September 2014

Apple Love letter: Gives Me More Apple iCloud Storage for Less!

News

Apple Love letter: Gives Me More Apple iCloud Storage for Less!

Here’s something you don’t see everyday, Apple just emailed me that they are increasing my iCloud storage from 55GB to 200GB. That’s nothing unusual as Dropbox recently did a similar upgrade. But Apple also changed pricing of Apple iCloud. 55GB was $100 while the new 200GB is under $45. Without my asking Apple is sending me a refund. That $45 comes just in time to help defray a tiny bit of the cost of my new iPhone 6+. How about you? Did you just get a love letter from Apple?

HTC One M8 Update Brings Extreme Power Saving and a Fix for Pocket Resets!

News

HTC One M8 Update Brings Extreme Power Saving and a Fix for Pocket Resets!

If you have an HTC One M8 on Verizon, here’s great news: the Android 4.4.3 “KitKat” update is out today, and it brings two excellent goodies with it! First, we’re finally getting Extreme Power Saving mode, designed to eke every drop out of a dying battery. Second, they’ve tweaked the lockscreen security app to prevent accidental resets!

Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case Review

Reviews

Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case Review

I never thought that I’d enjoy using much less carrying a phablet with a 6.4″ screen, but the Sony Xperia Z Ultra has really grown on me. Up until last week I was carrying it caseless, but that’s changed since receiving the Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case; it is lovely, protective, and a pleasure to use.

The Ultimate "99 Luftballons" Cover Takes Red Balloons Literally

News

The Ultimate “99 Luftballons” Cover Takes Red Balloons Literally

I have a pretty great Pandora playlist curated for myself, and one of my favorites that comes up is Goldfinger’s cover of Nena’s “99 Red Balloons”. I like the original too, but my new favorite way to hear the song is definitely this very creative version using literal red balloons as instruments. This takes some serious creativity and talent!

Verizon Wireless Offers Free iPhone 6 Deal

Gear Bits

Verizon Wireless Offers Free iPhone 6 Deal

Verizon Wireless is offering the newly announced iPhone 6 (16GB version) free to customers who turn in their existing iPhone and sign a two-year agreement with them. In this Verizon Wireless iPhone 6 deal, participants have to trade in their functional iPhone models 4, 4S, 5, 5S or 5C.

2015 Lincoln Navigator Gets Upgrades...and Knobs

Vehicles & Gear

2015 Lincoln Navigator Gets Upgrades…and Knobs

Lincoln Motor Company is in the midst of a product revival, a task not helped by rumors of its demise not too long ago. In fact, new product has been rolling off the assembly lines of Ford’s luxury division over the past couple of years in the form of the MKZ/MKZ Hybrid and MKC models, and amidst this they have given the flagship of the fleet – Navigator – a decent makeover for 2015.

Guided Access in iOS Is Perfect for Kid-Friendly iPad Use!

News

Guided Access in iOS Is Perfect for Kid-Friendly iPad Use!

We rarely let our one year old son play with our iPads. It’s not just that he’s little and tends to be rough on objects, it’s that he’s OBSESSED with Siri and loves pressing the home button over and over, rendering attempts to play games and watch videos impossible. However, it turns out there’s an easy solution-Guided Access in iOS!

Henge Docks Gravitas Lightning Dock Supports iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

News

Henge Docks Gravitas Lightning Dock Supports iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

We reviewed the Henge Docks Gravitas Lightning Dock and loved it. (Read the review.) It is, in fact, the dock that sits on the nightstand next to my bed. It is stylish, weighs enough to create a stable base for iOS devices,  and works with various device adapters. Now it will even support the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+.

DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket Service Review on PlayStation 4

Game Diary, Reviews

DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket Service Review on PlayStation 4

DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket service celebrates 20 years with a new service called “Fantasy Zone” that compliments the well established “Red Zone” service for subscribers and non-subscribers. In the 10-year old “Red Zone” viewers get live, commercial-free coverage that automatically switches to another game when a team is in scoring position or an important event is happening.

Elio Motors Dreams and Fun Facts About Our Next Rides

Gear Bits, Vehicles & Gear

Elio Motors Dreams and Fun Facts About Our Next Rides

A Facebook post by Judie last night sparked renewed interest in the cars we pre-ordered from Elio Motors last January. Our upcoming vehicles get an amazing 84 MPG, top speeds of 100 MPH, and cost just $6800. In fact, since Judie and I each went all-in and put down a non-refundable $1000 deposit, our Elios will be just $5300!

2017 Cadillac Drives Technology and Itself

Gear Bits, Vehicles & Gear

2017 Cadillac Drives Technology and Itself

A lot of intelligent and connected vehicle news coming out of Detroit this week, as automakers take part in the Intelligent Transport System World Congress. General Motors CEO Mary Barra led things off with her keynote address boasting new technologies arriving on an all-new 2017 Cadillac model that will include advanced driver assist dubbed “Super Cruise” and new vehicle-to-vehicle technologies.

Avernum 2 Crystal Souls - Officially Announced for for Mac, PC and iPad

Game Diary, News

Avernum 2 Crystal Souls – Officially Announced for for Mac, PC and iPad

Spiderweb Software alternates between releasing games in the Avernum franchise and a different game. First it was Geneforge games, and more recently Avadon, his first iPad release. In 2011 he brought the original Avernum to the iPad, and modernized and revamped it along the way so it was worth replaying for everyone. This fall we get Avernum 2: Crystal Souls!

Red Crow Mysteries Legion for Mac

Game Diary

G5 Gives Away Red Crow Mysteries on All Platforms

Last year I reviewed the iOS and Mac versions of Red Crow Mysteries: Legion and found it managed to wrap together solid adventure game elements and a story worth following. More than a few hours of gameplay, plenty of content, varied locations, a great story, and a fun adventure. And now it is FREE … grab it now!

IOGEAR MediaShair Hub is a Mobile Swiss Army Knife

Reviews

IOGEAR MediaShair Hub is a Mobile Swiss Army Knife

All too often devices that need to serve too many purposes end up being a jack of all trades and a master of none. That is not the case with the IOGEAR MediaShair Hub with SD/USB Input and Built-in Power Station. It is a jack of all trades and a it plays with a full deck.

Matthew McConaughey Pitches the 'New' Lincoln

Vehicles & Gear

Matthew McConaughey Pitches the ‘New’ Lincoln

I guess about all I can say regarding the new Lincoln ad spots featuring Matthew McConaughey is…I just liked it. OK, maybe I stole that from one of five new spots Lincoln recently produced. The actor is pitching Ford’s luxury division that is seeking to remake itself and after watching them on Lincoln’s YouTube channel, I really did like them.

Get to Work with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air

Reviews

Get to Work with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air

I was in Washington DC for the first of four quick trips I’ll be taking in the coming weeks. The overnight was punctuated by a series of back to back meetings at which I took copious notes. Having the right tools was key. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air let me keep up with the information flow.