Gadgets | Gadgets & Technology

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Giveaway: Win a Toshiba 47″ 3D TV AND 3D Wifi Blu-Ray Player

I believe in going big or going home.

And if I’m going to have an Oscar viewing party – I’m going to do anything in my power to make sure it’s the best one on the block.

So, check this out. For your future big TV nights, we’re giving away BOTH a Toshiba 47″ 1080p 3D TV and a Toshiba 3D Blu-ray player.

The Toshiba BDX5200 blu-ray player has built-in Wi-Fi, 3D compatibility, a simple user interface, and all the streaming media services my happiness requires, including Netflix, Vudu, and Pandora. The Toshiba TL515U 3D TV has crazy good picture quality, even screen uniformity and very good video processing. Its Internet suite includes built-in Wi-Fi. Passive 3D on this TV has minimal crosstalk, is brighter than active, and Toshiba includes four pairs of lightweight, non-powered 3D glasses with the TV.

Do you want to win this AMAZING Oscar-viewing party themed giveaway? Please tweet what your favorite Oscar nominated picture is and why to @ToshibaUSA and @alywalansky with the tag #oscars. (Be sure you are following both of us and RT as well). You can go to Toshiba’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ToshibaUSA) and leave a similar comment on the thread on the wall. Deadline to enter is March 3. (And obviously, if you do ALL these things, you score extra credit! Please only one entry per person per day. Thanks!)

The winner will score:
(1)47″ TL515U passive 3DTV
(1)BDX5200 3D Blu-ray player
(2)Former Best Picture-winning Blu-rays

Good luck – and happy viewing!

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Oh no: Can your Spinbrush be putting you in danger?

I love my fancy toothbrush — but something has suddenly made me wonder if it loves me.

The FDA has posted a warning about the dangers of the seemingly harmless act of brushing your teeth when using a Spinbrush electric toothbrush. There have been reports of the brush head breaking off or popping off in the user’s mouth while turned on. This has resulted in cuts to the mouth and gums, chipped or broken teeth, swallowing and choking on the broken pieces, and injuries to the face and eyes.

SCARY.

The FDA says the unexpected release of any part of the powered toothbrush occurs, there is a potential for serious injury, and to not take that risk – just throw it out immediately. Here’s some tips to keep you safe:

Inspect the Spinbrush for any damage or loose brush bristles prior to using. If you notice any damage or loose brush bristles, DO NOT USE.
Check to be sure that the headpiece is connected properly to the handle of the brush and test your brush outside of the mouth prior to using. If you notice the connection feels loose or the headpiece easily detaches from the handle, DO NOT USE.
Supervise children and adults who need assistance when using the Spinbrush. Do not bite down on the brush head while brushing.
Do not bite down on the brush head while brushing.

By the way, if you check here on the Spinbrush website, they already advise replacing brush heads after 3 months of use, or is brushes or damaged, or if parts have become loose. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

Gloss Find: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones

aviator s6avcm 072 1 300x233 Gloss Find: Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones I don’t wear headphones. Usually. However with kids often making a ruckus in the background while I’m trying to chat with a client on Skype or listen in on a conference call, I had to start researching options. Unfortunately, standard earbuds wouldn’t do — they don’t filter out enough noise and if you’ve met my sons, you know they’re loud.

Then I came across these stylish headphones from Skullcandy – their Aviator model isn’t only comfortable to wear, but they completely minimize background noise for crystal clear sound and they feature a microphone, so you can use them with your cell phone or on Skype or Facetime chats. I love the all-white version and they’re also available in black, bronze or “The Ting Tings” — named after and designed by the Indie pop duo.

Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator headphones – $149.99 at Skullcandy.com

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Giveaway: NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Creativa Plus

dolcegustocreativa 300x300 Giveaway: NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Creativa Plus Are you thinking of a great Valentine’s gift idea?

Well, I don’t have a Valentine this year — but if you were going to ask me, I could do with a lot less chocolate — and a lot more caffeine.

And I’m rather smitten with the new NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Creativa Plus ($199).

It’s a single-serve coffee machine with professional espresso technology, 15 bars of pressure and a programmable automated beverage system.

But it also is capable of some things my other single-cup brewers aren’t, such as brewing a variety of customized hot and cold beverages in seconds, whether it’s an espresso, mocha or even fancy hot chocolate.

The Creativa Plus is available in red, black and graphite and can be found at retailers nationwide, as well as www.dolce-gusto.us. But, since it’s Valentine’s Day, OBVIOUSLY I’m giving away one in RED!

To enter to win:

1 – Follow @alywalansky and @dolcegustoUS on Twitter

2 – RT this giveaway

3 – Comment below and tell me why YOU think this would be a great Valentine’s Day gift (for you or someone you love!) this season.

Deadline to enter: Feb 1.

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Gloss Find: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock

belkin thunderbolt express dock 300x176 Gloss Find: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock In case anyone is reading this and wants to get me a belated birthday present, I REALLY want Belkin‘s new Thunderbolt Express Dock.

This is fab – it works with both Macbook and Ultrabook devices, and connects into a desktop workstation to access multiple devices with a single cable.

When you take the dock out of box, it comes with three USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire 800 port, one HDMI port, one 3.5mm Audio port, one gigabit Ethernet port and two Thunderbolt ports (one upstream and one downstream) for daisy-chaining to another Thunderbolt compatible device.

It will retail for $299 and be available September 2012 at select retailers worldwide and on Belkin.com — and I am SO SO getting one.

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Gloss Find: Toshiba Camileo Camcorders

toshiba z100 3D 300x174 Gloss Find: Toshiba Camileo Camcorders Perhaps I didn’t mention it, but I was supposed to be at CES this year — and then my life (tragically) got in the way.

Instead, I’ve been stalking the news feeds from afar, and among my favorite finds are Toshiba’s new camcorders.

The cameras each record in 1080p full HD, and the Camileo Clip ($99.99) is great for my travel writer buddies – very portable, rugged and can be clipped on to clothing or a belt.

The Camileo AIR10 is fabulous for users to record and wirelessly upload HD video. It also doubles as a wireless webcam, and the Camileo Z100 3D ($219, pictured) is a full HD barrel-style camcorder which contains a 2.8-inch glasses-free 3D LCD touchscreen — at an amazing price.

Toshiba says the cameras will be available in the first half of this year.

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Gloss Find: Native Union Play Video Player

fabien nauroy play 300x187 Gloss Find: Native Union Play Video Player Want to send your annoying roomie a message and make sure it gets noticed?

You’ll love this: Play is a small video player that can be mounted to a fridge or other metallic surface.

It can be used to leave a sexy message for your mate — or remind your roomie to take out the trash. Whatever, it’s way more fun than a post-it!

Available in several colors, and can be found here on Native Union for $59.99.

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Gloss Find: Fanny Wang Launches Colorful Headphones at CES

fanny wang 1000 series headphones 300x195 Gloss Find: Fanny Wang Launches Colorful Headphones at CES If you are on the lookout for new headphones, I’m loving these babies Fanny Wang launched last week at CES.

The headphones have 40mm titanium-plated matched drivers, and also feature Fanny Wang’s Duo Jack, which lets a friend connect to your headphones through a 3.5mm jack!

Sharing music = sharing friendship. I totally agree!

The headphones cost $169.95. You can find out more here on fannywang.com.

Photo: Fanny Wang