cable organizers

Magneat Cable Organizers for Your Headphones
Organization

Magneat Organizers Keep Your Headphone Cables in Place

There's plenty of ways to organize your cables when you're at home, but while you're on the go, wrap up those earphone cables with the Magneat Cable Organizer ($15).
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There's plenty of ways to organize your cables when you're at home, but while you're on the go, wrap up those earphone cables with the Magneat Cable Organizer ($15).

The Magneat lets you wrap up extra cable while you've got your headphones on, and attaches to your shirt (or bag) like a pin. But get this — you won't have to damage your clothes with a pin prick since the Magneat attaches via a magnet. (Get it? Magneat?) There's plenty of designs to suit your tastes, but I happen to be partial to the Pixel Skulls here. So cute, yet so edgy.

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Sling Back Cord Retractor Keeps Your Cables Organized
computer cables

The Sling Back: Not Just For Your Feet Anymore

If one of your goals for 2010 is to get your pile of gadget cables under control, I can help.
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If one of your goals for 2010 is to get your pile of gadget cables under control, I can help. But, if you're looking for a sweet and sexy tool to allow your cables some room to breathe, check out the Sling Back. Not just for making your legs look longer, this Sling Back is a retractable universal cable manager that fits cords as tiny as 1/8" in diameter (as in, your headphone cords), and sucks up to three feet of cable in its sleek little body. That's quite an appetite.

But, the best part is, the Sling Back comes from Quirky — a site where I can find a robust supply of cool, original products — and is made by independent inventors for the low, low price of $10. You certainly won't find a Steve Madden slingback for that price.

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Ikea's Affordable Cable Management and Gadget Charging Solutions
Ikea

Ikea's Affordable Cable Storing and Gadget Charging Solutions

In a world of expensive charging stations, it's a relief that a geek on a budget can head to Ikea to pick up a simple $3 charging dock that will do the job it was meant to preform: hold your gadgets while they're juicing up.
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Ikea's Affordable Cable Management and Gadget Charging Solutions

In a world of expensive charging stations, it's a relief that a geek on a budget can head to Ikea to pick up a simple $3 charging dock that will do the job it was meant to preform: hold your gadgets while they're juicing up. Additionally, for all you cable-hiding freaks out there (yours truly, included) Ikea also offers simple and cheap solutions for any cable management nightmare. All of these products are $10 or less, so I know you can scrounge up the scrilla to get organized. Check them out here!

Signum Cable Organizer ($5) Signum Gadget Charging Cup ($1) Signum Cord Cover ($2.50) Signum Gadget Charging Station ($2.50) Signum Cable Management ($10)
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I Was Fooled by the Powermat Commercial
Geek gear

Blinded by the Light: Have You Been Fooled by a Commercial?

I was stoked after seeing a commercial for the Powermat, a wireless gadget charger that claims to charge any of your electronic toys without wires, cords, or trouble just by placing your device on the Powermat — finally a solution to my cord-management problems!
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I was stoked after seeing a commercial for the Powermat, a wireless gadget charger that claims to charge any of your electronic toys without wires, cords, or trouble just by placing your device on the Powermat — finally a solution to my cord-management problems! A few days later I saw the Powermat at my local Best Buy and considered forking over the $100 listed on the price tag for convenience alone. But then reality (and an explanation from the sales rep) set in: $100 is not the bottom line on this super charger.

The Powermat does exactly what it says it does: charges your cell phones, PSP's, smart phones and other gadgets, but it does so with the help of dedicated cases that have a receiver attached to the back. Bye-bye custom iPhone and Blackberry cases — you'll be rocking the Powermat case and battery pack (which sticks out on the back) from now on. What's more, each gadget case starts at $30, and you'll need one for each device you want to charge! For me, this meant spending over $200 just to have all of my daily accessories covered. I walked away a little disappointed, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been fooled by a gadget commercial before. Share your gadget commercial rants, or about the time you bought a gadget and it wasn't what you expected below!

