2012

New Grilling Developments from Saffire and Grate Chef

The unseasonably warm weather in my hometown of Nashville assured that my holiday turkey would just have to be cooked outdoors. I’ve outgrown the fad of deep-frying turkeys, both because it’s really pretty unhealthy and the fact that I really don’t want to burn my house down just to save a little cooking time. Plus, I really like the flavor of a smoked turkey because, let’s face it turkey doesn’t really taste like much unless you add something to the meat. After a two-day brine in a simple solution of water, salt, sugar and a few favorite spices and an…

Reviews

Phiaton MODERNA MS 200 Earphones Review

Back in July I put the Phiaton PS 20 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headset head to head with the Jabra Clipper Bluetooth Stereo Headset. (Read the pos, here.) I preferred the Phiaton PS 20 BTs to Jabra’s offering, and I have continued to use them on a fairly frequent basis since doing the review. Among the things that stood out at the time was the unusual design of the earbuds — they are angled in a manner that surprised me. On first appearance, the design looked awkward; I expected them to be uncomfortable, but I was wrong! The earbuds went into my…

Reviews

Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3, Video Review

We reviewed Skooba Design’s Skooba Tablet Messenger V3 and their Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3 . Both are well designed and well constructed ways to carry and protect your gear on the go. Now Skooba has added yet another item to their growing V.3 line. This time out we are taking a look at the new Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3. The bag has an MSRP of just under $100. and it is great if you want to carry and protect your DSLR, tablet and a few additional accessories. The bag is constructed from a Micro Ballistic Nylon exterior, while the…

Reviews

Sena Cases Hampton Wallet for iPhone 5 Video Review

One of our Newsletter Underwriters, Sena, has rolled out a new series of cases for the iPhone 5. Some styles are similar to those available for the iPhone 4S but updated for the new design of the iPhone 5. Others are brand new. All of them will impress anyone who wants to protect their iPhone in gorgeous leather. The company sent a selection of cases to us for review, and we’ll be taking a look at them in the coming days. First up, the Sena Cases Hampton Wallet for iPhone 5. This case, at just under $60, is perfect for…

News

Happy Thanksgiving from Gear Diary!

We all have so much to be thankful for; it’s good to take a day off to remind ourselves about what — and who — is most important to us. We wish everyone a day that is full of love, good memories, and a stress-free time spent with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

Vehicles & Gear

Over the River and Through the Woods – In the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec Luxury SUV

Forget for a second (if that’s possible) that this is one of the most opulent sport utes we’ve tested in a while, what with its Designo interior and host of Mercedes goodies. At the heart and soul of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350, BlueTec is a solid, proven platform offering a well-controlled, confident on-road experience, and it was recently named SUV of the Year by Motor Trend.

Reviews

Nokia Lumia 920 & Windows Phone 8 – Thoughts from an iPhone & Lumia 900 User

A while back I did an experiment where I switched from an iPhone to a Lumia 900. I liked a lot of things about the 900, but in the end some of the limitations and missing applications drove me back to the iPhone. Now Windows Phone has made the rather painful transition from 7.x to 8.x and Nokia has released new models including the Lumia 920. Did things change for the better or were things lost in the transition? I decided to take myself down to my local AT&T store and pick one up, and now I’m here to fill…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Magellan Switch Review – a Full-Featured Yet Flawed ‘Wrist-GPS’

I recently reviewed the Garmin ForeRunner 10, and have been thrilled with it as a simple, entry-level running GPS-watch. But what if you want to use a heart-rate monitor, ride a bike, go into the water and so on? At that point you need a new device – something like the Magellan Switch series. Magellan is very explicit that the Switch is designed as a multi-sport device, and was kind enough to send along a review sample of the Switch for me to check out (UPDATE: Magellan recently sent me a pre-release update for the Switch, and I will comment…

Editorials

FTC and EU Prep Google Anti-Trust Cases … Gimme a Break!

I think it is fair to say that I am very critical of Google – mostly because of the old adage ‘trust least those who claim to give you something for nothing’. My basic view of Google is that they have successfully leveraged ‘free’ into a way for people to open up their most personal data and allow Google to sell it to the highest bidder. But at the same time I see a real problem in which since Microsoft, ANY company who has a monopoly (or at least huge market share) is immediately eyed by many for anti-trust actions….

Editorials, Health and Fitness

Shocking News – Some Smartphone Health Apps Are Totally Bogus, and Most Are Shaky at Best

It seems like a perfect fit – we all want to be more active and eat better, and more of us than ever are using smartphones … so it only makes sense that there has been an explosion of health and fitness apps on iPhone and Android devices. Don’t get me wrong – there are some great apps out there, things like RunKeeper, FoodUcate, Lose It, Couch-to-5k, and more. Those apps use the GPS, or maintain a great database that is based on established health science, and so on. In other words, they are good health program – made mobile….

Reviews

Bling My Thing’s Dot Matrix Case for iPhone 4S Review

Some of us like our iPhone cases nice and simple. My regular case is a basic black Incipio Feather, and I love it. However, iPhones are more than just a utilitarian device; they are also a fashion statement, and cases showcasing how beautiful a smartphone can be are extremely popular. Bling My Thing was kind enough to send us a Swarovski Elements decorated case to review, and it has been winning fans left and right in my house! The last “Bling My Thing” case I reviewed was clear, but this one has a more mirrored finish to it. There’s some…

Health and Fitness, News

Things You Didn’t Want to Know – THIS Is One Serving!

