2014


UPDATED: Rokform Sport v3 Cases Want a New iPhone 6, Too

Whether you stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to order your new iPhone 6, or you plan on being one of the first in line when they hit stores tomorrow, have you thought about accessories yet? Rokform is ready with its updated line of cases, armbands and docks, including the Sport v3 model with Rokform Mounting System.


ScanSnap Announces the ScanSnap iX100 Mobile Scanner

ScanSnap’s various scanners have long been a key part of my digital work-life. Their high-speed scanners have allowed me to not only digitize paper documents, but they have helped me move much of my professional library to the cloud as well. Now they are announcing the new ScanSnap iX100 Mobile Scanner; it will impress!


Epson Expression Photo XP-860 Small-in-One Printer is Huge

I’m a big fan of Epson’s printers, so I was excited to check out the brand new Epson Expression Photo XP-860 Small-in-One printer. It leverages Epson’s MicroPiezo printing technology, and it offers much, much more in a compact, affordable printer. We have a full review on the way, but I wanted to serve up a first look.



Tilt My Blinds Brings Automation to Window Treatments

When we moved into our house, the seller’s realtor presented us with a small remote for the blinds in the living room; the prior owners had installed electronic blinds there. We thought it was a silly gimmick, but we have found it quite useful. Now you can automate your blinds, too! Just back Tilt My Blinds on Kickstarter!


The Misfit Flash Is Half the Price of Other Fitness Trackers

If you’ve wanted a fitness tracker but balked at spending $99+ on something that counted your steps and tracked your sleep, the Misfit Flash may be just the device for you. Made of a “special soft-touch plastic”, this $49.99 activity and sleep tracker is waterproof to 30 meters, comes in seven colors, and it can be worn in multiple ways.


2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL One of Its Best

Two years ago I drove the then all-new, fifth-generation Nissan Altima and despite only spending an afternoon in the vehicle I knew it was a hit for the automaker. Fast-forward a couple of summers, and after spending an entire week behind the wheel of a 2014 Nissan Altima SL I am further convinced this may be one of Nissan’s best.


Moto X Pre-Orders Start Tuesday September 16, 2014

Motorola just announced pre-orders of their updated Moto X with 5.2″ 1080p display begin Tuesday September 16. Two versions will be available for pre-order; the first  an AT&T model and second a “Pure Edition” which vanquishes carrier crapware and offers an unlockable bootloader. In addition, the Moto Hint (Bluetooth headset) and Motorola Turbo (fast charger) will be available for pre-order.


Braven Mira is Round, Loud, and Ready to Hang Out with Your Music

I love that my Sony Xperia Z2 is completely waterproof; I even threw it into my mother’s pool the other day to prove it to my niece and nephew! And if your phone is waterproof, shouldn’t your speaker be, too? The Braven Mira is round, gets quite loud and, perhaps most interestingly, it has an IPX5 water-resistant rating.


Super Smash Bros. Nintendo 3DS Demo Details

Super Smash Bros. is coming on the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS on October 3 (Wii U version coming before 2014 year-end). Players can get a jump on the action in the upcoming Nintendo eShop demo on September 19. Platinum Club Nintendo members already have access to the same demo plus three other download codes they can share with friends.



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?



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

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

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

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!

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!