Reviews

Wingnuts MotoChaser for iPhone/Touch Review

We are coming back from my first layoff of the Blue Plate Special since the series began. Last week the football team I coach for in Texas played for and won the State Championship. The week was so hectic that I just could not get around to finding apps or writing for that matter. We have this week off for a much needed Christmas break so I already decided this week’s selection would be a game. The players and coaches all need some down time to relax and reflect on winning our school’s first state championship. The selection this week…

Reviews

One Week with Chrome OS: A Mini-Review

It’s been just about a week since I received my CR-48 Chrome OS netbook. In that time I’ve turned on my Toshiba netbook (running Windows 7) twice, and only used my Macbook to check my email a few times. Otherwise all my home computer use has been on Chrome, including writing posts for Gear Diary. While it is still quite early in my Chrome experience, and the OS is very, very young, I thought I’d share my likes and dislikes thus far…think of it as a mini-review…a miniview! Likes: Getting started is dead easy. Once I did the initial setup…

Game Diary, Reviews

iPad Game Review: Mystery of the Crystal Portal 2: Beyond the Horizon

I made no pretense about how much I enjoyed the original Mystery of the Crystal Portal, both the PSP Mini and the HD version for iPad. It was a well designed hidden object game with a story that offered an ending that pretty much called for a sequel – so now we’re back following Nicole on her quest to find her father in Mystery of the Crystal Portal 2: Beyond the Horizon (which I’ll call ‘Crystal Portal 2’ henceforth)! The Hype: In the end of the first game in the series, Nicole managed to activate the Crystal Portal in her…

Game Diary, Reviews

DS App Review: Korg DS-10 Plus

For a while I thought I would never see my Nintendo DSi again … I mean, my younger son already permanently took over my original copy of Korg DS-10, and when we were playing around with the new Korg DS-10 Plus on my DSi and he realized that I could add a second bank … well, he took the whole deal! Fortunately I managed to get it back and now he just borrows the DSi when he wants to use the Korg DS-10 Plus. The Hype: KORG DS-10 Plus is an enhanced version of the revolutionary KORG DS-10 synthesizer software…

Game Diary, Reviews

DSiWare Game Review: Supermarket Mania

I recently reviewed the PC release of Supermarket Mania 2, and found it a ‘casual thrill ride’. I noted the basic plot from the original game – but I had never played it! It has been available for a while for the PC & Mac, came to the iPhone in early 2009, was released for the iPad and as a PSP Mini earlier this year, and has now arrived on the Nintendo DSi as part of the DSiWare store! Let’s take a look! The Hype: In Supermarket Mania, you’ll have to help Nikki operate a small grocery store; satisfying the…

Reviews

Audio Gear Review- Denon AH-D 1100 Over-The-Ear Headphones

I’ve always loved music but since I got my first iPhone I find myself listening to more music than ever. When I was a kid I had a pair of over-the-ear Pioneer headphones that I played way too loud and, no doubt, did my self some significant longterm damage. Nowadays I tend to prefer earbuds to on-ear or over-ear headphones. As a rule I find the buds more comfortable and less tiring to wear. They are also easier to carry. When Denon asked if I was interested in reviewing their AH-D1100 over-ear headphones however I jumped at the chance. I…

Game Diary, Reviews

PSP Game Review: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

The Kingdom Hearts franchise occupies a unique place in the gaming world: born out of the combined universes of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy multiverse and the multiple characters of Disney, Square Enix has forged a beloved new franchise that brings both together in a way the emphasizes the strength of each without compromise. The original games for the Playstation 2 remain favorites for games of any age, and the series has been augmented by solid releases on the GameBoy Advance and the Nintendo DS. Now we get an original release for the Sony PSP. Let’s diver right in and see…

Game Diary, Reviews

iPad App Review: Elves Inc: Christmas Mission HD

Whenever I think of Christmas apps I think back to what was one of the absolute worst games ever – Elf Bowling! But when G5 Entertainment offered me their new holiday themed game I was fairly certain it wouldn’t be a Christmas nightmare, so I gave it a shot. The Hype: Plunge yourself into the shining world of a winter fairy tale! Control and master the logistics of Christmas! Help magic elves deliver and load gifts to Santa’s sledge before Christmas comes. Make sure they don’t run into each other or they will drop the gifts and children won’t get…

Reviews

Gear Review: SCOTTeVEST / SeV Expedition 37 Pocket Jacket

To my mind there are four qualities I care about in a jacket: appearance, build quality, useful temperature range and functionality. When you talk about a SCOTTeVEST jacket ‘functionality’ suddenly transforms into ‘massive amounts of usable space’. The Hype: Imagine that you were about to embark on a long journey to a far-off land, and you could carry nothing but what you could fit in your pockets. For this grand expedition, you would need the appropriately named SeV Expedition. 37 pockets – yes, blink a few times and re-read that – 37 pockets in one jacket, the most ever on…

Reviews

Review: BodyGuardz Dry Apply Protector For iPhone 4

Let’s face it, today’s devices are expensive and beautiful. Unfortunately their function and uses makes it difficult to keep them looking as shiny as they were right out of the box. It is always so disheartening when the dreaded scratch shows up on the beautiful screen of a device. There are many ways to protect these works of beauty and a leading product is the clear protector. They provide scratch protection while not adding bulk or changing the appearance. There are many brands and kinds of clear protectors, but BodyGuardz has proven to be one of the leaders in the…

