August 2010

Awesome Barnes & Noble Coupon Features, But Excludes Nook & eBooks!

Like millions of Barnes & Noble customers, I awoke this morning to a new B&N coupon in my email – this one touting that I can get up to 50% off at checkout! I am getting close to finishing my current book on the nook reader on my iPad, so I figured I would see what great new ebook I could add to the family library. I mean, after all, the coupon has the nook featured prominently in the upper right corner, and lists ebooks along with DVDs and music and so on along the menu. But before I start…

eBooks, News

Kobo Adds “Outside Book Loading” to Their iOS Apps

Kobo has an interesting new feature for iOS users; now you can add non-DRM’d ePUB and PDF files to the Kobo app on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. You can do the same thing through Stanza, so it’s not the feature set itself per se…it’s that Kobo is the first mainstream bookstore to support this feature! If you read your books on an ebook reader, you can load any supported files onto your device. Kobo Readers can load DRM-free ePUBs, as can Sony Readers, B&N Nooks, Jetbook lites, etc. But unless you’re going through Amazon’s Whispersync conversion it’s nearly…

Reviews

iPhone Accessory Review: The Element Case Vapor for iPhone 4

Judie: Of all the iPhone 4 cases announced in the past few months, there were two which most interested me: the Miniot iWood 4 and the Element Case Vapor for iPhone 4. When the Element Vapor first arrived, I seriously felt that I had wasted my money ordering iWood, because the Vapor was that gorgeous, that nicely made. Everything about it screamed quality, from the machined aluminum its two pieces were composed of to the four little screws which had to be tightened as my iPhone was locked into the bumper-style case. I loved the way the Vapor added a…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

I was invited down to San Antonio, Texas recently to get my first experience with this new compact vehicle from Chevrolet that is replacing the Cobalt model. The new vehicle, set to arrive in dealerships in September, is called Cruze. One of my first questions during a marketing presentation was “What is the origin of the name Cruze?” Seems I stumped the panel. No one could give me an answer. Here in front of my computer I search the interwebs and discover that Cruze has been used by GM since 2001 and this “all-new” vehicle is actually the second-generation of…

Reviews

Hershey’s Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

This week marked the last week of freedom for my kids before they head back to school for the 2010-2011 school year. I wanted to do something fun with them, and since my wife was busy at work we opted for a quick get away to Hershey Park. Hershey Park is an amusement style theme park located 2 hours west of Philadelphia, and it’s built entirely on and around the Hershey Chocolate company. One of the park’s newest attractions is located in its “Chocolate World” and it’s here where you can personally create your very own chocolate bar, watch it…

Editorials

Man Uses iPhone To Stop Thieves From Miles Away

Image courtesy of ABC News. The other day Gizmodo posted a story about how via an iPhone Photobomb, a user was able to track down a purse nabbing thief. ‘m not sure if the story below trumps that one but it’s cool nonetheless. Check out the video below! Vince Hunter, a Dallas resident, was on vacation hundreds of miles away in Connecticut. Vince had recently installed web cams throughout his home and using an iPhone application he was alerted via a text message that motion had been detected inside his house. He logged into the iPhone app and discovered that…

Game Diary, Reviews

PC Game Review: Puzzle Quest 2

I recently reviewed the Nintendo DS version of Puzzle Quest 2, and since then the PC version has hit Steam. As I said, the DS game made good as a true sequel to the “Casual Meets Hardcore and Loves It!” surprise hit from 2007. Back then the PC version was the most feature-packed and inclusive version. So does the new PC game live up to the solid performance of the DS version? Read on and find out! The Hype: Puzzle Quest 2 marks the return of the world’s leading puzzle adventure series and its trademark blend of match 3 gem-based…

eBooks, News

Amazon Is Having a Great Week

While B&N had some disappointing financial results, Amazon is riding high on some good news this week. They’ve had glowing early reviews for the Kindle 3, and some (unofficial) numbers indicate they’re trouncing Apple in the ebook wars. First, the Kindle 3 reviews. CNET, Kindle Review, and several other sites received review units, and everyone uniformly loved it! It sounds like the new screen and smaller size really help the Kindle to shine. Len Edgerly did a great video review as well: So the glowing reviews of the Kindle 3 are certainly one way to kill the “OMG iPad IS…

Music Diary, News

Random Cool Video: So I WASN’T Wrong Thinking All Pop Music Sounds Basically the Same!

I’m not just grumbling about the ‘good old days’ or something like that … as we have spent a good amount of the summer listening to the local pop radio station or the ’80’s, 90’s and Today’ station on Slacker I have commented repeatedly how so much of the pop music sounds like it was written by committee … and that the committees seem to share many common members! Now someone has looked at three of the hottest songs of the summer – Ke$sha’s Tik Tok, Katy Perry’s California Gurls, and Miley Cyrus’ Permanent December – are basically the same…

Reviews

OtterBox Commuter iPhone 4 Case Review

OtterBox’s flagship case, the Defender, provides an unparalleled level of protection. But not without a price. The Defender is considered by some to be big and sometimes even bulky. What isn’t up for argument however is OtterBox’s quality and the level of customer service they put behind every one of their cases. The company understands that the Defender isn’t for everyone and that’s why they’ve developed three levels of iPhone protection. The recently released Commuter Series case for the iPhone 4 is OtterBox’s mid-level protective case. While the Commuter doesn’t provide the same amount of shock and impact protection as…

