January 2014

TP-Link Debuts its 300Mbps Wireless Range Extender Powerline Edition at CES 2014

TP-Link has debuted its new 300Mbps Wireless Range Extender Powerline Edition, which improves upon traditional wireless signals by creating a stable connection through your home’s existing electrical wiring.  With the TL-WPA4220KIT, you’re able to access your network via WiFi as well as wired Ethernet without wiring your house with Ethernet cable.  Read more about it at TP-Link’s website.


Scosche Launches superCUBE at CES 2014? – Smallest 12W USB Wall Charger

Over the last few years I have loved the moves to smaller and smaller chargign blocks for devices, which seems to be reversing as new ‘fast charge’ devices like iPad Air and Kindle Fire HDX require more power, meaning bigger blocks. So it was a welcome announcement that Scosche Launches superCUBE at CES 2014 – Smallest 12W USB Wall Charger. “Many of our customers have both Lighting and micro USB powered devices and become frustrated with how long a dedicated charger can take to power their other mobile devices,” said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President Scosche Industries. “superCUBE allows our…


Lynx Brings Gas Grills into the Modern Age with its Smart Grill Concept

When’s the last time you heard of a truly innovative gas grill?  Lynx has just announced a concept that will bring the outdoor kitchen into the modern age.  Using smartphone integration and voice commands, Lynx’s Smart Grill can automatically cook your food using pre-programmed recipes created by master grillers.  Read more about it at Lynx’s website.


Hate Doing Windows? WINBOT Is the Bot for You.

When Elana and I moved into our current home, we increased the number of windows more than ten-fold. Yes, our house is more windows and sliding doors than it is wall. We love it, but boy does that glass get dirty. That’s where the WINBOT I saw today on the floor at CES 2014 could come in quite handy.


Seido Rolls out New Cases at CES

It wouldn’t be CES without case manufacturers announcing new accessories for the smartphone and tablet market, and the folks at Seido are no exception. Seido has been churning out quality cases for years, going back to ye olde Palm OS days, and they are ready to protect your Galaxy Note 3, iPad, and iPhone with style!


3D-Printed Instruments Hit Some Sharp Notes

When our buddy Paul Strauss, aka TheAwesomer, told me he just heard a band playing instruments that were all created on 3D-Printers while walking the floor at CES 2014 I was a skeptic. Instruments that were printed? I thought he was pulling my leg. Then I heard them and (cue up the Monkeys…), I’m a Believer.


Scosche Announces magicMOUNT System for Car Home And Office

Almost everyone carries around a smart device of one kind or another. It is great that these devices have become such wonderful tools in our lives, but how often do you need a place to set them? Scosche has announced a system of magnetic magicMOUNT device mounts for the car, home or office. Full press release after the break. LAS VEGAS – January 07, 2014 –Scosche is excited to unveil the magicMOUNT system of cradle free magnetic mounts for car, home or office.  User’s simply apply the magicPLATE directly to their device and hover it over one of Scosche’s new magicMOUNTs to…


Need For Speed Rivals Review on PlayStation 4

Need For Speed Rivals challenges your reaction times, satisfies exploration desires, and increases thrill tolerances in an amazing open-world racing game, the twentieth in the series from Electronic Arts. Developed by Ghost and Criterion Games, Need For Speed Rivals, blends the single and multiplayer modes into a seamless experience with endless progression possibilities, weapon abilities, and constant challenges.


Blumoo Home Audio Remote Debuts at CES 2014?

The other day the local youth bureau called asking if my kids could help an older person set up a universal remote for multiple devices – and they declined because I was the only one in our house who knew our system! This is true for millions, making it great news as Blumoo Home Audio Remote Debuts at CES 2014!


Polaroid and iLuv Announcements from CES 2014!

The stream of cool stuff continues with some cool looking new Polaroid and iLuv Announcements from CES 2014. The list of their introductions is insane and impossible to capture here, but it includes Polaroid cameras, tablets, smartphones, and Roku-ready HD TVs; and from iLuv no less than 14 speakers, earbuds, iPad folios and iPhone cases!


PlayStation Now Service Coming Summer 2014

Sony has recently announced their PlayStation Now service will debut this summer at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2014 conference. a beta program will begin in the US at the end of January 2014. This new “cloud-based gaming” service will first include the PlayStation 4 and 3 consoles then the PlayStation Vita handheld console and also televisions, tablet computers, and smartphones. Andy House, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, made the announcement yesterday (Tuesday).


