June 2010

M-EDGE Platform Jacket for iPad Review

Dan was kind enough to send me a few M-EDGE cases for the iPad to review. A few weeks ago I took a look at the Executive Jacket. Up next is their Platform Jacket. Made from authentic leather and available in three colors (Black, Purple and Red) the Platform Jacket is a flip up style case that is best suited for users who use their iPads predominately in the portrait position. The case uses a tab closure style and the strap continues all along the back creating a handle which you can slide your hand under. This allows you to…


Angry Birds for iPhone/Touch App Review

It is summer and time to have some fun.  I have recently heard rumblings of another great iPhone game.  The game was mentioned in the same sentences as Plants vs. Zombies so my ears perked up and I paid attention.  I needed to check out the game if it is near as good and addictive as what I was hearing.  First I tried the Lite version and thought about using it as the Blue Plate Special, but I was having so much fun I had to go ahead and buy the full version. I was trying to find the words…


iPhone 4: As Far As The iPhone Can Go?

When iPhone 4 was announced I’ll admit it, I was giddy. Apple’s newest creation looks to be almost as revolutionary as the first iPhone they released. Jammed packed into arguably the sleekest, most stylish handset on the market, are a ton of features. Some of the highlights that really stand out? Multitasking Orientation Lock Video Calling Gyroscope iMovie Only 9.3MM thin Glass Front and Back 960×640 Screen Better Battery 5 MP Camera with LED Flash HD Video A4 Chip Portrait Lock iPhone 4 looks to have almost every feature I could ask for in a mobile device. And to top…


Recent Jazz Releases You Would Never Hear About Otherwise

Photo from EyeShotJazz There was a time – before the internet, no less – when I really had my finger on the pulse of the jazz world. Some of it was location – I was less than an hour from Boston, Worcester, Providence RI and the Newport Jazz festival – but some of it was just knowing where to look for new information. As the years have passed by, I found that I have been relying on many of the same sources – radio, magazines, tracing through other artists discographies – but with decreasing success in finding new music outside…


The Aligata Genuine Leather Case For iPad Review

Dan: A few weeks ago I wrote a roundup of several iPad cases and my experiences with ordering them. Shortly thereafter I received an email from Tom at a small company called Aligata. He told me about his cases and offered to send a review sample. A few days later one of his cases in Espresso Black was coming to me, and a Nude Beauty was on its way to Judie. I spend some time with mine and then sent it to Travis for him to use. Here are our collective thoughts on these 100% leather cases. From Aligata: Understated elegance…


Landmark NIST Handbook of Mathematical Functions Published After Decade of Development

If the image above makes you salivate or at least gets your mind buzzing with excitement, you want to head directly over to Cambridge Publishing and grab the new 422 page Handbook of Mathematical Functions. Why? As noted in the press release: The NIST HANDBOOK OF MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS has been the most widely distributed and cited resource for scholars, scientists, and engineers ever since it was first published in 1964. Over the past few decades, tremendous advances in applications of mathematics have taken place and the 2010 edition reflects these modern developments in theoretical and applied science. So what do…


Sony Casts ‘Rewrite History’ to Explain the PSPGo Flop

Way back in the fall of 2009 Sony introduced the PSP Go. Before releasing the system, they touted the all-digital system based on the appealing physical form, the removal of the slow & noisy UMD drive, the ease of using the PSN store, and the new PSP Mini games. With the rumored UMD-to-PSN trade-in system, the system looked appealing despite being much more expensive than the PSP-3000. But then suddenly, shortly before the system launched, Sony killed any sort of ‘UMD to PSN’ transition system, killed any pack-in games for North America, confirmed that many games wouldn’t arrive at the…


2010 Lexus GS450h Delivers ‘Warm Fuzzies’

All photos courtesy Lexus Lexus (via parent company Toyota) has been providing the auto industry with production model hybrid vehicles longer than most and with greater ferocity, and, under most circumstances, we do not associate hybrid vehicles being much more than “eco-friendly” or “miserly” – we certainly keep from allowing our imaginations wander anywhere near “sporty.” That all changed with the introduction of the Lexus GS450h luxury hybrid sport sedan. This was the first real hybrid vehicle that put all of that great and clean power to the rear tires where driving enthusiasts agree it belongs. Sure, there have been…


Preview: Southeast LinuxFest 2010

Up until this year, I had only attended the Ohio LinuxFest being lucky enough to live in its host city of Columbus, Ohio.  The Ohio LinuxFest is an awesome community driven event that amazes me every year it’s run.  However, in 2010, I will be attending both the Ohio LinuxFest and the second year of the Southeast LinuxFest.  I am totally excited to see what the committee behind the show is planning for this coming weekend. Southeast LinuxFest is in a new location this year in the Marriot at Renaissance Park in Spartanburg, SC.  The previous location at Clemson was not available so they…


JAVOSide Case for Apple iPad – Review

We have had the opportunity to review a number of JAVOEdge’s iPhone cases here on the site. Well it comes as no surprise that the company is also making cases for the iPad and they were kind enough to send two review samples to us so we could take a look first hand. Both cases have the same construction design but, being made from entirely different materials, they look and feel quite different. First up is the JAVOSide Case – Fiber Pattern Sleeve Case for Apple iPad From JAVOEdge- The JAVOedge iPad Fiber Side Sleeve Case is a modern, graphic…