Reviews

Hard Candy StreetSkin Review

The relatively new Hard Candy Case company has been turning out new device cases at a pretty good clip lately. In fact, since the company opened for business a year ago this month that have moved quickly enough to now offer an extensive portfolio of products with more being released on what seems to be a monthly basis. We’ve looked at a number of Hard Candy’s offerings in recent months. Today we will be looking at the latest case for the iPhone 4 and then giving away the review units to three lucky Gear Diary readers. So let’s jump right…

Reviews

iBottleOpener for iPhone 3GS Review

I like beer. This is a fact that I didn’t realize until about two and a half years ago, when I began dating a man who was a home-brewer and all-around beer connoisseur. I’d never really been much of a beer drinker before, so I never had much need for a bottle opener; that has since changed. There are so many fantastic brews available — none of which come with twist-cap, so being able to safely and easily remove a bottle cap when offered a new brew is a necessity. Therein lies the rub: I don’t carry a Leatherman or…

Reviews

iPhone/iPad Accessory Review: Speck and Zazzle Team Up for 1-of-a-Kind Cases

Inside this package is a one-of-a-kind iPhone 4 cases I have tried. It fits my iPhone perfectly, offers fantastic protection and… is completely and totally unique to me. It is a case that is an absolute please to use AND whenever I look at it it brings a smile to my face. What’s so special about this case? Read on to find out. The case is the result of a joint-project between Speck, maker of some of our favorite device cases, and Zazzle, a company that makes an assortment of unique, self-designed products. For all intents and purposes the case…

Reviews

Gear Diary Deal or Dud #8: The Perfect Brownie Pan

If you’ve ever made brownies at home you know the toughest part is the cutting. You basically need a degree in geometry to determine where to make your cuts to guarantee you get finished brownies that are all even in size and shape. Not to mention the problem of the brownies, which so often end up stuck together. The Perfect Brownie Pan promises to take the guess work out of making brownies. It features a non-stick pan, divider and stand which combine to create brownie perfection. The pan is available at your local “As Seen On TV” store for $19.99….

Game Diary, Reviews

iPad Game Review: Destination Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a beloved classic that has inspired many renditions on stage and screen, as well as many sequels and other add-on tales by a variety of artists in a variety of media. The reason it is such a great work to extend and revisit is that the characters are believable, likeable and work very well within their environment. Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are wonderful characters and the tales of bravery, honor, friendship and of course piracy fuel the long-standing love for the pair. Destination: Treasure Island was originally released for the PC back in 2007 and…

Reviews

Review: iFrogz Mogul DJ Style Headphones

Larry has reviewed iFrogz products many times in the past. So when these new DJ Style headphones came up for a review I thought I would try them out. Will I be happy using these headphones for my needs? Let’s find out. The 50mm drivers are housed in some pretty thick plastic. The housing feels really nice and a step above the 2XL headphones I also use. They are connected by a black padded band with the ends of that band being spring-loaded. Since these are DJ style headphones, you can flip the arm and other driver to one side and…

Reviews

Review: Caseable Customizable Laptop Sleeves

Have you ever found a sleeve that suited you 100 percent? Well with Caseables, you finally can with their customizable sleeves. I was not sent a custom sleeve, but a sample of one of the sleeves that they currently make. Every stitch on this one is done with the same care and quality as any custom that you can order from Caseable. The inside of the sleeve is covered in very soft white fleece which should protect your laptop from scratches just fine. I am not too sure about the color inside this one. With all of the other color choices for the rest…

Game Diary, Reviews

Gear Games Retrospective: Dungeons & Dragons Tactics (PSP, RPG, 2007)

While I always seem to have way too many games to play for review, I always allow myself time for replaying favorites or classics even if it means delaying completing a game review. Generally the choices make sense – my annual trek through the Star Wars ‘Kyle Katarn’ games, for example, or another play through on Gothic 2 Gold. But just after Thanksgiving I found myself with my PSP-3000 in hand, not playing any of the games on my PSP Go awaiting my attention, but instead replaying the 2007 RPG Dungeons & Dragons Tactics (D&D Tactics). Am I nuts? The…

Reviews

Apps In a Snap: CardMunch

The other day we were having dinner with some family friends in celebration of my father-in-law’s birthday. One of his dear friends had just gotten her first smart phone and had no clue how to use it. I spent a few minutes with her showing her a couple of key applications that I thought she might find useful. She was wowed by what her new device is able to do. I am which point she made the following comment– “Okay, to tell me something, with so many applications available for this device how the hell would I ever know what…

Reviews

JAVOedge Editor Quantum Case iPad Case Review: Thin Is In

In case you haven’t heard, thin is in. Don’t believe me? Just look at the popularity of the new line of Mac Book Airs. The thinner a mobile device is, the easier it is to carry around. However, protection is important too. Not many of us want to sacrifice shock and impact protection for something that’s a little lighter in our gear bags. The JAVOedge Editor Quantum case seeks to satisfy both needs. It’s very thin and very light weight yet sturdy enough to provide ample protection from the dings everyday life throws your way. The outside of the case…

Game Diary, Reviews

PC Game Review: Supermarket Mania 2

How hard can it be running a supermarket? In the original Supermarket Mania Nikki found out that is was much harder than she thought – especially with the evil Torg and his robot minions trying to put the store she works at out of business. Yet through perseverance she succeeds and prevails! Now Nikki is back … but so is Torg! Can you help Nikki Succeed in a new location with new challenges? The Hype: Nikki and her friends are back in Supermarket Mania 2! Help her uncle Ross manage and run his chain of grocery stores on the other…

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