Music Diary, News

The Coolest New CD Release of the Year: Tristan Perich 1-Bit Symphony

I honestly can’t recall the last time I specifically ordered a new release CD, and was excited about the arrival of the physical product. Sure I’ve been sent a few and won some others and have grabbed a couple of special releases over the past several years. In those cases either someone else made the choice or there were pack-ins that made getting the music in physical form necessary. But in general all I care about is the music and I am happy to get it in digital form through either iTunes or Amazon. But this week we have what…

Reviews

Graffiti Ball for iPhone/Touch Review

I was browsing the App Store for possible Blue Plate Specials and I was hankering for something different. Maybe with the stress of a new football season and the start of school, I just needed something new. I came across Graffiti Ball while looking at some other applications from Backflip Studios, creators of some fine free games. Actually, the icon caught my eye and the name sounded pretty different so I decided to give it a whirl. Turns out, I became addicted fairly quickly to the fun physics game. Lets take a look. Graffiti Ball uses an interesting style combined…

Editorials, News

All the iPad vs Vaporware Nonsense is Growing Tiring…

In a recent interview Acer’s Chairman JT Wang predicted that the iPad’s near-100% market share in the tablet space would drop to between 20 and 30 percent. Now PC World has posted an article entitled “Five Reasons to Pick an HP Tablet Over an iPad”. So I thought I would add my voice into the mix and offer up Five Reasons They Should SHUT IT! No, actually I only need ONE! Neither Acer nor HP has actually released a device and until they do there is NOTHING to talk about. Nothing! I mean, when we were at CES we saw…

News

The Speakers Won’t Sound Tinny… Papery Maybe but not Tinny

The Muji Cardboard Speakers are “collapsible cardboard speakers”. They come from Japanese-based, Muji and take packing light to a new level because they are made from… paper (or cardboard to be exact). So you can collapse them when you are on the go and pop them open when you arrive at your destination. Oh, and they will go well with the origami swan you made last night. They even come with a nylon pouch for easy and safe transport. Available from the MoMa store for $38 the surprised looks on people’s faces when you pull them out will be worth the cost…

eBooks, News

Barnes and Noble Doesn’t Eat Their Own Dog Food

If you knew nothing about Barnes & Noble and wandered into their stores, you’d assume the nook is a huge part of their business. After all, they’re promoting it like crazy, with signage everywhere, big bold displays, and what appears to be major corporate backing…but apparently the corporate backing only goes up to a point. And that point stops somewhere short of their chairman, Leonard Riggio. During an interview with NYMag, Riggio explained he doesn’t like the nook. He prefers physical books and turning pages to eInk, and refuses to use a nook to read. Fair enough if you’re the…

News

iTiny Bluetooth Keyboard Makes Your iPhone a Mobile Word Cruncher

If you are writing anything longer than a tweet or SMS, then you know that the iPhone’s onscreen keyboard can cramp things up a bit. An external Bluetooth keyboard is a great solution, but carrying the 11″ x 5.25″ Apple BT keyboard seems contrary to the portable ideal. That’s where the 5″ x 2″ iTiny Keyboard looks like it could shine. The iTiny Keyboard allows you to enjoy responsive, feather light typing along with portability, and Bluetooth functionality everywhere you go. The sleek and slim design fits comfortably in your hand and allows for easy typing with its 49 soft…

News

Intel’s Hands Free Research Lets Your Mind Do The Typing

Image courtesy of nairaland.com A few years ago OCZ introduced some technology that could potentially change gameplay as we know it with the Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA). With this device you could use facial muscles and electronic signals from your brain to control movement and common keystrokes in games and could potentially free your hands for other functions. I never had a chance to actually try out the NIA, but from all the reviews I read and videos, it looks like a piece of hardware that a geek simply must have. Intel wants to build on that technology and take…

Reviews

Review: AmpKit And AmpKit LiNK Turns The iPhone Into A Rockin’ Machine

Agile Partners, my favorite guitar app developers, has teamed up with Peavey Electronics to bring an all in one solution that turns the iPhone into a full functioning guitar studio. Peavey, who has been making quality guitar hardware for many years, has provided the hardware interface. In fact, I have a Peavey amp sitting next to me here in my office/guitar room. Agile Partners, who has revolutionized the guitar app for the iPhone, is providing the software solution. Together, this brings a full effects and amp studio with recording capabilities straight from the iPhone. No amplifiers or batteries needed. Simply…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Subaru Outback: Swiss Army Knife on Wheels

If I were told today that I would have to choose only one vehicle that I would drive for the rest of my life, not knowing what the rest of my life would entail, that vehicle might very well be a Subaru. And tempted as I would be to pick something like the WRX, in the end my decision would probably be the Outback.

Reviews

Griffin Reveal Etch Graphite iPhone Case Review

The Griffin Reveal case for the iPhone 3G/3Gs was one of my favorites. The case, which combines a see-through, clear poly-carbonate back along with rubber guard rails has also quickly become one of my go-to cases for the iPhone 4. The Reveal for the iPhone 4 is currently available in both black & white and I reviewed the case here. If you’re not fan of the see-through back though Grfffin has added a new offering to the Reveal lineup. The Reveal Etch Graphite combines the same soft rubber rails found on the regular Reveal along with a carbon fiber looking…

Reviews

Primo Battery Cube Review

It happens without fail at least once a week. I install a new piece of software on my phone or read a book on the Kindle app, or I get caught up in too many IM conversations…and I run my battery down mid-day with no access to a charger for several hours. Oops. Luckily, there are products like the Primo Cube to provide extra battery boosts. How well does the Cube do? Read on to find out! Physically, the Cube is tiny! I was shocked when I held it in my hand. It’s really small and incredibly pocketable. I was…

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