2013

Element Case Atom S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – Carbon Fiber Reinforced Protection

If you need protection for your Samsung Galaxy S4, and you like the look of Carbon Fiber, then the Atom S4 by Element Case may be just what you’ve been looking for. At $59.95, it comes loaded with features including reinforced corners, Element’s Sound Boost System, and an ergonomic design. One of the Samsung Galaxy S4’s biggest flaws is that it doesn’t have the type of solid construction that inspires confidence. Sure, it’s great that the S4 is a thin and light phone — svelte, even — but the device is so slippery that it almost seems to be looking for…

Reviews

Element Case Eclipse S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – The Case I Would Use If I Owned a Samsung Galaxy S4

If you have been looking for serious protection that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to your Samsung Galaxy S4, then you need look no further than the $79.95 anodized aluminum, carbon fiber, and TPU Eclipse S4 made by Element Case. It even includes a kickstand and sound boost system! The Eclipse is composed of two pieces; an anodized CNC machined aluminum bezel and a TPU main body. The back of the case has an aerospace-grade carbon fiber insert in its middle. I’m not sure that it adds any extra protection in this location, but it certainly breaks up the otherwise monochrome…

News & Features

MUNITIO PRO40 Headphones Now Shipping

In an ever-crowded headphone market, MUNITIO is looking to make its mark with the PRO40 headphones. At about $350 these headphones,which include a Bass Enhancing Chamber for powerful bass without distortion, aren’t cheap. They do, however, look to offer great sound and a quality build. You can order yours on the product page. We got a look at Munitio’s upcoming PRO40 Headphones last January at CES 2013 and were impressed with how great they looked. We weren’t able to give them a listen at the time, but the use of 40mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers and Munitio’s tuning of the headphones promised to deliver…

Reviews

Boombot REX Bluetooth Speaker Review – It’s Small and Stands Out From the Pack

The Boombot REX is a small, ultraportable Bluetooth speaker that is available in a range of different colors and styles. Add in the availability of a number of different accessories and this speaker may be just the thing for the active music-lover on the go. Check out all the available options. If you are wondering how the speaker got its name, the company explains it is “A salute to the king of dinosaurs, the Boombot REX mimics the thump of the T-Boombot REX’s footsteps as it ruled the land.” Awwww… cute. The company behind the REX describes the speaker as…

Reviews

RAVPower RP-PB07 10400mAh Portable External Battery Pack Charger Review

External batteries are getting to be a necessity. If you want a great one, the RavPower and its 10,400 mAH capacity is one that you should look at. It’s only $34.99 on Amazon (with free Prime Shipping!). RAVPower was kind enough to send their latest RP-PB07 battery for review. Let’s take a look at it in terms of form and function. Form: This battery is simple in its design. It has a button on the front that allows you to check the current charge. On the back is the product label. The bottom of the battery has 2 USB ports…

Reviews

GE X2600 Camera With 26X Zoom Review – Yes, GE Makes a Decent Little Camera

When you stop and think about it the fact that GE makes cameras shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, they make everything else so why not a camera? What is a surprise is the fact that the budget-priced 26X zoom GE X2600 camera takes decent pictures. GE’s X2600 camera is under $170 and if you can ignore the color it looks like a serious camera. It shoots 16 megapixel images, has a 3″ LCD so you can see what you are actually shooting and it has a whopping 26X optical zoom with a wide-angle lens that actually works! The…

Reviews, Yum Log

Yes, Virginia, There Are Some Great Food Products from the Commonwealth

This is a bit of a departure from my normal reviews here at Gear Diary, but I’ve come across some interesting and unique products from the commonwealth of Virginia that are worthy of sharing. Read on if you’re interested in nut butters from Reginald’s Original, hickory syrup from Wildwoods, or the latest release from AOL, Early Mountain wines. In my day gig as a food writer, I get lots of sample products to review. In fact, my UPS and Fed Ex guys must think I’m a lonely old drunk since I have to sign for liquor deliveries a few times…

