April 2011

Music Diary Notes: Amazing Pat Metheny Guitar Workshop Opportunity

You know that commercial about ‘when once in a lifetime meant once in a lifetime’? Well, I just got an email about an event that is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity! As noted in the picture above, jazz guitar legend is going to be teaching a 5-day intensive workshop in Norwich, CT this August and bringing along his trio-mates Christian McBride (bass) and Antonio Sanchez (drums). Here are some details about the workshop : The National Guitar Workshop is proud to announce this exclusive workshop with world- renowned jazz musician Pat Metheny. This special event is a rare…


JK Rowling to Finally Declare “Uncle” (er…”Kindle”)?

Good news for Harry Potter fans! There’s a rumor that JK Rowling may have finally been persuaded that the vast army of Kindles, NOOKs, and iPads should also be sprinkled with some wizarding magic, and the Harry Potter series may actually come to ebook form! According to The Scotsman: The Edinburgh-based writer has an estimated £620m fortune following record-breaking sales of the Harry Potter books and the success of the film franchise, and publishing experts say the e-book rights could be another major money-spinner for her. Liz Thomson, editor of book industry website BookBrunch, said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if…


Review: Seagate GoFlex Slim Performance Drive

Judie’s and my first meeting at CES 2011 was with Seagate. (We posted about it here.) Toward the end of the visit we came upon a hard drive that was as stylish as it was function. At the time all we were allowed to write about it was this: Concept drive – We also saw a drive that is not yet named but will be out late spring (pictured above). The concept drive is super thin and will be $99.99 for 320. Black for PC. Silver for Mac. Also has premium backup for data security. This is an image of…


Review: PadTab iPad Mounting System

When the iPad 2 was released I went to put my original iPad 64GB + 3G on eBay. I was immediately presented with an option to sell it directly and, in the process, pay no shipping or fees. I loved the idea of not having to hassle with an auction and the possibility of being scammed so I accepted the offer. The transaction went through and I was sans iPad 1. My iPad 2 came and I love it. I still had some great accessories for the original iPad though and after a few days, realized I missed using them….


Desktop PC Review: Hewlett Packard HP Compaq 6000 Pro All-in-One

Recently I have reviewed the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Elitebook 8440w Mobile Workstation and the Elitebook 2540p, laptops with powerful Core i7 processors, solid graphics systems, a business focus, and a price tag higher than what a typical family would want to pay. So when I had the opportunity to look at an all-in-one system with a list price just over $1000, I was thrilled to get the opportunity – but a little concerned about what I might think about the lower-priced system. The Hype: Capable. Integrated. Designed with enterprise class performance, manageability, and stability in an integrated form. Get a desktop…


NewerTech Helps You Tear Apart Your iPhone Properly

I’m not really one of those guys who likes to take apart my electronics to change, alter, or fix things. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things around my house on which I like to work, but electronics, no. So, I’m somewhat in awe of the folks who are willing to do such things. And if you’re inclined to mess around with the internals of your iPhone 4, then you may want to consider NewerTech’s new kit for dissassmbling your iPhone without marring it. The NewerTech 7 pc. Toolkit for iPhone 4 includes the following tools for easy…


Borders Gets Snarky

Apparently, this closing Borders is really, really, bitter about the whole bankruptcy thing. We’ve spent plenty of time rehashing why everything went so wrong for Borders, but this store did nail one thing we all secretly miss when retailers disappear.  


Review: Future Sonics Atrio Universal Fit Professional Earphones

I listen to a tremendous amount of music these days. Whether I am working in my home study, in the car, running or at the office there is often music playing. Sometimes it comes through speakers but oftentimes I listen through earphones. Over the past few years I have had a chance to check out some impressive options in this regard. I did a review of the Denon AH-D1100 over the ear headphones. I almost bought the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones that Thomas reviewed but realized I tend to prefer in-ear options like the awesome JHAudio…


Q-SIM Dual SIM Adaptor for iPhone4 Review

So how often have you wanted to use two SIMs with your iPhone 4?  Perhaps you have a work line and a personal  line?  Perhaps you’re an international traveller and its much cheaper to use a local SIM where you are going.  Then let’s add the idea that you don’t want to carry two phones and you really really like using your iPhone 4.  Well now there is an answer… Mobile Fun has been distributing the Dual SIM adaptor for iPhone 4 for some time now and we at Gear Diary have an opportunity to show you what its like…..


