March 2014

Toshiba TransMemory Pro 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

When I think back on how much I spent on small amounts of slow flash storage just a few years ago, I cannot help but shake my head. Who could have imagined there would be flash drives offering 128GB of USB 3.0 storage? That, however, is exactly what you get with the new Toshiba TransMemory Pro USB 3.0 Flash Drive.


South Park: The Stick of Truth Review for PlayStation 3

In South Park: The Stick of Truth, players explore the small Colorado town, engage in turned-based fighting, and encounter endless characters. Almost every conceivable element from the animated television series has been transferred over to this video game adaptation. In fact, developers have created an authentic simulation microcosm of the show where any player (fan or not) can visit any time.


Phosphor Touch Time Is a “Smarter” Watch

Phosphor launched a line of watches using an E-Ink display some time ago. Now they have released their brand new Phosphor Touch Time. This new line used an LCD display, sports a touchscreen and “smartwatch-like” apps. No, this is not a smart watch, but it is a smarter watch. Lets take a look at this $159 item.



iBatzz Battstation Optimus 20400 Extended Battery: Enough Power to Share

It’s become a running joke that I always have to one-up my friend Helena when comparing our extended batteries at tech events. While I am certainly not consciously competing over which of us can carry the biggest battery, there is truth to the fact that I prefer larger extended batteries; the new iBatzz Battstation Optimus 20400 certainly fits this bill.


2014 Toyota Tundra: Lifestyle Edition

Last year, Senior Editor Dan Cohen and I were introduced to the new 2014 Toyota Tundra fullsize pickup in separate launch events, his in an eastern state and mine out west. In his review, Dan began a conversation related to consumers who buy trucks out of necessity, but here in the Lone Star State, many are purchased merely for want.



GE X450 Camera Lets You Put Your Photography on a Budget

General Electric is not known for its photographic equipment they have actually been producing some decent inexpensive options. No, these cameras aren’t as compact as your smartphone, and they aren’t as powerful as the offerings from Sony, Canon, or Nikon, but the GE cameras do get the job. Their most recent entry is the GE X450 camera. Let’s take a look.


The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini Is Almost Awesome

I’m a huge fan of Logitech’s various keyboard cases and covers for the iPad, and because I am seriously considering putting my iPad Air up on eBay, I decided to check out the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini. I hoped it would be a great productivity tool as my iPad mini becomes even more central to my workflow.


Jabra Rox Wireless: Here and Ready to Rock Your World

Jabra’s made some nice moves in the wireless audio work in recent years. Their Jabra Revo Wireless headphones are impressive (read the review) and the Jabra Solemate not comes in Mini, original and Max. Now the company’s newest offering, the Jabra Rox Wireless headphones are available. Read on for details and for a video review recap. I love the thin, light design of these headphones and the use of magnets to not only keep the buds together when they aren’t in use AND automatically put the headset into power saving mode. If they sound good (which, based on past experience with…



Stealth Protection with Element Case Rogue Black Ops for iPhone 5S

The Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops case we reviewed means business, the Element Case Solace Chroma we reviewed is refined; the Element Case Rogue Black Ops for iPhone 5S is a beast, and that’s a good thing. The rugged and protective case costs $99.95, and it is available in four different color combinations.


Spy Tec Inventio-HD Sunglasses – Agent 99 Would Approve

When I was a kid, my favorite show was “Get Smart”. I really wanted to be a spy, until I found out it wasn’t all bumbling around talking into your shoe and hanging out with Agent 99. But I’ve been testing the Spy Tec Inventio-HD Sunglasses the last few weeks, and it’s brought back my old childhood love of spying!


The Holy Grail of Protection Lets You Install, Protect, Remove, Repeat

In June of last year we reviewed Sir Lancelot’s Armor. (Read it.) “The Holy Grail“, it is the first line of reusable screen protectors that are made from tempered bulletproof glass. With a rank of #9 on the Mohs scale of hardness — only a diamond ranks higher- it promises to keep your screen safe. And it is reusable.


You Need to Check Out the Freebie App Smash Hit on iOS/Android

My new favorite iOS game is an auto-runner where you throw pinballs at glass obstacles to see how long you can last before you run out of balls.  In the iOS/Android freebie, Smash Hit, you float through a gorgeously futuristic and ever-changing landscape trying to survive the ever-present threat of obstacles getting in your way while enjoying beautifully synchronized music.


Get Connected With the New Jabra MOTION Office Bluetooth Headset System

Jabra is introducing a new phone system that gives you an assortment of different ways to connect. The new Jabra MOTION Office Bluetooth Headset System adds three different kinds of connectivity and a simple way to control it all. Based on the Jabra MOTION Bluetooth headset the system will be $380 when it arrives Q2. It puts Jabra to work. 


Sonos Delivers New Ways to Control Your Music

I have a wide range of audio devices from which to choose. The one I use most? My Sonos system. (Check out our Setting Up Sonos video here.) Sonos has expanded their speaker offerings but the iOS and Android apps have remains mostly unchanged. Until now. New apps are on the way and they promise more music enjoyment than ever.  


999: The Novel’s Thrilling Release

Aksys Games has released 999: The Novel on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for $4.99. Kotaro Uchikoshi wrote this mind-bending, interactive thriller, based on the hit 2010 Nintendo DS game Zero Escape: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors or 999, where readers can track their chosen path and can actually go back to take a different route if needed.


Micro USB Data Sync Blocker – Lets You Practice Safe Charging While On The Road

There’s been plenty written about the possible consequences of using a charging/sync cable to connect your smartphone to an unknown power source while on the road. Security-conscious travelers fear their cable could be used for illicit purposes by a jerry-rigged charging port which secretly pulls data from their phone while it is charging. Enter the Data Sync Blocker.


All-New 2014 Mazda3 Is the Next ‘Great Little Car’

The Mazda3 recently turned 10 years old, and to celebrate the automaker gave the world an all-new, third-generation model. Mazda‘s been a bridesmaid to other Japanese automakers for years, but with new releases like the CX-5, Mazda6 and this little gem, Mazda proves it deserves to be in the same conversations as the likes of Toyota and Honda.


VinGarde Valise Wine Suitcase Gets Bottles There Intact

A press release recently came across the Gear Diary email transom announcing a new wine suitcase from Wineline that they call the VinGarde Valise. This prompted a discussion among our editors about who would possibly ever need a suitcase for their beverages. As usual, I had a real-life anecdote about something I did while traveling that proved the case for the case.