Last-minute Halloween tech to spice up the spook
Utahns are known to go all out for Halloween. It seems like every neighborhood has a house or two decked out for haunting.
Fact is, the numbers prove it. Home building company Lombardo Homes analyzed Google trends and surveyed Americans to find out how much people spend and when they put up decorations. Utah came out on top as the state most obsessed with Halloween decorations.
If you want to join in the fiendish fun, here are some ideas for items you can order online, or quickly pick up from the store for some extra creepiness.
The Lombardo Homes survey found that $87 is the average amount spent on Halloween decorations each year. So while none of these tech gadgets will break the bank, they could bring just the right hint of haunt to your home.
High-tech mask
First up is one of the most high-tech masks on the market. This Face Transforming LED Mask will morph to show more than 100 different displays. Use the accompanying Shining Mask app to choose among 45 animated displays like flames, emojis, skeletons and monsters. The app also has 70 still images to use, including clowns, aliens, dolls and zombies.
Users can also upload their own images and photos to use for the mask’s display. You can have the mask show any text you type in instead of an image, or even pulse to the rhythm of any music you want to upload. The lights are bright, and the images and text are easily visible in daylight, as well as darker environments. Users control brightness through the app. You can choose to toggle on “Gesture face switch,” which allows you to wave your hand in front of the mask to change the display instead of controlling it through the app.
There are many varieties of masks similar to this one with different features available online and in party and costume stores. The Face Transforming LED Mask is USB rechargeable, lasts 10-14 hours on a charge and is available at Amazon for $69.99.
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Voice changer
For a simpler interface with just as much fun, try the Voice Change Megaphone that morphs your voice into six different sound effects. Press the button of the effect you desire and speak into the megaphone to hear your voice as a monster, robot, ghost, alien, child or just spookier. They’re all fun, but the “Spooky” sound effect is fairly unintelligible, although it is indeed spooky.
The megaphone also features an ear-piercing siren button, as well as the ability to record your voice transformed by one of the effects. This megaphone is $21.99 on Amazon, takes 4 D batteries and comes in black, pink, purple or teal.
Halloween lights
To add a bit of spooky ambiance to any location, consider these Flame Effect light bulbs from Home Depot. The bulbs have a flickering light inside that can create a creepy effect. Many reviewers, though, mentioned they felt the lights gave off a nice, relaxing glow that they use all year round.
The Flame Effect bulbs have orientation sensors which automatically switch the flame direction so they can be used base up or base down. These bulbs don’t put off any heat and cost $9.97 each.
For a bit of simple outdoor Halloween lighting, consider these Pathway Marker Lights also from Home Depot.
They are battery operated with built-in timers so they turn off during the daytime. The tombstone design is exclusive to Home Depot, and there is also a pumpkin option.
A four-pack is just $12.49 and the LEDs should be bright enough to light the way for all trick-or-treaters heading to your front door.