Review: Everki Flight Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack

As the amount of gear I carry increases, the ability to carry it with comfort and style becomes more important. I have recently reviewed several products from Everki including the Camber Netbook Case, Beacon Backpack, Track Messenger, and the Agile Slim Laptop bag. I have loved the design and quality of Everki products, so I was excited to have a chance to review the new Flight Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack. Not only is carrying all of your mobile gear important, but also being able to travel easily, especially when catching a flight. Let’s take a look. The Flight is the…


Olympus LS-7 Linear PCM Recorder Review

I am unique in how I started blogging.  I started audio blogging or podcasting far before I started writing gadget reviews and posts here on Gear Diary.  So, the first thing I always seem to look at when doing gadget reviews is a way to capture audio no matter where I go.  My first mobile recorder of sorts was a Belkin Tune Talk, which is  an adapter that plugged in to the bottom of an iPod, followed by the Griffin iTalk Pro and the Blue Mikey.  All of these had issues.  First, there is battery life.  The hard drive on…


Toyota Tundra Up To Snuff

Contrary to the only other Asian full-size pickup, the Toyota Tundra boasts a choice of powertrain configurations including a more powerful V-6. This on top of the truck arriving in two model grades, three cab styles, three wheelbase lengths and three bed lengths. And on top of all that there are still the “special edition” packages that can be had, such as our recent TRD Rock Warrior tester. While the truck was no wimp, truth be told I did not go out and battle any rocks with it. The styling package was very attractive and I did not want to…


Orbino: A Tale of Customer Service and Change for the Better!

Dan: I received my original iPad the day it first hit the shores of the United States, and it was love at first sync. The device was absolutely amazing, and I knew I had entered into a new era of computing. I was so enamored with the iPad that I decided to splurge on a high-end protective case for it. After all, it seemed criminal to cover up such gorgeous device in the first place, but it did need protection. If I was going to cover it up, I might as well get a case that was as awesome as…


AUTUM Releases Turncoat, an iPad Sleeve with a Difference

AUTUM is one of those small boutique accessory companies that are a hidden gem. When we came across their iPad sleeves we knew this was an outfit we wanted to get to know better. The artistry they bring to each of their products is obvious and their commitment to quality is outstanding. We reviewed their impressive StraightJacket, leather sleeves for the iPad and both the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air. We were impressed, and I continue to use and enjoy the sleeves. Then we brought word of their most unusual couch, the Heretic. It was to die for — literally,…


Time Warner Cable Has To Pull Channels From Their iPad App

Have you tried the Time Warner Cable iPad App? I have been playing around with it and planning a review. It is really pretty sweet – you can watch live streaming shows from a number of channels. It is restricted to your house, which I thought was a fair enough compromise – I could picture having my iPad sitting outside having a drink with my wife at night enjoying a show … well, once the snow melts anyway! Today I got an email describing how several channels were being pulled from the App – this isn’t surprising, since we already…


First Look at Apple’s New Pen Based Tablet!

With Steve Jobs no longer guiding the helm of day-to-day operations at Apple, it was unclear what would become of the company. Would they manage to continue to produce innovative technologies like the Apple ][ and Macintosh … or would they succumb to producing generic grey-box computers that look like everything else on any given desktop workplace? Well, based on a product introduction held in London (you can see the video for it here), we know that Apple will not give up its industry-leading technology advancement position anytime soon! Here is the product – called ‘Newton’, this device allows you…


Work Gear Review: Parker 51

Every now and then a product comes along that is, to use a word, magical. The new item does something new and, in doing so, promises to “change everything”. That’s the case with the brand new Parker 51. The Parker 51 is not like anything you have seen before. It promises to solve many of the issues that have a long plagued those of us who use a traditional fountain pen. It employs brand new technology and is a taste of the future, NOW. At least that is what Parker is telling us. Does it live up to the hype?…


Gear Games Review: Atari C-100 Pong Home System

As anyone who has whiled away the hours playing Dungeon or Trek on your PDP-10 or S/360 knows – video games are fast becoming a BIG DEAL! Atari has caught on to this phenomenon, and already released the exciting Pong arcade game a couple of years back. But now they are ready to take it to the next level – with the C-100 Pong console they are bringing all the thrill of pong into your HOME! The Hype: Pong is a two-dimensional sports game that simulates table tennis. The player controls an in-game paddle by moving it vertically across the…


First Look: The Omega Constellation Time Computer I Takes Horology to a Whole New Level

It just doesn’t get any better than this! Geeks and Watch aficionados alike have been eagerly waiting the Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology found in the Omega Time Computer, and it is finally here — just in time for Father’s Day and graduation! Available in 14K white or yellow gold-filled, or 18K solid gold for those who want the very best, the Omega Constellation LED Time Computer I has a gorgeous and futuristic red LED dot display, and it is accurate to within five seconds a month. What is an LED and how does it work inside this watch? A…


Exclusive: Fire Goes Mobile! This is Hot!

Fire! It cooks our food and warms our caves. Fire! It keeps the predators away and let’s us see when the flaming ball of light goes away for a time. Fire! It can be hard to start and, once going, an ever-present job to keep stoked. Fire! We don’t want to live without it but living with it can be a pain. Until now! Yes, for the first time starting a fire is as simple as rubbing one magic stick on a piece of black paper. It is magical. It is revolutionary. It is the most important advance since flint….


Paperback Books Reviewed!

There’s been a huge leap forwards in book technology, and here at Gear Diary we have an exclusive first look! It’s exciting, it’s svelte and pocketable, it’s shiny and colorful and new…yes, I’m talking about the paperback book! Sure, we’re all familiar with the usual hardcovers and scrolls, but this is a breakthrough. Now you can carry two, even three titles with you for the same space and weight as a hardcover title. But is the smaller size and convenience worth the tradeoff against the heft and comforting size of a hardcover? Read on to find out! My first impression…