June 2012

iPhoning Cyclists, Take a Look at the Wahoo Fitness Blue SC

News

iPhoning Cyclists, Take a Look at the Wahoo Fitness Blue SC

Here’s a great little gadget if you are a biker AND an iPhone-user. The Wahoo Blue SC from Wahoo Fitness is a speed and cadence sensor for iPhone. The $59.99 gizmo wirelessly connects to your iPhone (or iPad) using Bluetooth 4.0 technology and pairs with cycling apps such as Cyclemeter and Strava. From there, cyclists can monitor critical cycling data from their iOS device. As the release explains Wahoo Fitness’ Blue SC bike speed & cadence completely transforms your iPhone into the ultimate cycling computer. Coupled with the Wahoo Blue SC, the iPhone can provide cyclist with all their critical…

Upping My Photographic Game, Part 1

Editorials

Upping My Photographic Game, Part 1

  I recently decided that after years of writing for various websites and, as a result, taking tons of pictures, it was past time for me to do something about my photographic skills. I’ve been shopping for gear that would really make a difference but not break the bank, and I wanted to invite you along for the journey – especially since my new camera and lenses arrive tomorrow. Before we get into that, let’s take a quick look back at my “photographic history”. When digital photography first became popular I picked up a simple, inexpensive point and shoot. Over…

Join the Conversation During and After Apple's WWDC Tomorrow

News

Join the Conversation During and After Apple’s WWDC Tomorrow

Apple’s WWDC 2012 kicks off tomorrow, and the keynote begins at 1pm EST. While we wish we were there, we’re going to do the next best thing —  follow a number of the feeds simultaneously, and offer you the highlights on the day’s doings with a touch of colorful commentary and a full team conversation in the comments section. Of course, the rumors are flying but, as always, until the news is actually announced, it is nothing but rumor. One rumor that does seem likely to come true is that iOS 6 won’t support the original iPad. The rumor certainly…

SPIGEN SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector for iPad, Review

Reviews

SPIGEN SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector for iPad, Review

We recently reviewed SPIGEN SGP’s GLAS.t screen protector for the iPhone 4S. (Read the review.) The review sample was my second GLAS.t for iPhone because, quite frankly, I messed up the install on the first. Thankfully, the second one went better and, while still not perfect, the screen protector is good enough that I continue to use it. Honestly, at this point, I would not consider using a different screen protector. The company has now released a version of the GLAS.t for the new iPad. At $69.99 it is pricey (!!!) which leaves open the question, “Is it worth the…

Satechi Audio Cube Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

Reviews

Satechi Audio Cube Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

I love my iOS devices and use them constantly– but I have one problem. The speakers on the devices are terrible and I love to listen to podcasts, especially when writing for Gear Diary. Headphones or speakers are nearly a must, even in a quiet room. Maybe it is too much blasting of speaker systems in high school, too many car races or too many guns, but, for me, ambient noise washes out a voice on a podcast. Given the choice, I would always prefer to go wireless. (And once you have used a wireless speaker for a time wired…

Sena's New Magnia Zip for iPad Gets Down to Business

News

Sena’s New Magnia Zip for iPad Gets Down to Business

Here’s another example of Sena Cases finding a new, stylish way to not only carry and protect your new iPad but to also make it an even better productivity tool. The Magia Zip is an iPad case that secures your iPad within a zippered leather case. It does more than that, however, which is a good thing because, as powerful as the iPad is, sometimes you need your case to do more. Here’s what Sena has to say about the new case: Put your essentials and just zip and go with the Magia Zip – a slim and convenient clamshell…

LinuxMint Project Releases the mintBox, a PC the Size of a Router

News

LinuxMint Project Releases the mintBox, a PC the Size of a Router

I have long been a fan of Clement “Clem” Lefebvre’s distribution of Linux that goes by the name LinuxMint.  LinuxMint is based on the popular Ubuntu distribution of Linux and also has a version that is based on the Debian distribution of Linux.  LinuxMint is sleek and sticks to a traditional desktop style interface unlike Ubuntu’s Unity Interface and the new interface that the Gnome Project introduced with version 3.  LinuxMint uses a desktop called Cinnamon which is based on Gnome 3.  Imagine my total surprise when my friend Linc Fessenden shared on Facebook the new mintBox hardware which has to be…

2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 Most Powerful Jeep Yet

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 Most Powerful Jeep Yet

With gas prices continuing to drop across the U.S., perhaps it is time to start thinking about that “impulse” purchase you put off when a gallon of the precious fuel rose to near 4-bucks-per. I recommend Jeep’s new “MUV” or Musclecar Utility Vehicle. Recently we spent a week in the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the most powerful production Jeep on the road, period. SRT has released an SRT8 Grand Cherokee previously but for 2012 the hot rod gets the beefier 470hp 6.4-liter V-8 HEMI that also delivers 465 lb. ft. of torque. And get this – the new Jeep still…

Ballistics Life Style Case for iPhone 4/4S Review

Reviews

Ballistics Life Style Case for iPhone 4/4S Review

The iPhone is an elegant device. So much has gone into the design, yet we all seem to cover them with cases. Most cases are used for protection, but there are also people who use them for style. I do prefer to protect my device, but if it is to be covered, I prefer protection also. Large, bulky cases protect the phone well, but I find them to be extremely ugly and hate the bulk. Most options available that keep bulk down provide a limited amount of protection. I recently had the chance to try to try out the Life…

Fix It Up World Tour for the Mac Game Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Fix It Up World Tour for the Mac Game Review

Earlier this year I reviewed the iPad version of Fix-it-up: World Tour and found that it improved up on the fun but flawed original in every way. Even after the third game in the series arrived and tweaked my 80s nostalgia, World Tour remained my favorite. When G5 told me they were releasing the game for the Mac, my thought was ‘if they do a decent port this will be a great Mac game’! So let’s see how they did! The Hype: Go global in this fantastic strategy adventure! In this sequel to “Fix-it-up: Kate’s Adventure”, you must help Kate…

