November 2008

Skooba Checkthrough Bag Review

Ever since 9/11, air travelers have been forced to take their shoes off, take their laptops out of bags, and…well you know the drill.  Now the TSA has worked on developing a standard for letting us keep our laptop in its bag as we go through through the checkpoint.  I got to take a look at Skooba Design‘s version, called the Skooba Checkthrough. The bag is actually a lot smaller than it looks and a lot larger than it looks.  I know; how can it be both?  Well when all zipped up, it’s a little thinner than the backpack I…


Mophie Juice Pack Review: Keeps You Connected All Day

So here I am on vacation in Aruba. The sun is warm, the waves are a bit rough and the WiFi is horrid. Seriously, the WiFi here brings me back to the good old days of dial-up, and they weren’t such good old days. As a result of the anemic WiFi I have found myself using my iPod touch far more than the HP MiniNote 1000 I picked up prior to my trip. (it is, by the way, an awesome netbook!) The touch seems to work far better for me when checking email, keeping up with my RSS feeds, and…


Motorola Krave ZN4 on Verizon Wireless Review

We all know that Apple changed the game when it came to cell phones. The iPhone’s interface is second to none currently; everyone and their brother is now trying to out do Apple. Motorola has come up with a really interesting take on a touchscreen interface that has a lot of influence from Verizon.


Super Talent Pico Gold Thumb Drive (8GB) Review

They say good things come in small packages.  Well, after checking out the Super Talent Pico Thumb Drive, I am here to tell you that it is not so much good things, but great things that come in small packages.  As in great big things.  Like the 8GB of storage found in this tiny, 31.3 mm (yes that is millimeter) drive.  How can this be?  Read on to find out!


Epson WorkForce 600 Multi-Function Printer Review

The timing could not have been better. Our ancient multifunction printer had seen its last day, and we needed a good printer to replace it since I do much of my writing from my home study and my wife has recently started her own business. I was in the midst of doing the research  as to which printer to buy when I was offered the opportunity to review the Epson Workforce 600. As luck would have it, the Workforce 600 was already on my shortlist. I’m glad I said “Yes” to reviewing the WorkForce 600, as this is definitely a…


Tributaries PWRS-T8/T1 Power Strip Review

For the second time in 10 years our cabin in the Pennsylvania mountains was struck by lightning. And for the second time in 10 years walls had to be opened and the house rewired before it could be usable once again.  Not fun at all. (And that is WITH a lightning box installed!) This time, unfortunately, it wasn’t just the wiring that suffered. The casualties were numerous. The stove has cooked its last omelet.  The dishwasher has seen its last dirty dish.The washer and dryer have seen their last load of laundry.  In all, the damage was both extensive and…




Verizon BlackBerry Storm Video Review

Jason D. O’Grady of The Apple Core posted up a nice video of the soon to be released BlackBerry Storm (11/21 release date via Verizon) which is Research In Motion’s eagerly anticipated entry into the world of touch screen devices. I’m still in the “wait and see” camp on this device. I’m concerned about a lack of innovative touch applications and think most early purchasers will buy on impulse not realizing there’s no App Store (yet) and a real lack of applications. To get a sense of my definition of “lack of innovative applications” compare FaceBook for BlackBerry to FaceBook…


Devotec Solar Charger Review

If there’s one thing that I know about all of the mobile electronics I’ve got, its that power is a problem. I’ve got more device holders and power cords in my car than I know what to do with, AND I have so many that I had to get a goo-jam that increased the number of power sockets in my car from 1 to 3.  Yeah…I’ve got gadgets.  Now about powering them…yeah, that’s a problem too. Over the past year or so, I’ve bumped into problems where I’ve run out of power at the most inconvenient times and places.  So…


Seattle Sling by Camera Armor Review

More and more people are carrying Digital SLR or Single Lense Reflex cameras as their main camera, even for taking family pictures.  However, these are still very pricey cameras.  Sometimes the accessories themselves can cost more than the camera body.  That’s why if you have a DSLR, camcorder or other small piece of electronic equipment, you need to run – don’t walk, to the web and order yourself a Seattle Sling.


USBFever Foldable Multi Notebook Stand Review

Have you ever wanted to use your laptop but couldn’t stand how hot it is when sitting on your lap?  How about using a notebook in bed?  The USBFever Foldable Multi Notebook Stand may be just the thing you need for those two situations and more. I was sent the black version of the Multi Notebook Stand. The Multi Notebook Stand is very adjustable and will work for almost any notebook, except maybe desktop replacement notebooks.  You can also adjust it to lie flat, so you can use it to support a projector or act as a dinner tray. 


