On a recent flight, InventHelp’s Gadget Girl was stuck in everyone’s least favorite spot – the dreaded middle seat. Not only is there nowhere to rest my arms, but I can’t get any work done on my laptop because I’m concerned that one of my seat buddies might be eavesdropping!

As those of you who have worked with us know, protecting the confidentiality of our client’s inventions is one of our top priorities at InventHelp. Unfortunately for me, when I’m in a position where someone could steal a peek at my computer, that means I’m reading Sky Mall or the in-flight magazine instead of working hard on my endeavors.

Picking up the magazine this time turned out to be a great idea! One of the ads was for an invention that could ease my privacy concerns. 3M’s laptop privacy screens feature patented microlouver technology that blocks outside views while allowing you to view your screen clearly straight-on. Would-be peekers will see only a dark, blank screen.

The screen also provides protection against scratches and abrasions as you tote the laptop on and off the plane, or around town. Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different laptops, the device retails for about $35 (depending on size).

Hopefully on my next airplane adventure, I can spend more time on my InventHelp duties than ordering new gadgets from Sky Mall!

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl likes to keep a pretty neat house, so there’s nothing I like more than inventions that make my spring cleaning easier!

Vacuuming is, of course, a regular part of my cleaning routine. One thing I’ve always hated about traditional vacuums is changing the vacuum bag. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I always wind up getting a big puff of dust in the face! Frustrated, I searched online for a vacuum that could eliminate my dust-bowl woes and found one to put to the test.

Hoover’s Platinum Lightweight Bagged Upright with Canister promises a self-sealing bag so dust, cat fur and other dirty tidbits stay in the bag and off my face. And guess what – it works! Plus, the bags are produced from HEPA media, which traps 99.97% of dirt, dust and pollens down to 0.3 microns.
This upright vacuum weighs only 12 pounds, so it’s easy to transport from room to room. Like all compact uprights, the vacuum sacrifices a little power for portability. But, for day-to-day cleaning, it’s got enough gusto to deal with the dirt.

The best part of the Hoover? A Ghostbusters-style portable canister with a crevice tool, dusting brush and hard floor attachment is included for hard-surface and above-floor cleaning needs.

Let’s see: no dirt in the face and I get to jam out to the Ghostbusters theme song while I remove cobwebs! InventHelp’s Gadget Girl has to give this vacuum the thumbs-up. The upright retails for $399.99 at Hoover.com and at retailers like Target, Best Buy and JC Penney.

It’s like the holiday that comes once every two years – it’s Happy New Cell Phone Day!

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl would like to buy a new cell phone every six months, but since I love my gadgets so much I tend to take good care of them. With today’s tight budgets, it’s hard to justify a new phone when I can wait it out and get a great discount when my contract is up.

Obvious contenders include the iPhone and BlackBerry Bold, and then there’s newcomer Palm Pre. How does the Palm Pre stack up against these Goliaths? Pretty well, according to reviews.

The interface and operating systems are meaty enough to earn respect, and make emailing and flipping through applications a breeze. The Pre’s screen is sharp and clear, and even the physical casing is attractive. Downsides include short battery life and a small, squat keypad that makes one-handed use difficult.

I know the iPhone has its diehard fans – it shook up the cell phone world a few years ago and earned legions of devoted followers. But, I don’t want to switch cell phone companies, and more importantly, I need a keypad. With actual keys.

And hey, they don’t call the BlackBerry the “CrackBerry” for nothing. These little gadgets are so addictive it’s hard to put them down! Still, is it just me or is the BlackBerry kind of boring? You can’t go to happy hour or ride the subway without seeing 100 other people with the same gadget.

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl likes to take the road less traveled. That’s what makes the Palm Pre tempting – it’s an alternative to the Big Two. Until I can dig a little more, I’m holding on to Old Faithful for a few more days. In the meantime, I’m taking suggestions!

Ever since I bought my iPod a few years ago, it’s always by my side. From the journeys into the InventHelp office, to the walks in the park, to cross-country flights, Gadget Girl and her beloved iPod were together in tune through life.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that the sound was cutting out on one side of my headphones. This happens to me often because, admittedly, I’m a headphone abuser. I coughed up the cash for a new set like I have so many times before, only this time, the problem persisted.

Oh, the anguish! Having to choose between listening to my tunes in one ear or not at all is a fate I wouldn’t wish on any music lover.

I made an appointment at the Genius Bar at my local Mac store to speak with a technician, who confirmed that my headphone jack was on the fritz. My options? I could get an expensive AM/FM converter that attaches to the bottom of the iPod and provides another jack or recycle the iPod for a discount toward a new one.

