October 2014

Want to Know What’s in Your Food? Don’t Ask Heinz!

My son is very allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Nuts are required by law to be listed, but sesame currently is not. We’ve gotten quite adept at calling companies about sesame as an ingredient, but disturbingly companies do not need to tell you without a doctor’s note … according to Heinz at least!


2014 Volkswagen Beetle TDI: Same Soul, Different Heartbeat

The Volkswagen Beetle has seen great success and is one of the true automotive icons around the globe. Now in only its third generation since debuting in 1938, Beetle has seen the engine move from the rear to the front, but aside from that – and a few modern technologies – the model is as easily recognizable today as when first introduced.


OnePlus One Flip Cover Review: Inexpensive but Does the Job Well

Judie and I were both lucky enough to get invitations to purchase a OnePlus One smartphone (thanks Julie G.!). If you haven’t heard about this device, it is a premium quality, premium speed phablet with rock-bottom, unlocked smartphone price. We’ll be reviewing the phones soon, but I wanted to do a quick review of the $14.99 OnePlus One Flip Cover.


Themed Gear for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Promotions

Gear seekers can choose from many activities and purchases for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) that help support cancer awareness and help people take action for treatment and cures. Health screening, seminars, sponsored events (October 11-12 bike event), and various apparel/gear help us take a proactive stance against the second most common type of cancer.


Magneti Bluetooth Keyboard for iPhone 5/5s is the Perfect Keyboard

The Magneti Bluetooth Keyboard for iPhone 5/5s by Moguls Mobile is the perfect accessory for those who want an iPhone, but can’t seem to get the hang of the touch screen keyboard. In the very beginning, I wasn’t able to type on my iPhone, so I truly understand the need for this product. The Magneti Keyboard retails for $74.99.


2015 Ford F-150 Ready to Be No. 1 All Over Again

How does an automaker improve a vehicle that’s seen sales success for nearly 38 years running? Aluminum. Yes, Ford has wiped the slate clean on the best-selling vehicle in North America and rebuilt the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup from the ground up, giving it aluminum skin, a new frame, new engines, and a lot more technology.


OtterBox Commuter Series for iPhone 6: Double Layers of Protection

My friend Lee’s iPhone stays in an OtterBox Commuter Series case. He likes to tell about how his first Commuter case was damaged when a rock chip pierced his shirt at high-speed while he was working on a road crew. The OtterBox case was sitting in a pocket over his heart, and he’s convinced it saved him and his iPhone.


HP Opens Up Its Houston Testing Labs for a Journalist Tour!

Recently Hewlett-Packard invited a group of bloggers into their Houston testing labs. Why do that? That was my question going on the tour – but it was quickly apparent that HP has a lot to be proud of in an area that adds tremendous value to their computers. Let’s take a look with HP at the Science of PC!


Last Man Standing’s Tim Allen Earn’s His Ham Radio License

I love the show Last Man Standing. One reason why I love it is Tim Allen’s character, Mike Baxter, is also depicted as being an Ham Radio operator like me. Well, last week at the Hollywood Hamnado special event sponsored in part by the show, it was announced that Tim has truly earned his license and is now KK6OTD.


Check for Local Apple Store iPhone 6 Stock Online!

Are you still on the hunt for an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus at your local Apple store? I’ve found  the fastest way to secure an iPhone 6 is to use the online Apple stock checker.  I wrote about how I ordered my iPhone 6 Plus online and picked it up the same afternoon at my local Apple store.


Roku Rolls Out Screen Mirroring for Android Devices

We love our Roku and use it constantly. It’s about to get far better, though, with a new screen mirroring feature! Android phones running KitKat will be able to beam the screen onto the TV, which will be handy for slideshows and game nights! Look for a full write-up after our Roku gets the update. Via Android Central


iFrogz GoLite 2600 Battery Is Small, Light, and Bright

Every now and then a small, relatively simple accessory comes along that impresses in a surprising and unexpected way. The iFrogz GoLite 2600 Battery is one such accessory. At under $30 the device is both an external charger and a flashlight. It works well as both and is a great combination worthy of a spot in your gear bag.


The Sims 4 Releasing Free Content Until the End of 2014

Maxis and Electronic Arts will release free content for their latest installment of their popular life simulation game series, The Sims 4. Players just log in EA’s gaming service Origin then enjoy updates the rest of the year including the recently released special Star Wars costume set and Halloween items with pool coming in November.


Kanex GoBuddy+: the Bottle Opener Keyring We’ll All Want

If you usually carry a bottle opener keyring, as so many of us do, then you could be getting so much more utility out of that doodad. A Kanex GoBuddy+ adds an emergency sync and charge cable with either a lightning port or microUSB connector, and yes — a bottle opener. Pretty nifty, right? It will charge your device, open your cold beverage, and attach via included carabiner clip to your keys. The Kanex GoBuddy+ is $24.95 for the Lightning version and $19.95 for the microUSB version; both come with that bottle opener keyring.