I have generally had two thought patterns about Thanksgiving and eating: when I am thin and health-conscious I choose to eat whatever I want for Thanksgiving dinner and maintain my normal eating and exercise routine otherwise … and when I am neither thin nor health-conscious I choose to eat whatever I want for Thanksgiving dinner because – well, just because. Based on my weight and general eating habits, my portions and servings will vary, but regardless I have certainly never really considered my real-world servings compared to ‘single serving portions’. Over at Greatist, they take a pictorial look at the…

Reviews

NYNE NB-200 Bluetooth Speaker Review; Provides Music on the Go

In an increasingly crowded market, a Bluetooth speaker needs something special if it is going to stand out. The JawBone JamBox stands out by having largely set the stage for this line of small speakers. The Braven 600 stands out because it also serves as an external battery to recharge your phone on the go. The Jabra SoleMate stands out with its huge sound and ruggedized design, and the JBL FLIP draws attention thanks to its low price and excellent sound-quality. How does the NYNE NB-200 Bluetooth speaker carve out its space? Read on to find out. From NYNE: NB-200…

Reviews

AT&T HTC 8X Windows Phone Review

Earlier this year, Dan and I gave Windows Phone 7 a solid try. We put our iPhones away, and for the next two months we used only the HTC Titans that we had received at a CES event. You can read about our entire experience here, here, here, and here. As much as we both liked the Windows Phone OS and the Titan’s hardware, we each ultimately went back to our iPhones. Probably the biggest reason I couldn’t make things work with my Titan (or the Lumia 900 that I later bought in April) was that I missed the efficient app…

Gear Bits

Shockingly, It’s Hard to Make Money in Apps!

Newsflash: the age of “I’m gonna write an app and make a billion dollars!” is over. While it hasn’t hit dot-com collapse levels of obvious (my grandma isn’t developing an app yet), we’re close. Someone finally tipped the New York Times off to the slowing of the app gold rush, and they’ve managed to dig up some fascinating examples of people who took “if you build it, they will come” a bit too seriously. Here’s one app developer’s experience, according to the New York Times: With direct employment out of reach, he decided to work independently by writing apps. He…

Reviews

Livescribe Sky Smartpen Review: One New Feature Makes a World of Difference

It has been a while since I have written about my Livescribe smartpen, but that doesn’t mean I rely on it any less. In fact, my experience has actually the opposite. My Livescribe smartpen is so much a part of my workflow that I simply take it for granted. If you aren’t familiar with the Livescribe smartpen system, let me offer a simple description. The Livescribe smartpen is a large pen with a traditional ink cartridge in its tip; it that takes writing to an entirely new level, thanks to the inclusion of a small camera sensor that also sits in…

Reviews

JBL FLIP Portable Wireless Loudspeaker Review

The last year or two has seen a huge proliferation in the number of small battery-powered Bluetooth speakers. We’ve reviewed the Jabra SoleMate, took a look at the popular JawBone JamBox a shootout between the Braven 600 and the JamBox and, most recently, reviewed the SuperTooth Disco 2. When the JBL FLIP arrived for review it looked to be yet another in this long and growing line of portable speakers. At just $99 how good could it be? The answer might surprise you. From JBL: The JBL Flip with Bluetooth® capability is an ideal wireless stereo system for smartphones and…

Reviews

Waterfield Slip Case for iPad mini Review

My last few Kindles have been stored and carried in a Waterfield Slip Case for Amazon Kindle. It is simple protection that does exactly what I need and no more. (Read the review.) Now Waterfield has released a Slip Case that is perfectly sized for the new iPad mini. In fact it is perfectly sized twice; once for the iPad on its own and the other for the iPad when you are using a Smart Cover. Both are simple, protective and, if the well-loved but “looks brand new” Kindle Slip Case is any indication, will last and last. Here’s a…

Reviews

Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini Review

We haven’t seen nearly as many cases for the iPad mini ship yet. Sure, we’ve already been looking at some great sleeves for the newest member of the iPad family, but when it comes to actual fitted cases we haven’t yet seen that many. One of the first cases to arrive for review was the Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini. The case promises to add shock and drop protection to the iPad for under $60. Does that make it the best case for the small but potentially delicate tablet? Let’s take a look! From Gumdrop:…

Game Diary, Reviews

ShadowGun Deadzone for iOS and Android Hands-On Review

Type of app: First/Third Person Shooter (FPS) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (Android version here); available in the App Store and Google Play Developer: Madfinger Games Description: Prove your courage and challenge your friends. Experience heroic multiplayer battles that have never been seen on mobile device before. Enjoy console quality multiplayer game with awesome graphics on your phone and tablet. ? Experience intense tactical multiplayer combat with up to 12 players connected online. ? Choose from two popular game modes – Deathmatch and Zone Control, various maps and from 10 playable characters ? As a character’s ranking increases, new elements…

News

Common Sense, Please! Apple is NOT Releasing Android Apps on Google Play

I know I shouldn’t even have to say this, because the news IF Apple was going to port something like GarageBand to Android would be so huge that no one would be surprised when it landed. But this weekend some Android users managed to get tricked into thinking that Apple had ported and released some of their key iOS apps to Android … and paying ~$5 – 10 for the fake apps. It isn’t clear whether those buying the apps were refunded, and what was done to the people who posted the apps – it is the downside of the…

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