2013

IK Multimedia Brings Mobile Music to Android with iRig Recorder

For me, one of the deciding negatives regarding Android has been the lack of a low-latency core audio system as is found in iOS. And while that hasn’t been solved at a system level, talented developers such of products such as FL Studio have been working on their own solutions. Now IK Multimedia takes the lead! Today at CES IK Multimedia announced iRig Recorder for Android, which allows high-definition, low-latency audio recording. The app also has plenty of built-in tools for editing and exporting your sounds, and will support IK Multimedia accessories such as iRig MIC, iRig MIC Cast and…

Events, News & Features

Linksys Introduces New 802.11ac Routers at CES 2013

I’ve always been a big fan of Linksys over the years for making reliable routers for the home. Even though the next iteration of WiFi, 802.11ac, is still being finalized, this isn’t stopping Linksys from introducing three new routers based on a draft of the new standard. This is similar to how the previous generation, 802.11N was introduced so it’s no surprise to me that they’d want to get the jump on the new standard. The top of the line Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC 1750 HD Video Pro, EA6700 has the power user in mind. It promises speeds up to 1300…

Events, Game Diary, News & Features

unu – Tablet, Game Controller, Smart TV Dock in One, Unveiled at CES

Coming a long way from the public’s first glimpse at the device, the unu tablet has been debuted at CES. The device, called “snakebyte eins” during its production and development, has been given a new name and a warm welcome in sunny Las Vegas at CES this year. A pre-release version of the device is playable on the conference floor throughout CES. According to the company, Snakebyte, unu is completely different from all Android-based gaming platforms currently available to the public. And I would have to agree. unu comes with a docking station, gaming controller, and an air mouse, which…

News & Features

Dark Arcana – The Carnival HD for iPad Review

Dark Arcana – The Carnival is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available in the App Store. It’s developer is Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment. Description: 48 enigmatic spine-tingling locations to visit 18 hidden object scenes to search 28 mini-games to tease your brain 21 exciting achievements to rack up Three difficulty modes to keep you guessing Bonus chapter, strategy guide and extras Game Center Support New iPad Retina Display Support Major features: In terms of hidden object games, most fall into either crime mysteries or dramatic stories involving the supernatural. By the title you…

Game Diary, Reviews

Classic Apple II Fighting Game Karateka Reborn for iOS, Here’s Our Review

Type of app: Side-scrolling Fighting game Platform/where to buy: iPad or iPhone; available in the App Store Developer: Jordan Mechner / Karateka LLC Major features: If you asked me to name the games that stand out from my Apple ][+ era in the early 80s, right alongside Castle Wolfenstein would be Jordan Mechner’s Karateka. The game was simplistic yet completely addictive as you would at first try to win by any means, then as you improved you would try different tactics, techniques until you could eventually make it all the way through with without losing any health. When I heard…

Gear Bits

A Quick Update on Our Experience Using Bluebird from American Express

We are in the throes of CES madness and running from meeting to meeting but I did want to take a few minutes to post a quick update on my Bluebird experience. You might recall it started smoothly enough. I opened an account and deposited $100 in cash at my local Walmart. All went smoothly. When I went to link my bank account to my Bluebird account I ran into a hiccup and it took three days for the process to come to fruition and the accounts be linked. It was no deal for me but for someone who was…

Reviews

Start8 by Stardock for Windows 8 Review

To date, my biggest pet peeve with Windows 8 is the lack of the Start Menu. Having used Windows since the early 90’s, the Start Menu is always the default way to locate files, programs, menus and everything else. It is the base from which everything else is accomplished. Redmond’s desire to encourage users to step away from the Start Menu may be the way we are heading in the future, but for me, it’s one step too far in learning to navigate my way through the new OS. So, that left me searching for Start Menu replacements. Samsung included…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

We’ve Got You Covered on the Road

Over the course of the next two weeks there will be a plethora of news coming from foreign and domestic automakers and affiliated partners (in addition to all the other news we are releasing here). Two of the largest shows of the year are getting underway in the form of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that begins this week and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. By now you know Gear Diary has a team on the ground covering CES all week, and a couple of us head to Motor City next week for…

Gear Bits, News & Features

Great Performances Looks at the Jewish Heritage of Musicals on Broadway

My wife got me tickets to see Spamalot last year, and I remember Sir Robin singing “In any great adventure, if you don’t want to lose…you won’t succeed on Broadway if you don’t have any Jews.” While I found the song a bit ponderous and over-long, it was pointed and dead on. At first it might seem like an anti-Semitic comment, but there is a huge difference between someone decrying ‘Jewish control’ or ‘Black dominance’ as some threat to Christian whites (see election 2012, Fox News, etc) … and recognizing the cultural contributions of ethnic, racial or religious groups. This…

Events

The Monster Products Press Conference

This morning Monster welcomed us with a list of speakers and special guests that ran the gamut of popular sports stars to other easily recognizable names. I heard a guy joke behind me, in the line as we waited to enter, that it seemed more like an awards show than a press conference. Perhaps… Noel Lee, the Head Monster, came out on a tricked out Segway (gold rims and a flame-job!), saying this was going to be the most exciting press conference we’d attend all day. With much enthusiasm, he said they’d be introducing a new line of mobility products,…

Editorials

Why I love my Samsung ATIV 500T enough to dump the iPad…

When the iPad first came out, I was as stunned and impressed as anyone, and anxious to have one of my own. My wife is largely supportive of my gadget addictions, but regarding the iPad, didn’t understand where it would “fit in” as a necessity when I already had an iPhone, laptop and desktop computer. She didn’t get it, even when I tried explaining it to her. (I believe that may be because when I talk about electronics that excite me, most of what she actually hears is “wah, wah, wah….wah…wah, wah…” ) So, I thought that Steve Jobs may…

