Combo Crew for iOS and Android

Type of app: Action-Fighting

Platform/where to buy: iOS or Android; available in the iTunes App Store or available in the Google Play Store

Developer: The Game Bakers

Description:
• Fight with your fingers: slash enemies to trigger crazy combos, tap to guard. A modern beat ’em up with no virtual D-pad!
• The first mobile brawler with asynchronous multiplayer across devices. Rescue your friends, or be rescued by them!
• A true arcade experience with a great combo system and super moves.
• Several heroes with unique combat styles and more than 80 moves to master.
• Hundreds of missions – complete them solo or compete for high scores against online friends.
• An endless scoring mode, unlockables, and collectibles – a ton of replay value.
• Log in to sync automatically between your devices.
• Languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese.

Major features:

Console fighting games have evolved little from the arcade days other than enhanced graphics, but they are such fun that everyone still looks to them for a fun experience. But translating that to a smartphone with touch controls has been difficult.

Combo crew kills the virtual analog sticks and uses just the touchscreen and gestures to deliver their brand of fighting, which is centered on … you guessed it, combos! And you get to choose from different heroes:
- Parker: A name that tops the high scores of all the arcades this side of the continent. Parker’s a natural, inspired by fighting techniques he picked up from video games.
- Gina: A student of the ancient school of Hairjutsu, Gina’s a martial arts master who trained for a year in the mountains.
- Dolph: The greatest action movie star that ever lived, Dolph uses his impressive stature in combat. For him, showing off is almost as important as kicking ass.

The story is tongue-in-cheek bad, where you are out to get ‘Mr. Boss’ by climbing through levels. The graphics, sound and in-game animation all work to push this light sense of satire, and it makes the game even more engaging.

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The Baofeng UV-5RA

I hope you have been enjoying my series on Amateur Radio.  It’s been one of my favorite hobbies for about 20 years now, and I love sharing my knowledge with our readers. Today I am bringing you another radio review, only the second one ever for Gear Diary. Just like when I reviewed the Icom ID-31A last year, this review is coming from real life experience with the radio. Since I don’t have a lab that I can use to do the technical measurements, it will focus on the usability of the average ham operator.  That is real world usage on how well it works for me in my home location and in several others.

The Baofeng UV-5RA is special because it costs a mere $50 (or less).   Most competing handheld radios from Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood or Alinco are priced at around $129 to as much as $600, and that is without accessories. The good thing about this radio is that the price also includes accessories. Can a $50 radio do as good of a job as the more expensive ones?  Let’s find out.

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The Zooka Wireless Speaker Bar for Tablets and Laptops

This is our review of the Zooka. Before reading further please say that out loud five times fast. Now please say it five times slowly.

Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka It is just fun to say isn’t it? Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka Zooka!

Okay enough of that. Let’s dig into this successful Kickstarter project. The people behind it, Carbon Audio, were looking to raise $25,000 dollars. By the end of the campaign they had 678 backers and had raised $70,540. Neither Judie nor I backed the Zooka, but now the Bluetooth speaker is available online and through outlets such as Apple’s online store.

The Zooka is a Bluetooth speaker with a difference. (And I don’t just mean the cool name.) It can be used alone, used with a tablet or used with a laptop. With each application it enhances the sound significantly. Let’s take a look at the Zooka on video.

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I’m a huge fan of the various products from iStabilizer. From their Flex smartphone holder to their Glass, to their Monopod, iStabilizer is one of those small companies whose products don’t grab a lot of attention, but they still stand out because they not only do their job, they do their job well. A few months ago iStabilizer went on Kickstarter to raise funds for their next offering – the iStabilizer tabMount. The iStabilizer tabMount was intended to be exactly what the name implies — a mount for your tablet.

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Cognition Episode 2 The Wise Monkey

A few months ago I reviewed the iPad version of the first ‘episode’ of Cognition, the adventure game series from legendary developer Jane Jenson and Phoenix Online Studios. Now we have Episode 2 of Cognition, and are on the case of the Wise Monkey. Let’s take a look!

Type of app: Adventure Game

Platform/where to buy: Mac or PC; available in the Phoenix Online Studios Store

Developer: Image-Line

Description:
Here are some of the features:
- Play as Erica Reed, FBI detective
- Solve a deep and intriguing mystery that involves your twin brother
- Investigate crime scenes, interact with other detectives, and hunt for clues
- Use Erica’s special powers to uncover the mystery
- Your choices have consequences!

Major features:

Once again you are playing as Erica Reed, a special agent for the FBI. In the first episode she lost her brother in the prelude, and it haunted her throughout as she sought the Cain killer. Now she is on a new case, and has a new boss in town. But in the opening minutes she faces potential poisoning, meets the new boss who is less than enamored with her performance, and … her friend and sometime love interest is kidnapped right out of the squad room – and his ear is chopped off and left behind. Now Erica takes over his ‘Wise Monkey’ case to find the connection!

