burrow your head and arms into its cozy "cocoon" and you'll be in dreamland before you know it. Created by Studio Banana Things, the Ostrich Pillow puts a new spin on relaxation.

Recognizing that we spend so much time at work, in front of the screen or in transit, they created this new pillow to help us disconnect and dream. Power napping increases productivity by 34%. This pillow isolates the head and the hands comfortably so you can relax and replenish. Great for frequent travel, the dorm, the desk, or home, the Ostrich Pillow is like that comfy old sweatshirt you just can't part with.

The Ostrich Pillow lets you block out the noise, the light, and the world, so you can get a little catnap. Snooze and awake refreshed. The Ostrich Pillow is available on The Grommet for $99.00 for adults and $75 for the junior size.

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