Julie Strietelmeier

I created The Gadgeteer in 1997 as a fun way to share my passion for gadgets which began when I was a little kid. Some of my other interests include ukulele, photography, productivity hacks, and minimalism. Learn more about me and my favorite gear.

OKNIFE U1 Pro utility knife review – Solid knife with a hidden feature

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REVIEW – I prefer using a utility knife for slicing through packing tape when opening boxes vs. using a nice pocket knife. It’s so much easier and more convenient to replace a worn utility blade than having to clean sticky tape residue off a regular knife blade. When OKNIFE (a sub-brand of OLIGHT) asked if

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DigiEra LPS2000M MagSafe portable SSD review – Add file space to your iPhone

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REVIEW – Want an easy way to expand the dwindling file space on your smartphone? The DigiEra LPS2000M MagSafe portable SSD is designed exactly for that purpose. Out of the box, it will attach to the back of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone and add from 512GB to 2TB of extra space. Let’s snap it on and

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Help wanted – Join the Gadgeteer team and review cool gadgets!

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NEWS – Would you like to become a writer on the Gadgeteer team and write about interesting gadgets and cool gear? I currently have 2-3 positions that I need to fill. Interested? Read below for details on how to apply. Update 02/08/25 I’ve received applications at this point and am no longer accepting more. Work

Help wanted – Join the Gadgeteer team and review cool gadgets! Read More

From paper to pixels – How to digitize your handwritten journals with AI (for free!)

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ARTICLE – I’ve kept a journal/diary since I was a little kid. I wanted to be Harriet the Spy so badly that some of my entries were in code. It also helped keep my nosy younger sister from reading my top secret entries. Ha! As an adult, I continued to keep journals because I enjoy

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JSAUX MagCool OmniGrip review – The Swiss Army knife of smartphone camera grips!

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REVIEW – If you use your iPhone or Android phone as your primary camera, then you’ll want to take a look at the JSAUX MagCool OmniGrip.Β  It’s a multi-tool of camera accessories for your phone. It offers everything from the grip to extra RAM in a compact folding package. Let’s take a closer look. β¬‡οΈŽ

JSAUX MagCool OmniGrip review – The Swiss Army knife of smartphone camera grips! Read More

Pierced ears? Like plants? This is for you!

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NEWS – Here’s a goofy product for everyone out there who has pierced ears, likes plants (moss specifically), and doesn’t mind looking like a dork. For all of you who fit that criteria, I present the NextNova Botanical Earrings. Handmade in Italy of 3D-printed hypoallergenic resin, these tiny pots hold a bit of moss. Don’t

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This keychain sized EDC multi-tool has pliers AND scissors!

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NEWS – Keychain-sized multi-tools are a dime a dozen, right? Well, the Nextool EDC Keychain Multi-tool looks like a surprising entry into this category. Not only is it small enough to fit in a pocket or bag, but it has a nice selection of tools that include: needlenose pliers, wire cutter, nail file, flat screwdriver,

This keychain sized EDC multi-tool has pliers AND scissors! Read More

Cool EDC gear on Kickstarter that you probably don’t need but I know you’ll want!

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NEWS – I get sent a lot of emails asking me to feature crowdfunded projects. I mean a.lot.of.emails. Most of these emails immediately get filed in the trash, but the worthy ones get saved and compiled into a post like this one. I realize that there are a blue million EDC and multi-tool gadgets asking

Cool EDC gear on Kickstarter that you probably don’t need but I know you’ll want! Read More

These shoes might be the only workout equipment that you need!

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NEWS – I’ve used and reviewed a lot of fitness equipment over the years, but these are the first exercise shoes that I’ve seen. The Aithos training shoes look like ordinary sneakers until you look closer. Then, you’ll see that they have six connection points around the sole of of each shoe. One on the

These shoes might be the only workout equipment that you need! Read More

Oclean A10 AirPump water flosser review – This one surprised me!

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REVIEW – In the past, I’ve reviewed a few water flossers, and while I like how they clean between my teeth, I tend to get annoyed when I need to refill the water tank before I am able to finish flossing all my teeth.Β When I was given the opportunity to review the Oclean A10 AirPump

Oclean A10 AirPump water flosser review – This one surprised me! Read More

Book lovers will want to try this automatic bookmark!

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NEWS – Love reading regular books instead of eBooks? Love collecting bookmarks? Then you need to check out these β€œautomatic” bookmarks. They are made of silicone and are available in a variety of bright colors and packs of 3 – 12 bookmarks. They feature a clip that is designed to stay in place even as

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If you thought quilting was just for grandmas, you need to check out these kits!

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NEWS – Quilting is no longer just for groups of white-haired little old ladies. The image above is a quilt, and you can make this yourself if you have the time and a sewing machine. Legit Kits packages everything you need, including the fabric in DIY kits that feature insanely cool patterns like the Sir

If you thought quilting was just for grandmas, you need to check out these kits! Read More

Limited-Time Offer: LAMTTO Wireless CarPlay Screen at $41.99 (30% Off)!

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NEWS – Looking to upgrade your old car with modern tech? The LAMTTO Wireless Apple CarPlay Screen is here to transform your driving experience. And guess what? It’s on a fantastic deal right now on Amazon! Regularly priced at $59.99 (recently dropped from $99.99), you can snag it for just $41.99 with a 30% discount

Limited-Time Offer: LAMTTO Wireless CarPlay Screen at $41.99 (30% Off)! Read More

Let your streamer’s remote stand tall and proud!

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NEWS – This one is for all the Apple TV, Roku, and Alexa Voice owners out there who are always looking for the remote. The GripStand and StandShields from 73&Sunny have you covered – or I should say, they have your remotes covered. The GripStand and StandShields are colorful silicone covers for the remote that

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This new bag from WaterField Designs looks like a perfect travel EDC bag!

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NEWS – When I travel, I like to bring a shoulder bag with me so I can carry all my regular EDC gear when we’re out sightseeing and doing other activities. But packing a bag takes up room in my luggage and I’m all about efficient packing. WaterField Designs must have felt my pain because

This new bag from WaterField Designs looks like a perfect travel EDC bag! Read More

Display and charge your AirPod Max headphones with this magnetic charging stand

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NEWS – In full disclosure, I don’t own or have even tried the Apple AirPods Max headphones. I prefer the AirPods Pro earbuds. But, if I did own the AirPods Max headphones, I would definitely want to buy the Rounkin magnetic charging stand for them. This small stand is available in white, aluminum, or black

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With colored pencil set review – dozens of colored pencils in a tiny pouch that goes everywhere

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REVIEW – I’ve enjoyed doodling and drawing since I was a little kid. I still have a bunch of monster magazines and comics that I drew back then, and I even made several videos about converting one of my comics to digital format. While I enjoy making art with digital tools, drawing with pens and

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