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The Recliner Folio looks like most folio style cases, as it folds together to look like a notebook or folder. The case sports a tri-fold design; the flap that holds it closed is held in place with a magnet and will fold out of the way when in use. I like this design because it is easy to use and opens and closes quickly. I never had an issue with the flap opening when it was not supposed to, so my iPad stays safe and sound in the folio. The outside of the case is a soft faux leather material. The material feels good in hand, and it also provides some non-slip traction when the case is resting on a table or other surface. All of the ports and buttons are easily accessible, and the camera opening allows for full functionality.

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FLStudio Mobile Android

OK, I will admit to being almost entirely negative about the state of music production apps on the Android platform. Much of this centers on one absolute reality – iOS has core audio services built-in that take care of things for developers, whereas on Android not only is there a lack of such services, the audio system is so weak that there is no assurance of a low-lag environment on any device. That has meant it was up to developers to code their own low-lag audio system for their apps, and has also meant that very few apps are available. Now Image-Line has finally managed to bring FL Studio to Android based on their own engine – let’s see how they did!

Type of app: Music sequencing and production

Platform/where to buy: Android (also iPhone & iPad version); available in the Google Play App Store

Developer: Image-Line

Description:
FL Studio has loads of content, including:
• 133 high quality instruments, drum kits & sliced-loop beats
• Step sequencer for fast percussion programming and sliced-loop reworking
• High quality, battery-friendly audio engine (latency depends on the device)
• Drum loops and sliced loops ready to start your project with a cool beat
• Effects include Limiter, Reverb, Delay, EQ, Amp simulator & Filter to enhance your mix.
• 99 track sequencer and intuitive editing options
• Save and load your songs, export to WAV and AAC
• MIDI file import/export
• Share your songs via Email or Dropbox
• In-app user manual
• Android 2.3.3 required
• Works with all screen resolutions, but FL Studio Mobile is optimized for 1280×800, 800×480, 960×640 and 480×320 screens.

Major features:

FL Studio (formerly known as Fruity-Loops) was born as a PC-centric loop based music platform that has grown into a very powerful and popular music production system (referred to as a DAW or Digital Audio Workstation). It made the leap to iOS a couple of years ago, and has grown to a feature-rich universal binary app, and has now made the jump to Android. Neither of the mobile versions approach the desktop version in terms of functionality, but they are really very solid ways to accomplish on-the-go recording.

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I’m a big fan of Bluetooth enabled, wireless speakers in this age of cell phones, tablets, and computers.  We’re always on the go, always have our mobile phones with us, and therefore, many of us carry our music collections with us as well.  Even if you don’t carry your MP3 collection on your cell phone, most of our phones can use Pandora, Spotify, or any number of mobile music apps.  The market is ripe for great sounding, decently priced Bluetooth speakers.  Unfortunately, the Kinivo BTX350 does not meet that first criterion.

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Toddy Screensters

If you own any device with a touchscreen, then you know all too well how quickly and easily they get dirt and grease and all sorts of crud all over them. I tend to have a small microfiber wipe with me in my car and my laptop bag at all times, and a couple of my jackets have them on the inside pockets. But for those looking to wipe their screens with a bit more ‘character’ than a simple square microfiber wipe, Toddy introduced Screensters. They sent me a couple to try out, so let’s take a look!

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I reviewed Toast’s wood back for the iPad mini back in March. (Read the review.) It went on easily and looked good. Unfortunately a key shortcoming led me to remove it shortly after posting the review.

My summary comments on the iPad mini cover say it all…

What I Like: Three different wood options; Option to have a plain back or one of a number of interesting designs; Ability to customize the case; Easy to apply but hard to remove; Terrific attention to detail

What Needs Improvement: Top and bottom of the iPad’s back remain exposed

Here’s the original video review.

My video review of the original iPad mini cover

Yes, a back cover that leaves the top and bottom of the iPad completely exposed isn’t much better than having no protection in the first place. I wrote the review and, once it was published, pulled the cover off. Sadly Toast covers are not designed to be reusable. The wood cover came off in pieces and had to be thrown out. I felt bad wasting such a nice wood product but I really need iPad protection that actually protects.

Recently I learned that Toast had redesigned their iPad mini covers and, in so doing, addressed this key shortcoming. Obviously I was not alone in my criticism of back protection that only protects part of the surface. (Don’t you love when companies pay attention to feedback?) Toast was kind enough to send a new sample and I’m glad they did. By adding top and bottom protection the company has designed a wonderful way to merge the classic look and feel of wood with the newness of modern technology.

The new Toast Real Wood Cover for iPad mini looks similar to the original one. It is, of course, a bit longer since this new cover extends to cover the upper and lower portions of the iPad.

The cover is still available in three different woods and a number of different designs.