Fun with magnetism: Nanodots

Back when I was my son’s age, I was a science nut.  I loved learning all about our universe, electronics, magnetism and the world we live in.  My favorite catalog from then was Edmund Scientifics.  They had and still have science products and lots of toys similar to what Nano Magnetics Inc are announcing today in the form of Nanodots. Nanodots are little tiny magnetic spheres that you can build things out of.  It’s also been suggested when you stock them all together in a big ball that you can use them as a stress ball.  They will not come…


Aluratek Drops a Brick (For Your iPhone, That Is)

When I think of a brick, I either think of the actual structural element from which buildings are constructed, or I think of any electronic device that seems unnecessarily large and cumbersome.  Now, Aluratek wants us to reimagine the word as an audio component. Aluratek is releasing their latest product, the Brick Speaker Dock for iPhone/iPod this week.  Aluratek boasts that the Brick offers high-quality sound at an affordable price.  It will work with the iPod Touch, iPhone, and any iPod model with a click wheel.  As it includes a 3.5mm auxiliary input, the Brick can also be used with other mp3 players. …


MyPadMedia Just Won’t Quit

We’ve warned, exposed, and ranted about myPadMedia, but they just won’t stay down! The latest from them shows they’re just getting more brazen as this saga continues. First, I received this email from manybooks.net over the weekend: Hi Carly, I’ve just read your article exposing myPadMedia’s mis-use of Feedbooks.com, and I think they’re doing the same thing to manybooks.net If you still have an account with myPadMedia would you mind logging in to see if that is the case? I had a few emails from folks yesterday asking for refunds, and if I’ve guessed correctly then I may have blocked…


iHome iP88 Review

I’ve been using the Sony ICF-CL75iP as my bed side clock since I reviewed back in November.  While the Sony does a ton, arguably  more than any alarm clock on the market, it’s not without its faults.  Most prevalent, it only has one dock and the screen is so bright it sometimes keeps me up. While on a recent shopping trip with my wife at a “home” store I stumbled across the iHome iP88 and on impulse snatched it up. Here’s how iHome describes the unit: The iP88 is an innovative clock radio for iPhone & iPod that features two docks allowing you…


Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go Wireless USB Modem Review

One thing modern technology and being a gadget freak brings is lots of monthly bills.  iPhone, Netflix, Satellite, home internet.  When you think about it, it seems we are being nickel and dimed to death with monthly charges.  Being a father of two and earning a meager wage, the addition of more of these monthly charges is not an option.  There are many new mobile internet devices that look compelling, but I never can work the monthly fees into my budget.  Enter Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go. Virgin Mobile was kind enough to send me a Broadband2Go Wireless USB Modem to try…


Let the iPhone 4 Cases Rollout Begin! iLuv Intros Its New Line

One of the great things about a new iPhone is that you can start getting all kinds of new cases. And with the first redesign in two years for our beloved iPhones a lot of us were ready for a change. Well iLuv is already out of the gave with a nice assortment of cases that will range in price from $14.99 to $49.99 and will be available some time this month. iCC727 FUSION: A dual layer case made of silicone and PC with stand – $34.99 MSRP iCC728 FUSION: A dual layer case made of silicone and PC and…


WWDC Keynote Roundup…

Well, today’s the day. After much anticipation Steve Jobs has finally taken the platform and is ready to announce all sorts of new goodies. Over the last few years WWDC has become the launchpad for some of Apple’s more significant items and upgrades. And it’s no surprise that today is once again serving such a purpose. Much of the anticipation was reduced by the week next generation iPhone that made its way to Gizmodo and cause the whole ruckus in recent weeks but even still, there remained a host of unknowns about the phone as well as what else Apple…


WWDC Keynote Fail… How Did Steve Handle It? NSFW

The saying goes “don’t perform live with children or animals”. In 2010 it finally and officially needs to be officially changed to “Don’t go live with children, animals or technology”. And the poster-child for the new saying… Steve Jobs himself. We’ve all been there. We’re ready to do a keynote presentation and for some reason we can’t get it started, the image is distorted or some other small glitch keeps us from being able to move forward. But when you are Steve Jobs it sure doesn’t look good when you are trying to present your latest iPhone to the world…


iPad Quick Tip- These Don’t Mix Well With iPads…

Here are just a few things that don’t mix well with your new iPad… 1. Water Duh! 2. Magnets I got an email from my friend Michael who warned me about getting any case that has even the smallest of magnets. Seems his brand new case is completely messing up the iPad’s ability to serve as a GPS thanks to the havoc the magnet plays on the device’s compass. I pulled out the Orbino case I am reviewing and, sure enough, the tiny magnets that hold the cover down make the compass spin like a top as you move it…


Wall Street Journal Fans the Flames of Malicious App Paranoia

Know how you can tell smartphones and app stores are truly mainstream? No, it’s not because my mother just bought a Blackberry! It’s because the Wall Street Journal is writing articles on apps, and that <gasp> malicious apps have been creeping into the smartphone space. I am being a bit tongue in cheek; the Wall Street Journal is, as always, fairly even and conservative in their tone: As smartphones and the applications that run on them take off, businesses and consumers are beginning to confront a budding dark side of the wireless Web. Online stores run by Apple Inc., Google…


C25K Week 4: Zoom, Zoom

Larry: Week 4 of the C25K is in the books.  This week’s 3 work outs consisted of: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) I did all three workouts outside, on a new route.  I definitely felt some progress this week.  Running is becoming easier, although that first 5-minute run was tough!  It’s good to feel progress as it makes…