June 2013

10 Tips for Running in the Sun and Heat

Health and Fitness

10 Tips for Running in the Summer Heat – The Monday Mile

Just over a week ago I was in Kentucky for work and commented on Facebook that I barely made it out of the hotel parking lot on my 4:30AM run before I was covered in sweat. Last week, Judie noted that she got a late start and that it was 98F while she was running; her pace slowed considerably while she ran as the heat took its toll. Suffice to say – hot weather has arrived across much of the nation, and it is time to think about running in the heat. Here are some tips to keep safe: Hydration: hydration…

WWDC 2013 Opens the Door to Apple's Future

Events

WWDC 2013 Opens the Door to Apple’s Future

  Apple WWDC Developer Conference is THE media event of the spring for Apple fanboys and girls everywhere. It is usually the place we get our first look at the next versions of iOS and OS X but, more than that, it is the event that reveals Apple’s overall direction for their products. At times there are also some hardware announcements. And, while this is more geared to developers, the fact that the Apple Store online is currently down indicates that there will be some new hardware revealed. We have been careful not to speculate and quote rumors but serious…

ZoneGuard Review

Reviews

Eton ZoneGuard Weather Alert Clock Radio Review

Many times when we discuss Eton we refer to their excellent line of outdoor-focused emergency radios, with flashlights, phone chargers, and solar panels all built-in so you can be in touch no matter what is happening in the world. Eton doesn’t just want you to be on top of the weather when you are out in it, they want you to be able to track “climate events” from the safety of your own home. And while we all have smartphones and a ridiculous number of weather apps at our disposal, Eton offers the  ZoneGuard Weather Alert Clock Radio, a stand-alone…

Pixuru Turns Your Digital Photos into Works of Art

Reviews

Pixuru Turns Your Digital Photos into Works of Art

Between my iPhone 5, my Sony NE-6 and my iPad mini I take more pictures than ever. You probably do too. The actual process of taking pictures is fun, but the question of what to do with the pictures once they are taken is often hard to answer. Pixuru has a great suggestion for what to do with your digital pictures. More accurately, Pixuru has a series of answers to the question of what to do with your digital photographs.The service made it possible for me to check out three of their offerings and I am happy to say I’m…

Wirelessly Charge Your Samsung Galaxy S 4 Android Phone

News

Wirelessly Charge Your Samsung Galaxy S 4 Android Phone

I’ve been spending the last week testing out the Samsung Galaxy S 4; it truly is one of the most capable and feature-filled smartphones available, but there is one trick it can’t do — inductive charging. But as of today, that is no longer the case. Galaxy S 4 owners can now purchase a Samsung Wireless Charging Pad and Wireless Charging Battery Cover, which will allow them to conveniently charge their smartphones without fumbling for cables or plugs. In case you read the last sentence quickly, let me make sure that you caught the fact that this isn’t a case,…

Spirit of Driving Alive and Well with the 2014 Lexus IS Models

Vehicles & Gear

Spirit of Driving Alive and Well with the 2014 Lexus IS Models

Just when you thought you had your mind made up on which entry luxury sport sedan to purchase, Lexus has to go and make over its IS model line and this upcoming 2014 might just have consumers putting the brakes on as they head to their favorite Bavarian auto dealer. The 2014 IS is the third generation of the youthful yet elegant little luxo-sedan from Lexus, the first arriving as a 2001. While the new model features an all-new chassis, styling and interior, powertrains are a holdover from the current line – almost.

Seagate Slim Portable External Drive Second Look

News

Seagate Slim Portable External Drive Second Look

Dan reviewed the Seagate Slim back in April of 2011.  He liked it at the time, and two years later it is still going strong. Dan tells me it is one of the mainstays in his gear bag, and he depends on it so much that when making a list of the gear he will bring when he is traveling, he doesn’t even need to make note of it — it is simply there — ready to go when he needs the extra space. We recently included one of the drives in our huge giveaway with Technabob and The Awesomer. Seagate also sent…

Scurvy Scallywags

Game Diary, Reviews

Scurvy Scallywags for iOS Review

Puzzle Quest is one of my all-time favorite casual RPG games. With a cool story, integrated RPG level-up mechanics and fun match-3 gameplay you were always challenged but in a way that worked for quick-hit gaming on the go. It is a formula that many have attempted to imitate with varying degrees of success. The latest game making the attempt is Scurvy Scallywags, which has the distinction of having some major names at the helm. Let’s take a look and see how they did!

HP Releases App Catalog Fix to Keep WebOS Devices Afloat

News

HP Releases App Catalog Fix to Keep WebOS Devices Afloat

I own an HP Touchpad, and I have to admit, it’s still one of the most enjoyable tablet OSes I’ve used to date. I’ve tweaked some of the software and hardware with Preware, set up dual-booting with CyanogenMod 9, and its been fun doing all this. However, it was revealed that one of the key certificates governing HP WebOS cloud services, particularly those items relating to HP App Catalog and cloud backups, was set to expire on July 23, 2013. Were that to occur, access to WebOS catalog apps, app purchase history and device cloud backup would almost certainly fail,…

Deus Ex The Fall

Game Diary, Gear Bits, News

Deus Ex: The Fall Announced, Bringing Classic Franchise to iOS Devices!

