January 2013

Cyberlink Ultra FAIL!

I’ve been working to recover from a major hard drive crash. Fortunately, I knew it was coming…those telltale crashes from nowhere and other glitchy warnings. I have what I thought was a pretty safe backup set up, and so I haven’t “lost” anything exactly. I got my backup drive up and running, but decided that I was going to take the plunge and prepare a different drive to upgrade to Windows 8. To get ready, I got a different hard drive, and did a completely clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate. I’ve actually never done that before. My backups all…

Gear Bits, Music Diary

Check Out Three Excellent Rare John Coltrane Live Performances

One of the amazing things for me about YouTube and Facebook is how folks on Facebook will recommend a YouTube video or site with an embedded video that leads you to something even greater. That happened this morning, as a Facebook friend recommended checking out a stellar John Coltrane version of ‘My Favorite Things’, which I did … but then it led me to this site that had an even BETTER find: a collection of three televised concerts of John Coltrane from the 1960s. Coltrane rose to fame as a saxophone sideman for Miles Davis’ legendary ‘first great quintet’. His…

Game Diary, News

Crysis 3 Multiplayer Beta Begins January 29

The open multiplayer beta for the sandbox shooter Crysis 3 game starts January 29 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 where players can battle the corrupt Cell Corporation. Players can try out the new superpowered Nanosuit, which features cloaking, vision, and armor properties. Players also get two team-based modes (eight in full game), two maps (12 in full game) and the new New York social feed, which lets players share their accomplishments. This beta ends on February 12. Besides the nanosuit, players will encounter powerful equipment and weapons including the typhoon assault rifle that fires 500 rounds per second….

Reviews

Tom Bihn Brain Bag with Camera I-O and Accessories Review

If you are looking for a small, light backpack you can stop reading now. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a backpack that is large, flexible, comfortable to carry and tough enough to last and last keep reading. Tom Bihn’s Brain Bag is a pricey backpack that is large and flexible enough to serve as a weekender, as a camera backpack or as a laptop backpack. On second thought, the Tom Bihn backpack is large and flexible enough to serve all of those functions at the very same time. The company was kind enough to send over…

Reviews

8Gadget Pack Review – Bring Back Sidebar Gadgets to Windows 8

I know not everyone is enamored of the Windows Sidebar and Gadgets, but I use them all the time, on every computer I own. I like the CPU monitoring as well as Hard Disk monitoring, so that I can easily see at a glance if my computer is doing something in the background, or if it is really frozen and needs a restart. This is especially true on my Windows 8 Atom tablet, which is much slower at processing things that my i7 desktop and laptop! 8Gadget Pack is a free utility that you can install to bring back the…

News

CTA Digital Pedestal Stand for iPad Keeps You Connected in the Bathroom

Admit it. Many of you have surreptitiously or otherwise carted your iPad into the bathroom because…well because you just love your iPad and are using it productively, right? Sure you do. The biggest problem in using the iPad in such situations is that human anatomy is at odds with multitasking when responding to the call of nature, and most people I know of only possess a maximum of two hands. What to do to solve the crisis? Why, never fear CTA Digital’s Pedestal Stand for iPad 2/3/4 with Roll Holder is here to solve this dilemma! Standing at about 32″…

Events, Music Diary, News

Korg Introduces 9 New Products at NAMM 2013, Including KingKORG and MS-20 Mini

At the NAMM 2013 show, Korg announced nine (!) new products that all look great – I recommend you head to Korg to get all of the details. But I wanted to highlight two that look super-cool: the MS-20 Mini and KingKORG. The MS-20 Mini is the reimagining of the classic monophonic synth that we have seen emulated so much recently. The KingKORG is a robust analog modeling synth built for great sound and performance. MS-20 Mini Everyone loves the Korg MS-20, it seems. This 1978 monophonic synth with cable-patching and limited configurations ultimately had one major thing that has…

News

Mobile Jaw Reviews the Samsung ATIV S and Nokia Lumia 920

Last year, Judie and I spent time going deep with Windows Phone 7. We put our iPhones in the drawer and made HTC Titans our only phones. We both liked the experience, but ultimately returned to our iPhones. When Microsoft sunset Windows Phone 7.5 just weeks after releasing the Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone I was not impressed. It was a kick in the face of those who were early adopters of Windows Phone. I really thought I was be done with Windows Phone forever. I wasn’t. Judie wasn’t either. In fact, when HTC and Microsoft released the flagship of…

Events, Reviews

Spigen SGP Coated Backpack Video Review

While visiting with Spigen SGP during CES 2013, their Coated Backpack caught my eye. We’ve reviewed — and been impressed by — cases and screen protectors from Spigen SGP, but we had not previously encountered any of their larger offerings. They were kind enough to hand me one of the backpacks on the spot, and I used it the next day while walking the CES floor. It served me well and left me impressed. The backpack is light and simple but holds a surprisingly large amount of gear. Designed to hold laptops, tablets, smartphones and a host of accessories to…

Reviews

DryCASE for Smartphones Lets Your Gear Go for a Swim

When we were in Aruba snorkeling, I was able to use a 4th generation iPod touch in a LifeProof case to shoot some under-water video. The experience made me an even stronger believer in the whole LifeProof approach to gear protection. There are, however, times you might want to waterproof your phone or media player, but not have it in a LifeProof case. That’s where one of the products from DryCASE can come in rather handy. Unlike the LifeProof approach which places your gadget in a specialized case, the DryCASE approach lets you use your device in a standard, non-waterproof case…

Gear Bits, How to Do It Yourself!

