2014

Take Off with the Xtreem QuadForce Video Drone

The Xtreem QuadForce Video Drone comes from Swann and is part of their latest line of products. The drone gives you impressive features at a low price of $89.99. If you have been wowed by all the cool drone video but balked at the price here’s you chance to fly a drone and record HD video while you do.




The Synology DS415play NAS System Is a Powerhouse Data Storage Unit

Synology’s new DS415play is a 4-bay Network Attached Storage (NAS) system that was designed with the home theater in mind. With room for 4 SATA hard drives, the DS415play can hold up to 24 Terabytes of data. Combined with Synology’s excellent user interface, DiskStation Manager, the Synology DS415play  is an excellent buy. The MSRP for the DS415play is $539.99.


Magnector Magnetic Charging Adapter Proves Little Things Matter

The little things can make all the difference. The Magnector Magnetic Charging Adapter for Micro USB Cable is one example of this. Designed to turn a microUSB cable into a charging system for the Sony Xperia line of devices, I have one and absolutely love it. You may balk at the price, but it is worth every penny.



The Polaroid Cube Is a Cute and Reasonably Priced Action Cam

We have an entire generation of people who grew up watching shows such as MTV’s ‘The Real World”, and so to them it probably seems normal to have a camera following them around, catching everything they say or do. If you think you and your friends are interesting enough, you can life-blog while wearing the $100 Polaroid Cube.


The Sony Xperia Z2 Case Offerings from Spigen Are Going Back

I’ve long been a fan of Spigen’s various products. They make excellent cases and screen protectors and have slowly been expanding into other accessory lines. That’s why I was excited to purchase a Sony Xperia Z2 case from them. (Three cases actually.) Sadly I’m returning all three cases. Each is a quality case but each has the same fatal flaw.


Champ Survival Sidekick Weather Radio Is All About Safety

“Emergencies Happen. Be Prepared” That’s the statement splashed across the Champ E-Prep Gear landing page. Prior to Hurricane Sandy coming through the East Coast I might have scoffed at that as a marketing ploy. Post Sandy I now know it is important to be prepared. The $49.99 Champ Survival Sidekick Weather Radio is one part of such preparation.


Sony Soft Case for the Sony QX10 LensCamera Video Look

The other day we took a look at a soft, inexpensive neoprene case for the Sony QX10 lens camera. It does the job but is more “functional” than anything else. The Sony Soft Case for the Sony QX10 LensCamera serves the same purpose but does so with far more class. Best of all, it won’t break the bank.



OP/TECH USA Fold-Over Pouch 301 Video Look

I recently picked up a Sony QX10 lens camera. The price had dropped $50 and, now that I am using a Sony Xperia Z2 I figured it made sense. I also went in search of a good way to protect the camera. The Op/Tech USA Fold-Over Pouch 301 seemed like a good option. Let’s take a look.


Betting on an IPhone’s Survival

Our son has a water activity table that he LOVES. Every toy gets a dunk in the water table, and today that included Sarah’s iPhone 5C. We currently have it in a bag of rice, so we will see. The Gear Diary team is pretty pessimistic, with most putting the odds of survival at 20/80 or 30/70. What’s your bet?   How discouraging were my “nay-saying friends”? Read onto see their comments on Sarah’s iPhone Disaster: Travis Ehrlich 20/80. Survival/finished. Carly Zektzer What about the likelood the phone works but the speakers are fried? Travis Ehrlich Plausible. In still going…


Bluelounge Kickflip Gives Your Laptop a Lift

There are times when the simplest of ideas can be the best. The Bluelounge Kickflip is a good example of this. The Kickflip is a small strip of plastic that lifts your Macbook and creates a more ergonomic platform for your typing. Available for both the 13″ and 15″ Macbook it is simple… And impressive.


TYLT TAGZ Let You Get the Most From NFC

One of the biggest surprises when I started using the Sony Xperia Z2 as my full-time device was just how much use I got from finally having a device with NFC Near Field Communication built-in. The TYLT TAGZ Programmable NFC Stickers take the NFC prowess of the phone to an entirely new level.


Theatrhythm Curtain Call Contest Celebrates Final Fantasy Music

The new Theatrhythm Curtain Call Contest gives you a chance to showcase your musical skills by performing, recording and submitting your version of the Final Fantasy main theme to win final fantasy music-themed prizes and more. Theatrhythm Curtain Call Contest celebrates Square Enix’s upcoming Nintendo 3DS video game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call™, which will release on September 16.


Magellan’s Echo Fit Seeks to Rule the Sports Watch World!

Fitness watches are enjoying a very sudden surge in popularity. People are buzzing about Fitbit, and Nike Fuel, and quantifying their movements and sleep for optimal health. Magellan is entering that market with the new Echo Fit, a “smart sports watch” that uses Bluetooth to sync to various fitness apps, from Runkeeper to Strava and plenty others.


Best Buy Gets Bested by Improv Everywhere

What happens when 80 people, all dress the same as Best Buy employees– you know, a blue polo and kahki pants– and go into a Best Buy megastore in New York City? That’s what the Improv Everywhere Project wanted to know. So they gathered 80 willing participants, made sure they were all wearing the same thing and sent them into Best Buy one by one.


The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5/5s Should be your Waterproof Case

The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 and 5s is a super lightweight waterproof case that’s ready to handle all of your outdoor adventures. It’s waterproof up to 16.4 feet underwater, and it meets military standards for drops of up to 6.6 feet. The Catalyst Case is also compatible with Touch ID for your iPhone 5s; it retails for $64.99.


iRig Mic HD from IK Multimedia Now Shipping

Back in June I reviewed iRig Voice, which is a great fun microphone for amateurs with a solid feature set and a great price. Now they have released the iRig Mic HD, which steps up the features and sound quality and is more suited to budget-minded professionals and those seeking to make professional-sounding recordings. From IK Multimedia: iRig Mic HD is the only mobile digital condenser microphone designed for live handheld performance and recording. It delivers high-quality digital sound via an electret condenser capsule, a 24-bit audiophile-grade A/D converter (with 44.1/48 kHz sample rate) and a built-in low-noise high-definition preamp….