Bluelounge Refresh Charging Station Is Pretty, Costs a Pretty Penny Too
Organization

The Name Says It All: Bluelounge's Refresh Charging Station

In case you haven't noticed, I have a thing for charging stations.
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In case you haven't noticed, I have a thing for charging stations. I just can't get enough of 'em. Call it my OCD for cable management, or the fact that between my boyfriend and I combined, we have more gadgets than a small country, but I love a nice and neat desk where my gadgets can refresh and recharge. This is why I love Bluelounge's Refresh charging station. Coming in three colors (black, white and pink), the Refresh boasts mini and micro USB cables, and has room for five of your most coveted gadgets: iPod, BlackBerry, iPhone, camera, or whatever you need juiced up.

Although I have much love for this simple and stylish charging station, I do have a gripe: the $90 price tag. Whoa? Whoa is right. Sure, this baby keeps all your cords out of sight and managed, but how much are you willing to pay for a sleek pink plastic box? Ponder that, my friends.

The Latest in Cord and Cable Organizers
Shopping

The Latest in Cord and Cable Organizers

Unless you're extremely high tech and all your gadgets are wireless, you're probably plagued like the rest of us tech toy lovers with cords and cables galore.
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Unless you're extremely high tech and all your gadgets are wireless, you're probably plagued like the rest of us tech toy lovers with cords and cables galore.

I've already exposed you to some clever and creative ways to manage cord clutter if you don't want to take the traditional organization route, but what basics are available for diminishing those unsightly cables?

I've found some simple little accessories that will clean up the messiest of cords!

Handmade Cable Identifiers Are Fun and Functional
Shopping

Handmade Cable Identifiers Are Fun and Functional

In the ongoing battle of human versus cord, there are many ways to manage cables.
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In the ongoing battle of human versus cord, there are many ways to manage cables.

I have possibly just found the cutest: Etsy seller bearduck has crafted these Cable Identifiers (8 bucks for a set of six) to keep each of your gadgets' cords separate.

The multicolored identifiers are made of a polymer clay, and sport little icons of what they belong to, so if you need to do anything with the plugs, your confusion is totally zapped.

Bluelounge Introduces CableDrop Organizers to Keep Your Cables in Their Place
Organization

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em: CableDrop Cable Organizers

If all of your desktop cords refuse to magically become invisible as you secretly wish they would, then you can at least put them in their place with these cable holders from Bluelounge.
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If all of your desktop cords refuse to magically become invisible as you secretly wish they would, then you can at least put them in their place with these cable holders from Bluelounge. The adhesive Cabledrop organizers ($10) are just the thing to keep your power, Ethernet, firewire, and usb cords all in one place — and not fall behind your desk — while you stay mobile on your laptop, or keep your desk neat while you work on your trusty desktop.

Coming in a pack of six, the CableDrops aren't just limited to your peripherals — you can use them to wrangle your electric cords, pens, and even secure your headphones to your monitor so you don't lose them to the depths of your desk drawer.

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Wolverine Mighty Muggs Used as Cable Manager
Geek Tip

Geek Tip: Work With What You Have For Cable Management

Although I've scoured and searched for the best cord management system possible, the reality is, you just gotta work with what you got.
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Although I've scoured and searched for the best cord management system possible, the reality is, you just gotta work with what you got. Take this Wolverine Mighty Mugg my boyfriend has sitting on his desk at work. Every other day, it's just been a simple toy taking up space, but today, it turned into a genius way to manage his iPod cable when not in use.

And really, for 15 bucks (or so), you won't find anything that satisfies your inner child, cable management OCD, and urge to help the planet at the same time — according to Hasbro, these babies are made from 100 percent recycled awesome. Nuff said.

Geek Tip: Use an Old Tube Sock to Round Up Your Cords
Geek Tip

Geek Tip: Use an Old Tube Sock to Round Up Your Cords

I never thought of this super simple solution for an old sock, and I thought I'd heard all the cord organizing tricks out there!
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I never thought of this super simple solution for an old sock, and I thought I'd heard all the cord organizing tricks out there! Courtesy of this month's issue of Real Simple, the editors suggest using an old trouser sock to wrap around cords to keep them together.

Just snip off the toe part so you have a little tube, unplug from the power strip, insert the cords, and then plug them back in.

They say trouser sock, but I keep envisioning a cute striped retro tube sock! Their tip also has them gathered from a power strip, but I could also see using them to keep cords wrapped tightly around one another when they're put away.