The history of the Deus Ex goes back to the PC-only release of the 2000 cyberpunk story-based action-RPG shooter hybrid from Warren Spector and ION Storm (a PS2 port came in 2002). To say that the game was groundbreaking doesn’t begin to cover it … the combination of elements from various genres were each done extremely well – so shooter fans loved it, RPG fans loved it, adventure-story fans loved it, graphics fans loved it and so on. In fact:

nine inch nails 2013

Gear Bits, Music Diary, News

Check Out the New Nine Inch Nails Song ‘Come Back Haunted’

Nine Inch Nails is back! Trent Reznor’s ‘band’ (he is the only official member) has been making industrial rock for 25 years now, and each release has had something of interest. Most reknowned for their work in the 1990s such as ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ and ‘Downward Spiral’, Reznor also created the music and effects for the classic video game Quake, which earned them the honor of having their logo emblazoned on ammo crates in that and later entries of the franchise. Back in 2008 they released Ghosts I–IV and The Slip, both as free downloads before going up for standard…

Where Angels Cry for Mac

Game Diary, Reviews

G5 Releases Where Angels Cry (Mac Version) Review

I have noted that G5 Entertainment continues doing a great job bringing games to a variety of platforms including iOS and Android, but also Mac, PC, Kindle Fire, Nook, Windows Phone and so on. Most games are cross-platform ports, but that means that gamers get a chance to check out these great games on their preferred platform. I reviewed and enjoyed Where Angels Cry HD on the iPad, but now that it is out for the Mac, let’s take a look and see how it made the port! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) Platform/where to buy: Mac…

An Open Letter to Google and Matt Cutts: Panda and Penguin Are Broken, Please Fix Them!

Editorials

An Open Letter to Google and Matt Cutts: Panda and Penguin Are Broken, Please Fix Them!

Here is something I never thought I would be doing, posting an open letter to Google and to Matt Cutts that essentially begs them to look at what is happening to Gear Diary as a direct result of their Panda and Penguin algorithms; and yet, here we are. If it is happening to us, then I know it is happening to others; even though I am mortified about airing our private business in public, I respectfully submit:   Hello Google, We have been battling Panda since November. My site is not a scraper or spam site; we are a legitimate producer of…

2013 Infiniti JX35 Has Beauty, Style, and Grace -- and Soon, a New Name

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Infiniti JX35 Has Beauty, Style, and Grace — and Soon, a New Name

In recognizing its behemoth QX fullsize SUV is not for every family, Infiniti has delivered a more of a “right-sized” crossover to meet the needs of families who, in their words, recognize the need to grow up without growing old. Enter the 2013 Infiniti JX35. Cross-developed with the new Pathfinder seven-passenger from Nissan, JX delivers interior flexibility and roominess, safety, three-row seating, performance and a host of hospitality features in something of a familiar package to its customers. Inside and out, JX exudes Infiniti design, style and content while benefitting from corporate research and development along with dipping into shared…

Saints Row IV Collector's Edition Announcement

Game Diary, News

Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition Announcement

Get your late summer action now! The Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition: the Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition is now available for preorder on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at all participating North American retailers in limited quantities. This collector’s edition is listed at a MSP of $99.99 and will officially release with the standard version (PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) and Commander in Chief Edition (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) on August 20, 2013. The Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition: the Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition will include a 12 inch Dub Step gun replica that will deliver…

Jon Wirtz - Tourist

Music Diary, Reviews

Jon Wirtz Tourist Review – A Great Collection of Disparate Compositions

Back in 2010 Jon Wirtz impressed me and many others with his debut recording ‘Sea Level, featuring mature solo piano work that evoked comparisons to reknowned pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Vijay Iyer and Matthew Shipp. Now he has returned with his ‘Nuskool’ trio on an album of strong and diverse compositions called ‘Tourist’. The album had a ‘soft launch’ back in April but I have been enjoying it on my iPod for even longer. Let’s take a look!

E3 2013 Schedule of Company Presentation Overviews

Game Diary, News

E3 2013 Schedule of Company Presentation Overviews

NOTE: This collaborative article was co-written with our special correspondent Wayne Beck. This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will bring more details about the highly anticipated new consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, while Nintendo looks to bolster their WiiU game library. The used game market, high-profile games, and independent sleep hits will also be on our radar. The main festivities of the E3 show occur on-site in California on Tuesday, June 11 (noon to 6 p.m.), June 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Thursday June 13 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Here are…

National Running Day 2013

Health and Fitness

Get Out and Run for National Running Day on June 5th!

Tomorrow (June 5th) is the fifth annual National Running Day, but is the first one I have known about or participated in running. The purpose is to get people inspired to get out in run in as many different ways as there are runners. So whether it is a street run, pounding around a track, doing trails or relays or group runs or whatever, it is a great opportunity for distance runners to reaffirm our commitment and for new or occasional runners to get themselves started with a new training plan or goal. According to Running USA’s media director Ryan…

Nokia Lumia 928 Windows Phone Music Controls - Little Features Make a Big Difference

Gear Bits

Nokia Lumia 928 Windows Phone Music Controls – Little Features Make a Big Difference

I am really loving my new Lumia 928. Now that I am past the initial phase of learning Windows Phone and adjusting to a larger phone, I am starting to notice little ways that Windows Phone 8 makes life easier. The biggest standout for me, above and beyond any other, is how it handles music controls. Every morning and evening I stream Pandora on my way home from work. On the iPhone, it was easy to flip to a different song by just double clicking the home button and pulling up the music controls while the iPhone was locked. I…