10 Gadgets That Will Change Your Life If You're Heading to College This Year
1/11Whether you're looking to control all your electronics at once, conserve energy, or juice up your phone, one thing's for sure: this year's tech must-haves will make your life SO much easier come school season.
Photo: Courtesy of microsoftstore.com2/11Microsoft Surface Pro 3, $799, microsoftstore.com
The next generation of tablet is here and besides being seriously chic, it can also just about replace your laptop. It weighs only two pounds and boasts nine hours of web-browsing life. (That means you won’t have to re-charge between classes—ah-mazing.) Don’t feel like typing? No problem. Try The Surface Pen, which looks and feels like a real pen and allows you to take notes on your screen.
Photo: Courtesy of rebeccaminkoff.com3/11Rebecca Minkoff Stellé Audio Clutch Bluetooth Speaker, $399, rebeccaminkoff.com
You need a set of wireless speakers for college—it’s just a universal truth. And even better if they are portable Bluetooth speakers that will completely blend in to the stylish background of your dorm room.
Photo: Courtesy of t-mobile.com4/11Samsung Galaxy S5 Gold, $609.60 (Price varies by carrier & contract type), t-mobile.com
Samsung’s latest cell phone offering is super lu. Not only are we obsessed with the gold shell, but the phone also comes complete with a 16-megapil camera, fingerprint scanner for extra privacy (no nosy roommates here) and there’s even a heart rate monitor—perfect for taking to the gym.
Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com5/11Amazon Fire TV, $84, amazon.com
We know you’ll be busy studying, making friends, and picking out outfits the first few weeks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy ’me’ time. Connect this tiny box to your TV for instant access to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu and more. Just try not to get sucked in to an all-day TV marathon. Unless, of course, it’s Pretty Little Liars. Then we forgive you.
Photo: Courtesy of belkin.com6/11Belkin WeMo Switch, $59.04, belkin.com
This miracle gadget will come in handy on those mornings when you are racing out the door and can’t remember if you turned off the lights, coffee maker, and, well, everything else. Connect any of your electronic devices to this switch and you’ll be able to turn them on and off from your smartphone or tablet—no matter where you are!
Photo: Courtesy of mophie.com7/11Mophie Space Pack, $149.95, mophie.com
This phone case for your iPhone 5 or 5s does everything, and we do mean EVERYTHING. We love a re-chargeable case anytime, but add to that extra built-in storage and you have won our hearts forever. Best of all, you can download the Space app to access all that you’ve saved in your additional storage - just in case you ever lose your case (which, by the way, you should never do).
Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com8/11Elgato Thunderbolt Dock, $229.95, amazon.com
One of the first things you’ll notice in your dorm room is that space is at a premium. Connect and keep all of your gadgets in one place with this docking system that’s not only mega-powerful, but also incredibly flexible. Simply plug in your laptop and monitor to create a desktop computer in your room—perfect for late-night paper-writing sessions—then remove it to take to class. Now there’s no excuse for anything less than straight A’s!
Photo: Courtesy of beatsbydre.com9/11Beats by Dre Solo2 Lightweight Headphones, $199.95, beatsbydre.com
Whether walking to class—or drowning out those annoying kids in the school library—every student needs a great pair of headphones. This update on the Solo model is sturdier than ever, offers serious quality bass, and even folds up to fit into a handy carrying case. Your favorite artists are about to sound better than ever.
Photo: Courtesy of usa.canon.com10/11Canon PowerShot N100, $349.99, usa.canon.com
Perfect your selfie with this fabulous camera’s Dual Camera mode. Yes, that means you can take photos from both the front and back lenses simultaneously. Two photos at once. We’ll just let that sink in for a second. Plus, photos are higher quality than on a smart phone, so you can document all your new school year besties in top resolution.
Photo: Courtesy of izenbamboo.com11/11iZen Bamboo Bluetooth Keyboard, $69.95, izenbamboo.com
Just because you’re away at school doesn’t mean you can’t be environmentally conscious. This bluetooth keyboard looks gorgeous and it’s made of renewable, sustainable materials. Compatible with PCs, Macs, iPhones and Android tablets, it even contains a rechargeable battery (and USB charging cable). After all, every chaotic dorm room desk could use a little zen, don’t you think?
