January 2010

Beware: Some Images Aren’t Proof of Anything

I was reading a story on Phandroid about the supposed HTC Supersonic which may be a future HTC made Android device, or may not. They had a image that was from the suspect device’s about screen e-mailed to them trying to catch them into posting about it. However, Phandroid was on the ball and they had someone create a image reporting a device as the HTC Phandroid running Android 3.1. It was created by editing a file in the /system directory on a rooted device, rebooting it and creating a regular screenshot. The point is, this screen isn’t valid as…

Reviews

Switch Easy Nude for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

Want to keep your iPhone’s form factor as close to the way it was when you first pulled it out of the box but still protect it? There are skins that will do it, but these are often hard to install. The Switch Easy Nude case measures at only .08mm of thickness. It comes in 6 colors and includes two crystal clear screen protectors. At only $19.99 this case offers the absolute closest thing to a naked phone that I’ve seen. Check out my video review below then head to the Switch Easy web site and grab one.

Events

New Video on the HP Slate Demoed at CES 2010

At CES 2010, Steve Ballmer was showing off a variety of computers, including an HP Slate device. All that was said at the time was it would be available in 2010, and that it was an actual product. Read on for more information on the video.

Reviews

DuaLink from CableJive Review

If you’re anything like me, chances are you juggle a few Apple devices around. Personally I use an iPhone, iPod Touch and an iPod Classic. Each device uses Apple’s dock connector on the bottom, to which I insert a charge/sync cable when it comes time to either hook the device to iTunes or add some additional power to the battery. I’ve got one Apple charge and sync cable hooked up to my iMac which means I can charge or sync one of my three devices at any one time. At least that used to be the case……. Thanks to the…

Reviews

The Sleek Audio SA6 W-1 Wireless Earphones Kit Review

Late last year I was introduced to Sleek Audio, and among their earphones’ features, I was impressed by their unique method of insuring a customized listening experience through the utilization of removable and interchangeable in-ear ports – even on their entry level model, the SA1. While I enjoyed the SA1 earphones very much and was quite impressed with their quality, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to use one of their more specialized sets, specifically the Sa6.

News

Wii Game “New Super Mario Bros” Is Fastest ‘Single Game’ to Sell 10 Million Copies

We have read about how many copies the 2009 mega-hit game Modern Warfare 2 sold, but that was across three different gaming systems. Now a game that is a Wii-port of a super-popular DS game of the same titles that is essentially a new version of a classic Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) game has claimed the crown for being the fastest game to sell 10 million copies. The game has been out for eight weeks in North America and Europe and less than a month in Japan. Most folks anticipate that within a few months at most New Super…

Reviews

PDAir’s New Motorola Droid Cases Reviewed

PDAir makes cases and accessories for a wide range of mobile devices. Their products are typically well made and reasonably priced. We’ve reviewed PDAir cases on Gear Diary before, recently reviewing a couple of their iPhone 3G/3GS cases. So, when PDAir offered to provide Gear Diary with a couple of their new Motorola Droid cases to review, we said yes. As a still relatively new device, there is a fairly limited range of cases available for the Droid. Sure, you can pick up snap-on covers for the Droid at the Verizon store, but they don’t offer much protection for the…

News

The Cool PS3 Mod Adds Portability

Our friends at PS3Maven have let us know about the latest cool PS3 mod – this one right up my alley as a big fan of handheld gaming! This was created by a modder called BronckartN, who has created a wireless interface that allows you to control and watch on a portable device while the console remains elsewhere. Quite cool – check the video to see it in action! Source: PS3Maven

Reviews

Case-Mate Mahogany Case for iPhone 3G &3Gs Review

Case-Mate blew us away a CES this year with their 2010 product line up. One case not even included in the mix at the show was their Mahogany Case for the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. The case, which is machine carved from 100% recycled mahogany is a stunner to both look at and to hold. It’s smooth as silk and keeps your iPhone safely protected inside a thick layer of wood. The case is available for $49.99 directly from the Case-Mate web site here. Watch my video review to see this beauty live and in color.

Reviews

Otterbox BlackBerry Bold 9700 Defender Case – Review

This is a joint review from Thomas and Dan. Dan’s comments are in black, and Thomas’ are in blue italics. Dan – Thomas was kind enough to send me his Blackberry Bold 9700 a few weeks ago. I have an AT&T branded version of the phone. His phone, however, had one distinct advantage over mine — because it is on T-Mobile it has a truly inexpensive international calling and data plan available. So I brought it to Las Vegas with me for CES and then carried it with me to the wedding I attended in Cabo. Because the connecting flights…

Reviews

Everki Beacon Laptop Backpack w/Gaming Console Sleeve Review

Everki recently supplied me with the Beacon Laptop Backpack w/Gaming Console Sleeve to review. Since school started back up, I have spent the past few weeks using it as my main gear bag. I am pleased with the style and ruggedness of the backpack with daily use; I am able to comfortably carry all of my gear and it is comfortable and looks great. Find out the particulars after the break…

Reviews

Eveningstar For iPhone/Touch Review

Divine Robot has recently released a new scrolling shooter called “Eveningstar.” The game is a sci-fi shoot ’em up packed full of action and enemies. The game includes nine exciting levels, each of which require different skills and puzzle solving skills. Check out the video trailer here then read the review after the break.

