2013

3 to 5 Hours of Streamed Music from the MiPow Boom mini? Not Even Close!

We brought an exclusive first look at the MiPow Boom mini (read the post), and then we shared the first ever review of the diminutive new speaker coming from MiPow. As you might recall, Judie and I met with MiPow in January when they were showing off their newest offerings at CES 2013. We were impressed by the company and its products and were glad that the company, unknown in the US but widely popular internationally, was finally bringing their products State-side. Here’s our unboxing of the MiPow Boom mini. So here’s the thing, the MiPow Boom mini sounds great,…

Outdoors

FRODO Brings Home Automation to Camper Trailers and Other Mobile Homes

You probably have a certain level of automation that you enjoy in your home already; perhaps you use a smart thermostat, or maybe you have a home alarm. The cool thing about home monitoring and automation is that it doesn’t matter how old your home is, there are products that can be added at any time which will modernize it, making it as self-regulating and automatic as you want it to be. People who own travel trailers and campers don’t necessarily have the same options. Sure, you could drop $500K on a new top of the line travel bus with…

Reviews

iLuv Neon Sound IEP336 Earphones Review

If you’re wondering what spring has to do with headphones, the answer is: nothing, really. However, to test the noise-isolation design of the iLuv IEP336 Earphones, I took them outside and mowed my lawn while listening to Pandora. Let me tell you something, these earphones fit so nicely inside my ear, that it really did remove a lot of the noise from my gas-powered lawn mower and allowed me to enjoy the music I was listening to. The iLuv IEP 336 High-Performance Earphones have a few nice features that set them apart from your everyday, run-of-the-mill earphones. These earphones…

Reviews

Just Mobile AluCup iPhone Accessory Review

Just Mobile has made some of our favorite iPhone and Mac accessory. We met with the company at CES 2013, and they showed us a few of their upcoming products. One of them, the AluCup, struck me as one of their less compelling products. Still, there was something about it that intrigued me, and I looked forward to using and reviewing it. They sent one to us, so let’s take a look at this cup-shaped iPhone and iPad stand. The Just Mobile AluCup is the result of a combination of an aluminium cup-shaped frame that provides rigidity and a rubber insert…

Gear Bits

Confessions of a Doctor Who Newbie

I am trying to rectify a big hole in my Sci-Fi viewing history, and finally giving “Doctor Who” a shot. I knew it had a huge cult following, I knew it was from the BBC and it involved a time machine, but otherwise, I was pretty much entirely in the dark about the show. A few friends on Facebook gave me some important tips, and I’ve learned a few things from the first six episodes, so I thought I would share my limited understanding with any other Doctor Who newbies out there! Things I have learned that have surprised me:…

Game Diary

Virtual Console Debuts on the Nintendo WiiU

The Wii U Virtual Console service allows Nintendo Wii U owners to download games from the classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) consoles. Virtual Console appears after updating the WiiU system. New releases will arrive constantly plus future game additions will include popular titles from the Nintendo 64 console and handheld Game Boy Advance. Players can play Virtual Console games on the Wii U GamePad controller when someone else is watching TV. Each game has/will have an official community in Miiverse, customizable controller schemes, and special save files called restore points.

Reviews, Yum Log

Vejibags Keep Your Greens Greener

Now that April showers are giving way to May flowers, there are also plenty of wonderful greens coming up in farms and gardens. My family has been members of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share for years. If you’ve never participated in a CSA, basically the deal is that you pay a farmer in advance of the growing season in return for a bushel or half bushel of vegetables every week. We love having lots of fresh veggies that we know exactly where they came from, but being a two-person household it’s hard to get through all those greens in…

Game Diary, Reviews

Fieldrunners 2 for Android Review – The King of Tower Defense Games!

When it comes to casual mobile games I love, Fieldrunners ranks at the top along with others such as Plants vs. Zombies and Civilization Revolution. All of those games allowed me to get an ‘on the go’ experience that still scratched my hardcore gamer itch. So I was wary when Fieldrunners 2 came to iOS devices last September – but as noted in my review of the iPad version, I was thrilled with the results. This week the game (finally) landed on Android devices and I took some time to check it out! Type of app: ‘Tower Defense’ game Platform/where…

Gear Bits

The Gear Diary Guide to Infographics

Spend enough time on the Internet, and you’ll find an infographic. These are “educational” graphics that distill bits of information into pretty pictures and at-a-glance factoids. As a concept, they aren’t terrible, but only if they’re used as a summary for a full report. Unfortunately, lately they’ve become flashy vehicles for marketers with an agenda. Here at Gear Diary, we want to make sure we properly educate our readers to understand infographics, and the best way to do this is clearly to fight fire with fire, so we’ve helpfully put together this “Anatomy of an Infographic”! What triggered us to…

Reviews

RokForm RokShield v3 Case Kit for iPad Mini

Some weeks ago we took a first look at the RokForm RokShield v3 Case Kit for iPad Mini. I was impressed with the RokForm RokShield V3 for iPad mini and excited by the various possibilities it offered thanks to the kickstand, good protection and the option to add on additional accessories. After all, the case ships with an “easy-stick RMS” (remote mounting system and a 6 position KickStand for viewing, typing and browsing the web and those are just the included accessories. I liked the case enough that I put it on my iPad before leaving on vacation and used…