As you can see it is roughly the same size as the iPad mini. Toast sent the walnut cover with the “Birds on a branch” artwork etched and cut into it. I love the way it looks. At my request they also added www.geardiary.com to the cover!!

Before you apply the cover to the iPad mini you’ll need to make a decision. As Toast explains, the Apple SmartCover works best when the cover can come into direct contact with the iPad. While the SmartCover will work with the full Toast cover installed, if you plan to use one with the iPad on a consistent basis you are best served by removing the strip on the right hand side. It is perforated and comes off easily. The result is complete protection except for the side being exposed. It is a mixed bag. On the one hand the SmartCover does get a better hold on the iPad. On the other hand removing the strip means a portion of the iPad will remain exposed when you don’t have the SmartCover on. There are pros and cons to each approach.

Obviously I opted to remove the strip.

After deciding whether or not to remove the side strip you will want to install the Toast cover for iPad mini. The back of the packaging explains that you’ll want to expose a bit of the adhesive on the underside of the cover and line it up with the iPad. It took a few tries before I got it right. And while it is important to be careful you will also want to move quickly- the cover cures in a matter of minutes and if you try to move it after that you will end up destroying the cover.

Notice the corner cutouts? These allow the Toast cover to wrap around the corners of the iPad and protects them. It is a smart design and works well.

Once in place the cover looks and feels great. The branches are etched into the wood but the birds themselves are cut completely through. As a result the silver back of my iPad mini shines through and gives it a ton of visual interest. And, as you can see, the cutout for the camera lens and buttons are are laid out perfectly. (The lens is a tiny bit off center but that is user-error not something the company did wrong.) If you look at the right hand side you’ll see the SmartCover holding on.

I appreciate having the Gear Diary URL carved into the cover. It isn’t too obvious but it is there. That means anyone admiring the Toast cover on my iPad will also see, and hopefully visit, the site. Hey, free advertising is free advertising.

In all this is an awesome update to a lovely iPad mini accessory. It resolves my one and only issue with the Toast Real Wood Cover for iPad mini and, as a result, I can now recommend this cover without reservation! And, unlike the first iPad mini cover I reviewed this one won’t be coming off any time soon! You can learn more and order yours here on the Toast website.

MSRP: Plain- $35, Design- $40, Add $5 for personalization

What I Like: Three different wood options; Option to have a plain back or one of a number of interesting designs; Ability to customize the case; Easy to apply but hard to remove; Terrific attention to detail

What Needs Improvement: Cover not reusable once installed

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

When I began doing Couch to 5K again (something I need to do yet again tomorrow because I let too much time pass between runs) I needed a way to carry my iPhone. After all, during a run my phone is not only my music source but it is also my “trainer”… Walk 10 minutes, run half a mile, slow, fast etc. When I did the program the first time I had an iPhone 4S that fit into my iPhone 4 armband. Now that I’m using an iPhone 5 that armband no longer worked. So I went in search of a different solution.

My LifeProof frē was the obvious choice for protecting my iPhone from potential drops. The case, which we reviewed in December, is thinner and lighter than the offering for the iPhone 4S but still provides tons of protection. For my first few runs I held the LifeProof-encased iPhone. I hated carrying the phone in my hand however, so I went in search of a better solution.

That’s when it occurred to me that I might want to check out LifeProof’s armband. There had been an armband for the iPhone 4S LifeProof case, but it was big and bulky. Were the new armband to be similarly bulky, I would keep searching, but since the fre case was thinner and lighter I hoped the same was true for the iPhone 5 armband. Thankfully it was.

The company was kind enough to send one for review, and I’ve been using it since. continue reading

Geneva Sound markets the Geneva Sound System Model XS as “the world’s first portable audio system with true Hi-Fi sound”. That’s a pretty daring claim to make and one that can easily be dismissed as a good bit of hyperbole. Does this Bluetooth speaker whose design is inspired by the classic travel clock, truly sound like something much bigger and more expensive? We couldn’t wait to get out hands on one and find out.

We did get one for review, and were immediately impressed by the sturdy leather-like clamshell case. It really does look like the travel alarm clocks of old. Closed it has the appearance of a small, leather-like box. Flip it open and pull the speaker unit forward at an angle and you get a triangle of sound. Yes, as Geneva Sound notes it is “a stylish accessory small enough to slip into any briefcase” but that still leaves open the question of sound. What did we think? Read on.

When the Geneva Sound System Model XS review sample arrived, I was impressed by the packaging. The medium-size white box opens to reveal the included accessories and a cloth pouch. There I found the AC power adapter with cable, a rechargeable 2700 mA lithium battery, and an adapter cable with a 3.5mm plug on either end for creating a wired connection to an audio source. There was also a large white pouch in which I found the Model XS. Yes, without question the presentation was worthy of the $250 price tag.

