25 Must-Have Back-To-School Gizmos And Gadgets
Back To School
As September nears, students are trading in their swimsuits and sunglasses for backpacks, binders and pencils.
The back-to-school rush is not lost on the tech industry, which has enhanced educational products, like laptop backpacks and iPhone cases, with Wi-Fi capabilities, phone-charging battery capabilities and other innovative features.
Between smartphone chargers, headphones and 2-in-1s, students going back to school have more and more options for taking notes, studying and keeping their technology up to speed in the classroom.
Check out CRN's guide to the top 25 gadgets that students need to succeed, whether they are in middle school, high school or college.
NewerTech iFolio iPad Leather Carrying Case
Students with brand-new iPads can protect their devices in style with NewerTech's iFolio premium leather carrying case for the iPad.
This soft, padded case rocks a taffeta-lined document sleeve, a sturdy, removable leather shoulder strap and various compartments with hard shells to offer top-of-the-class protection for the iPad, as well as a variety of colors like green, black and blue.
Buy the NewerTech iFolio case on NewerTech's website; prices range between $29 and $114.99.
The TUDIA Klip
Phone charger wires break easily due to frays and splits, and students -- who are constantly bringing their phones on the road, to the classroom and to the library -- know this best.
Aplars, a store for electronic accessories, is shipping the TUDIA Klip, a two-piece silicone and polycarbonate clip that snaps onto Apple cables, protecting the charger cables from wear and tear.
Buy the clip for just $6.99 on Amazon.
Impecca Bluetooth Bamboo Keyboard
Impecca's Bluetooth Bamboo Keyboard is perfect for students who have a smartphone or tablet that they would like to use to do their homework.
The 11.1-inch-by-5-inch keyboard, which works on iPhones, Android and other Bluetooth-compatible devices, is made from beautiful bamboo and is portable, so it can be left at home or lugged to school. The keyboard also comes in blue, green and red.
Buy the keyboard on NewEgg.com for $59.99.
Headset Headphone With Boom Microphone
Kidz Gear's headphones are built especially for children. These headphones come with a boom microphone that are compatible with all devices using a 3.5mm audio jack and support microphone use. This includes iPhones, iPads, Kindles, Nooks, as well as Android smartphones and tablets, computers, Chromebooks, tablets and smartphones.
These headphones contain volume limit technology, along with soft-padded child-sized ear cups so that children of all ages can utilize them.
The Kidz Gear Headphones are available on Kidz Gear's website, GearForKidz.com, at $29.99.
HTC Desire Smartphones
HTC's new Desire smartphones are the perfect gift for a student who is just starting out at school and needs an affordable phone. The company's newest series of LTE smartphones, including 5-inch HTC Desire 626, Desire 626s, and 4.7-inch Desire 526 and Desire 520. These high-performance flagship phones promote fun, customizable styles and an 8MP primary camera and video captured by HD.
HTC also contains a preloaded app called Zoe, which makes it easy to share visual stories and experiences with friends. These phones are available through several signature U.S. carriers.
The HTC Desire phones' prices vary, with the HTC Desire 510 4G going for $99.99 at Best Buy.
Jackery Air
Students are constantly on the go, and it is easy for power to be quickly sucked out of smartphones long before the school day is over.
Luckily, the Jackery Air 6 Portable Battery Charger offers a viable solution to this problem. The charger, which is a 3,000 mAh thin, portable external battery, contains a fast-charging, compact design and smart safety protection circuit.
This charger is compatible with smartphones from vendors like Apple, Samsung, BlackBerry and most Android devices. It can be purchased on Amazon for $39.99.
Nvidia Shield Android TV
After a long day of school and homework, students want to kick back and relax. And what better way to do that than with Nvidia's Shield Android TV?
This TV is ultimately an Android TV box set that taps into Google Play for a selection of movies, TV shows and apps. In addition, the Shield Android TV includes a controller for precision gaming and navigation, with up to 40 hours of game play on a single charge for video gamers.
Customers can purchase a 16 GB Shield TV with the controller for $199.99 with free shipping on Nvidia's website.
