Mini gadgets may refer to any small technology tools, many of which are electronic and made for personal use. A mini surveillance camera may be portable and small enough to conceal in an inconspicuous place. A battery-powered portable mini fan secured to a lanyard and worn around the neck is made to offer cooling when a person is not near an electrical outlet. A global positioning system (GPS) device may be offered in a mini size and is useful for mapping information when traveling. Mini gadgets are also created for self defense, and one such device is called a hand-held stun gun, which is meant to incapacitate an attacker.
A hand-held mini gadget known as a keychain digital video recorder (DVR) will record video, yet this covert device looks like a simple car remote control. This device has a digital recorder and hidden camera and is often used as a spy camera or surveillance gadget. Most styles of keychain DVRs can play back recorded video through universal serial bus (USB) connections on a computer.
A DVR that looks like an ordinary wristwatch is another type of covert video recording device. The wristwatch will typically come with a fixed amount of internal memory for recording video, and will play back recordings through a computer's USB connection. Most of these function as a wristwatch as well.
Tools for covert surveillance may also include a Bluetooth® earpiece digital video recorder. This device resembles an ordinary Bluetooth® earpiece, yet it captures both audio and video. Some devices also take still photos.
Many mini gadgets are created to be helpful household products. A strawberry stem remover is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and easily removes stems from berries. These mini kitchen gadgets are typically dishwasher safe and inexpensive. Mini garlic choppers are another type of small kitchen tool.
One common type of mini gadget many people own is a wireless mouse. The wireless mouse controller does not need to be connected to the computer, allowing more freedom for the user. Many laptop computer owners prefer to use a wireless mouse rather than the built-in track pad with which laptops come equipped.
Mini gadgets are often sold as novelty gift items. Hand-held mini vacuums for cleaning computer keyboards are popular gift items. Not all novelty mini gadgets are created for adults, however. Many mini gadgets are novelty toys for children, including bobble-head figures that function as calculators.