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Samsung Galaxy S 4

The Galaxy S line has seen a level of success only felt on the smartphone scene by Apple with the iPhone, and the new Galaxy S 4 has done little to rock the boat. It has, however, packed the cargo hold full of stuff.

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I use my iPad for just about everything — notes, pictures, writing posts, browsing the web, etc. In many ways it is how I aggregate every bit of content I need, like, or want to reference. The iPad does all this for me on the hardware side, and I’ve been testing an app called Moxtra that does this for photos, documents, notes, and audio files. It can be standalone like a scrapbook or collaborative. How does it work, and how well does it work? Read on to find out!

Moxtra organizes your content into “binders”, rather than folders or categories, but the idea is the same. You can create a binder and add photos, documents, notes, videos, and pull from Dropbox and Box storage. So, for example, I have a “Gear Diary” binder. I can use this to add photos, notes for posts, documents, anything I would like to store under the “Gear Diary” category. Alternately, I could create new binders for each review, and set up notes and photos across several pages to lay out how the review might flow.

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A few months ago we brought word that JVC had upgraded their headphone line. The new versions of their headphones feature a rugged styling, a high-gloss finish and durable construction. The company is using heavy-duty Neodymium driver units and Extreme Deep Bass Ports to fill out the sound offered by the headphones. In addition, the company added a one button remote and microphone compatible with iPhone, blackberry and android devices to three of the models. The inline single-button remote lets you play, stop and skip tracks. It also lets you answer phone calls. They sent us a pair of the DJ-style over-the-ear HA-MR77X headphones for review. Here’s our video look.

As noted in the video these headphones have 57 mm drivers and wait just 14.90 oz. It’s clear who the target audience is for these headphones since the tag line on the product page states –

For the DJ life, flip up your cups, tough rubber protector and single-sided cord.

Every beat loud and clear with super audio backed by a 57 mm driver and extremely deep baseboard

Style that walks the walk added comfort and a remote mic with SmartSwitch.

JVC says they designed the headphones for comfort and excellent sound isolation. And while I do find them to be pretty comfortable I didn’t find that they block out the ambient noise as well as some other headphones we’ve tried including some on your styles. The sound was good but didn’t blow me away. Then again, as we note in the video, one needs to consider the pricing on these headphones. At under $100 MSRP these aren’t the priciest headphones on the market. if reviewed in an absolute sense they sound good but if viewed as headphones for under $100 there quite impressive.

Of course the main feature of this model is the flip up design that allows for easy hands-free monitoring in one ear while listening to the sound in the room with the other.

And, of course, when you’re not using then they fold up into a relatively small package.

The cable and plugs are described as “robust and built to last” and I have no reason to doubt that. Still, having the cable permanently connected to the headphones and not having the option to connect the cord to either ear was a disappointment. In all I think these are a decent buy for $99.95 and are great for the emerging DJ in your life. If you’re looking for a refined, high-quality amazing sounding headphone you’re going to want to look elsewhere but if you’re looking for a robust, bold statement that also sounds good these may be the headphones for you. You can learn more about the HA-MR77X DJ Headphones and the entire line here.

MSRP: $99.95

What I Like: Make a bold statement; Both ears flip up and out of the way DJ-style; In-line remote and microphone; Decent sound for under $100

What Needs Improvement: Good sound but not great sound; Block noise but not as much as I expected; 3.5mm jack is straight rather than right-angled

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

IK Multimedia iKlip Studio for iPad Mini

Just about a year ago, I reviewed the original iKlip Studio. It was a simple and short review, and for good reason – the iKlip was simplistic and direct in design, solid in build and materials, and well executed. Back at CES 2013, IK Multimedia announced they were building an iKlip for the iPad Mini. Today they have released it, so let’s see how it compares!

IK Multimedia iKlip Studio for iPad Mini

Description

Here are some of the features:

• Sturdy, durable, lightweight, shock-resistant thermoplastic construction holds your iPad securely without scratching or marring it
• Rubber foot-pads grip the desktop and prevent unwanted sliding
• Flexible orientation allows iKlip Studio to tilt from a very low-profile angle to near-vertical positioning
• The device can be quickly rotated between its horizontal and vertical position
• Perfect for the studio, office, travel, home and school use
• iKlip Studio for iPad mini works with other 7” tablets (Kindle Fire, Galaxy Tab, Nook, etc.)
• All controls, buttons, connectors and camera of the iOS device are accessible
• Fast installation — can be mounted in seconds
• Folds up for easy storage
• The support tray fits most tablet cases

Overall Impressions

One of the big things that impressed me about the original iKlip Studio was the rugged set of materials. My kids and I threw it around, quickly assembled and disassembled … and yet a year later is as good as new. The iKlip Studio for iPad Mini is basically the same thing – but this time centered around the iPad Mini and other 7″ tablets.

