2013

Bar Mitzvah VINvite – Technology Meets Tradition as Bar Mitzvah Invitations Get Streamed

Back in the fall of 2009, Judie wrote a post entitled Technology Meets Tradition: And a Kindle Shall Lead Them. It discussed my use of a Kindle DX on the bimah (pulpit) during the Jewish High Holy Days. Some thought my use of an eBook reader was a bit odd, but for me it was simply a matter of my replacing one book (dead tree) with another more modern version. In addition, as someone on the progressive side of my tradition, I am not bound by the traditional restrictions regarding the use of electronics on the Sabbath or holidays. From…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Getting Fit with MyFitnessPal and GAIN Fitness

I have a confession: I am out of shape. Up until this past fall, I was doing great. I was running consistently, eating right, everything was great. But we sold our house, temporarily moved in with my parents, and are buying another house, all while juggling everything else in life. It’s been more than a little overwhelming, and I feel like I need to refocus and tune up before I lose any more fitness (or gain any more weight!) Running is always a reliable triple threat for me; I lose weight, feel stronger, and get mentally clearer. But my stressful…

Game Diary, How to Do It Yourself!

Game Play Puts Game Boy Games on iPhone 5 Without Jailbreaking

Have you ever longed for the days of your childhood you spent with your eyes glued to the black and grey screen of the Nintendo Game Boy? Did you pride yourself on beating Super Mario Land? I know I did. I don’t know how many countless AA batteries I drained with that handheld. Now, with Game Play, you can relive those glory days on your iPhone 5 without jailbreaking your device. Typically, Apple has frowned upon emulation apps in the App Store. Though recently, Gridlee, a thinly veiled MAME emulator within a game, has made its way on to the…

Reviews

V??? llc CNC Machined Aluminum Wallet is the Anti-Wallet of Wallets

We’ve looked at a few wallets over the years. We’ve reviewed the Flipside Wallet 2X, the Flipside STRATA, and we reviewed a host of iPhone cases that double as wallets such as this one, and this one, and this one. Today we are going to take a look at yet another wallet from V??? llc. More accurately, today we are going to take a look at an anti-wallet from V??? llc. (“Anti-wallet” is my description not theirs. Read on to find out why I am referring to it as such.) V??? llc recently launched a line of compact CNC machined aluminum…

Game Diary, Reviews

Need for Speed Most Wanted: Video Game Review for PlayStation 3

This open world, action racing game from Electronic Arts is set in the booming metropolis area of Fairhaven – a fictional environment containing several different environments. The Hype The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive anywhere, discover hidden gameplay, meet up with your friends or just hang out and toy with law enforcement. Lose the cops … your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Hit the gas and fight your way past cops and rivals using pure driving…

Reviews

Jabra SPEAK 510 UC Review: Conference Calls Anywhere & Anytime

I find myself doing far less talking on the phone these days. That is part of the reason I’ve pretty much dropped my use of landlines. At home and work I only use my cell phones or, at times, I use Line2 or Skype on my tablet or computer. I honestly cannot remember the last time I picked up my desk phone in the office. People pretty much all know to reach me on my cellphone. Period. And while my iPad serves as a decent speakerphone and my MacBook Pro with retina display has dual array microphones, they aren’t terrific…

Editorials

2013, A Windows “Upgrade” Odyssey – Part One Preparation & Installation

When Windows 8 was first coming out, I knew I wouldn’t like the Metro IU very much on a desktop computer and so I never even considered “upgrading” my desktop. A surprising set of circumstances brought me a Windows 8 tablet, and that was my first experience hands-on with the new OS. I can say that on a tablet computer with very limited memory, that the Metro UI is actually fun, and is not entirely dissimilar to iOS or Android tablets. The added benefit of actually running a full version of Windows 8 in the desktop mode however, is amazing!…

Game Diary, News & Features

Super Stickman Golf 2 – Gear Diary’s Sneak Preview

What does Super Stickman Golf 2 and The Godfather: Part II have in common? If you guessed that they’re both sequels, well yes, that’s true, but there’s something even better! They are both sequels that are greater than their predecessors. Is it a little too early to call, since SSG2 is only in beta testing? Probably, however the game is already so polished that you can tell how well it’s going to do. There are many great additions to the original gameplay that it still feels like the same game you loved, yet it also feels like a sequel. Noodlecake…

Game Diary, Reviews

Totem Tribe Gold for Mac Review

Type of app: Real-time Strategy (RTS) game Platform/where to buy: Mac (Also for iPad and iPhone.); available in the Mac App Store Developer: Enkord / G5 Entertainment Description: In this game you are trying to help Aruku, a chief of the Hawk tribe, restore peace and lead her tribe to a better future. Features: ? 32 Locations ? 22 Quests and mini-games ? 20 artifacts to locate and preserve ? Real-time strategy and adventure game ? Game Center Support Major features: Totem Tribe Gold is actually a bulked up version of a casual PC game released back in 2009. The…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

2014 Kia Forte Test Drive: Compact Sedan with Full-Size Amenities

I live in a part of the country where one is likely to feel out of place if not driving an SUV or a pickup truck, and I like driving a big SUV. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy taking the 2014 Kia Forte out for a test drive while recently attending the Kia First Drive event in Scottsdale, however, because there’s just something *fun* about sitting lower to the road and really feeling what’s going on that can’t be duplicated when riding in a jacked-up rig. Kia gave me ample opportunity to experience that sensation during my ~115 test drive…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

