The Best Gadgets to Keep You Focused and Caffeinated Emmy Award winner Mario Armstrong suggests five new tech products that make multitasking more fun.
By Mario Armstong Edited by Frances Dodds
This story appears in the September 2024 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
Are you a fidgeter?
In that case, a cold brew machine might not be the best choice for you. But a phone case with built in notepad for doodling? That could be right up your alley! Read on for more of Mario's Picks on the coolest tools to help you work while staying entertained (and caffeinated).
1. A door lock that reads palms.
The Philips 5000 Series Smart Deadbolt [$360; usa.philips.com] unlocks a door with a scanner that reads your palm, meaning your keys and phone can remain in a pocket or bag. The deadbolt-integrated doorbell alerts you to visitors through the Philips app, and rings the included wireless chime. When you head out, the sensors detect your hand reaching for the interior knob and automatically unlock the door. Powered by batteries, the smart lock also works with a key, an access code, or through Alexa and Google Assistant.
2. An on-call cold brew barista.
Cold brew coffee drinks are more than a summer fling; they're a lifestyle. Crafting them at home is time-consuming, but The Cumulus Machine [$695, plus $25 for 10 coffee capsules; cumuluscoffee .com] makes crafting single-serve cold brew or espresso, along with nitro coffee, effortless. Load an aluminum capsule filled with coffee concentrate into the machine, select either a 10-ounce cold brew or foamy nitro, or a 2-ounce shot of chilled espresso, and press the button. A compressor inside chills the drink and an air pump system and valve mechanism injects nitrogren bubbles from the ambient air.
3. A phone case for doodlers.
Entrepreneurs love writing in journals and sketching out ideas, but it's not always easy to travel with a big notebook. The Moft Snap Flow [$49; moft.us] makes that easy. Its magnetic, vegan leather case snaps onto iPhones 12 through 15, where it conceals a roughly 2-by-3-inch notepad and a pen. Unfurl Moft's origami architecture to jot down ideas or explain sketches, then fold it up to a barely noticeable thickness in your pocket. You can refill the pads once you've used them all to practice that signature.
4. A desktop setup for road warriors.
No more balancing your laptop on a stack of books! The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk [$180; logitech.com] hides a wireless keyboard and touchpad inside a roughly 9-by-11.5-by-1.25-inch hard-shell, fabric-covered case that doubles as a portable laptop stand. It adds just over 2.5 pounds to your carry-on bag, but it can lift a range of laptops (up to 17 inches) to a more comfortable working height — creating better video call presentations in your hotel room, at trade shows, or in airport lounges.
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5. A light that helps you shine bright.
The Steelcase Eclipse Light [$279; store.steelcase.com] is a 3-in-1 multitool that you'll use daily. As a task light, it floods your desk (or the wall) with a bright or soft glow, which you adjust with the sliding dimmer tab on the side. The base is a wireless charger with an arm that acts as a kickstand to keep your smartphone's screen angled for calls or quick facial unlocking. During a video call, you can rotate the light ring toward yourself to cast a flattering effect on your face. Do a quick check of the copper-tinted mirror core to ensure your smile is spinach-free.