How to Maximize iOS Notes App

I have a confession to make. Despite an Evernote account, and a Catch.com account, being a dedicated Todo and Pocket Informant user … I use Apple’s Notes App more than almost any other piece of software on my devices. Sometimes, when you’re taking notes, you don’t want lots of bells and whistles, you just want to take notes. There’s a reason the pen and paper have endured, and that’s the simplicity of pen to paper. No sync, no cloud, no tag this and categorize that. Notes is the closest to that sort of simplicity, and I use it for just…

Music Diary, News

AVID Teams with Katy Perry & Adele’s Producer for Online Talent Competition

If you are like me, you love the IDEA of a musical talent competition for a recording contract that slowly funnels from thousands to just a few … but the execution always gets muddled down as the music becomes secondary to what works on TV. But what if there was an online contest that will result in three lucky winners having their music heard, mixed and mastered by some of the industry’s top folks? That is exactly what Avid is announcing in conjunction with Abbey Road Studios. Avid is the maker of Pro Tools, which is THE system of choice…

Gear Bits

Brainwave Controlled Cat Ears and Tail for Those who Really Love Their Pets

I know a lot of people who totally connect with their household pets. They can tell me what (they believe) it’s thinking, it’s intentions are, and how it’s feeling today. Those people will do almost anything for their pets; whether it’s throwing a birthday party, baking homemade treats, or building enormous pet palaces for them to sleep in. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a dog lover who has had a dog almost all of his life and I absolutely love my dog, but I’m not going to take her for an all-inclusive doggy spa day with shiatsu massage and…

Events, Music Diary, News

Mackie Updates Master Fader Control App for DL Series Live Mixers

Last year at NAMM Mackie brought iPad control to their DL1608 mixer. Now for 2013 NAMM they have introduced the DL806 mixer and major updates to their Master Fader control app. This EQ is great for getting vocals, guitars and other instruments to sit perfectly in a mix. Now, DL users can choose between clean, surgical modern processing and the new range of classic vintage plug-ins for more flexibility in use. You can grab the app for free now, and the update will be coming soon. Mackie has added an episode to their DL Series podcast regarding Master Fader v1.4…

Gear Bits, Health and Fitness

Here Are Just Some of the Other Benefits of Sex

Sex is great because … well, if I have to explain THAT then I probably can’t help. But aside from the obvious benefit of being sex, there are numerous health benefits … and the folks at Greatist have detailed them out with links to some of the studies. Here are a few: • It can ward off the cold and flu • It can improve overall physical fitness • It decreases risk for heart disease * It lowers risks during pregnancy Head to Greatist to check out the full list, along with all of the links to the studies and…

Reviews

OGIO Manhattan Messenger Bag Review

One of the great thing about mobile technology is that it is, well, mobile. Laptop, iPad, phone, eReader — they all go wherever we go. And more and more that includes shuttling your gear between home, the office, and everywhere in between. Where do you look when you want to be professional but still stylish? Ogio has a strong contender in their new Manhattan messenger bag! The Manhattan bag has what I would call a more feminine style. There are six decorative buttons along the front, very similar to the types of buttons on a nice suit. And the interior…

Game Diary, News

GoG.com Adds 10 New Mac Games for January!

The answer to the question ‘where do I get Mac games’ has changed over time. A few years ago you would answer ‘I’m sorry dude, really sorry’. Then along came Steam, then the Mac App Store, and most recently GoG.com. Now you can proudly answer that there are great choices and prices at Steam, GoG.com and the Mac App Store. And GoG.com is advancing at an amazing pace, today announcing the addition of 10 Mac games to their roster. And like every other game, you now get the Mac and PC version of the game as well as all the…

Game Diary, Reviews

Old Clockmaker’s Riddle HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Match-3 Puzzle Adventure game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: DAVA Inc. / G5 Entertainment Description: ? Over 50 amazing levels to play ? 25 adorable houses to save from ruin ? 25 challenging mini-games to master ? 12 powerful upgrades and five magic tools ? Two game modes: relaxed and timed ? Game Center Support ? iPhone 5 support Major features: I admit to expecting Old Clockmaker’s Riddle to be a standard story-based Hidden Object game. But after I started reading the description I was thrilled to see the…

Gear Bits

Who Is the 21st Century Salesperson? This Free Publication Offers Insight

It is a new world and in it many traditional jobs are changing. On the list is the work of the salesperson and those looking to sell in the 21st Century need to adapt. This free Forrester White Paper tries to answer the question “Do you know what seller types you have and what it takes for them to succeed?” It identifies four different archetypes of salespeople of the 21st century: the expediter, the specialist, the consolidator, and the conductor. It is valuable insight, and it is free — so why not download it by clicking here?

Outdoors, Yum Log

Beer Hunter and Drinkmaster Will Keep You Warm and Your Beer Cold

It’s time for slightly embarrassing admissions here at Gear Diary: I can personally vouch that when I was in college (hmmpty-hmmph) years ago, I learned that it is possible to smuggle an entire eight-pack of 8 oz. Little Kings Cream Ales into a movie theater stashed within the various pockets of a denim jacket. I mean, have you seen the price of concessions at the movies lately?! Unfortunately, I can also verify that when you drape said blue jean jacket around the back of a theater seat, there is a very high probability that at least one of those little…

Gear Bits

RADIUS iPhone 5 Case Is Minimalistic Protection Done Right

How much protection is too much? When it comes to your iPhone 5, that’s a tough call. You want enough protection to keep your corners from crumpling and your screen from shattering, but do you really want to cover up those hard lines and sexy curves? With the solid billet aircraft grade aluminum RADIUS Minimalist case, you won’t have to. RADIUS started as a Kickstarter campaign, was successfully funded, and is now available for preorder to the public with shipping in early March. The RADIUS is $69.99, but you’ll need to add your own screen protector. I recommend (and use) the SPIGEN…

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