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The Hype

The glamour. The exhilaration. The intensity. The speed. With drivers cruising a smooth 200 mph — minimum — and cutthroat teams carving out dynasties of speed, Formula One is the most elite racing circle in the world and the most thrilling motorsport tearing up the tracks. Every curve of the track, every control on the dashboard and every strategy in the pit lane is of utmost importance in this intensified world — and it’s all re-created in stunning detail. Let breakneck speeds and ultra responsive cars transport you to the glamorous world of Formula One as you race toward the finish line.

Get behind the wheel and experience the new Circuit of the Americas before its real-life debut with this breathtaking game. This dramatic new track features 20-turn circuits that take inspiration from some of the world’s most difficult corners, including Silverstone’s Becketts and Istanbul Park’s Turn 8, and boasts elevation changes of up to 133 feet. An advanced weather system produces localized weather that can leave sections of the track wet while others stay dry for a dramatic and unpredictable race experience.

Take part in training tutorials, such as the all-new Young Driver’s Test at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina, to become familiar with the nuances of F1 racing and learn how to get the most speed out of your car. The new Lap Tutorials feature can help you perfect your car’s performance, as F1 test driver Anthony Davis walks you through a lap of each of the 20 circuits, offering expert advice. Do you have what it takes to handle the world’s toughest race circuits and steer your car to victory?

The Reality

In F1 2012, racing fans get an in-depth Formula One racing experience with refined game modes and numerous experiences for new players. This racing game has recovered well after noticeable glitches after the initial release, the fourth installment in this game series from Codemasters.

F1 2012 lets players experience the 2012 season that involves 12 teams and 24 drivers. Customization options are extensive and include mid-season changes. Races include 20 circuits and Grand Prix including the circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The young drivers test provides a great tutorial for novice players and greatly reduces the learning curve that intimidates many players in F1 games. Here players can immediately learn, get on team or drive in a non-pressure environment.

Once the skills are set, then starts earning medal and championship points or try the proving grounds. The time trial lets players race against friends, ghost cars or selected rivals created by the best players in the world. The time attack offers various scenarios where players conquer three different challenges to earn a medal.

Constant adjustment and button pushing is the name of the game here, so memorize the control scheme as soon as possible. The custom race options are a great feature allowing for players to choose race location and length.

The dynamic weather condition scenarios and graphics are impressive while the convenient  flashback option help players avoid restarts when they make mistakes. Use the flashbacks wisely because they are in limited supply.

F1 2012 still has strong challenges, but the various driving assistance options really help novice players ease their way into a great experience as they learn what they might have been missing (myself included).

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Isla Dorada

Having just come off of the euphoria that was Special Enquiry Detail 2, I was ready for my next hidden object puzzle adventure. It comes in the form of an island-based game called Isla Dorada – Episode 1: The Sands of Ephranis HD, which has you taking on the role of Jessica Pandora, an archeologist drawn to a hidden site sought by many treasure hunters. What happens to her once she arrives, and is this a good game? Let’s take a look and see!
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Special Enquiry Detail 2

It has been nearly two years since I reviewed the iPad version of Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds, and I absolutely loved it. The sequel came out for PC a while back, but has just now arrived for iPhone . Let’s dig in and see if this story and character driven hidden object puzzle adventure can live up to the original!

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game

Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version is here.; available in the Mac App Store

Developer: Floodlight Games / G5 Entertainment

Description:
Special Enquiry Detail 2 has loads of content, including:
Six highly intriguing chapters
44 locations to examine
22 mini-game puzzles to solve
A challenging case with multiple suspects

Major features:

The reasons I loved the original Special Enquiry Detail are many: great characters, interesting story, good sense of mystery and intrigue, and solid puzzles and hidden object gameplay. Ultimately there was nothing for me to critique, but I mentioned the British linguistics, as they caused me to need hints more than I would have otherwise.

As you begin the game, a murder of a woman in a wedding dress takes place, and next thing you know Turino and Lamonte are on the scene hunting for clues. They were not the detectives in charge of the Engagement Killer’s case – there have already been multiple killings – but they quickly take over based on a special request. From there they need to revisit the old crimes and try to piece together new and existing evidence to find connections and clues to solve the crimes before the killer claims another victim!

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If you’ve read my review of the Toshiba Z930 Ultrabook, then you know two things: I loved the computer, and I hated Windows 8. Much of that animosity comes from the awful Start screen/Dashboard, which is obviously designed for touch interfaces and not mouses and keyboards. ReviverSoft thinks they can help people like me with their newest product, the Start Menu Reviver. Can it get me to accept Windows 8, or at least tolerate it? Read on to find out!