Reviews

Pelican ProGear Vault Series iPhone 5 Case Review

When you make the decision to go for a rugged iPhone case, the choice usually comes with a few trade-offs. In order to protect your case from drops, water, or other unfriendly conditions, bulky cases are usually needed. Typical trade-offs with these rugged cases include things like diminished physical button functionality or a less sensitive touchscreen due to the install of a protective layer. As you might expect, the best rugged iPhone cases make their owners accept the least amount of trade-offs; the Pelican ProGear Vault Series CE1180 makes a few too many trade-offs. I’ll first explain that I’m more…

News & Features

Leap Motion Makes the Right Move, Even Though it Means a Delay

The piece of tech I’ve been most excited about is something I have not often discussed, since all we’ve had thus far are a few promo videos of the actual product. The Leap Motion controller promises to transform the way we interact with our computers. It has the potential to truly allow us to interact with our hands moving in the air rather than with a stylus, keyboard or by voice. Just take a look at this promotional video of the device in action and you’ll see what I mean. I took one look at the video and joined the…

Editorials, Health and Fitness, News & Features

The Right and Wrong Way to Do Post-Disaster Fundraising

Much has been written about all of the amazing people who stepped up after the Boston Marathon bombings, as well as companies in the area that opened their doors for stranded runners and other impacted individuals. We have since seen both good and bad examples of those who claim to want to help. The obvious bad example was the fake Twitter account looking for retweets claiming a donation would be made for each one, and the many fake charities looking to funnel off some of the generosity that has sprung up. One of the best things that happened was the…

Reviews

Kensington KeyCover Hard Shell iPad Keyboard Review – the Keyboard that Changed It All

Walk into a classroom, and you’ll see how much has changed in the last ten years. Classrooms are outfitted with SmartBoards (interactive projectors that connect to your computer), basic projectors, laptop carts, and now, individual tablets for each student. I work in a high school that values technology, and one of our initiatives for the 2013-2014 school year is to introduce a one-to-one technology plan. Our technology team has decided on using the iPads. I received my assigned iPad back in November. Truthfully, I have yet to find a good use for it in the classroom; I’ll save that discussion…

Reviews

Rokform Rokshield v3 and v3 Suction Mount for iPhone 5 Review

Some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to review the Rokform Rokshield v3 for iPhone 5 (read the review). The case itself offers nice protection, but that wasn’t what stood out for me. No, what stood out when I reviewed the case at the time was the numerous possibilities a case like this afforded any iPhone user. Why is that so? Simple, the Rokform Rokshield v3 for iPhone 5 is more a system than it is a case. The Rokform Rokshield v3 for iPhone 5 is a hard case, but it also ships with a rubber bumper that wraps around it…

Game Diary, Reviews

Youda Survivor 2 HD for iPad Game Review

When Youda Survivor hit the iPad back in late 2011, it was amongst a stream of PC ports that all played extremely well on the tablet such as Civilization Revolution, Jack of All Tribes and Tiny Token Empires. Since then bigger games such as Grand Theft Auto III, Max Payne and Baldur’s Gate have impressed on the tablet. So how does the sequel to Youda Survivor fit in? Let’s take a look! Type of app: Time Management Strategy Adventure game Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad (iPhone version here); available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Youdagames / G5 Entertainment Description: Youda…

News & Features

Re-Timer Offers Portable Light Therapy for the Sleep Deprived

During the waning months of my career at Borders, I worked two weeks of overnights during a store remodel. Actually working in the middle of the night wasn’t the hard part, what was tough was going to bed when it was broad daylight and waking up as the sun was setting. I bought a sleep mask, which helped, and I had very considerate roommates who tiptoed around and kept it quiet near my room. In any case, the experience left me with a lot of respect for the people who work third shift and other odd hours. There are many…

News & Features

Sony’s Cyber-shot HX50V: A 30x Optical Zoom in a Small and Light Camera

When the smartphone market exploded the point and shoot camera market went into a nosedive. That's not a surprise since, for many of us, our iPhones or Galaxy 3 does a perfectly good job of letting us grab shots on the go. In addition, thanks to powerful applications and ubiquitous connectivity we are now able to play with our pictures on the go and then share them… In seconds. Still, there is a market for cameras that are small and powerful and sit somewhere between a smartphone camera and a big, bulky DSLR. Songs been doing some nice things in…

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is All That

OMG has been waiting for a moment like this – the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 – a car that absolutely epitomizes the philosophy of “shut up and drive.” Oh-My-Gawd! I find difficulty in accurately describing my first experience behind the wheel of the latest Shelby model Mustang save to say that this car is definitely not for everyone and there should probably be required background checks for those wishing to purchase one. It is a beast. It is mean and nasty. It has the most power ever in a Mustang (or any factory V-8). Heck, it’s got launch control! (And…

Game Diary, News & Features

Next Xbox Console Annoucement Date Set

“A New Generation Revealed. Be part of this historic online event, featuring a live stream, video, images, updates and more.” Microsoft released this accompanying statement today as they announced the time for the reveal on the next generation Xbox console. The announcement date is May 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). That would be 1 p.m. EST. Spike TV will televise the announcement at this time while it also streams live on Xbox Live and Xbox.com.

Game Diary, Reviews

LEGO City Undercover Review for Nintendo WiiU

LEGO City Undercover lets “LEGOmaniacs” enjoy their own open world video game exclusively on the Nintendo Wii U. The Hype A Metropolis to Explore The world of LEGO® City playsets comes to life like never before in LEGO® City Undercover—filled to the brim with people on the streets and vehicles on every road. Make your way through busy downtown, head out to the beach, or to the airport—it’s a truly massive place, filled with over a dozen distinct areas. Over 100 Vehicles to Commandeer Every vehicle you see on the street can be commandeered, and used to chase down criminals,…

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