Summer is a time of the year for fun and outdoor activities. Technology and innovative gadgets provide many of the same creature comforts of home while enjoying the outdoors. These gadgets offer entertainment and make chores easier to complete.

Eton Rukus Solar

Share and listen to music using a solar-powered speaker by Eton. Liven up picnics and small gatherings without wired speakers. Bluetooth technology provides the connection, and the sun powers the speaker instead of electricity or batteries. Use the auxiliary jack included with the speaker to plug in an iPod or iPod touch.

The speakers weigh four pounds, and the built-in handle keeps the design simple. With music from a phone or Apple device, the party lasts as long as the sun shines. A three month paid subscription to MOG’s service comes with the purchase of each solar speaker.

WowWee’sCinemin Slice Pico Projector

How can a family watch a movie or play a video game outside on a 60-inch screen? It is possible with this projector and a Smart phone, computer, or tablet. In addition, enjoy videos, share photos, and watch streaming videos on any blank wall in a home. At night, sit outside and watch a movie against the side of the house. Usually, rainy days ruin vacations; however, watching downloaded or streamed movies on the ceiling in a hotel room offers hours of free indoor entertainment.

For the best image, watch at night or in a dark room, and place no farther than 10 feet away from the projection surface. It is simple to plug in an iPad or iPod touch with an Apple connector. In addition, it includes a connector for a laptop. The best news is that no set up or software to download. A user can plug in, watch, and enjoy without special equipment, or complicated instructions. Listen through the speakers or through headphones and use the infrared remote to change tracks or turn the volume up or down. Although the image is not in HD, the projector adjusts to improve the sharpness of the image.

No outing would be complete without food, and cooking on the grill is a summertime favorite. However, grilling utensils and tools are bulky, but Quirky Inc. offers innovative products to cook and serve grilled foods.

The Stake

The Stake is three grilling tools in one and replaces a fork, spatula, and tongs. Whether this tool is for home or travel, storage is simple. Additionally, it is easy to use with the leaf spring mechanism, locking handles, and slide-out fork. When using the tongs, the spring mechanism helps to grip meats and vegetables on the grill. Simply lock the handles together and the Stake becomes a spatula. The fork is part of the spatula design and pierces the food to put on a serving platter.

Because all the tools needed are in one, grabbing chicken pieces or hamburgers are not a problem and no more dropped food in the grill. The handy fork gets food from the grill to the serving plate in no time. With the brushed stainless steel cooking surface and sturdy wood handles, cooking is effortless. The long handles ensure safety for the cook, and one hand operation leaves the other hand free to do other tasks.

Sliders

No, not the ones you eat but the skewers with sliders that easily remove food from its prongs. The skewer has a double prong that secures the food while grilling and a heatproof handle and slider. When not in use, rubber gaskets keep the sliders in place. Guests enjoy the meal without making a mess or burning their fingers.

Porter

It usually takes many trips from the kitchen to the grill just to get organized. The Porter carries all the items to the grill at one time. Prepare, cook, and serve food using one item. Marinate and refrigerate food and then cook and serve. The three containers have lids that separate cooked and raw food. Transport spices, condiments, and other items to the grill with the attached caddy. When the food is cooked, guests eat from the handy serving tray. The containers and serving tray store in one convenient unit and made of food safe material.

Author Bio

Becky Harris is a blogger for upack portable storage containers and writes on a variety of topics.