I love gadgets! And when a gadget makes its way into the kitchen, it becomes even more intriguing, especially if my family can benefit from it. While I have been known to throw a meal together here and there (not a chef by any standards), being able to review a gadget that can help quickly cook a meal is fantastic. The gadget I’m writing about today is the Luma Grill, which you may have seen by other names – the Luma Electric Grill, the Luma Infrared Grill, the Luma Searing Grill, or even the Luma Steak Grill (SKU: LSGE80BK00). All of these names do describe this product. I put the Luma ..read more

Storing your photos and videos in the cloud as a backup is great…until it isn’t accessible, or the cloud storage solution provider you have goes away, or you have gone over your tier allotment, or you forgot to pay. Local storage, like on a backup drive, is great because, apart from the initial cost, it’s free. But, hard drives do fail, and when they do, it’s really difficult to recover data from them. UGREEN, a brand that I have reviewed a lot on HighTechDad, has just launched a new product on Kickstarter, a NAS Storage solution called NASync, which is that perfect balance between the redund ..read more

Not only do I write technology, gadget, and product reviews here on HighTechDad, but occasionally, I post articles and videos about repairs, fix-its, and how-to’s. In this particular case, this is a How To and Fix It article on diagnosing and repairing a leaking KitchenAid Dishwasher (applicable to models KDTM354DSS4 / KDTM354DSS5). I will cut directly to the chase here: while there is some information in this article, my 30-minute diagnosis and repair video walks through all of the steps to do this $10 repair that will literally save you $100s! First, I want to point out that the Fix It for ..read more

I encounter this issue almost every day. From a request like “Dad, I need a charger” to me heading off to the office and having to get all of my tech into my backpack. I hated having to hunt around for a wall charger for my devices that could handle “everything.” But I now have an easy solution: just grab or give out one of the new UGREEN Nexode Pro chargers. Whether it’s to charge a smartphone, tablet, or even a laptop, one of these Nexode Pro chargers will be up for the job! (*Disclosure below.) We often find ourselves grappling with an ever-growing collection of devices—laptops, table ..read more

Are you tired of the disconnect between looking at your screen and maintaining eye contact during video calls or presentations? It’s a common issue many face, whether working from home, homeschooling, or in a professional office setting. In this review, I discuss a solution that promises to seamlessly bridge this gap between digital interactions and genuine “human” connections. Say hello to the iContact Camera for laptops and the iContact Camera Pro for monitors, designed to ensure that your gaze stays locked on the camera while you engage with content behind it on your sc ..read more

It’s been a while since I wrote a How-To article, but as it turns out, in a review that I’m working on, I needed to solve an issue before being able to do a video review. My problem was this: I needed to be able to record multiple webcam videos simultaneously in order to compare the recordings. Sure, there are apps that can do this, but I wanted to stay simple and use stock apps on my Mac. Enter QuickTime Player, which is a great tool for making simple recordings. Unfortunately, “out of the box,” you can only record one stream at a time. That is until I did some research! You can actually lau ..read more

The Apple Watch stands as a symbol of innovation and style. However, while the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 cater to the active lifestyle with their default fabric bands, many users crave a more refined and business-appropriate look. That would be me! I started short-listing many metallic (stainless steel and titanium) Apple Watch bands to wear at the office or for a night on the town. The SANDMARC Titanium Band, a sleek accessory designed to elevate the aesthetics of your Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2, was at the top of my list. In this review, I dive into the key features ..read more

The demand for adaptable and efficient lighting solutions has actually become “a thing.” With the proper lighting, your desk or work environment takes on a whole new feel. But when you have more of a mobile environment, like with a laptop, getting a good, portable, well-lit environment can become a challenge. You can’t always depend on a desk or overhead light to cast the best glow. And if you are in bed, it’s even more difficult. I recently received the BenQ LaptopBar Light for review and think BenQ has come up with an elegant solution for this mobile lighting we seek. (*Disclosure ..read more

Power outages, however brief, can send jolts of inconvenience through our daily lives, disrupting not just our routines but also leaving us wondering about the safety of our families and if we are prepared for more extended “power events.” Recently, I found myself in the throes of a couple of short-lived power outages, each lasting just long enough to render my home temporarily offline. As I reset blinking clocks and rebooted my WiFi router, I started thinking about a more formidable scenario – what if the power outage extended beyond a few minutes into hours or even days? These power events ..read more

There are many portable battery charger solutions in the market. And many of them are really great (others, less so). After spending a little time with the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini with Stand, I believe that Mophie has managed to carve a niche with a blend of innovation and practicality. As an avid tech reviewer, I often encounter various gadgets, but Mophie consistently delivers products that stand out. And, literally, one of the cool features of this Mophie battery charger that makes it “stand out” is, in fact, the stand! (Disclosure below.) Uniquely addressing the needs of the mod ..read more