The Touchjet Pond Projector
The Touchjet Pond projector is the perfect technology for children to learn through interactions.
This lightweight, portable technology, powered by Android KitKat, turns any surface into a giant interactive touch screen that can display up to 80 inches of projection, and includes more than 1.3 million apps to download from the Google Play store. Users can utilize the interactive stylus or Air Mouse.
The Touchjet Pond projector costs $599 and is available for purchase on Touchjet's website.
Audiofly 33 Series
Audiofly's 33 series earphone provides students with a good way of zoning out of the noise in the hallway and focusing on their homework. This earphone, which comes in a variety of stylish colors, features custom-voiced 9mm dynamic, detailed sound reproduction with a sound-isolating in-ear design.
Audiofly comes in a stylish microfiber storage pouch to protect the earbuds, and includes Audiofly 1.2-meter cables. Buy it on Amazon for $67.09.
Aries Prime Wireless HDMI Transmitter/ Receiver System
The Aries Prime Wireless HDMI transmitter allows users to wirelessly send high-definition movies, TV shows, games and music from their PCs, gaming consoles or other HDMI device to an HDTV or projector.
This transmitter allows users to stream 1080p video and surround audio in realtime with no latency, and is 3-D compatible. It is a good way for teachers who want to show movies over a projector to their students.
The Nyrius Aries prime digital wireless transmitter and receiver system can be purchased on Amazon for $379.99.
Kensington Laptop Backpack
Students today have to lug around a lot more than just pencils and paper.
Between laptops, tablets and other devices, students need a sturdy backpack that will support even the heaviest loads. That's where Kensington's laptop backpack comes in. Designed for the "modern student," this backpack contains quick-access pockets for smartphones in the front, as well as dedicated areas for laptops and tablets that keep devices safe even if a student is rushing to get to class.
This backpack is available on Kensington's website for $49.99.
OtterBox Symmetry Series Case
There is no easier place for students to drop and break their phone than at school. Luckily, OtterBox has come up with a sturdy, and stylish, solution for the fragile iPhone 6, called the Symmetry Series case.
This case, which comes in a variety of fashionable decorations, contains a synthetic rubber interior with honeycomb coring that helps to absorb the shock if the phone is dropped, as well as a hard polycarbonate exterior that helps prevent scratches.
The casing is available on OtterBox's site for $44.95, and the company also offers compatible alternate versions for Samsung, Motorola and others.
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 With S Pen
Samsung has figured out a way to make taking notes in the classroom easier through technology with its Galaxy Note Pro 12.2.
This 12.2-inch device has multitasking capabilities and allows students to take notes right on the screen with the accompanying S pen stylus, as well as easily share their notes with others. A handy air command quick feature lets students easily power up Screen Write or Action Memo commands for quicker access to getting to their notepads.
The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 can be purchased for $649.99 on BHPhotoVideo.com.
Echo Smartpen
Another great note-taking gadget for the classroom is Livescribe's Echo Smartpen.
This pen records and can play back everything people write, hear or say, so students can replay their meetings or lectures by tapping on their notes. In addition, it allows students to transfer their notes and audio to their computer via USB cable and share audio files easily.
Buy the 2-GB Echo Smartpen on Livescribe's website for $119.95.
Pocket Projector For iPhone Devices
The pocket projector for iPhone devices is perfect for students who need to give a quick presentation or share notes during a group project.
This projector, which is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, contains a bright 15-lumen projector lamp that can attach onto the back of the device to show off a 640-x-360 native display resolution, as well as a built-in 5W speaker and focus adjustment.
The projector also contains a built-in 2100mAh battery function as a back-up battery for the iPhone. It can be purchased at Amazon for $88.99.
iPad Air 2
Apple's iPad Air 2 is good for college students or post-graduate students. This ultra-portable, lightweight device is easy to carry on the bus or into a classroom.
With new features like Apple Pay, Apple's new mobile payment system, and Touch ID, which allows users to log on to their devices with just the touch of a finger, the tablet is easy for all aspects of student lifestyle beyond the classroom. This device has Retina display and comes in silver, gold or space-gray.