2014 Kia Sorento Test Drive: Mid-Size SUV Loaded with Luxuries

Last week I joined a group of bloggers and traditional press in Scottsdale, Arizona for a chance to take a test drive and learn more about the 2014 Kia Sorento (SUV) and Forte (4 door sedan) models. I should probably admit that other than knowing a few people who own or have owned Kia vehicles, I haven’t had much personal experience with the auto brand — unless you count taking a few hair-raising test rides in the Optima Hybrid Carly reviewed last summer! But I digress. So here are some things you might not have known about Kia: Safety is a priority for them, and every…

Game Diary, Reviews

Inbetween Land HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad, (iPhone version here); available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Specialbit Studio / G5 Entertainment Description: • 52 Fascinating locations to explore • 19 Thought-provoking mini games • 3 Game modes: Casual, Normal, Expert • 4 Engaging comics • Out-of-this-world storyline Major features: I have to admit to not being the hugest fan of Inbetween Land for the Mac. It wasn’t a bad game by any stretch, nor were there any technical issues, it was just a game that didn’t ‘grab me’ unlike so many other G5…

Reviews

Sena Wallet Skin for iPhone 5 Review

We’ve reviewed numerous products from Sena cases, and the story is always the same… in a good way. The company’s cases are made from quality leather, and they are artfully crafted and are made to last and stand up to serious use and abuse. Add in a nice range of color and texture choices, and there is pretty much something for everyone over on Senacases.com. This time out we’ll be taking a video look at the Sena Wallet Skin for iPhone 5. The Wallet Skin stands out as a case that fits the way many of us live in 2013….

Editorials

Why ChromeOS Is Positioned to Attack Windows 8, and Windows 8 Deserves It

I have something of a unique perspective on ChromeOS. See, one day in December 2010, I came home to find a mystery package on my doorstep from Google. It turned out the “Sure, I’d like to beta test a Chromebook” form I’d filled out netted me a CR-48, one of the original beta Chromebooks. So I’ve seen the operating system mature from a simple web browser to a capable operating system over the last few years, and I have to say, it’s impressed me immensely with its stability and flexibility. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Acer is seeing…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Merrell M-Connect Line of Running Shoes Brings Natural Movement and Adventure to Your Feet

When’s the last time you walked outside barefoot? It’s fun to be in your bare feet and feel the texture of the ground and the way your feet move differently without shoes. But while it’s possible to run and hike barefoot, and some people embrace that wholeheartedly, many of us prefer to strike a balance between barefoot and big clunky “traditional” running shoes. Merrell’s M-Connect line of minimalist shoes is designed to give you everything-the feel of being barefoot, but the protection of shoes. They have a variety of models, from very minimal to hiking-oriented. Merrell was kind enough to…

Reviews

Speck CandyShell Grip for iPad mini Review

Speck’s CandyShell line of cases is tremendously popular and, I suspect, profitable. The cases are simple, don’t include extras like a screen protector and they come at a bit of a price premium. I’m not a huge fan but people seem to really like the line. As a result, Speck seems to release a few CandyShell designs for pretty much every major Apple device. We already looked at the basic CandyShell design for the iPad mini. This time out we are taking a look at the CandyShell Grip. The Grip melds two materials into one case and not only adds to…

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Audi S4 Speaks with a German Accent on Fun

When we hear about premium sport sedans from Europe the names BMW and Mercedes are always certain to pop up. But there is a third German marque that bears our attention and it is the from the luxury division of the “People’s car.” It’s called Audi and, in this case specifically, the Audi S4. The S4 is a member of the A4 sedan family that has been around for the past four decades. For 2013, Audi has released the eighth-generation of the 4-series and recently we spent time in a gorgeous S4 quattro. What’s the difference between an A4 and…

Reviews

Munitio Nines Earphones Review

Earphones, headphones, buds…it seems like I am in a constant search to find a great audio option to be used with my devices. I love trying them all out and experiencing the slight detail differences in the bass, highs and mids. Earphones come in all different shapes and colors, but rarely would I call them truly unique. I recently had the opportunity to try out some Nines by Munitio, and can now say I have some unique earphones. Will the sound quality match the cool design? Let’s take a look. Munitio Nines are definitely unique in that they look like…

Music Diary, Reviews

Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2012 and More – a Music Diary Feature

It is finally time for my Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2012! The end of each year we get bombarded by ‘top 10’ lists for just about everything, but for me it is too soon. Personally, I like to be sure all releases are out, and take some time over the holidays to reflect and re-listen to stuff I loved — or thought I loved — or perhaps barely touched all year long. Last year this resulted in a late February ‘Baker’s Dozen’ best of list where I spent too much time on stuff NOT on the list and never…

Reviews

Speck CandyShell for iPad mini Review

Speck has had a tremendous amount of success with their CandyShell line of cases. While not a personal favorite, the company’s first release of a CandyShell for iPhone was an instant hit. As a result they have rolled out the style for many subsequent devices and have also expanded the line by adding different features to the same basic CandyShell design. For example, there are now CandyShell iPhone cases that let you flip the bottom third of the case free. This makes it easy to dock the phone for syncing and charging. Speck is now rolling out cases for the…

Gear Bits, Health and Fitness

Workout Indoors with BodyWeight Exercises – The Monday Mile

Last week I had a day where I planned to go out for a run, but the conditions were too icy, so I was home after about 2.5 miles to avoid possible injury. I already had myself warmed up and wanted to get in a workout, so I did the next best thing – an indoor bodyweight workout! Within a half-hour I had done a great workout that had me dripping with sweat and exhausted – and no equipment required! After years of everyone thinking you needed some expensive equipment to get a decent workout, folks are starting to realize…

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