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iXCC 50W Multiple Ports Cup Holder Car ChargerHere’s an easy way to keep everyone’s iPhones, iPads and Android phones charged during a family road trip.

The $16 iXCC 50W Multiple Ports Cup Holder Car Charger (normally it’s $40) plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter via a 23-inch power cable, while the charger itself slides into an empty cup holder.

With its multiple fast-charging USB ports, the iXCC car charger can charge up to five devices at once, including power-hungry iPads and jumbo-sized Samsung Galaxy phones.  Read More

Xit AXTCXNY Bluetooth Clip X speakerNo, I wouldn’t advise wearing a portable Bluetooth speaker in the library or at the movies. But if you’re in the mood for music while you’re, say, working in the garden or taking a hike, a compact clip-on speaker like this one could make for a tuneful companion.

On sale for $8 (usually it’s $20), the two-ounce, neon-yellow Xit AXTCXNY Bluetooth Clip X speaker wirelessly streams tunes from your iPhone or Android phone, and you can clip it onto a backpack strap, your belt loop, a keychain, you name it. Don’t expect Bose-quality sound, but for eight bucks, it’s hard to complain. Read More

SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 flash driveNot only does this 128GB flash drive from SanDisk boast speedy USB 3.0 file transfers, it’s also so small that you’ll forget that it’s plugged into your laptop’s USB port. Oh, and it’s on sale!

Typically, ultra-small 128GB flash drives like this one retail for about $40, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see one that’s marked down to $30 or so. That’s why this SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB flash drive is such a steal at just $25. We’re only talking a one-day sale here, so snap it up now if you’re interested.

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Syncwire 4-Port USB Wall ChargerEven the swankiest hotel rooms can be stingy when it comes to power outlets, meaning your iPhone, iPad and other portable gadgets might have to compete for charging time. The solution? Bring along a USB wall charger like this one.

On sale for $18 (or half-off the $36 list price), the Syncwire USB Wall Charger boasts four fast-charging USB ports, perfect for charging multiple phones, tablets or other USB-powered gadgets from a single wall outlet. The 6.7-ounce Syncwire charger fits easily in a purse, backpack or suitcase side pocket, and it even comes with a trio of removable travel adapters, good for charging your gear in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Europe. Read More

7 smart home gadgets for as little as 20 dollarsWhether you want to turn lights on and off with your iPhone or control your sprinklers with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can join the “smart home” club without spending an arm and a leg.

Get the scoop on a Wi-Fi-enabled smart plug, a smoke alarm that sends alerts to your iPhone or Android phone, a smart thermostat that you can program using a touchscreen, a sprinkler system that adjusts its schedule according to the local forecast, and more. Read More

ben’s tip of the week

Ben Patterson: Welcome to here's the thing, your source for practical tips, advice, and how-tos about the gadgets you use every day.

Sick of typing your Google password?

There's a much easier way to sign into your Google account than plugging in a massive password. All you need is your phone.Read More

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