July 2014 | Gear Diary

Lumsing Mini Portable Power Bank: 5200mAh of Energy to Go!

I love it when an external battery pack includes everything needed to charge and be charged in one package, and that is where the $17 5200mAh Lumsing Mini Portable Power Bank really shines. Not only does it have a built in microUSB for charging your phone, it also has a built in USB charger for charging the battery itself. Measuring approximately 3″ long x 2″ wide x 0.8″ thick, the power bank is composed of shiny white plastic that is bisected by a rubber USB to microUSB cable that plugs into matching ports on the battery, ready to be unplugged when needed. But as usual, I…

Gear Bits

Bluetooth SSSSSpeaker is a Quirky Collapsible Crowd Pleaser

The quirky, collapsible Bluetooth speaker known as the SSSSSpeaker has been designed by aiia, a Ukrainian design firm and is looking for funding on Kickstarter right at this very moment. It is designed to fit in your pocket and is easy to take along everywhere you go. Check out the Kickstarter campaign to pledge your support today!

Game Diary, Reviews

Go Around the World With ’80 Days’ Interactive Adventure Game!

It has been just over a year since I reviewed inkle’s release of Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! interactive game, with the second chapter of that game coming later last year. Now they are back with an interactive game based on Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, and once again they have produced a compelling and stunning experience!

Reviews

Dog & Bone Wireless Charging Case and Battery Review

I have become a huge fan of wireless charging for phones. Being able to toss your phone on a small pad and let it charge is awesome. The only charging case I have used involved battery cases. Dog & Bone has allowed me to test both their wireless charging case with pad ($139.95) and extended battery ($49.95). Read on for the review.

Reviews

Tablift Tablet Stand Is Unrefined, but It Gets the Job Done

The introduction of the iPad ushered in the era of an entirely new category of device accessories. Among the impressive “add-ons” to come to market have been stands to allow for hands-free use; the tablift is one such accessory. The $59.95 stand isn’t the most refined hands-free tablet holder we’ve seen, but it more than gets the job done.

Reviews

Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera Review

If you are looking for a dash cam and don’t want to spend a bundle, the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera may be just the thing for you. With an MSRP of under $80, and a current price of under $60, is in an inexpensive way to record what happens in just about any vehicle.

News

Sony Xperia Ultra VS iPad Mini; You Might Be Surprised

The other day, Judie posted on Facebook that the 6.4″ Sony Xperia Ultra might replace both her Sony Xperia Z2 and her iPad Mini. I don’t see that happening for me, as the Z2 is so amazing. The Ultra is actually a great option from a financial perspective, but there are other reasons to consider it as well.

Vehicles & Gear

2014 Lexus LS 460 Shows Germans It Can Be a Good Sport

In 1989, Lexus introduced its flagship sedan to the world, dubbed LS. Over the past 25 years the luxury division of Toyota Motor Sales has tweaked and honed this impressive alternate choice to the German hierarchy into its current form of the LS 460, and offers it in standard, long wheelbase, hybrid and, as we tested, F Sport forms.

eBooks, Gear Bits

The Golden Notebook Nails Why Paper beats eBook

We are on vacation in Woodstock, NY, and the local bookstore had a very entertaining comic in the window. If the picture isn’t clear, it shows a 90lb weakling getting stronger from reading the complete works of Plato in hardcover, then smacking for using an ebook reader on the beach. Certainly one advantage to hardcover!

Reviews

Actiontec ScreenBeam Pro Wireless Display Receiver and Transmitter Review

The other day we took a look as a neat system that allows you to share the content of your Windows laptop or Android or iOS tablet. Today we’re looking at the Actiontec ScreenBeam Pro Wireless Display Receiver and USB Transmitter offer a fairly simple, and highly convenient, way to “Beam your Screen to your HDTV.”