Installing and setting up Start Menu Reviver is a snap. Once you download it, there’s a quick setup that remaps your windows key to Start Menu Reviver, and a small icon that looks like the Windows flag is added to the taskbar. If you don’t want to remap your windows key, you can easily change that in settings, so it’s easy to switch around based on your workflow. The Start Menu itself is great; it’s like the Windows 8 dashboard, and the old Start Menu have merged. So you get the benefit of a tiled look, but in a compact, Start Menu-sized package. I chatted with the CEO of ReviverSoft about Start Menu Reviver, and according to him the tiled design was not an accident. They were aiming for something that worked well with both touchscreen/hybrid computers as well as traditional mouse and keyboard Windows machines, and it works quite well. They also purposely aimed to evoke the tiled/icon style of smartphone user interfaces, since that’s become quite familiar for the average user, and it works well at making the Start Menu immediately clean and easy to use.

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Let me start off by saying that I’ve never used Pocket Informant.  I knew of its existence, but I hadn’t given it much thought because the built-in iOS calendar app worked well enough for me … how wrong I was.  But when Alex Kac, CEO and Founder of developer WebIS, invited us to check out a sneak preview of the 3.0 version of their productivity app, I couldn’t resist.  As soon as the app was installed, I was instantly impressed with how detailed this tool can get with my time and task management.

As soon as you install the app, you’ll be greeted with a setup assistant which, you might have guessed, guides you through the many settings available to you in Pocket Informant.  You’ve got choices of everything from the basic “which calendars would you like synced”, to “would you like to display ISO Week Numbers”, to whether you’d like to show your tasks (think Reminders) in your calendar.

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This third person action-shooter game takes place after the high quality 2009 Star Trek film and before this year’s sequel Star Trek Into Darkness. Single player and cooperative/multiplayer (online and offline in split screen) modes are available.

The Hype

The award-winning Star Trek game casts players for the first time ever as Kirk and Spock in a totally original co-op experience worthy of gamers and fans. Set in the new canon of director and producer J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) reboot, players will be immersed in the game’s rich story and action-packed combat.

Developed by acclaimed Ontario-based developers Digital Extremes (Bioshock 2, Dark Sector, The Darkness 2), Star Trek features an original story by BAFTA award winner and God of War writer, Marianne Krawczyk, in collaboration with the writer/producers of the new Star Trek films, Bob Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof. Production was overseen by Paramount Creative Executive Brian Miller.

The Reality

Captain James T. Kirk and Spock must work together in the co-op mode against the antagonistic and reptilian Gorn, who are trying to disrupt the New Vulcan colony.

Spock and Kirk on Star Trek: The Video Game

In Stark Trek: The Video Game, players can play this third person action-shooter sci-fi game with Captain James T. Kirk or the formidable Vulcan named Spock. Both get basic weapons like phasers and communication tricoders – both are upgradeable. Kirk’s phaser is a bit more powerful…and louder, while Spock’s weapons can freeze plus he uses the famous nerve pinch and mind meld powers. Kirk can also order airstrikes from their home ship The Enterprise.

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When it comes to HD action cameras there are a few key “musts” the device needs to have if you are going to take it seriously. It has to be tough. After all, action cameras need to endure bumps, bruises, vibration and moisture. It has to be mountable, since an action camera that can only sit on a tripod is called… a camera. It has to be simple to use, since having to stop in the middle of an activity to turn the camera on or off defeats the purpose. And, of course, it needs to take good quality video and, if possible, stills. At under $200 the ContourRoam2 couldn’t possibly offer all of these features, could it? Of course it does! That’s why I’ve been having so much fun playing with it ever since it arrived.

A few weeks ago, Perry reviewed the Oregon Scientific ATC Chameleon action camera. (Read the review.) It shoots to different perspectives at the very same time. That’s a good trick not offered by the ContourRoam2. And while it would be fun to shoot two videos at once, I didn’t find that not having it detracted from the overall experience of using the ContourRoam2. Let’s take a look at the HD action camera on video and then dig a little deeper into its specs and features.

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“Another Bluetooth speaker?” Elana asked when the package arrived? (Okay she actually didn’t say that but she COULD have said it, considering just how many Bluetooth speakers we have reviewed in recent months.) Yes, the Scosche boomBOTTLE is yet another Bluetooth speaker that has made its way into the marketplace. This one, however, is an award winner, having been recognized at CES 2013 this past January.

Why does this Bluetooth speaker stand out? Does it deserve the recognition? Let’s take a look so you can decide for yourself.

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The Orbino Pantera Cinque iPhone 5 Case

I got into a funk not too long ago; because I had dropped my iPhone and managed to ding it up a bit, I knew I needed to change my device carry habits. I already knew that I wouldn’t be interested in a rubber or plastic iPhone case, and while the right wooden case might have appealed to me, I was ready to try something different. I was going for leather, and as I had on my iPad mini, I was going for handmade.

