Twelve inches is 12 inches. But how you come to those measurements with the Hozo Design NeoRuler brings measuring to a precisely accurate level.

Hozo Design developed the NeoRuler ($129) to provide a more efficient and multi-functional measuring experience.

I never worked in a profession where a tool like this was needed; a 6-inch ruler in my desk drawer always did the trick. However, professionals with measuring demands, like architects, designers, engineers, graphic artists and others in the creative professions will see the need for a smart ruler. I forwarded the initial press release to an architect friend, and his one-word response was: “Wow.”

Even though it’s a ruler, this is one of those gadgets where you need to read the instructions. It brings a new way to measure, in any measurement or scale, with the ability to fully customize. It can divide the needed measurements without using a calculator, and of course, it works with the Meazor App (iOS and Android) to interact with the measuring tool. Data is transferred to the app, so you can continue working without worrying about losing data.

The smart ruler has a 1.14-inch screen on the front to display the measurements in easy-to-read numbers, which is a far cry from the tiny measurements printed on rulers and tape measures. You no longer have to zoom your eyes in to see if it’s a 1/16th of an inch or 1/32nd of an inch. The NeoRuler display tells you precisely what it is.

It reads with a plus/minus of 0.004 inches accuracy with 300 LED lights measuring.

A tab on the front slides in both directions and works with 300 LEDs to get the measurements. As you slide the tab to the right, the lights glow with the movement and turn off as the tab moves to the left. As fast as you slide in either direction, the display keeps up with the measurement. If a measurement needs to be divided, the lights display the segments and increase or decrease in proportion, depending on the direction the tab moves.

The portable NeoRuler (13-by-3.4 inches, 0.62 pounds) is ergonomic and well-constructed with 6063 aluminum. A 900mAh rechargeable battery can last up to 30 days before a USB-C charge is needed.

Three buttons on the top are for the controls. A triangular button is for going back or canceling, a circular button in the center is for selecting, and a square button on the right is for changing the mode. Among the modes is switching the unit conversions of the measurements, scales and dividing options.

The Hozo Design NeoRuler has accessories available that include a collection case, caliper kit ($49), reading kit ($19) and a drafting kit ($19).

https://hozodesign.com

Cyber Acoustics Essential Webcam Flex takes care of the problems many webcam users have with getting the right angle to elevate their professional appearance during virtual interactions. The new multi-position web camera has three camera positions: traditional view, center view and table view, all with the same camera.

The best way to use it is with the center view, placing the camera with its included hardware in the center of a desktop monitor. This angle creates a situation on the other end of the video chat so the subjects have you looking at them with direct eye contact, not at a camera off to the side. Table view turns the webcam at an overhead angle over your desktop, making it work as an overhead projector.

The 5-megapixel Webcam Flex records at 1080p at 30 frames per second, connects via USB, and is plug-and-play with Mac, PC and Chromebook computers. Other features include 1080p resolution, dual omnidirectional microphones, HD autofocus and low-light correction. It has a 74.57-degree diagonal field of view with five levels of zoom. Touch-sensitive buttons on the camera control the focus, zoom and 180-degree picture rotation.

Along with the webcam, an adjustable arm is included and is the key to getting it to the right viewing angle. It’s adjustable up to 7.4 inches for table and center view. Adjustable will instantly eliminate having a camera looking up at the subject, with an unflattering view straight up someone’s nose, as we see regularly on the nightly news.

The Webcam Flex can also be positioned at the top of a desktop monitor, or its base can be left on a flat surface, and the arm can be adjusted for the needed angle. There’s also a thread on the bottom of the base for attaching it to other accessories.

www.cyberacoustics.com $129.99

Contact Gregg Ellman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @greggellman.)

©2023 Gregg Ellman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.