2013 | Gear Diary

Have Electric Cars Become Practical Yet?

One of the things I have been thinking about since the eruption of the Tesla/New York Times feud, is whether electric cars are truly practical yet for the average family. I’m not talking about a $100,000 Tesla S, or taking a road trip up the Mid-Atlantic coast in the middle of a harsh winter; I’m talking about for local driving, commutes around town, etc. Can electric cars fit into a real life scenario well, or are there just too many drawbacks? For me, the biggest issue is the range. Even if it’s just tooling around town, the miles can add up…

News & Features

New HTC One Becomes HTC’s Flagship Android Device

This morning, HTC introduced its latest flagship device, the New HTC One. This is not to be confused with the HTC One that was introduced at Mobile World Congress last year, as this is the New New HTC One. All kidding aside, the New HTC One looks to be an impressive bit of kit. It will have a 4.7” 1080p screen, a zero-gap aluminum unibody, and new HTC innovations including BlinkFeed, HTC Zoe and HTC BoomSound. The New HTC One will have a 1.7GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and either 32GB or 64GB ROM; it will run Android Jelly Bean. The capper is…

Health and Fitness

Losing Weight Will Make Me Run Faster – The Monday Mile

Despite running for about 24 years now, it is only in the last year that I have become a ‘RUNNER’. And in doing so I have discovered the nearly obsessive relationship between runners and their weight. Because I was losing weight at the time, I had concerns about running and eating to prepare for half- and full-marathons while losing weight. Searches turned up loads of resources that basically said the same thing – Losing Weight Will Make Me Run Faster. You don’t have to go too far to find these articles – look here, here, here, here, or here. And these…

Reviews

Mapi Cases Soli for iPad mini Delivers Classy Protection

We’ve looked at a few of Mapi Cases’ offerings in the past weeks. I reviewed the Mapi Case Perga for iPad mini. (Read the review.) Carly reviewed the company’s Orion for iPhone 4S. (Read the review.) And, most recently, Carly reviewed the Mapi Cases Sia Leather iPad Sleeve. (Read the review.) Each case received high marks from us. This time out we are taking a look at the Mapi Cases Sol for iPad mini. Will the company go four for four with this latest case? Read on to find out. Gorgeous leather, classic styling and the luxury that is only…

Reviews

Orbino miniPadova Review; a Most Exquisite Leather iPad mini Case

I wasn’t sure if the iPad mini was going to be able to replace my 3rd generation iPad, so I initially held off on any major accessory purchases. But within only a few days of owning one, I realized that because of the mini’s smaller size and lighter weight, I was carrying it with me everywhere. That wasn’t something I could have said about the iPads I’d previously owned, and that’s when I knew it was time to seriously think about accessories and how to best equip my mini. As I began my hunt, it seemed obvious that I should…

Reviews

Shot Note Pad and App Helps Save Your Notes and Memories

If you take notes with a pen and paper and incorporate those notes into your digital life, the Shot Note Pad and iOS app may be just the thing. Each Shot Note Pad looks like a standard writing tablet, but when used in conjunction with the free app the pads make it easy to capture your notes, drawings and diagrams in digital form. I’ve been trying the Shot Note Pad and app out for a few weeks, and I think they are a decent way to merge traditional and digital workflows. Let’s take a look. The Shot Note Pad looks like any inexpensive standard paper,…

Reviews

Graft Concept Leverage i5 for iPhone 5

I recently received the Graft Concept Leverage i5 for iPhone 5 that I had preordered some time ago. I waited patiently for the case to arrive and, now that it has, I can honestly say it was worth the wait. The Graft Concept Leverage i5 for iPhone 5 is easy to put on and remove from the iPhone, offers decent protection and, thanks to the unusual methods of securing the case on the phone, it is unique. It is not, however, without its shortcomings. Lets take a closer look on video and then discuss my one area of concern. As…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Merrell Bare Access 2 Review

I sing the praises of minimalist shoes every chance I get. They’re great at strengthening your legs and feet, but it can be harder on your body at first and requires some adjustment. Merrell recognizes this, and their M-Connect line isn’t just for super minimal shoes. The Merrell Bare Access 2 shoes give you the qualities of a minimalist shoe, but it has a slightly thicker sole to make it easier on your feet in the transition. Does it walk that line between just enough shoe and too much shoe? Read on to find out! In many ways, this shoe…

Reviews

Toast Wooden iPhone Cover Review

It’s easy to find a case that makes your iPhone stick out in a crowd. There are colors and styles for all tastes. But what if you like a more minimal look to your phone? How do you make it stand out without resorting to adding bulk? Adding skins to the iPhone is one way to do it, but if you want your iPhone to look truly unique, then you need something more special. I saw Toast’s gorgeous display of wooden etched back covers for the iPhone and iPad at CES, and when the opportunity came I jumped on the…

Reviews

StarTech Cables Review – Sync and Charge Intelligently

Smartphones gobble power, and because of that, it’s nearly impossible to get through a longer than usual day without sneaking in a top-off somewhere. Carrying around the same cable that you use to charge your phone at home is possible, but the chances of it getting lost or damaged grow exponentially depending upon the number of places in which it is being used. Why take the chance of losing the cable that came with your smartphone, when for a reasonable amount you can pick a spare cable that adds even more flexibility and functionality to your device? That seems to…

Reviews

Targus iNotebook Productivity Tablet Review

We saw the Targus iNotebook at CES last month. It is an intriguing device, and Targus was kind enough to send an iNotebook for review. Before we get into the review though, let me step back and give a bit of history. As I have previously noted here on the site, my best experience with Windows came in the form of using a Windows Tablet PC. It was a terrific productivity tool that allowed me to use one computer for both typing and capturing hand written notes. I also did some voice recognition on it, but that tended to have…

