April 2014

Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED 3D Lantern Review

I recently reviewed the LED Spotlight from Rayovac. Luckily I got the opportunity to review the Virtually Indestructible LED 3D Lantern, also from the Virtually Indestructible family. The lantern boasts some of the same great features usable in a different format. Will the $29.99 lantern need to be added to your outdoor gear list? Let’s take a look.


HyperJuice 2 External Battery for MacBook Pro: Power When You Need It

I’ve written many reviews on extended battery packs for mobile devices, but this is the first time I’ve had an external battery that was capable of charging my MacBook Air or MacBook Pro along with all my other mobile devices at the same time. Why would anyone need or want something as big and powerful as the HyperJuice? Well …


Ventev Glide for Samsung Galaxy S5 Review

The other day we took a look at the Ventev glide for the iPhone 5S. A pouch-style leather case, it features the benefit of pushing your phone up and out of the pouch when you need to pull it out and use it. The company also offers the Ventev glide for Samsung Galaxy S5; here’s our video review.


Slickwraps Carbon Fiber Wrap for the HTC One M8 Review

I have never been enamored of skins for my smartphones. Over the years I’ve tried several, but I always found them to be too tacky, or they peeled immediately, or I couldn’t get the bubbles out. But when Slickwraps offered the chance to review their new HTC One M8 skins, I figured it was time to give skins another shot!


Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor – Convenient Health Monitoring

For the first few years after I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, I took a medication known for harsh side effects. I was largely unaffected, but I did develop high blood pressure as a result. It is in check but needs to be monitored daily. My latest tool in the battle to stay healthy? The Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor.  


Fun with the HTC One M8 Camera!

The HTC One M8 camera is actually a twofer-there’s the main lens and then a secondary one, designed to allow for depth of field and other fun editing tricks. The result is that the right photo can go from nice to WOW in just a few clicks!


STM Bags Drifter Laptop Backpack, Relaxed Looks but Serious Business

STM Bags offers an impressive array of different bags and cases to help protect your gear. One of their newest products is the STM Bags Drifter Laptop Backpack. I’ve been using it on and off for a couple of weeks, and I am impressed. Don’t let its relaxed, casual looks fool you, this is a serious laptop backpack!


Peacekeeper Mini: Prepare for Absolutely Everything

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, another “interesting” crowdsourced project comes to light. I’m all for being prepared–I keep a roadside emergency kit in my car–but sometimes you can take it just a bit too far. That might be the case with the Peacekeeper Mini, a combination flashlight and pepper spray with bluetooth/GPS “crowd alert” technology.



HTC One M8 Review: The Best Smartphone I’ve Ever Used!

The HTC One M8 is the best smartphone I’ve ever used. That may seem like hyperbole, but I’ve counted, and I have personally owned 10 smartphones in the last 8 years, so the One had some serious competition for the title. How did it rise above the rest? Read on to find out!


HEX Announces Hayward Collection of Bags

Just in time for spring, HEX just announced the release of their new Hayward Collection. This new line of bags, cases and carry-alls includes 15 different pieces. Available at a variety of price-points, the Hayward Collection takes the style and design for which HEX is known, and uses a spring color palette to bring it to life.


Element Case Rogue Ducati iPhone 5S Case Looks Sharp, Protects Well

I loved the Element Case Rogue for iPhone 5S we reviewed last month. It is a fantastic rugged case that combines great materials, superb style and plenty of protection. Now the company has released the Element Case Rogue Ducati iPhone 5S Case. The color scheme and Ducati label combine to create a beautiful and unique case. Here’s our video look.


G5 Entertainment Makes Twin Moons Free Through Easter Weekend!

Last year I reviewed the iPad version of Twin Moons, raving about the experience and saying “adding choice to an already excellent game simply tips the scales just that much further.” And from now through April 20th you can get this fun hidden object adventure from Cateia and G5 for free on all platforms including iOS, Android and more!


Ford Mustang Turns 50

Happy Birthday, Ford Mustang! The venerable icon Pony car turns 50 today and there has certainly been plenty of hoopla surrounding the event including placing an all-new 2015 Mustang atop the observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York City. Ford also announced a special edition Mustang at the New York Auto Show this week.


Scout for iPhone App Updated to Include In-Route Suggestions

The Scout for iPhone app was already a great personal navigator powered by over 100 million traffic sources, and loaded with “traffic-conquering tools designed specifically for when you’re on the go”, but now it is even more powerful. Now you can search for popular food and drink places along your route while navigating, and you’ll get cheap parking guidance, too. Ever had a craving for a snack or needed gas on a road trip? Most GPS navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps don’t let you search while you’re already navigating. Those that do forget you’re already headed somewhere, which means…


Soda Drinker Pro is Coming to an Xbox One Near You This September

I’m not even sure where to start with this one, so I’ll get right to it.  Soda Drinker Pro, a “soda drinking simulation game” that  features interesting graphics is coming to the Xbox One in September.  Soda Drinker Pro will feature Kinect support.  You may want to take a look at the video below for more on SDP. Soda Drinker Pro on the Xbox One will also feature the game’s secret game-within-a-game called Vivian Clark, which is a trippy platforming mini-game.  I’m not sure about you, but I can’t wait to mimic drinking soda in front of my Kinect while…


CasinoRPG Worlds First Casino MMORPG Launched Today

CasinoRPG, the world’s first casino based MMORPG, has exited beta testing today and is now completely open to the public!  I was an original Kickstarter backer and followed the beta process to the full game as it is today.  In this persistent open world, you can build up your empire by starting to play for free today!


What Do You Do When Paid-For Android Apps Disappear?

After purchasing my Galaxy Note 3, I did what most people do — I loaded all of my favorite Android apps. One of these was the paid app Weatherbug Elite,  which I had originally bought for the G1. Unfortunately, it is no longer supported or in the Play Store — the only available version is the unpaid (and ad-riddled) version.



On Tax Day, Here’s Where YOUR Money Is Going

If you live in the US, you know that April 15th is tax day — when tax returns must be filed along with payments for all taxes owed from the previous year. Have you ever stopped to think about where your tax dollars are actually being spent? The White House has released a tool that can show you (in general).


Even an Arachnophobe Will Love the Harman Sound Spider

I had a meeting at the Harman International flagship store in Manhattan yesterday. I arrived early, so I spent some time checking out the store. While there, I helped sell a pair of JBL S400BT wireless headphones, and I took a closer look at the Harman Sound Spider; it lets you listen to headphones before you buy.