Unfortunately, Uncle Sam hit InventHelp’s Gadget Girl pretty hard this tax season, so I shopped around for a more cost-efficient way to fix my iPod. Luckily, a combination of tool kit inventions and an online community of do-it-yourselfers provided me with a new option: replace the headphone jack myself.

I found a great deal for the replacement headphone jack on eBay, and two weeks and $6 later I had my tools and replacement part. Next, I looked up how-to videos on YouTube.com. With the help of the ever-handy Gadget Guy, we opened up the iPod, removed the bad jack and replaced it with the new one. Sure, we had to pause the video about 50 times, but who’s counting?

If you’re having issues with your battery or hold button, there are videos and tool kits available to repair those, too. But, let it be known that Gadget Girl and InventHelp don’t necessarily recommend slicing open your iPod. I took on this repair fully prepared to replace my iPod should I end up on the losing end of this technology battle.

With the help of some rogue do-it-yourselfers and a few tiny tools, my fixed iPod and I are now back to our morning commutes and blissful walks. InventHelp’s Gadget Girl: 1 – iPod: 0!

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl was thrilled to find out that two of her tech favorites are teaming up! Amazon’s Kindle Reader, which enables word nerds like me to read books, magazines and newspapers electronically, will now be offered as an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

In a bid to encourage consumers to embrace e-book technology (and entice those who are turned off by the Kindle’s $359 price tag), Amazon is offering the app for free. And don’t confuse “no cost” with “no features” – the app includes some of the Kindle’s signature elements. Users can adjust the size of the text, add notes, and bookmark places.

The app does not connect to Kindle’s store, however, so if you get the urge to download some Hemmingway on a whim, you’ll need to log in to your web browser. If you happen to own a Kindle already, the app will sync the two.

Ian Freed, Amazon’s vice president for the Kindle, told MSNBC that the company sees the software as a way to introduce non-Kindle owners to e-books while complimenting current Kindle owners’ exiting programs by enabling them to read their content directly from their Apple devices.

We at InventHelp sure do love to see great concepts work together in harmony!

Call the plasma TV yet another victim of the recession. Last week, electronics retailer Pioneer announced that it would cease production on its flashiest plasma model, the “Ultimate Black” Kuro, and phase out its critically acclaimed television division by March 2010.

Pioneer’s move looks like a final nail in the coffin for the struggling plasma TV industry. The popularity of plasma steadily declined in the last few years, mainly from competition from LCD TV and tightening family budgets. At the beginning of this year, LCDs were outselling plasmas by a ratio of 8-to-1 globally.

Plasma’s popularity peaked from 2004-2006 when they largely replaced big-screen, rear-projecting televisions. But even in good times, plasma didn’t necessarily excel. Competition from LCD models led many consumers to hold off on making a purchase, during which time LCD technology started to catch up with plasma. By 2008, LCD was cheaper, the screen quality comparable to plasma, and sizes and features formerly available only in plasma were now offered in LCD.

With Pioneer out of the (ahem!) picture, Panasonic, LG, and Samsung are the last plasma makers on the playing field. Panasonic in particular may benefit from Pioneer’s demise. They plan to offer plasma TVs as a premium, niche item for devoted customers. This also buys Panasonic time to get their LCD line up to speed when the imminent death of plasma hits once and for all.

Although it’s sad to see a technological superstar like Kuro fall by the wayside, tough times mean that the best-of-the-best isn’t always what’s best for consumers. And in case you were curious, InventHelp’s Gadget Girl is LCD all the way!

Nothing (and I repeat – nothing) is more disgusting than an overflowing port-a-potty at a hot summer concert. InventHelp’s Gadget Girl is willing to bet that you could find new forms of life in some of those stinky things.

Inevitably, the ladies have it worse than the men, due to certain anatomical differences. To put it simply, guys have it easy because they can stand up to pee, while women have to squat, balance or (heaven forbid) sit on those filthy restroom seats.

One invention aims to level the playing field. The GoGirl is a funnel-like invention that makes it easier for women to stand and go “number one.”

The GoGirl is made of medical-grade, germ-resistant silicon that can be reused or discarded. Originally invented by a doctor for women who have hip or knee discomfort, the Minnetonka-based company is now expanding its reach to the general germaphobic public.

Sarah Dillon of Go-Girl.com even drives a custom-designed pink Mini Cooper to drive the GoGirl message along. She says business is booming since the GoGirl premiered at the Minneapolis Women’s Expo on Jan. 16. “We sold three times the product we had anticipated and sold completely out of GoGirl gear,” said Dillon.