Remembering Ray Bradbury through His Impact on Music

Music Diary, News

Remembering Ray Bradbury through His Impact on Music

I have already written about the passing of the great sci-fi author Ray Bradbury, but his influence extended well beyond literature and film. But he has also had a profound impact on the world of music, as noted in this LA Times article which cites Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ as the first major song written around the work of Bradbury. But it is another of the tracks mentioned on the list that brought back memories. Back in March I remember my younger son being diligent at getting loads of stuff done, with a specific purpose in mind: Deadmau5 was live-streaming…

RIP Guitarist Pete Cosey at 68

Music Diary, News

RIP Guitarist Pete Cosey at 68

Have you ever heard the name Pete Cosey? Don’t be embarrassed if you haven’t – in spite of contributing to some major recordings, developing innovative and influential techniques and tunings, and sharing his gifts and influences in ways that have earned him Grammy Award recognition, he has never been well known. In fact, he passed away last week and I only learned about it yesterday through a friend on Facebook. Pete Cosey is best known for his wild ride in Miles Davis mid-70s band, but he began as part of the group that Chess Records assembled in the mid-60s to…

The Singularity Is Coming, and It Says You Run too Slowly!

Health and Fitness

The Singularity Is Coming, and It Says You Run too Slowly!

Runners have all sorts of ways to make themselves run faster. Personally, I like using my Garmin Forerunner, since nothing makes me feel slower than watching my snail’s pace tick off on my wrist. Then I convince myself the Garmin is judging me for being slow, and it makes me push harder. Others use landmarks, like trying to run harder to the nearest tree and then slowing down, etc. Now there’s a way to train harder that ups the geek ante to near-infinite levels. According to Runners World, engineers in Australia have invented “joggobot”, a flying drone that floats ahead…

G5 Games Shows Off Jumpster, Its First Physics Platformer at E3!

News

G5 Games Shows Off Jumpster, Its First Physics Platformer at E3!

I have covered loads of G5 games over the last few years, and most of them fall into the hidden-object, adventure, and puzzle-based casual genres. But now they have announced a new sort of game – Jumpster, a physics-based platformer! Here are some details: Fans of the physics genre games are in for a treat. G5 Games is about to launch its first physics platformer, Jumpster – with high-flying action that is not to be missed. G5 will showcase the game to a select press group at ShowStoppers and E3 in Los Angeles, but you can get a sneak peek…

Search and Replace Meets the Kindle, the NOOK, and Tolstoy

eBooks

Search and Replace Meets the Kindle, the NOOK, and Tolstoy

Public domain titles are a tricky area for ebooks. On the one hand, a bit of digging can get you a free copy of a title easily. But paying a nominal amount sometimes means a better quality copy, with typos and other issues properly corrected. Unless, of course, you bought “War and Peace” for your NOOK. According to Poynter, a company named “Superior Formatting Publishing” put out a copy of “War and Peace” for the Kindle. Then they made one for the NOOK. In a mind-boggling bit of sloppiness, they did an automatic search and replace every time “Kindle” appeared,…

Case-Mate RPET 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC CASE for iPhone 4 / 4S

Reviews

Case-Mate RPET 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC CASE for iPhone 4 / 4S

We recently brought word that Case-Mate was releasing a new line of cases for the iPhone 4S that are made completely from recycled plastic. What is key here is the fact that they don’t just use SOME recycled plastic but the cases are made from 100% recycled materials. That’s a good thing. Let’s take a look at the review sample they sent over. From Case-Mate: One bottle, one case. Do your part with the eco-friendly rPET Barely There case. Molded from 100% recycled material, the translucent, glossy finish showcases more of your iPhone. Its ultra-lightweight, minimalist design delivers a stylish…

Five People, One Guitar, and a Better Version Than Gotye

Music Diary, News

Five People, One Guitar, and a Better Version Than Gotye

If you have recently turned on a radio or network TV, entered a shopping mall or grocery store, or simply been in any position to hear music … chances are you have heard the song ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ by Gotye featuring Kimba. What initially caught our attention when we heard it on the ’80s, 90, Now’ channel of Slacker was how the voice in the chorus sounded like Sting. This weekend we discovered a cover version of the song that was interesting both musically and visually. The group is called Walk Off The Earth (also on Facebook)….

Protect Your Gear with iSafeBags Urban Crew Backpacks

Gear Bits, News

Protect Your Gear with iSafeBags Urban Crew Backpacks

Have you ever had something valuable stolen out of a laptop case or backpack? Most people have. Whether it was an ipod, cell phone, or wallet, this type of thing tends to happen to everyone – especially in urban environments and public areas. Fewer people, I’d imagine, would consider arming their backpack with a full-fledged alarm system. That’s exactly the motivation for tech retailer iSafeBags.com, which specializes in protecting your stuff through specialized bags and packs. The company’s newly launched Urban Crew Campus Laptop Backpack features two 125 decibel sirens and a high-intensity strobe light. An allegedly undetectable activation switch…

RIP Author Ray Bradbury at 91

eBooks

RIP Author Ray Bradbury at 91

Late last year Ray Bradbury reluctantly allowed his classic novel Fahrenheit 451 to be published in ebook form, which was initially problematic but later resolved nicely. Today we learn that the famed author has died at age 91 after decades of creating amazing stories and characters and visions of potential futures based on the human-technology interaction. He is best known for Fahrenheit 451, but through his short stories and collections he painted visions of the future based on the realities of the world around him: Bradbury broke through in 1950 with “The Martian Chronicles,” a series of intertwined stories that…