IK Multimedia Announces iRing at CES 2014

Since my wife bought me the original iRig a few years ago I have been a huge fan of stuff from IK Multimedia, currently absolutely loving the iRig Keys Pro. Now they are heading in a different direction as IK Multimedia announces iRing at CES 2014. iRing is the first motion-tracking controller for iOS music apps and offers unprecedented control.


Surreal Melting Watch Inspired By Salvador Dali Distorts Your Mind

Everyone at CES is talking wearable technology, from Google Glass to Pebble to fitness trackers and more. But what about the most basic wearable – the wrist watch? Gadgets & Gear is back with a cool ‘melting watch’ inspired by the classic Salvador Dalí’s painting ‘The Persistence of Memory’. With this on your wrist you will definitely make a statement! The watch features include: •Chrome Analog Watch •Quartz Precision Movement •Black Rubber Band •Case Color: Silver •Face Color: White •A Perfect Gift For Art Lovers! Here is the description: Not Only is This Watch Real, It’s Surreal! When Dalí created…


Digital Innovations introduces ScreenDr Antimicrobial at CES 2014

Earlier this week Dan reported that Corning introduced anti-microbial glass this week at CES, which is great news for next-generation devices. But for now, all we get is the knowledge that our touch-screens are gross. Fortunately Digital Innovations introduces ScreenDr Antimicrobial at CES 2014 to address our filthy screens, as our phones and tablets are dirtier than toilet seats! Here is what they are saying: “Phones and tablets are now among our dirtiest belongings,” said Collin Anderson, CEO of Digital Innovations. “They are with us all the time, get used everywhere and are constantly being passed from person to person….


CES Innovations Honorees and the Gear Diary Connection

It is always cool to see which products win CES Innovation Honors. It is even cooler to see products we have covered from companies with whom we work among them. Judie and I spent time yesterday checking a few out. Here are some CES Innovations Honorees we have have previously shared with you.


JoyTunes Brings Real Music Learning With Piano Dust Buster and Piano Mania Apps

For most people ‘playing the piano’ is one of their bucket list items. For many kids – and parents – it means expensive lessons and disruptive trips to teachers, and often a non-stop battle to practice! JoyTunes seeks to make piano learning more fun with their Piano Dust Buster and Piano Mania apps for iPhone and iPad! According to JoyTunes: JoyTune’s Piano Mania and Piano Dust Buster 2.0 mobile apps teach users to play the piano through exciting game-like lessons that only take a few minutes each day. The unique program is so effective that kids can transition their skills…


Want to Love Windows 8? Try a Samsung Ultrabook!

I owe Microsoft Windows 8 an apology. See, when I first tested it, I thought it was dreadful. But I’ve become more comfortable with the Metro interface between my trusty Lumia 928 and using a Surface RT, and it is starting to grow on me. What really changed my mind, though, is the Samsung Ultrabook I have been testing for review!


AT&T Drives New Tesla Connectivity

Another day at the CES show in Las Vegas and another round of announcements from automakers concerning the newest technology they are employing in current and future vehicles. AT&T has announced an agreement with Tesla, an all-electric vehicle manufacturer, to enable current and future models with high speed wireless connectivity in the form of 4G LTE.


Ford Announces Four New SYNC Apps at CES

At CES in Las Vegas today, Ford Motors announced four new apps for SYNC’s AppLink.  Now, you’ll be able to order Dominos, monitor on your home’s security system with ADT, play music automatically based on your mood with HABU, or find the nearest parking spot with Parkopedia and pay for it with Parkmobile.  Click each link to find out more. Ford also announced that they will be hosting a developers conference in June, 2014 to focus on bringing new apps into your car.  It sounds like Ford is making a push to drastically improve their in-car SYNC interface and bring…


JVC Announces Rugged Line of Everything-Proof Everio Camcorders

JVC announced a couple new Everio camcorders that combine the features of GoPro-type action cameras with full-featured camcorders.  The GZ-R70 and GZ-R10 both feature JVC’s “Quad-Proof” structure which is water resistance to a depth of 5m, has the ability to withstand a drop from 1.5m, is dust proof, and freeze proof to 14°F. These action cam’s on steroids go beyond your typical smartphone or action camera by including 40x optical zoom, 2.5 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, audio that zooms with the image, and compatibility with third party editing software.  The GX-R70 and the GZ-R10 are differentiated by internal memory…