So at the same time I placed the order for my Orbino iPad miniPadova case, I also added a Pantera Cinque iPhone 5 Case to my shopping cart. Hand-stitched and tailored for the iPhone 5, the Pantera Cinque is available in a number of gorgeous Tuscan leather colors. For those who want something truly eye-catching, exotic ostrich, ostrich leg, crocodile, snake skin, and even stingray are offered; the only exotic skin I can think of that is missing is ring lizard! I opted for the Tuscan leather in pecan. This case is solid leather without any lining; it smells and feels terrific.

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BLING! That’s the only way to describe the Monster Diamond Tears Edge Headphones. These fashion headphones stand out thanks to their crystal encrusted ear cups and music control. The sharp edges of the headphones immediately remind you of the facets on diamonds, and the transparent crystalline look of the Clear Diamond review sample we were sent (they also come in black) catches light and makes the appearance even more striking. Clearly targeted to a female audience, the Diamond Tears Edge headphones make as loud a fashion statement as you are going to find.

There is no doubt what Monster was aiming for with these headphones. As they explain on the product page, “The Diamond Tears high-definition headphone was created much like an object of high fashion…” Yet despite targeting these headphones to a fashion-conscious female audience, Monster goes to great lengths to focus on these headphones as a high-end audio accessory. They note:

When you’re hearing Diamond Tears, you’re hearing your music the way you’ve never heard before: through proprietary driver technology and the cut-no-corners materials required for high-performance audio. It was the only way to deliver the ultra-accurate response that Diamond Tears promises.

The Monster Diamond Tears Edge come in nice packaging that is reminiscent of opening a jewelry box. Lift the top of the inside box, and the headphones move toward you. It makes for a striking unboxing experience that is worthy of the over-$300 price tag. Speaking of the box, inside you will find:
- Monster Diamond Tears Edge headphones

- ControlTalk and Control Talk Universal for hands-free phone and music control

- Low profile, right-angle connector

- Three no-hassle, tangle-free cables

- Monster Cleaning Cloth with advanced Aegis Microbe Shield

- Touring Case, stylish protection for your headphones (It is actually a cheap soft case…)
Here’s a look at them on video.
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Put down your smartphone. I know you’re rushing to your favorite App Store, trying to figure out what a whiteboard calendar app is. You won’t find this on your phone or tablet. But it’s the greatest shared calendar solution that Sarah and I have tried. It is open enough that we can customize it endlessly, but also has great privacy settings depending upon the use environment. It also never needs a software update, reboot, or recharge. Yes, it is a simple, wall-mounted whiteboard. But it has done more to keep us organized than any Google Calendar or variant smartphone app!

The truth is, there is no great shared calendar solution. We have access to each others calendars in Google, but those aren’t terribly centralized. Either we end up with duped entries, because both of us list the same event, or we just plain miss things because we don’t look closely enough at our smartphones. But a whiteboard in the middle of our kitchen is hard to miss. And we consciously choose to only note important items (birthdays of note, visitors, shared plans), making it easier to plan our schedules and know at a glance how busy life is.

Admittedly, it is a bit of a pain manually updating the months, and my handwriting is awful so sometimes that it’s a guessing game WHAT we have scheduled that day, but the trade offs are worth it. Life is getting busier and busier, and both Sarah and I feel less overwhelmed with a good visual of our plans. It is amazing that with two iPhones, an iPad, a Kindle Fire, and a few laptop computers between us, the simple, super low-tech solution is the best!

MSRP: Varies, ours was $9.99 on sale at Michael’s, you can find similar ones on Amazon.

What I Like: Simple way to keep our schedule organized

What Needs Improvement: No Google Calendar sync

For some time it seemed that if you wanted to be taken seriously as a business person, you had to have a BlackBerry device. Research In Motion — or RIM as the company was commonly called — built smartphones that were solid, had excellent QWERTY keyboards, they were secure, and they were the first devices to have PUSH email.

Side note: PUSH email may be something many of us take for granted now, but there was a time when if you wanted it, you had to own a BlackBerry. Those of us on Pocket PC phones, Treos, or other phones with email capabilities who weren’t willing to pay for expensive Exchange server fees had no choice other than to set our devices to synchronize on a schedule, or we could manually sync (or PULL) email to the device when we remembered to. 

As recently as summer 2008, if you asked a middle schooler what phone they wished they had, they would say they wanted a BlackBerry. Dan says that in 2008, every student in his tenth grade class had a BlackBerry. That’s probably because RIM’s huge consumer push was working — it seemed like everyone had a BlackBerry device at that point — moms, teens, movie stars — and of course, the business men and women BlackBerry devices had always appealed to.

Somewhere along the way, RIM became a company that seemed to have stopped innovating; they appeared to be secure in the fact that their devices were desirable, that businesses would always support workers using BlackBerry devices, and that consumers would want BlackBerry devices just because they were “cool”.

And then, rather quickly it seemed, that all fell apart.

