What’s a small tech habit or gadget that surprisingly makes your day better?

[jamespritche]

Sometimes it’s not the big purchases but the little things that bring comfort. For example, I recently started using a simple cable organizer, and it feels so satisfying not to have wires all tangled up. For others, it might be a favorite pair of headphones, a smart plug, or even just a keyboard shortcut. What’s that one small tech-related thing that always puts you in a better mood?

 

[kwayde]

My preamp remote. Don't have to get up to adjust volume whenever I feel the need.

 

[Lavane]

I run tube equipment and the amplifiers either have the power switches on the back of the chassis, or with one the power switch is on the power cord.
So I bought remote controlled Bluetooth outlets. So now I just turn them on with the remote control. No more reaching over hot tubes to turn them off.
Also when working on equipment at my bench long nosed needle nose pliers and a magnet on a telescoping stick come in really handy for those screws that get dropped into the chassis. The little componant tester with a LED screen comes in very handy as well.

 

[Mike_S]

It's small in price, but not small in time. Did a full restore on my pre & power amp. Everyday when I turn it on it brings a smile to my face. It was worth the $$ and time.

For the $40 I spent recapping my speaker crossovers, that's also high value for money invested.

 

[Uncle Fester]

One of those magnetic bowls to drop screws into, so I don’t lose them.

 

[twiiii]

Graphic tone controls on my preamp.

 

[DeeCee]

My leatherman wave+ tool. Carry everywhere when out of reach of my electronic tools…

Also great for general fixit work on the run!

 

[GChief]

What’s a small tech habit or gadget that surprisingly makes your day better?

My first smartphone

 

[RunOutGroove]

My leatherman wave+ tool. Carry everywhere when out of reach of my electronic tools…

Also great for general fixit work on the run!

Those are cool.... I have a mini-keychain Leatherman multi-tool that I can't live without... though I've used a Swiss Army version that I liked almost as much (Leatherman is cool though!). I could see getting myself one of these Wave tools, particularly for the volunteer roadie stuff that I occasionally do for a local jazz fest.

My vote for small gadget might be a iPod, if it weren't for the fact that the damn Apple software has changed so it doesn't support this kind of thing nearly as well as it had in the past. Even though folks these days are streaming music podcasts, etc with their phones, I like the way that the iPod is set up and that I'm not draining the minutes or the batteries of my phone when using it. it's just unfortunately less and less convenient to use due to Apple's software. I feel like it wouldn't have been that difficult for Apple to have thrown us iPod users a bone and kept the functionality of the old iPod interface with newer versions of the OS...

 

[Apreggiator]

I run tube equipment and the amplifiers either have the power switches on the back of the chassis, or with one the power switch is on the power cord.
So I bought remote controlled Bluetooth outlets. So now I just turn them on with the remote control. No more reaching over hot tubes to turn them off.
Also when working on equipment at my bench long nosed needle nose pliers and a magnet on a telescoping stick come in really handy for those screws that get dropped into the chassis. The little componant tester with a LED screen comes in very handy as well.

Am 100% going to make some of my outlets remote controlled as well, genius!

~
A couple of simple life improving things for me that not everyone has (or perhaps aren't for everyone):
I've replaced some of the light switches in the house with motion sensors. Very cheap from China and work like a charm.

A pair of these bluetooth-but-attached-to-each-other headphones.
Always have mine in my coat pocket and they've quite literally been around the world twice.
Not the best sounding or best apparatuses out there, but I'd lose Airpods or the likes twice a day, and fully cabled earbuds to me are a thing of the past. Love 'em!

 

[oldflame]

A small pad of paper & a pencil. They help to keep my day organized and are a place to list the tech items that need attention.

 

[Mumbles]

One of those magnetic bowls to drop screws into, so I don’t lose them.

I use them to but have lost other fasteners lying loosely on the bench only to find them under the bowl stuck to the magnet This usually happens after buying new fasteners or robbing something to replace the missing ones.

 

[Lavane]

Am 100% going to make some of my outlets remote controlled as well, genius!

~
A couple of simple life improving things for me that not everyone has (or perhaps aren't for everyone):
I've replaced some of the light switches in the house with motion sensors. Very cheap from China and work like a charm.

A pair of these bluetooth-but-attached-to-each-other headphones.
Always have mine in my coat pocket and they've quite literally been around the world twice.
Not the best sounding or best apparatuses out there, but I'd lose Airpods or the likes twice a day, and fully cabled earbuds to me are a thing of the past. Love 'em!

The Bluetooth outlets just plug into the wall outlet. Then plug your equipment into them. They come in singles, and multiple outlets. I've bought a few singles and one with three Bluetooth outlets that you can control individually with the remote. They don't cost that much and can be found at Amazon.

 

[Apreggiator]

The Bluetooth outlets just plug into the wall outlet. Then plug your equipment into them. They come in singles, and multiple outlets. I've bought a few singles and one with three Bluetooth outlets that you can control individually with the remote. They don't cost that much and can be found at Amazon.

And from China at even lower prices, to a ridiculou point even.
But I'll have a look at the local electronics shop when I go by next time before I order from the far east, the local guys deserve some support imho.

 

[Mart Mccall]

Digital temperature and humidity monitor, sits on the coffee table.

Means I know if it really is cold in the room or if it's just me.

 

[sqlsavior]

No tone controls.

As in cycling, "Clear your handlebars and your mind will follow."

 

[knockbill]

My favorite one is for starting nuts on small screws in a tight chassis,,, I use two sharp pokin sticks,,, Tape the screw in place and then flip the chassis to access the threads,,, Put on any other hardware and put the nut on teh point of one stick,,, Center the stick point on the bottom of the screw, and use the other stick to slip the nut off to the bottom of the screw, while keeping the nut centered with the first stick... Use the 2nd to slowly spin the nut to catch the threads,,, Always works even on non-magnetic screws,,,
Took longer to explain it than to do it!

 

[OBMG74]

How about low-tech?
I always carry a small pocket knife, LED pencil flashlight and earplugs.

 

[jayvis]

An analog wristwatch.

 

[bolero]

Beer stein: I use them for coffee & tea

the lid keeps bugs out while outside, soldersucker shrapnel out while inside, and keeps the drink warm longer too.

They are usually hefty & insulate well