Editorials

Mistakes Handled Correctly-Why I Love GreenManGaming

This week ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ was released, with over 1.5 million pre-orders! I pre-ordered mine through a favorite site – GreenManGaming. The main reason I love GreenManGaming? They offer a better pre-order discount than GoG.com, Steam, and other sources. There was an issue getting keys on time, but how GreenManGaming handled it made me even more loyal!


We Need New Smartwatch Etiquette Rules

“Do you have to get back to the office?” I’ve never been more mortified by nine words in my life. My Pebble is great, but when I went to check it for a legitimate text related to lunch, it looked as though I was trying to escape. It worked out, but it did reflect that smartwatches are changing social cues.


Lolli-Flop 5.02 Bricked My Over-Priced Nexus 9

Friday I received notification that Android 5.02 was available for my Nexus 9.  I accepted the update and left it on the charger in my office before leaving for the weekend. Upon my return Monday morning, I found that update 5.02 has apparently bricked my Nexus 9, leaving it in perpetual reboot sequence, and it doesn’t look like I’m alone.


Who is Right in Uber Versus Kansas?

I had my first Uber experience last weekend, and I have to say it was remarkably pleasant. It doesn’t change the fact that I think Uber as a company is a bit shady, and the fact that their response to Kansas requiring background checks and insurance was to take their service and leave the state doesn’t make them less shady.


Troubleshooting a Buggy HTC One M8

I mostly love my HTC One M8. It’s a year old, but still has the latest software, and nothing on the market is compelling enough to get my to trade in my trusty One. Except one thing: the One has been exceedingly buggy on and off lately, and I can’t decide if there’s a better solution than a hard reset.



Facebook’s “Wedding” Stickers Have Some Odd Connotations

My coworker is in the process of planning her wedding. Recently she went to message someone on Facebook about it, and she thought it would be cute to include a Facebook sticker/emoji for weddings. To her surprise, Facebook Messenger had removed the boy/girl pairing, and instead added some very odd same-sex and inter-animal choices instead.


So What’s AppleCare+ for Apple Watch’s Target Audience? Idiots.

Let me preface this by saying this. I want the Apple Watch. It’s not a need, strictly a want. I love having something nobody else can have. So naturally last month, I wanted one. Bad. But then came the waiting process, and I had time to think, and now just like people who weren’t up until 3am pre-ordering one, I’ll just be waiting.


Google Maps Attempts to Bring Back 80’s Nostalgia with PacMan

Sometimes April Fool’s jokes can be a good thing, and Google is serving up a special treat by allowing us all to play popular arcade game PacMan on Google Maps. Back in 2010, Google did something a little bit similar by creating a Pac-man Doodle, but this year’s opening to the month of April is just pure awesome.


The Apple Retail Store, the Watch, and the Consumer

Have you been in an Apple Retail Store recently? I was just in one yesterday, and the experience made me seriously question whether adding “fashion advice” to the list of specialties Apple Stores offer is a good idea. It also made me wonder if Apple’s customer service advantage is starting to fade, as it was a less than great experience.



How the Pebble Smartwatch Became My New Fitness Tracker

I posted recently about my quest for a new fitness tracker, and I found one that (so far) I love. It’s only been 24 hours but it seems to check off all my boxes…and it wasn’t any of the ones on my initial list! It isn’t even that new, but my new Pebble is exactly what I was looking for!


What’s the Future of Outside Companies and Apple’s HealthKit?

Late last year, Apple gave Fitbit the boot from Apple retail stores. There was a lot of speculation as to why Fitbit was kicked out, but most people assumed it was due to Fitbit pulling out of Apple’s Healthkit initiative. Competitors (and Healthkit partners) like Jawbone, Mio and Nike remained in the stores. Until this week, when everyone was booted!


10 Reasons I Found the Apple Watch Event a Snooze-Fest

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Greg’s take on Why I’m Considering Getting an Apple Watch, more than I enjoyed yet another over-long, under-delivering Apple ‘event’. Part I can understand, as I was listening to the audio stream through my car for a half-hour, but I found this the biggest Apple snoozer I can recall. Let me give you 10 reasons why!


Why I’m Considering Getting an Apple Watch

Ever since Apple’s big announcements, people have been asking me “Greg, are you going to buy the Apple Watch?” My wallet, and my conscious have two completely different answers. I have an issue, which I consider “Apple-itis”. Whenever Apple sells me on a new product, they sell me … until I realize I haven’t exactly hit the powerball yet.


My Quest for a New Fitness Tracker; Which Will It Be?

I tested the fitness tracker waters with the Pivotal Living 1 and stuck with it despite the bugs. Unfortunately, I forgot it wasn’t waterproof, and a dip in the pool brought on the death of the PL1. It’s time to replace it, and I’ve narrowed my choices down to the Fitbit Charge HR, Withings Activité Pop, or Garmin Vivosmart. 


Starbucks K-Cups Bring Great Coffee Home

When I moved into my new place there were only a few things I wanted other than my clothes and my tech. At the top of that list? My Keurig machine. I mean, what good is having a new apartment if you can’t have a great cup of coffee ready and waiting in seconds. Thankfully, as member of the Starbucks Blogger Program I was send a terrific variety of coffees. YUM!!




Do You Pick Gadgets Based on the Accessories?

This week’s flurry of news and smartphone announcements, combined with the impending launch of the Apple Watch, has me thinking a great deal about my next phone. Now, Android versus iOS versus Windows Phone is one part of the debate, but even when I narrow it down there’s another piece: how many accessories are out there?