In 2009, iPhones began to seriously gain market share; app developers were embracing the new iOS operating system, and the device that many had perhaps initially dismissed as an “iPod that was also a fashionable phone” began to be seen as one of the smartest smartphones yet. In 2008, Android phones began to sell, and before long that OS was also seemingly embraced by business and non-business consumers alike. What did iOS and Android have in common? They were touch-optimized operating systems that did not require a physical keyboard for data entry; they also had larger, full color screens.

RIM tried to keep up. They introduced the touchscreen BlackBerry Storm and later the Torch … but both devices were buggy, cumbersome, and lacking in features when compared to the iPhones and Android devices they were trying to compete against. Similarly to how Microsoft had failed when they tried to re-skin their stylus-based PocketPC operating system into a touch-based operating system, RIM was failing because they were trying to turn a predominantly text-based device into an app-powered pocket computer; the difference being that iOS and Android had launched as exactly what they were trying to be — touch-based pocket computers.

RIM was not keeping up with the new app and feature driven mobile phone market; the popular apps and features that everyone wanted and expected to see on their smartphones simply weren’t there, and as a result BlackBerry devices were no longer the cool phone to own. To illustrate that point, I asked Kev’s almost 14-year-old daughter how many of her friends had BlackBerry phones these days, and she couldn’t name one. Dan says that last year only one 10th grader in his class had a BlackBerry, and this year … none of his 10th graders have one.

The one card that BlackBerry could always play was that their platform offered security that the others didn’t have, but that is no longer the case. On May 3rd, Samsung announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) had approved the use of their latest Knox-enabled Android smartphones and tablets. Although for now this only includes the new Galaxy S4, “Samsung has said more devices would ship with the platform in the near future.” Apple devices running iOS6 are expected to be cleared by the DoD later this month. In other words, BlackBerry has now lost the last solid business advantage that they could claim.

Over the last three years, I’ve felt like the fly in the ointment anytime someone had something positive to say about BlackBerry devices. As far as I was concerned, you could stick a fork in RIM, because BlackBerry was DONE. Granted, RIM has managed to hang on longer than I would have predicted, but I stopped considering them to be a true competitor in 2009.  For me, BlackBerry devices were an aging institution, and it was inevitable that anyone who was using one would be upgrading to the latest iPhone or Android device as soon as their current contract was up.

With the late 2012 announcement of BlackBerry 10′s imminent release, along with all the promises that were made about how it would change the way we viewed and used BlackBerry devices, how the new operating system would shake up the mobile phone space, and how RIM would be revitalized in the eyes of consumers and investors … Well, let’s just say that the upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices had a lot to live up to.

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When shopping for a pair of headphones, it seems that things keep getting harder and harder. After all, in the battle for your ears there are an ever-growing number of headphones vying for attention. Admittedly we haven’t done much of anything to make the task any easier. After all, in just the past few months we’ve reviewed headphones from Phiaton, Monster, AKG and many more. Worse- or better- yet, pretty much all the headphones we have reviewed recently impressed us enough that we would recommend them to a family member looking for some new cans.

Is there room for another pair of headphones in the lineup of “Gear Diary Recommended Headphones”? If that pair of headphones are the Harman Kardon NC over-the-ear noise canceling headphones, then the answer is a loud and confidant, “YES!”. The reason for this is simple — these headphones are amazing.

We reviewed the Harman Kardon NC over-the-ear headphones last summer. (You can read the review here.) I loved pretty much everything about these high and Bluetooth headphones. I found them to be comfortable, sound great, and run for an acceptable period of time on each charge. Judie found them to be rather interesting, so I sent them down to Texas. They continue to be one of the two pair of headphones she switches between. At the time I expressed interest in the possibility of checking out the noise canceling version of these headphones upon their release. I have had the opportunity to do just that for the past month and a half and, as I mentioned in the introduction, I am thoroughly impressed with these headphones.

I have a pretty complete review of the headphones and my thoughts on them in our video review, so let’s jump into that and then look at a gallery of images.

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Don’t let this happen to you…

“Elana do you know where the Harman Karden NC headphones I’m reviewing are?”

“Where did you last use them?”

“If I knew that I wouldn’t be searching for them… Oh, got ‘em!”

“Where were they? Buried under the pile on your desk?”

Yes, there is an advantage to keeping your headphones hung up and close by the way they are when you use the Just Mobile’s HeadStand. It prevents them from getting lost under a pile of papers. It keeps them safe and protected from someone who might sit on them after yo accidentally left them on a chair. And there is the added benefit that your stylish headphones look great hanging from the HeadStand. Just Mobile describes the HeadStand as “The high-design headphone hanger [that] is the perfect place to hang your high-design headphones.”

The aluminium desktop stand keeps your headphones on display and within reach while offering the added benefit of cable storage hidden in the dual-layered aluminium base. It keeps your desk neat and tidy and shows off headphones like these White Tuxedo Monster DNA headphones. We reviewed the silver HeadStand and are now back to look at the even cooler, even classier black version. Check them out.

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