I’m sure this product would take some getting used to, but as one of many women who enjoys world travel, outdoor activities and camping, I’m thrilled to see that someone is working to solve the great restroom debacle!

GoGirl sells for $4.99 for a single and $11.99 for a 3-pack, and is available online at Go-Girl.com.

Ladies – do you want to start 2009 in style? Forget designer handbags, diamond bracelets or $300 pairs of jeans. When it comes to trend-setting accessories, girls need gadgets!

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl knows as well as anyone that gadgets aren’t just for boys anymore. Just consider the plethora of pink iPods, BlackBerrys and digital cameras on the market if you have any doubt. If you need more proof, check out Gizmine – world’s largest Japanese gadgets and lifestyle shop.

Gizmine.com is easy to navigate, with sidebar controls that allow Tech Divas to search for gadgets by price, brand and theme. The colorful assortment of gadgets displayed on their home page kept me entertained for hours!

The site is updated with new, fun gadgets every day (InventHelp’s Gadget Girl is bookmarking this one). A few of my favorites include the design-oriented Middle Colors Humidifier and the Robot Toilet Paper Holder. I may be technologically advanced, but that doesn’t mean I’m above a little bathroom humor!

One of the more original ideas on the website is the USB Mirrorwebcam, perfect for you MySpace and Facebook addicts. Here’s a great way to make sure that you look as lovely on the webcam as you do in the mirror!

Gizmine offers free, unlimited email support on all of their products, and you can sign up for daily and weekly new gadget email alerts on their homepage. One thing to keep in mind – Gizmine notes that some products that ship directly from Tokyo may have product literature in Japanese. Hmm…how does learning Japanese sound for a New Year’s resolution?

One wonderful year of inventing has come to an end and another one has begun! 2008 was full of exciting new gadgets – some of our favorites at InventHelp include the SwiMP3 player and the Flip Ultra – and we’re sure that 2009 has even more dazzling innovations in store.

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl has many holiday traditions, but none are quite as important as keeping tabs on the ever-changing world of technology.

Picked by InventHelp and Gadget Girl, here’s a sneak peak at the technology innovations in store for you this year:

1. Dell Notebooks — We’ve seen them everywhere from coffee shops to conference rooms: those boring, ubiquitous gray Dell notebooks that serve as a third limb for business professionals. This year, Dell is splashing a little color into the business world with its new line of fashionable, artist-created laptop lids. For those of you with a creative streak, the Art House laptops can even be designed by the customer.
2. Transparent Toaster — Sure, it’s just toast. But eliminating burnt toast forever would be a welcome innovation in InventHelp’s world! Although the glass does not currently get hot enough to toast bread, some R&D could make this concept a reality. Developed by the Inventables Concept Studio, the kitchen gadget could hit shelves in 2009.
3. Hitachi Blu-ray Disc Camcorder — Films are going Blu-ray, so why not your home movies? The Hitachi DZ-BD7H, the world’s first Blu-ray camcorder, features a 30GB hard disk that allows you to record 4 hours of full HD video.

As more and more new invovations break onto the scene this year, InventHelp and Gadget Girl will be here to keep you informed on the latest in tech happenings. In fact, I was so busy researching these new inventions that I forgot to make a New Year’s resolution this year!

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl has a steady residence these days, but during my freer college years I’d move to a new neighborhood as nonchalantly as some folks change passwords. Navigating furniture around any odd angle is my specialty, but my least favorite part of moving is lifting boxes of heavy books.

In my collections are some of my favorite paperbacks, old classics that I inherited from my grandmother, and some terribly bulky college textbooks. After moving my books more times than I can count, I decided to donate most of them to charity and join the library.

Luckily for college students and nomads today, there’s Amazon.com’s Kindle Electronic Reader. Released last year amidst much fanfare, the Kindle was invented to make reading more convenient and eco-friendly. Just one compact, handheld Kindle can hold up to 200 books!

More than a quarter million units have been sold to date. Its texts account for a shocking 10 percent of Amazon.com’s book sales, suggesting that people are becoming more and more accustomed to the idea of reading text on a screen thanks to inventions like the Blackberry and iPhone.

Although InventHelp’s Gadget Girl loves the clutter-killing idea of the Kindle, I think I’ll keep my account at the library for now. The Kindle retails for about $360, while my library membership is free. Plus, call me a traditionalist, but I like the feeling of accomplishment that I get when I finally reach the back cover of a long, heavy novel!