October 2011

iPhone 4 Gear Review: The Etón Mobius Rechargeable Battery Case with Solar Panel

Can you picture yourself out camping for a week? Your car is parked in a lot miles away, and you have been hiking for days. You’ve got everything you need in your backpack, and you’ve been eating those freeze-dried dinners that they sell at REI. Civilization is nowhere near, and you are looking forward to having a shower … in a few more days. You want to stay in touch with your family, but there are no chargers built into the side of the trees you’ve been passing, and your iPhone died yesterday. What do you do? Okay, I am…

Editorials, Music Diary

iTunes Takes Me Down Memory Lane

One of the benefits to reentering the iOS ecosystem is easy access to the music I have in iTunes. Yes, I could drag and drop albums onto the SD card in my Droid, and I did have a few albums on it, but one thing that iOS does far better is music sync. I’ve been enjoying just listening to tracks on random, especially things I haven’t listened to in some time. It made me realize there’s some stuff I still love from my high school days, as well as things I like but not nearly as much as I did…

News

Siri at Work: Update Yammer on the Fly

The term “game changer” is thrown around far too often. (I am as guilty as the next blogger.) But the fact of the matter is, for those of us who are using Siri seriously, it really is a game changer. In this post I want to take a quick look at one of the many ways that Siri is transforming what I do and making it easier and more efficient than ever. A bit of background first. In my congregation I have the privilege of working with three other members of our clergy team. In addition, I have a full-time…

News

Rabito iPhone 4 Case is Cute and Functional

Have you seen these Rabit cases? I was following a link to another item, when I found these and had to share. Rabit is basically a simple shell-style case with two cute bunny ears sticking out of the top. While that’s different enough on its own, the makers took it one step further by adding a tail. This tail isn’t just for looks, either — it’s functional! Held on by a suction cup, the tail acts as a stand when it is attached. Of course you’ll likely end up losing the tail somewhere, or you might get tired of…

News

Xtreme Mac’s InCharge Sync Dock is Perfect for Multiple iOS Device Homes

So you have an iPad, and an iPhone and your kids each have an iPod touch. Keeping them all charged is a challenge and, if you want to use a dock/cradle it is almost impossible since each device has a different thickness. Now, thanks to XtremeMac’s InCharge Sync adjustable dock for iPod, iPhone and iPad you can have one dock to rule them all. The new dock not only accepts all different iOS devices but it is even case-friendly thanks to an adjustable rear support that can accommodate different device depths. Better still, the InCharge Sync includes a 4ft USB…

Reviews

Home Audio Review: Orb Music Streaming System

Elana is all but sick of hearing my content refrain of “Have I told you how much I love our Sonos System?” It is at that point that she reminds me that, while she enjoys the music when it is on, the Sonos system is definitely my baby. She’s right. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Here is the thing though: the Sonos system worked for me for two reasons. First, at the time I didn’t have a serious music system in the house and, second, I was willing to make the investment to set…

News

HTC Wildfire S Lands on US Cellular for FREE (With Contract)

It is no secret that Android devices are extremely popular, based on the utility of the operating system as well as inexpensive pricing from most carriers. Now US Cellular introduces the HTC Wildfire S Android smartphone for FREE after rebate. It is a solid phone at a great price. Let’s take a quick look! Here is what US Cellular says: Get the HTC Wildfire STM to keep you at the center of your social world. Featuring AndroidTM 2.3 (Gingerbread) and HTC SenseTM, the HTC Wildfire S brings together all the different ways to communicate with your friends and family (calls,…

Virtual City Playground Gets a Major Update

Game Diary, Reviews

Android Game Review: Virtual City Playground

A couple of months ago G5 released the iPad version of Virtual City Playground, and I noted it was like ‘Sandbox mode set free’ and really enjoyed playing. Now it has arrived on Android and iPhone. Read on to find out what I thought! The Hype: Your favorite Virtual City gameplay is now FREE in Virtual City Playground! Make even your most ambitious dreams a reality! Build the city of your dreams… and then run it. • Play sandbox mode for FREE! No predefined missions • Over 85 new optional quests • Over 90 new buildings, landmarks, and decorations, including…

Editorials

Farewell, Android

As regular readers of Gear Diary may know, I used an original Droid for almost two years. In fact, up until a few months ago, I was totally convinced my next phone would be an Android device. But Android and I had a falling out, and I picked up an iPhone 4s on Friday. Why? And is the learning curve tough? Read on for my thoughts! First, there’s the “why”. A few things dragged me away from my little robot friends. One, Android is becoming increasingly fractured. It seems as though the only way to guarantee timely updates and continued…

Editorials

Is the New Vertu Constellation Just a Gussied Up and Dumbed Down Nokia C7?

