April 2014

Holy Grail Tempered Glass Screen Protector Winners

News

Holy Grail Tempered Glass Screen Protector Winners

We reviewed the Sir Lancelot’s Armor Holy Grail Tempered Glass Screen Protector and announced it was shipping and widely available. We also had one black and one white screen protector for the iPhone 5S away. Well, the winners have been picked and they are… I have one of these screen protectors on my iPhone 5S and love it. I finally got a screen protector on my iPhone without bubbles and, unless you are looking for it, you can’t even tell it is there. We are thrilled that two more iPhones are going to be protected by these great accessories. Winners…

The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker Impresses in the Great Outdoors

Outdoors, Reviews

The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker Impresses in the Great Outdoors

The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker is a wireless, 20-Watt portable that’s designed for outdoor use.  It’s powered by Bluetooth 4.0, has NFC pairing capabilities, and it has a built-in 10-hour rechargeable battery which can serve as a power bank for smaller devices; the Nyne Bass can also be used as a speakerphone.  You can purchase yours for $149.95.

X-Doria Rapt for iPhone: Protective Wrapping at Its Best

Reviews

X-Doria Rapt for iPhone: Protective Wrapping at Its Best

If you are looking for a thin, minimalist case that offers decent protection and doesn’t look like every other minimalist case, then the X-Doria Rapt for iPhone 5C is for you. This case is under $25, comes in three different color combinations, and it does a good job of keeping your iPhone 5C pristine. 

Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight Review

Outdoors, Reviews

Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight Review

Being an outdoorsman can be taxing on the gear I use. Everything I carry is subject to being dropped and knocked around, as well as the elements. I usually go through several lights a year due to them breaking or getting wet. Rayovac may solve this issue with the Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight. Can the $39.99 spotlight hold up?

Get Ready for Game of Thrones Season 4 with This 25 Minute Recap

Gear Bits

Get Ready for Game of Thrones Season 4 with This 25 Minute Recap

In anticipation of Game of Thrones Season 4 tonight on HBO, Kev and I rewatched Season 3. Last night, after the season finale, we noticed this gem on HBOGo — a 25 minute recap of season 3’s high points. If you are a fan of the show, but you’re fuzzy on last season’s details, it’s time to catch up!

MyTask Case

Crowdfunding, Gear Bits

MyTask: The “Swiss Army” iPhone Case

Smartphones are great, and for many people they replace quite a few things, from alarm clocks and day planners to cameras and GPS. But sometimes you need something more than just your phone, and the MyTask case aims to make that easier than cramming the pockets on your cargo pants. Need a pen or spoke wrench? This case has you covered.

Beyzacases Executive S for iPad Mini with Retina - Beautiful and Protective

Reviews

Beyzacases Executive S for iPad Mini with Retina – Beautiful and Protective

If you work in extreme conditions, have a toddler, or have concerns that your iPad might be crushed or cracked due to general klutziness or negligence, then it probably makes sense that you keep yours in a bulky plastic exoskeleton. But if you prefer something protective yet visually appealing and refined, then the Beyzacases Executive S is worth considering.

Nokia Lumia 1020 Contract Free - $499 At Microsoft Store

News

Nokia Lumia 1020 Contract Free – $499 At Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is showing this contract-free AT&T Nokia Lumia 1020 for $499. Compare to AT&T with a $609 no-contract cost. The phone is lauded by most for its 41 megapixel camera and 4.5″ PureMotion display. Windows Phone is  a mobile operating system in progress, but this is a great deal if your main concern is beautiful photos. 

Kanex Multi-Sync Bluetooth Keyboard Review - Keyboard Multitasking!

Reviews

Kanex Multi-Sync Bluetooth Keyboard Review – Keyboard Multitasking!

Bluetooth keyboards are a dime a dozen; we’ve covered scores of them here at Gear Diary. Most are variations on the same old keyboard, but the Kanex Multi-Sync Bluetooth Keyboard falls into the “how did I live without this” category very quickly. Do you have an iPad and a Mac or PC? Then you need this keyboard.

Verizon Matches AT&T Price Changes

News

Verizon Matches AT&T Price Changes

In yet another salvo of “Bring Your Own Device” price-matching Verizon customers who are on an Edge plan will now pay similar monthly amounts as if they were on a comparable AT&T plan (aka Next).  Remember  this only applies to Edge plan customers, which means you aren’t subject to a contract because you’ve paid full price for your phone .

Amazon Announces Fire TV, a Set-Top Streaming Game and Video Box

News

Amazon Announces Fire TV, a Set-Top Streaming Game and Video Box

Today Amazon announced Fire TV, a 1080p streaming set-top box. Fire TV is available for shipment starting today and sells for $99. Amazon is touting the voice search, Prime integration, and access to the most popular services as well as gaming. They also emphasize the ease of setting the system up, getting online and getting right to your favorite content!

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio - Power, Quality, & Good Looks

Reviews

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio – Power, Quality, & Good Looks

We recently took a first look at the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio Wireless Bluetooth speaker system with rechargeable battery. The power, the audio quality, and its sharp looks immediately impressed me. I’ve been using the speaker almost full-time at home since receiving it, and I wanted to do a more complete review. Short version: I love it!

Inbox Out of Control? Unroll.me Might Be Able to Help

News

Inbox Out of Control? Unroll.me Might Be Able to Help

I get such a ridiculous amount of email every day, and much of it I don’t even need or want to read. I use Gmail, so spam is largely kept under control, but subscriptions and email lists seem to constantly pile up; unsubscribing is not always successful. I’ve been trying Unroll.me for the past week, and I think it’s helping.

Homestar Runner Updated for the First Time in Four Years

Gear Bits

Homestar Runner Updated for the First Time in Four Years

Homestar Runner was one of my favorite websites in college.  The mix of crazy characters, funny voices, strange situations, and quotable lines was a hit with my friends and me.  However, over the years, the creators, The Brothers Chaps, slowly stopped updating the site.  But after four years, it was finally updated yesterday. Go check it out!

AncestryDNA Test - What Will It Tell Me About My Ancestors?

Reviews

AncestryDNA Test – What Will It Tell Me About My Ancestors?

  Genealogy is more than just a hobby for me, it’s something I tend to get a bit obsessive about. I’ve been curating my family’s tree for over ten years, building upon my maternal grandmother and uncle’s research before me. The latest tool in my arsenal will hopefully be the AncestryDNA test, which I recently completed and sent in for evaluation.

Wake Up Rocking with the Soundfreaq Sound Rise

Gear Bits, News

Wake Up Rocking with the Soundfreaq Sound Rise

Last year Soundfreaq released a number of nicely priced Bluetooth speakers and docks with impressive features and excellent sound for the money. Now they have announced the availability of their newest speaker, the Soundfreaq Sound Rise. The Sound Rise is a modern take on the bedside alarm clock; it has all the features you want and then some.

Noreve Debuts New Leather Cases for the HTC One M8

News

Noreve Debuts New Leather Cases for the HTC One M8

I have been gushing about the quality look and feel of my new HTC One M8 for the last several days. It feels exactly like you’d expect a flagship phone to feel, with solid construction and beautiful cool metal exterior. A phone this nice needs quality protection, and our friends at Noreve have gorgeous leather offerings for the new One.