News & Features

Griffin Expands Their Audio Lineup at CES

It is always exciting to see what new gear is on the horizon during CES. One of my favorite categories is audio accessories. Whether it is new ways to create audio and music or new ways to consume it, there is always something fun and interesting being released. Griffin always has a fresh lineup of interesting devices that promise to spice up anyone’s audio gear bag. Their latest releases include a way to create music on the go and some awesome new headphones. With StudioConnect the audio in and out is simple: Audio In – Plug instrument in through a mono…

Events, News & Features

Jabra Reveals New Audio Offerings at CES 2013

Jabra has just announced a new suite of corded and wireless stereo headphones said to “elevate music and multimedia experiences to a new dimension of sound performance”. The headphones, new Jabra Revo Wireless, Jabra Revo corded and Jabra Vox in-ear earphones, are designed for “hard-wearing, every day use and portability”. Jabra’s headphones aren’t designed to be eye-candy. Rather, they are intended for real wear, real use and, in the process, real abuse. To achieve this, the Jabra Revo Wireless and Jabra Revo headphones are constructed using an aluminium frame, steel hinges and a shatter-proof, flexible headband. Similarly, the Jabra Vox…

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Events, Reviews

Scansnap iX500 Scanner Review, the Best ScanSnap Scanner Yet

Scansnap’s scanners have been a mainstay of my move toward a paperless life. They have also played a huge role in my digitizing much of my rabbinic library. I wrote about it here and here and here. The hardware is always top-notch and the software integrates with the hardware to create an excellent and seamless workflow. And while I have enjoyed using the mobile scanners I’ve reviewed it has been the desktop versions of the device that have truly been a huge help to me as I have continued to convert my documents and library into electronic formats. The company…

Events, News & Features

Thanks to Our Meeting with MiPow, CES 2013 Is off to a Great Start!

It is not uncommon for CES to take some time to ramp up. In the past few years, surprises have been rare and products that grabbed our attention have been few and far between. That isn’t the case this year since, just minutes after checking into the Gear Diary suite here at the MGM Signature in Las Vegas, we had the chance to sit down with Brian Holmes, VP and General Manager of MiPow. We walked away impressed. Not familiar with MiPow? You will be, since the four-year old company is making its US debut here at CES 2013. We,…

Events, News & Features

CES News From Seagate

for 4pm One of our first meetings tomorrow is with Seagate. Each year for the past few years at CES they have had something new to share and this year looks to be no different. In fact, their announcements just went live and we wanted to give you a quick look prior to tomorrow’s hands-on. First up, the company has just announced their Seagate Wireless Plus. The Wireless Plus provides mobile storage for smart phones and tablets without the need for wires or access to the web. The Wireless Plus creates its own WiFi network and up to eight mobile…

Editorials, Events, News & Features

Forks Go Connected with HAPILABS HAPIfork

CES 2013 is ready to kick into gear. Judie and Kevin arrive late today. Carly will be here Tuesday. This is my 4th CES and we’ll be busier than I can ever recall. That’s a good thing. I’m especially looking forward to wandering the show floor as there are always some unexpected treasures. I do not, however, expect this to be one of them. The HAPILABS team will be showing their new HAPIfork, the world’s first connected fork that helps you lose weight by eating at the right time and at the right pace. Yes, the world’s first ever connected…

Events, Reviews

Toshiba Portege Z930 Ultrabook First Impressions

I am off to CES in just a few short days, and had originally planned to bring my long-in-the-tooth-but-still-going-strong Chromebook as a laptop solution. Then Gear Diary was invited to review the Toshiba Portege Z930 Ultrabook. The result? I will be blogging with a great deal more power and features during the show! We’ll have a full review soon, but I wanted to make sure to share my first impressions, and not just the “OH WOW” I had when I pulled it out of the box! Let’s start with the hardware. This thing is beautiful. It’s not metal like a Macbook Air, but a brushed metallic looking plastic. It…

Events, Travel

What’s Coming with Us to CES, the 2013 Edition

Every year we make the trek to Las Vegas, and every year we try to strike the perfect balance between the gear that we’ll need and a few extra things that will make our lives easier; the trick is to not forget anything vital or to too seriously overpack. Sometimes we get it right, and sometimes we fail miserably. Here’s what’s coming along this time … Judie: I’ve been going to CES since 2002, and you would think that by now I’d have a perfect kit prepared … but technology keeps changing, and so does my gear. I think I…

News & Features

Wilson Electronics’ New Sleek 4G Signal Booster Will Keep Your Connection Solid

If you are on the road a lot, then you know all about what it’s like to have your cellular signal act in a less than reliable manner. Watching your 4G/LTE signal drop down to zilch, then slide over to EDGE, 3G and then ultimately climb back to 4G — depending upon where you area, even though the areas are shown to have 4G coverage — is just part of using a mobile phone these days. . The same thing can happen when you are in a car, truck, boat, or any other moving vehicle. One way to combat this…

Gear Bits

Turn Off Your Phone When You Go to the Movies, Seriously

In this new year, one of the best resolutions you can make is to be more aware of your cell phone usage. I don’t mean be aware of how much data you use. No, I mean don’t be cellphone rude. I’ve written, and preached about my struggle to set better boundaries with my cell phone. It is an uphill battle for me (as Elana will readily affirm), but I am trying. One thing is for sure — when I go to the movies I not only put my phone away, but I turn it off. You should too. I’m reminded…

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