Gear Bits

Clear Your Sunday Night for Breaking Bad’s Final Season

Breaking Bad has had an amazing run, winning Emmy awards and a slew of devoted fans. The story of a chemistry teacher turned crystal meth kingpin is riveting, and as we head to the final season there’s still a chance to catch up on the show via Netflix, and then enjoy some quality fan-made videos satirizing and summarizing the sheer awesomeness. And baldness. Last fall, Sarah and I were looking for a new show to enjoy together. We sat down and watched the first two episodes of “Breaking Bad” on Netflix, and I was hooked. Sarah, not so much, so…

News & Features

Pearl Guitar Brings Realistic Sound To The iPad

Amidio Inc. has just introduced a super realistic sounding guitar application for the iPad. No need to carry a full-sized instrument and case when on the go when you can make your iPad sound like the real thing. The $2.99 app is modeled after a 1979 Martin & Co. dreadnaught guitar complete with realistic resonance and string noise. I certainly do not own a 1979 Martin steel string acoustic guitar, but would love to. Amidio’s Pearl Guitar app is a carefully tuned replica of the classic guitar stuffed into an iPad. The sound is actually quite stunning complete with string noise,…

Reviews

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Review – Connect Any Way You Like

The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lighting dock is priced under $140 and lets you connect to iOS Lightning-enabled device, via Bluetooth, USB and much more. It even includes an FM radio, an IR remote and an iOS and Android app are also available. Best of all, the speaker sounds great. We have seen a huge proliferation in the number of available Bluetooth speakers. Similarly, lightning-enabled docks designed to work specifically with current generation Apple products have been increasing in number. The result is an ever-growing number of choices when looking for a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy your music at home…

Game Diary, Reviews

Echoes Episode 1: Greenhearth Review -Stylized Mystery Gaming Brought to iOS

Echoes is an episodic mystery game with a distinctive style and where your choices impact the gameplay. The first episode is called Greanhearth, and drops you right into a dark & gritty world as you find out the story behind detective Rocky Fox investigating a murder. Let’s take a look. Type of app: Interactive Mystery Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Nova-box Description: You are Ricky Fox, a brilliant detective from NYPD. Your best friend, Arthur Petrovski, a renowned psychiatrist, just passed away in strange circumstances and you travel there to make…

Reviews

Remora iPhone 5 Case from Outpost Labs Review

Do you have an iPhone 5 and want to be able to simply carry your phone with a couple of credit cards or license in a minimal setting? Then the folks at Outpost Labs have a case they’d like you to check out. Called Remora, the case clips to opposing corners of your iPhone 5 and allows full access to buttons and camera. How does it work? Let’s take a look! Description Here are some of the features: – Carries up to two cards. – Hidden latch snaps closed to safely hold cards. – Protects screen when set face-down on…

News & Features

Instagram for Android 4.1 Update Says Package File Invalid

I saw there was an update to Instagram for Android so I went to go apply it, as I usually would. However, upon download completion, it says “Package File Invalid”. So I tried to remove it and reinstall the app — the same issue occurred. I completely removed all Google Play Updates and cleared caches, and still … nothing. I tried it on my tablet, and had the same issue. Because I’m having this issue on two devices, it’s obviously something else. I checked the Play Store’s web interface, and sure enough, there are multiple reviews with the same issue for…

Music Diary, News & Features

Tony Levin is Back with a New Levin Minneman Rudess Recording!

