May 2014

Toast Cover Adds Natural Flair to the HTC One M8

The metal body of the HTC One M8 is a standout feature; it feels great, but it’s quite slippery. Covering such a gorgeous phone in any old case or skin seems like a travesty, but it needs something to give it grip. Toast has stepped up to the plate with their real wood Toast Cover;  do metal and wood mix?


Duck Dynasty Auto Air Freshener – $2.49 Shipped

Introducing the latest in the over-exposed stars of Duck Dynasty lineup –  $2.49 hanging auto freshener. This is a PER character price and you can’t specify your favorite but the company says they’ll try to give a variety if you order more than one. Scents include country vanilla and woodland musk and each character’s body pivots and bounces.


OpenStreetMap Powers ‘Scout for iPhone’ Global GPS Navigation

Telenav is announcing that their free Scout for iPhone app “will use the crowd-sourced and free OpenStreetMap (OSM) for all map data. OSM, the “Wikipedia of Maps,” offers users a more accurate and up-to-date map than what is available via commercial maps.” The OSM rollout starts today for some; all users will have it by the end of the week.


Evernote Tops 100 Million Users! #Evernote

Evernote just topped 100 million users; that’s pretty impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that those 100 million users can be found in any of 190 different countries. Taken together, the two numbers speak to the fact that the popular and powerful service meets a truly international need; this milestone reminded me that many of us were early subscribers.


HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 Notebook PC: Business Ready

Here’s something different — a Windows laptop that can handle just about every work scenario imaginable without looking like a dowdy, chunky, black box. The HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 takes several style points from Apple, and in the process becomes one of the thinnest, lightest, sleekest and best-looking notebook PCs I’ve handled. What makes it special?


The Sony RX100 III Is Pricey but Oh So Awesome

I absolutely love my Sony RX100 camera. It looks like a small point-and-shoot, but it takes amazing pictures thanks to its huge sensor and performance optics. Now Sony has announced a successor to the RX100s successor. The new Sony RX100 III will be arriving in June, and it offers a nice host of updates. At $800 it is pricey, though!


The Ghost Archives Gives Chilling S.O.U.L Adventures to iOS Devices!

While the basis of The Ghost Archives: Haunting of Shady Valley story is fairly typical for the genre – you are an agent investigating a haunted mining town whose inhabitants disappeared mysteriously and need your help to free them – the story itself and game wrapped around it are fun and engaging. Check out the free demo and see what you think!


Titanfall: Expedition Downloadable Content Pack Releases

Titanfall: Expedition has released on PC and Xbox One! It’s the first of three planned downloadable content (DLC) packs ($9.99 each) on Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC with the base first-person shooter game Titanfall. Players get three new maps – Runoff, Swampland and War Games. Runoff features an industrial complex while Swampland explains itself plus War Games features special simulation situations.


Get Legendary Protection with the Incipio LGND for iPhone 5S

If you like a folio style case protecting your iPhone 5S, and you don’t want to break the bank purchasing one, then you will want to check out the Incipio LGND for iPhone 5S. This case, available in four colors, has an MSRP of under $35. Slim and light, it offers excellent protection and a built-in stand.




INSTEON Connected Home System Gets Some Microsoft Love

I’m currently working on a review of the INSTEON Connected Home Control and Monitoring system. Simply put, I’m impressed and I think you will be too. This morning comes news that the company will be releasing Windows and Windows Phone Apps for the system. Moreover, INSTEON products will soon available in Microsoft Stores and at MicrosoftStore.com.


iFrogz Tadpole is a Tiny Speaker for On-the-Go

The iFrogz Tadpole Bluetooth mini speaker does not put out big, bold, quality sound. It doesn’t get great battery life, it’s not waterproof, and it doesn’t double as a speakerphone. It doesn’t have Bluetooth 4.0 or NFC. So the tadpole isn’t worth your time or money, right? Actually no, in the right situation it’s a rather compelling device. Here’s why.


Save Your S5’s Screen with the ZAGG Glass Screen Protector

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a huge beautiful screen that puts the iPhone 5S to shame. I was worried enough about protecting mine that I kept the protective shipping plastic in place. It reduced the clarity and touch sensitivity but helped guarantee the screen stayed safe until a better option arrived; the ZAGG Glass Screen Protector is that better option.




The Waterfield Outback Duffel Bag Is Ready to Go

Our friends at Waterfield have been on a roll lately and have announced a slew of new products. Now they are getting into the duffel bag business with their brand new Outback Duffel Bag; available in nylon or waxed canvas, it looks fantastic. The Waterfield Outback Duffel Bag offers enough customization to meet everyone’s needs with prices starting at $219.


PNY Turbo 128 GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

When it comes to flash memory, I’ve always believed that you get what you pay for. Saving five bucks isn’t worth it if you end up with a slow and balky dud. So when I heard that the PNY Turbo 128 GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive was available for under $50, I was skeptical to say the least.



Thecus N2560 NAS Review – Great Specs on a Budget

The N2560 Network Attached Storage system by Thecus is a mid-level NAS system and it packs an Intel Atom-based Dual-Core processor as well as 2GB of DDR3 RAM. It’s got HDMI and SPDIF Audio outputs on the back for direct media streaming, and can hold 2 HDDs. The N2560 is expected out in May/June 2014 and will retail for $339.


Could Brainscape Be the Future of Learning?

The future of e-learning is being shaped as we speak in New York City, where Andrew Cohen, Founder and CEO of Brainscape, is at the helm of this forward-thinking study platform.  Brainscape’s electronic flash card system is centered upon confidence-based repetition of cards; after you view the answer you have the opportunity to rate how well you understood it.