News

7 Reasons an #Intel2in1 Might Be Ideal for College #ad

This is a sponsored post; we received compensation from Intel, but all opinions are the author’s. I’ve been using a Mac for more than 5 years and never thought I would go back to using a Windows laptop or desktop. When Intel offered me the opportunity to become part of the #Intel2in1 program, I couldn’t say no. I’m impressed by the device and think it might be ideal for someone heading off to college. Here’s why.

News

Kwikset Makes Kevo Remote Lock Even Better with Latest Update

Free, unlimited guest ekeys and more access control are two of the big changes that came to the Kwikset Kevo remote door lock. I’m working on a review of the system, and the timing of this could not be any better for me. It takes an impressive aftermarket smart home device and makes it even better.

News, Reviews

Squatty Potty: A Gear “Dare-iary” Review

It’s an age-old question: (put delicately) does a bear go to bathroom in the woods? Of course the answer is yes, but until a few generations ago, so did humans. The makers of the Squatty Potty toilet stool believe the progress that is indoor plumbing may be harmful to your colon health. Here’s a quick look at their proposed solution: First a little background. The team here at Gear Diary has a pretty lively online chat community where we discuss tech trends and possible review topics. But we also are friends who like to support each other when someone needs…

Game Diary, Reviews

Mario Kart 8 Review on Nintendo Wii U

This entertaining Wii U exclusive motors through multiple modes on the way to a satisfying racing experience. Mario Kart 8 continues a grand tradition in the game series with racing, friendly thwarting, and performance boosts featuring Gamepad play (as a second screen), outstanding graphics, and gameplay highlight sharing all in impressively colorful HD graphics.

Editorials

Facebook Has a Nomenclature Problem. I Have a Solution

Until recently Facebook was, for me, mostly about communicating with Judie and the Gear Diary team. In the past few weeks however that has changed. And as I have used Facebook more and more I’m finding the “Like” button to be a fundamental flaw in Facebook’s approach. When strong emotions are involved the “like” button simply doesn’t cut it.

Reviews

Incipio FREQUENCY Case for Sony Xperia Z2

While Judie continues to use her Sony Xperia Z2 sans case almost all the time I continue to look for the case that will be “just right.” Yes, I want something that is the right balance of protection, refinement, great looks and sharp, complimentary design. I hoped the Incipio FREQUENCY for the Sony Xperia Z2 might be it.

Gear Bits, News

Ultimate Ears UE Boom Limited Edition Announced

The Ultimate Ears UE Boom is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers we have had the opportunity to review. (Read my review.) Perhaps the most compelling aspect of it – besides the great sound, battery life and superb build quality – is the fact that ultimate ears has continually found ways to update the speaker since it was first released.

Gear Bits

TYLT ENERGI+ BACKPACK May Be Perfect for Back-to-School

TYLT offers some of the more interesting smartphone and tablet accessories on the market today. The TYLT ENERGI+ BACKPACK With Built-in Battery applies that same design talent to something that just may be the perfect backpack for anyone heading off to college next month. At just under $200 it may look pricey but it is actually a great deal.

Gear Bits, News

Blue Microphones Announces Mikey Digital with Lightning

I’m constantly on the hunt for new ways to grab better video and audio with my iPad mini. And while there have been a number of different external microphones that have come to market I have yet to find one that I wanted to use consistently. That may change with the release of the Blue Microphone Mikey Digital with Lightning.

Gear Bits

Synology DS415play 4-bay NAS System Coming Soon!

Synology has recently announced the new DS415play, a four-bay Network Attached Storage system targeted at home media streaming. The DS415play has built-in video transcoding so that you can stream your media to any media streaming device much more easily. This powerful NAS system can accept up to 20TB of raw storage! The DS415play will be available in August for $539.99.

Gear Bits, News

Booq Cobra Pack Backpack is Pricey but Impressive

Booq is one of those companies that, time and again, serves up bags, backpacks and sleeves that impress with both their design and their features. The new Booq Cobra pack is no exception. At $295 it is a pricey backpack but it promises to hold a ton of gear and serve you for years to come.