Back in 2011 I was thrilled to review the latest release from Tony Levin, a trio set called ‘Levin Torn White’. I was impressed with every aspect of the recording, saying: aside from trying to assign genre labels, the most fitting label is ‘collaboration’. This recording is about three great musicians working together to share a vision of music with each other and with their audience. To that end they have constructed a cohesive set of statements borne out of rhythm and harmony and a passion atmosphere that is instantly communicative yet reveals more with each listen. This is a…

Reviews

DBoom Custom Bluetooth Speaker from Musemini Review

In a world of same-same Bluetooth speakers, Musemini’s DBoom speaker is looking to stand out in terms of looks and features. From a looks perspective, the speaker comes in five different colors: it will soon offer the added ability to create custom skins that give a unique look to the front and back of each speaker. From a technology and feature perspective, the DBoom sports both Bluetooth 3.0 and NFC (Near Field Communication) that makes pairing the speaker to any NFC-enabled device quick and simple. Add in the ability to Daisy-chain the speaker, and you have a versatile unit that will…

Reviews

Waterfield Slip Case for Nexus 7 2013 Review

The other day we took a look at Waterfield’s Suede Jacket Sleeve for the 2013 Nexus 7. It is the thinnest, lightest and simplest slip case you will likely find for the latest 7″ Nexus tablet. If you need more protection than the Suede Jacket Sleeve offers, then you might want to check out the Waterfield Slip Case. The Slip Case offers serious protection in a simple package. Available in Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, and Silver, the Waterfield Slip Case is available for a wide range of tablets and laptops. This review sample is from the Nexus 7 2013…

News & Features

Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini Is a Perch for Your iOS device

I’ve seen and used a variety of different stands for my iPhone and iPad, but none have caught my attention the way the new HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini from Twelve South has. This brushed metal stand has the kind of refined lines that will compliment your iOS device while also adding to its utility. The HiRise is designed to work with Apple Lightning Cable, but it is a BYOC (Bring Your Own Cable) accessory. And, thanks to its thoughtful design, the HiRise works with iPhone and iPad when they are naked AND when they are in most current cases. The…

Gear Bits

Not Going to Finish That Thai Food? Swap It for Pizza from the Guy Down the Road!

Food waste is a major problem in the world, as we dump millions of tons of uneaten — but perfectly good — food into trash bins as others starve. A new startup called LeftoverSwap has no idea how to deal with the global problem, so instead they have decided to work with the ‘all issues are local’ Tipper O’Neill mantra, to try to eliminate food waste on a local level. Here is how they lay out the problem: •40% of the food we produce goes to waste. •25% of us don’t know our neighbors’ names. •70% of us are overweight….

Reviews, Yum Log

Sachi Insulated Food Bags Review – Carry Your Lunch with Class

I work out of my house. Well, I guess more accurately, I work in my house, so I usually either meet friends out for lunch somewhere or I eat at home. I don’t have a lot of need to carry a meal anywhere and keep it hot or cold. So when the offer came to check out the Sachi Insulated Food Bags. I figured it might make more sense for my girlfriend to run it through its paces. She’s a kindergarten teacher who takes her lunch to school every day and only has about 15 minutes to eat, so premade…

News & Features

B&O Play’s BeoPlay A9 Nordic Sky Edition Speaker Looks Great, Sounds Awesome

B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen just introduced the Nordic Sky edition of its BeoPlay A9. It is the perfect meeting point between art, furniture, and High Fidelity. Designed to be standalone furniture, or art that is hung on the wall, the BeoPlay A9 is also an amazingly powerful piece of audio equipment. The speaker packs impressive technology into a sleek, one of a kind, design. The BeoPlay A9 has a total of five speakers and has an output of 480 watts thanks to a digital Class D amplifier with separate amps for each of the five speakers. At the center…

Gear Bits, News & Features

Want to Help Your Favorite Show Get Better Ratings? Start Tweeting … Maybe!

I just wrote about the announcement show on the BBC for the 12th Doctor, which was ‘must see TV’ for my younger son. But unlike when my wife and I sit down to watch TV, where we set our phones on the end tables or coffee table; for him the first thing my son does is grab his phone and open up Twitter. Once there, he gets involved with pre-show chatter, right into the announcement itself, and then post-show follow-up. According to a new Nielson study reported at TheNextWeb, this is exactly the sort of situation where ‘Twitter Chatter’ helps…

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