Vertu is now taking reservations for the newest Constellation, their first touch-screen model, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Nokia C7. Okay, the uncanny resemblance is actually an intentional resemblance, as I have it on direct authority from a Vertu rep that this is the phone the Constellation is “most like”. Now obviously it is nothing new for Vertu to offer a phone with many similarities to currently available Nokias (witness the Vertu Constellation Quest), but in my ownership experience there are always a few disparities between the Nokia version and the Vertu version, and it bothers me. Let’s start with the…

Reviews

iPhone Battery Case Review: Third Rail System For iPhone 4 & 4S

We’ve discussed it before — battery life is the Achilles heel of mobile electronics. Devices are faster and more powerful than ever, and battery technology just can’t keep pace. Now word comes that, despite claims to the contrary, the iPhone 4S may not have battery life that is on par with the iPhone 4. So what are those of us who depend on our smartphones for just about everything supposed to do? There are some great tips and tricks for saving battery life, but most require temporarily crippling some of the phone’s features. But who wants to constantly be tweaking one…

eBooks, Reviews

eBook Review: Star Wars Heir to the Empire 20th Anniversary Edition

There is nothing like curling up with a great book … or an ebook nestled in an Oberon leather case! Books can be like old friends, and by association we grow to feel a certain kinship with the author of works we enjoy. I love revisiting favorite books from time to time, to see what new things I can learn based on my frame of mind, age, and where I am at in my life. Last month I wrote about the release of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire 20th Anniversary Edition by Timothy Zahn. Since it was released I…

News

Sprint Will Have the New HTC EVO Design 4G on October 23, and So Can You!

If you have been wondering when the next member of the EVO family would make itself known, the wait is over, as the fifth member of the HTC EVO family — the EVO Design 4G — is about to be available from Sprint. The HTC EVO Design 4G builds on the wildly popular EVO line, but brings you more in a sleek new package. The first EVO family member touting World Phone capabilities, the HTC EVO Design 4G builds on many of the “must-have” features of its predecessors, including a 1.2Ghz processor and large 4” qHD touchscreen display, while sporting a…

Editorials

Enough Fun and Games; Tips and Tricks for Using Siri for Productivity

Siri is a lot of fun to play with, but it is time to get down to business. After all, with a little bit of patience and a few (many?) tweaks, Siri can become an amazingly useful productivity service. Truth be told, for the first few hours I was trying Siri I thought it was a big fat fail. After making some of the changes I want to share with all of you however, I already can’t see having to go without it. So let’s jump right on in. Home Button? You don’t need no stinkin’ Home Button Yes, you…

Reviews

iPhone 4/4S Case Review: Aranez iPhone 4 Mirage Leather Case

Can you see a case on this iPhone? Sure you can but you have to actually look closely to see it and that is the point. Aranez’s iPhone 4 Mirage Leather Case protects the sides and back of your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S yet has a low profile that all but disappears. Better still, while most minimalist cases are made entirely from synthetic materials this case has a back plate made of kangaroo leather. The company sent review units of both the black and the white version. If you like a minimalist approach when protecting your iPhone and you…

News

What Your Kids Are Watching On YouTube Today: Epic Meal Time

Last week I wrote about going to the Skrillex with my 13 year old son. For good or bad, I got to hear loads of unfiltered teenage (and early 20s) discussions. Some of it made me wish I was elsewhere; much of it reinforced my decision that I be there with him throughout! Anyway, one of the YouTube video series my kids and their friends have been consuming fiendishly as of late is ‘Epic Meal Time’. You can check out their site for more info …but basically they cook massive and disgusting meals … then eat them on-air. Generally speaking…

News

FanVision provides NFL Fans an Enhanced Stadium Experience

I have spent the majority of my life in stadiums. Some are big, some are small; in some I am a fan, in some was a player, and in some I am coaching. Bottom line is that I feel comfortable in a stadium. It is just who I am. My father went to high school in Houston, so while growing up we made many a trip to stay with my aunt who happened to live just a few miles from the Astrodome. By the time I was in Jr. High, I knew the dome like the back of my hand….

Reviews

The Fila Skeletoes 2.0 Review

To best describe Fila Skeletoes, you need a bit of background. When I started running last year, I became enamored with the barefoot running concept but found my feet just couldn’t adjust to it. So I tried Vibram Five Fingers, which were great for walking around but didn’t work well for me for running. After a great deal of experimenting with shoes, I finally settled on a lightweight pair of normal running shoes, paired with wearing Vibrams for casual use. It puts me in the odd position of being neither fish nor fowl; not really part of the “barefoot running”…

Game Diary, Reviews

Deus Ex: Human Revolution PlayStation 3 Review

The Deus Ex game series continues with engaging themes involving modified, or “augmented” humans in a futuristic world, set in 2027, amid various international settings, amazing musical score, and “choose-your-own-adventure”-type decision making format.

eBooks

What’s Your Primary eBookstore?

Kobo is like the Rodney Dangerfield of eBookstores — they get no respect! Here they are, pumping out app after app for every smartphone platform, pushing the social envelope with “Reading Life”, created a touch-based ebook reader…yet they’re still an also-ran. As Nate over at The Digital Reader notes, Kobo never gets mentioned alongside B&N and Amazon, and his sources indicate Kobo has, at most, 5% of the ebook market. Still, for a tiny presence Kobo has a big voice. They promote themselves heavily, so they often get coverage on blogs, but in my conversations with everyday people I’ve only…

News

Random Cool Image: Escher / Portal Remix

Once again I am back with a Portal themed fan creation … but it seems that the little puzzle game truly inspires creative works in a variety of media! This time it is a mix of Relativity by MC Escher with a bunch of imagery from Portal. This is part of a larger set of art from a collection called ‘Fine Arts’ on Imgur Here’s a nice gallery of video-game-themed fine art remixes, including this curiously appropriate Escher/Portal remix. The collection has art including juxtapositions of classic arts with games like Mario Bros, Half Life 2, Grim Fandango … and…

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