GADGETS :: November 11, 2020
by Gregg Ellman :: It’s refreshing to use a new piece of technology and not stare at a screen. When I read about a new handheld game, which asked what’s small, round, and packed with 1,000 hours of fun for all ages and does not have a screen, it got my attention. Well, the answer is Jogoball, which was easy to figure out since the email was from Jogoball and parent company Yogibo.
Yogibo is a company known for lifestyle furniture and accessories with comfort and relaxation, filled with sensory and health benefits. The new line of fun technology starts with the Jogoball.
Jogoball is subscription-free and recommended for ages 8 to 98. The baseball-sized handheld smiling character gadget has a Bluetooth speaker and a gaming console built-in with 15 games with over 1,000 hours of content so no two games are the same.
Since it doesn’t have a screen, you need the companion app (iOS/Android) to choose a game. The app keeps the firmware updated, player accounts and scores
Game choices include music (use Jogoball like an instrument to make music), active (endurance workouts), mind (trivia), and social games. They are styled in games of True or False, Guess Who?, Escape Academy, Ice Breaker, and Beat Beat. Once a game is chosen an announcer introduces the game and instructions.
To play, just toss it between players, roll or tap it, just make it move to activate any of six built-in axis of motion detection sensors inside of the durable device. A protective blue Hugibo silicone skin covering keeps it safe.
LED lights on the Jogoball blink at different times based on the game being played. Inside is a rechargeable battery, and a micro USB cable is included for charging and loading free updates and new content.
Replacement silicone character sleeve covers are available for purchase ($29) to change the look of the Jogoball.
https://yogibo.com $119
Twelve South’s Curve Riser is a desktop accessory you won’t think you’ll need until you use it and then you wonder how you ever lived without it.
Well, that might be a little exaggeration, but the Curve Riser premium metal stand is an outstanding addition to any work station and helps declutter every desk. It’s marketed for Apple iMacs but will work just fine with any display Mac or PC, TV, or anything needing a little lift. Once it’s in place and your display is on top, the valuable desktop real estate it was taking up, is now back and with a little extra.
Keeping a display on top also provides a much better viewing height with a 4.25-inch rise, resulting in a more healthy neck, back, and eye-friendly, ergonomic viewing height. But you also get a storage shelf for hard drives, hubs, cables, or anything you can fit.
Small monitor-free computers, such as a Mac Mini can fit in the center shelf with an easy, open-air flowing ventilated area. Connecting cables is simple since the monitor is right there and can be run out of the back end of the open shelf where all the ports need a short connection.
Under the shelf, the base of the Curve Riser curves in to sit on a flat surface and offers more storage space.
The overall dimensions of the sharp-looking Curve Riser with a matte black finish are 4.2-inches high, 12.52-inches wide, and 9.65-inches deep. The shelf height is 1.75-inches. Displays with round or square bases up to 10-inches wide are supported.
Knowing these dimensions in advance is helpful to measure your area before purchasing. Before purchasing this or any other similar accessory, which will changed a viewing angle, consider this homework to see if it’s right for you since we all have a different workspace.
Changing the height of a monitor can be very beneficial but can also work in reverse if the angle isn’t comfortable. If it fits, the Curve Riser is a great choice.
www.twelvesouth.com $79.99