Unboxing the HTC Touch Pro (Sprint Edition)

[Note: This is a joint article being written by Doug, Lauren, and Sue.  Doug’s comments will appear in normal typeface, Lauren’s in bold, and Sue’s will be italicized.  We are also simultaneously posting it on both JAMM and Gear Diary.] Doug: I had a nice surprise in the mail the other day when I tore open a Fed Ex envelope to find the HTC Touch Pro.  By coincidence, as you may have noticed, Lauren and Sue (for you Gear Diary readers, they are both contributors at JAMM) both also picked up the HTC Touch Pro earlier this month.   So, we…


Norton Internet Security 2009 Review

I have been around computers, almost from the start.  My first computer was the wildly successful Apple II+ (does anyone else remember the Bank Street Writer,) which was my main computer for close to ten years (including all of high school.)  In the time since those early days, one thing has always been apparent: no matter what level of sophistication computers may reach, someone is always going to be waiting to exploit the technology and cause harm in some way or another.  Back in those early days, most of the threats amounted to blunt objects, hurled at your disconnected desktop…


E-TEN V900 WM6.1 Device Review

I’ve been very fortunate to have a wonderful working relationship with the folks over at E-TEN, now part of the Acer family.  The folks associated with the Glofiish mobile devices have been wonderful to work with, and have been very generous. Over the years, they have been kind enough to send me a number of devices to review. Recently, we reviewed the Glofiish X800, Glofiish X650, and we gave away the X800. It was all very exciting.  Recently, Acer sent us the Glofiish V900.  I’ve been using it for a while and its been an interesting go.  How interesting..?  Let’s…


Case-mate Vroom for iPhone 3G Review

A while back the good folks over at Case-mate were kind enough to send me one of their Vroom cases for the iPhone 3G. To be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed upon opening. Its description explains why. “Kick it into high gear with this new tire-tread pattern iPhone 3G case” “Hooray,” I thought to myself “an iPhone case that looks like a car tire. What could be more exciting.” Fact is, I ask you find myself using it quite often now. Here’s why…


Dodge Ram vs. Ford F-150: Round two

Even before my Oct. 23 AutoworldToday hit the newsstands, controversy was brewing over which new pickup can lay claim to being the best. Our review looked at the 2009 versions of the Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 half-ton trucks, each completely made over from the ground up. As I was preparing that piece for the print edition, press releases began flooding electronic mailboxes from the Dodge and Ford marketing divisions, who were apparently burning the midnight oil following the Texas Auto Writers’ annual Texas Truck Rodeo Oct. 17-19.


Motorola S9-HD Headset Review

Since I abhor wires, when the opportunity to check out the next version of the venerable Motorola S9 headset line, I jumped at the chance.  Is it as good as the original?


Blackberry 8220 First Impressions

T-Mobile just sent us an evaluation Blackberry 8220 to test and review. While I’m just getting started on using this and won’t be ready for a full review until a couple more weeks – I wanted to post some of my initial thoughts on where this device fits (and where it doesn’t). You may know that prior to the iPhone I was a diehard Blackberry user. Ultimately I gave up the Blackberry in May 2008 due to these 10 reasons. I’m always open to taking a fresh look at the latest devices and the Blackberry 8220 was intriguing to me…


SCOTTEVEST Signature System Review

Last night, my friend Joel emailed to say that he thought I would be a perfect candidate for an upcoming geek/techie makeover edition of the Maury Show; I didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted since he mentioned that I might get a new wardrobe out of the experience. I don’t think that I need a makeover (does anyone ever think that?), but I do know what the perfect wardrobe option should be for any stylish geek or techie – especially now that cold weather is fast approaching. Fellow geeks and techies, I present to you the new SCOTTEVEST…


Blackberry Bold 9000 Review

Not too long ago I bought the Nokia E71, since it was pretty much everything I wanted in a smartphone. Excellent keyboard, excellent signal, excellent battery life, and a stable platform. Since I bought it I’ve been very happy with it, and I didn’t think anything would be able to topple it for me. Until now. Off the bat, I would like to let you know that the Bold is my first Blackberry. I’ve very briefly played with several Blackberry’s before, but I’ve never used one in depth or as my primary phone. While I may be a Blackberry virgin,…