March 2014

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 First Impressions by a Linux Geek

Michael reviewed the Verizon edition of the Galaxy Note 3, and he liked it.  I bought one over the weekend instead of the HTC One (M8) that Carly bought, because of reviews like Michael’s and my experiences with using the Galaxy Note 2 for a month.  I feel that this STILL is one of the best phones on Verizon.


2014 Audi A6 TDI: The Diesel They Warned You About

You’ve probably seen the commercial, the one where the “know-it-all” guys are yelling at the female motorist telling her she is about to pump diesel fuel in her tank. Not sure how that campaign worked for Audi getting its point across that an attractive, quiet automobile can be a diesel, but driving the 2014 Audi A6 TDI sure works.


Want Better Comfort and Fit With Your Apple Earpods? Try Acoustibuds

The thing that has made products like Yurbuds successful is the way they rethink the design of in-ear monitors so they feel more secure, offer more comfortable and stay put. The flanges on the tips make all the difference. Acoustibuds take the same approach but do so with a BYOEB (Bring Your Own Earbud) model and cost under $15.


First Impressions of the HTC One M8

Over the weekend I marched into my local Verizon store and snapped up the new HTC One M8. It’s been a few years since I used Android, but the look and feel of the One were calling my name. We’ll have a full review soon, but since this phone is so new, I wanted to share a few first impressions!


Drink your Spirits With Spirit With the Neat Drinking Glass

When drinking spirits the right glass can have an impact on your enjoyment. The Neat Drinking Glass offers, “a superb, sensual, enjoyable tasting experience” whether you prefer rum, tequila, whiskey, scotch, vodka, or gin. The glass is designed to dissipate nose-numbing alcohol aromas and maximize the “breathing” process to enhance the flavor of all spirits. Just $27 at touchofmodern.com.



Secur Dynamo Spotlight Lantern Review

Hopefully the use of emergency lighting is reserved for camping and outdoor activities, but sometimes inclement weather and other events leave us in the dark. Either way, having lighting options with multiple charging possibilities can help keep us safe and comfortable. The Secur Dynamo Spotlight Lantern is a $35 product that will bring light and help charge your devices.


Bravo Audio V2 Tube Driven Headphone Amplifier Video Look

Headphone amplifiers are a great way to power personal listening devices that, like the Beyerdynamic 990Pro 250ohm headphones I recently picked up- require a bit of extra juice. The Bravo Audio V2 Tube Driven Headphone Amplifier is a rather unusual looking device that brings the old-school “tube amplifier” audio experience home at a low price. Here’s our video look.


Titanfall’s Developers Push Out Updates and Promise Future Free Content

Titanfall was released on 3/11/14 to a shower of positive reviews.  Since then, players have logged countless hours and have made some general complaints.  Respawn Entertainment, Titanfall’s developer, has been surprisingly responsive to its fans with regard to server outage updates as well as quickly releasing game balancing and bug-fix updates.  Just yesterday, a beta matchmaking balance update was released.


Grab and Go with the SuperTooth Disco4

We reviewed the Supertooth Disco and were blown away by the unique look and amazing sound. (Read the review.) We reviewed its update a year later, as well as the Disco Twin that offers left and right speakers. Now the company is back with the SuperTooth Disco4. It offers NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, a unique design, and a mind-blowing price.




SNAP! Offers Universal Mounting of Your Mobile Devices

If you are one of those people who simply must see and have your phone with you at all times — you know who you are — then SNAP! may be the perfect mounting system for you. A universal female part clips into a universal male part, so the system will work with just about every mobile device!



Music to Go with Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox

Small speakers like the Jawbone mini Jambox are designed to be taken along on your daily journeys. Protecting the speaker and carrying a few key accessories is important and our friends at Waterfield designs have a stylish new way for you to do just that. The Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox comes in two colors for just $49.


What’s Your Daily Driver Smartphone (and Why)?

When we talk about a daily driver device, we’re referring to a smartphone that’s with us no matter where we go — our primary way of communicating with the world, our most favored device which, for now, just might come as close to the perfect device as possible.


Harman Kardon CL On-Ear Headphones

Judie recently reviewed the Harman Kardon SOHO on-ear headphones. She was impressed. These on-ear headphones are, to a certain degree, an update and replacement for the Harman Kardon CL on-ear headphones. The CLs aren’t a new product but they still offer terrific comfort and great sound. And these $199 headphones can be found at a steep discount here on Amazon.



2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude with 4×4 Attitude

With the recent departure of the Compass model from Jeep showrooms, the automaker now anchors the entry end of its lineup with the Patriot compact SUV that boasts Jeep styling, Trail Rated 4×4 capability and, according to Jeep, is still the best priced SUV in America. For 2014 Patriot now offers up to 30 mpg thanks to a new transmission.


Iconic TV Snark Site ‘Television Without Pity’ Gets Cancelled

  I have a specific morning reading routine. While I eat breakfast, I quickly browse Feedly for news, and then I head to Television Without Pity to catch up on the television shows I never have time to watch. Replace Feedly with Google Reader, and that’s been my routine for 10 years. On April 4th, though, TWoP is shutting down!


TAG Heuer MERIDIIST INFINITE Uses Wysips Crystal Technology for Charging

The TAG Heuer MERIDIIST INFINITE phone being shown at Baselworld 2014 may be just another overpriced luxury phone of questionable smartness, but it has one trick up its sleeve that makes it pretty freaking cool — photovoltaic charging. In other words, due to Wysips Crystal Technology, the battery charges when the phone is exposed to light — sunlight or artificial(!!!).