For each product category in the Consumer Guide, we’ve collected a handful of items that appeared in NM in 2014. In some cases the original article is longer, so we’ve provided the month, in case you’d like to look up more information:

Tobii Eyemobile
(February, SCI Life)
For people with high-level spinal cord injuries, get ready for one of the coolest technological advancements in recent years — the Tobii EyeMobile — a device that lets you use a tablet with Windows 8 by using only your eyes. The EyeMobile is a Dell tablet running Microsoft Windows 8 that has been attached to a special bracket and the TobiiPCEye tracker. The bracket can be easily mounted on wheelchairs or elsewhere, allowing for mobile usage. You can also unplug the tracker and use it on a home computer or laptop. The interface and controls are intuitive, and after some getting used to and calibrating, the EyeMobile works quite well according to users.

tobiiati-webshop.com

Anywhere Charger Mat
(August, SCI Life)
Quads with an iPhone 5S/5, iPhone 4S/4 or a Samsung have access to one of the coolest charging ideas to ever come around for phones — the Duracell PowerMat. By simply adding an unobtrusive, black “access” case to your phone you gain the ability to charge your phone wirelessly by placing it on a PowerMat. You can also purchase a PowerSnap Kit, which snaps over the AccessCase and acts like an extra battery, doubling your available power. The company is currently partnered with a number of major companies, like Starbucks, to offer a network of charging stations.

www.duracellpowermat.com

Tecla Shield DOS
(September, SCI Life)
For those with limited arm movement who can’t use touchscreens, the Tecla Shield DOS is a new product that allows you to use external switches or your power wheelchair’s controller to access iOS and android phones and tablets and PCs and Macs. You can use it to send and receive emails, surf the Internet, read, access environmental controls, make phone calls and use apps or play games. The Tecla Shield DOS can be configured for between one and six switches, allowing you extreme customization of your user experience while adapting to your setup. It offers system-wide voice assistance. Because it’s not too big and connects via Bluetooth wireless technology, you are not limited to using the Tecla Shield DOS in your home environment. It is easy to venture out and about and enjoy your tech in settings you might not have been able to previously. So now you can use your phone as easily as your wheelchair.

http://gettecla.com/

Sugru
(March, SCI Life)
Don’t you wish there was an easier way to stick and fix your stuff? Sugru, a self-setting rubber for fixing, modifying and improving your stuff is the latest technology people with SCI are raving about. You can use Sugru to attach things to the walls, add grip to utensils and more.

Sugru.com

Flip Belt
(August, Six Safety Products)
If you’re concerned about having your wallet stolen or simply looking for a hands-free way to store valuables while you are out and about, the FlipBelt may be the answer you’ve been looking for. This colorful waistband looks like it’s part of your clothing when in fact it’s a place to store items. It’s a great place for everything from your wallet to your phone. Just flip the front of the belt to access your valuables.

www.flipbelt.com

Ergojoystick
(September, Stories of Invention)
As an engineer and a quad, Joe Olson quickly saw the shortcomings of industry-standard joystick knobs, specifically that they lack ergonomics and don’t function as they should. “I realized that typical knobs are designed for an upright position,” he says. “When you push the joystick forward, the angle changes and knobs become harder to grip, fatiguing the hand.” Olson set out to design a better joystick that would be customizable and better suited to the needs of quads like himself. The result is a series of stunning “handles” that can replace your power chair’s joystick while making you look cooler and improving your control.

www.ergojoystick.com