Game Diary, Reviews

Neverwinter Nights 2 Mysteries of Westgate – a Retro Romp Review

Type of app: RPG adventure pack Platform/where to buy: PC; available at GoG.com Developer: Ossian Studios (full game published by Atari) Just over a year ago I looked at the Mac App Store release of Neverwinter Nights 2, which included only the core game without expansions. And while we still don’t have the expansions for the Mac, recently fans of the game got an unexpected treat – a DRM-free release of NWN2 Complete on GoG.com! Included in this is the single official third-party ‘adventure pack’ for the game, Neverwinter Nights 2 ‘Mysteries of Westgate’ from Ossian Studios. To celebrate the…

Music Diary, Reviews

iLectric Piano Review – Get Classic Electric Keyboards

It doesn’t take an astute listener to realize that ‘retro is in’. At the recent NAMM show, we saw names such as Korg, Moog and Prophet right out of the late 70s, and all of them were producing analog synths. But before the synth became the keyboard mainstay, loads of classic recordings were made with funky Fender Rhodes and swirling Wurlitzer electric pianos. Now IK Multimedia allows you to get classic electric keyboards with iLectric. Let’s take a look! Type of app: Audio app Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store Developer: IK Multimedia Description: iLectric Piano offers…

Editorials

Tesla Motors vs The New York Times

When something comes from a trusted news source, it carries a certain cachet; there’s an expectation of truth, integrity, and objectivity. The only time objectivity gets a pass is when something is entitled “opinion” or “editorial”, but reviews are always expected to be reasonably objective. So when The New York Times published John Broder’s scathing review of the Tesla Motors Model S electric car, it was natural for their readers to assume that the review was accurate based on the experience of the reporter who wrote it. But as it turns out, John Broder may have exaggerated his experience in…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Merrell Proterra Sport Low Profile Hiking Sneaker Review

The Merrell Proterra Sport is a unique shoe. It’s part of the M-Connect line of minimalist footwear from Merrell, but if you were to line up most of the shoes in a row with the Proterra, it would look like a game of “one of these things is not like the other.” Until you put it on, it doesn’t look much like a minimalist shoe. But when you start moving, you realize the beefy look on the outside is hiding a low profile hiking sneaker designed to give you a minimal feel while still protecting your feet. How does it work? Read…

News & Features

MoviePass Android App Available

Movie fans get their own golden reward as the Academy Awards (a.k.a. Oscars) quickly approach. A special service called MoviePass has expanded to Android mobile device users. This theatrical movie subscription service, which began as an iOS app, offers unlimited tickets at nationwide movie theaters (2D shows only) beginning at $30 a month. The MoviePass Android app is free and represents part of the MoviePass membership. There are no blackout dates for theater viewings. The single monthly MoviePass membership price ranges from $29.99 to $34.99 depending on location. You may not be able to try this service before the Oscars…

Editorials

Is Nokia Dumping Samsung for Copying Their Technology?

I have been critical or at least suspicious of Samsung for many years for simple reasons: I find that they employ an ‘end justifies the means’ mentality, paired with a ‘fast follower’ technical approach, that allows them to overtake competitors with solid products that too-closely resemble the competition. Micron was the leading memory company in the world until they fell victim of Samsung, Apple is parting ways with Samsung after a few years of bitter lawsuits over technology copying, and now AppleInsider poses the question “Is Nokia dumping Samsung for copying their technology?” in their post Nokia rumored to join…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Focus Electric Quick Drive

It’s been nearly a year since Ford announced official class-leading EPA certification for the Focus Electric, and last month while visiting the automaker I found myself getting a few moments behind the wheel of the EV at the Dearborn, Michigan test facility. Zipping around the track on a frozen morning just outside Detroit, I found the Focus Electric to exhibit surprisingly good acceleration with driving characteristics remaining close to my impressions in a comparable gas model a while back. Acceleration is instant thanks to the qualities of the electric motors, while braking takes a little getting used to as the…

Game Diary

GoG.com Brings Greatest Shooter-RPG System Shock 2 Back!

Today we get great news with the announcement that GoG.com brings greatest shooter-RPG System Shock 2 back, and that it is playable on modern PCs! Many younger gamers know System Shock 2 as the ‘sprititual inspiration’ for the Bioshock games, but System Shock 2 does so much more. It is a masterpiece of writing, gameplay, timing, environment, design, music and more. What makes System Shock 2 such a milestone in gaming is the way it advances the entire state of gaming. You can play as one of three characters – the psionic power-wielding agent, the master hacker naval officer, and…

Reviews

Sena Vettra for iPad mini Review – Gorgeous Protection

The Sena Vettra for iPad mini arrived at my house the other day. The case, which is currently on the Sena website as a pre-order item that will ship mid-March 2013, is $69.95. (While on pre-order it is just $59.95.) I pulled out the Sena Vettra for iPad mini and the following exchange took place. Elana: Oh. Wow. Nice. Whose case is that? Me: Sena Elana: Of course it is. I think that is the nicest iPad mini case you have gotten. No, let me correct that. I think that is the nicest iPad case I have seen. Period. Me:…

Reviews

A Good Day to Die Hard Film Review

Twenty-five years after the original 1988 Die Hard film, this series continually delivers great action and excitement featuring its famous “Yippee Kay Hay” hero who’s at the wrong place at the wrong time. References including Ronald Reagan and cowboys are meant to pay homage to the film series, but only remind audiences how the plot needs more tension and genuine exhilaration plus a high level actor like Alan Rickman to play the main antagonist. Even one of Die Hard’s dialogue lines “Shoot the glass” extends into an action moment familiar to diehard fans of the film series. Since this A…