Buy it for $599 in the Apple Store.
Flyp-Duo
Tylt's Flyp-Duo reversible USB charge and sync cables eliminate the headaches that come with USB cords by offering a USB that can be plugged in on either side. This USB is equipped with both Lightning and micro USB connectors to comply with both Apple and Android users, and offers solutions for Apple users who also need to lug Bluetooth devices or powerbanks to school that charge through micro-USB.
The Flyp-Duo comes in different colors and its length varies from 1 foot, which can be purchased for $24.99, to 3.3 feet, which is priced at $29.99.
Energi Sliding Power Case
Running around school for more than eight hours can quickly drain students' device batteries, but Tylt has come up with a quick solution for making sure smartphones are juiced up with power even at the end of the day.
The Energi sliding power case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus works as a protective casing that charges the iPhone 6 until it reaches 100 percent. With a 3,500 mAh battery, this power casing more than doubles users' battery capability.
The Energi sliding power case can be purchased for $99.99.
Kensington MicroSaver Portable Keyed Laptop Lock
In some busy schools and universities, protecting students' devices from theft is essential.
The Kensington MicroSaver portable keyed laptop lock for notebooks and Macs is an effective solution. This small, portable key plugs into the device, whether it’s a notebook or laptop, and locks it so that it cannot be opened by anyone else. Hidden Pin technology ensures tubular locks can't be picked, and the device contains technology that alerts users if someone has tampered with it.
The portable keyed laptop lock is available for $39.99.
Microsoft Arc Touch Bluetooth Mouse
Microsoft's Arc Touch Bluetooth Mouse is a good accessory for students with tablets or laptops that may not come with a mouse.
This 2.32-inch-by-5.12-inch Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy mouse curves to comfortably fit into the palm of the user's hand, and is compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 10.
The Arc Touch Mouse can be purchased for $69.95.
Outdoor Tech Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
For students studying in the halls or library, Outdoor Technology's wireless headphones will keep the noise out.
These touch-control, Bluetooth wireless headphones have a touch-pad interface on the right earpiece, allowing users to easily change the volume or audio. In addition, the headphones connect to devices and have a built-in microphone so that users can make and receive phone calls.
The headphones are available for $77.64 on Amazon.
Kindle Voyage
Between English class assignments and reading for pleasure, more students are showing up to class with a Kindle in their hands.
The ultra-thin Kindle Voyage with 330 ppi display is a good device to lug to school, with high-resolution e-pages, an adaptive front light and weeks-long battery life. The Kindle Voyage has a force sensor built into it that allows for quicker page turning and an easier reading experience. It can be purchased on Amazon for $199.
Hewlett-Packard Deskjet All-In-One Printer With Mobile Printing
HP's Deskjet All-In-One Printer contains wireless and USB connectivity, as well as AirPrint, HP's solution that allows users to print straight from their mobile devices. This printer, which is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems, is a 157-by-425-by-306 mm device weighing around 11.5 pounds. It is compatible with the HP 61 black ink cartridge and HP 61 tri-color cartridge.
The HP Deskjet all-in-one printer is available for $59.99 on HP's website.
SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive
Between 12-page essays and video presentations, it is just too easy for students to fill up the storage available on their devices. The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive will help students avoid having to randomly delete files and photos.
This flash drive offers more storage by allowing students to transfer their files from their phones and iPads onto their PCs through a USB connector. The iXPand contains a Lightning and USB 2.0 connector and is available in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB.
The 64-GB option costs $98.19, while the 128-GB option can be purchased for $299.99.
Microsoft Surface 3
The Microsoft Surface 3 is an easy portable device for school and on-the-go activities. Equipped with an integrated kickstand, this 10.8-inch device with full HD display runs desktop software and contains a USB port, as well as 1,920-x-1,280 resolution.
This device, just under 1.5 pounds, can be easily slipped into a backpack and is perfect for taking notes in the classroom or writing up essays in the library. The laptop packs a quad-core Intel Atom processor, giving it more than 80 percent the performance of the Surface Pro 3, according to Microsoft.
It can be purchased for $499.99.