Reviews

Blue Microphones Yeti Review

While at CES this year I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Blue Microphones booth. One of the products which really “wowed” me during demo time was their “Yeti” microphone. The Yeti is being touted as the world’s first THX certified Microphone. The USB powered microphone is the perfect tool for for a wide range of projects including podcasts, vocals, live or event recording, interviews, broadcasts, instruments, bands and more. Blue Microphones was kind enough to send both myself and Joel a Yeti for review and the following dual review contains both of our observations.

Reviews

Plantronics Voyager PRO UC Review

My work here on Gear Diary has given me the opportunity to try a wide variety of Bluetooth headsets. The biggest common denominator with all of them is the degree to which they have improved in recent years. They have, for the most part, become more comfortable, easier to pair, and they have much-improved sound quality. Most recently I’ve had the opportunity to be using the Plantronics Voyager Pro UC. Plantronics describes it as “the most advanced noise-canceling Bluetooth headset available”. In my experience over the last week and a half, I can’t argue with that statement. It’s comfortable, easy-to-use,…

Reviews

Cocoon Innovations GRID-IT! Review

Travis recently wrote about some of the great products Cocoon Innovations was showing off at CES to help organize all the wonderful gear we tend to carry around. As soon as I saw their GRID-IT system in Travis’ post, I knew this was a product I could use. While I try to keep an organized gear bag, the daily wrangling of cords, chargers, etc. was beginning to wear on me. Sometimes I need to quickly transfer gear from one bag to another — say, during a short trip where trying to keep up with multiple bags is more trouble than…

Music Diary, Reviews

Dragon Age Origins: Video Game Soundtrack Review

Back when I wrote about the various packages available for Dragon Age: Origins, one thing I didn’t worry about was the soundtrack. Why? Because on the graphic that accompanied the article it said ‘Digital Soundtrack’. So I assumed it meant we got the whole soundtrack – since most games with samplers are pretty clear and up-front about the whole ‘selections from the soundtrack’ thing (most recent example is Dissidia Final Fantasy). Also, buyers of either the ‘deluxe digital’ or ‘collector’s edition’ got a selection of songs from the soundtrack, effectively half of the 35 songs, although there are some songs…

Reviews

Speck See Thru Satin for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

While at CES 2010, Dan and I were blown away by the pending releases Speck has in the pipeline for 2010. The uber-popular accessory manufacturer has a ton of goodies in store for the new year. One of the items we were given by Speck to review is the See Thru Satin case for the iPhone 3G/3Gs. Made from the same material as its big brother, the Satin Case for the Mac Book Pro, which Dan recently reviewed, this case both looks and feels great! Check out my video review below. Then head on over to the Speck website, and…

Vehicles & Gear

10 for 2010

Once again automakers rolled out some eye candy at the annual North American International (Detroit) Auto Show. And once again it leaves many of us wondering which of the vehicles on display will actually make it into production, will they be affordable and are they really practical. Inspired by this, I am rolling out a list of 10 things to watch in 2010.

News

Missing Multitouch on Android’s Web Browser? There’s An App for That, Too

(video courtesy of brandonnscott) Got an Android device, but missing that sweet multitouch goodness while web browsing? Tired of double-tapping in front of your iPhone-toting friends? Well, if you’ve got an Android 2.0 or higher device — I’m looking at you Motorola DROID and Nexus One owners — you want to download the Dolphin Browser. Aw, heck, we’ve even put the barcode right here in the post so you can download the free app right from our site 😀

News

Green Man Gaming Plans to Allow Sales of Used Digital Games

No clue how they’ll do it yet, but WOW am I interested! A new digital distribution portal called Green Man Gaming is claiming that they will add value to your digital purchases by allowing you to ‘trade them in’, at which time they will re-sell them as used games. They are supposedly working with publishers to make this happen in a way that benefits everyone involved.

News

Grand Theft Auto On iTunes Warning – NOT for First Gen iPod Touch

So I was terribly excited the other day when the best DS & PSP game of 2009 – Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars – landed on the App Store. I said then that I was ‘just getting started’, which actually meant that I had bought it and it was downloaded but I hadn’t had time to install or start playing. Sadly, that night I discovered that I was not going to be able to play the game – because I own a first-generation iPod Touch.

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