2014

The Amazon Echo Is Always Connected and Ready to Help

Amazon just announced a device called the Amazon Echo.  What exactly is the Echo?  Well, imagine Google Now or Siri combined with a Bluetooth Speaker and you get the idea.  Is it more than that? Yes.  Will it make it easier to spend money on Amazon?  Undoubtedly. Will it give you the creeps? Maybe, but it depends on your view.


You’ll Never Run Out of Memory Again If You Have the Leef iBRIDGE

I thought upgrading to a 128GB iPhone 6 Plus from a 64GB iPhone 5S would solve my constant struggle to balance music, photos, and apps with my device’s available memory, yet I’ve managed to hit a wall. I’ve actually seen the dreaded out of memory warning already; once I get the Leef iBRIDGE, it will no longer be a problem.


Incipio Highland for iPhone 6 Plus

If you have been looking for a folio-style case for your iPhone 6 Plus that protects the entire phone and doubles as a landscape viewing stand, the Incipio Highland for iPhone 6 Plus may be the case for you. At under $40 it is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your pricey pocket computer.


Casetify Review: Turn Your Photos into Cases

With the excitement of receiving my iPhone 6 plus, I knew immediately I had to put a case on it. It just so happened that a review opportunity arose from Casetify for a custom case made with my photos. Using the Casetify iPhone app, I was easily able to produce my own custom case. Let’s take a look.


Disney Infinity 2.0 Releases Second Wave

Developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Infinity 2.0 has released the second “wave” of figures, power discs, and other items. This newly released wave includes Merida and Stitch in the Starter Pack and the separate figures Aladdin, Tinkerbell, Maleficent, and Donald Duck plus Hiro and Brymax from Big Hero 6.


Gran Turismo 6 Update Will Include BMW Car

BMW and Polyphony Digital, Inc. will make their rare BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car into a playable reality in the Gran Turismo 6 game on PlayStation 3, which is at a newly reduced price for the holidays. This free content will appear in an update later this month. The actual car was produced by BMW of North America.


Runtastic Launches ‘Sleep Better’ App

The past couple of years has seen an explosion in fitness trackers, many with sleep tracking capabilities. But for all of the data, there is a lack of information or actions coming from all of these trackers. Now Runtastic introduces the ‘Sleep Better’ app to help you track your sleep and wake up more rested.


Dell Venue 8 7000 – A Most Intriguing Android Tablet

At 6mm, the new Dell Venue 8 7000 is being billed as the world’s thinnest Android tablet, but it’s size isn’t the only attractive feature; it also has an incredible 2560 x 1600 OLED display and “the first RealSense depth camera integrated into such a small form factor.” Have you even heard about it? Well, let me tell you…



This Blackout Yeti Microphone from Blue Is Gorgeous

The Blue Yeti is an amazing USB microphone that sounds as impressive as it looks. (I use the Yeti Pro with my Mac and love it.) Now Blue has announced the Blackout Yeti. It adds a gorgeous new style to the company’s best-selling USB microphone family. Considering the quality the sub-$150 price is a bargain. The all new blackout finish on the new Yeti microphone “adds style to your music, gaming, or podcasting setup.” At the same time it offers the same recording prowess that have made the Yeti a hugely popular success.   The Blackout Yeti uses the same…


How Taylor Swift Is Educating the Nation’s Grandpas About Spotify

You may not care about Taylor Swift or her presence on Spotify, but removing all her music from the service has had a curious side effect-it’s educating the average consumer about how little artists make from streaming services! I was in physical therapy this morning and heard two grandfathers discussing Spotify, all because of the publicity from Taylor Swift’s decision.


Sonos Software Update 5.2 Is Public Beta Awesomeness

I love when companies add value for consumers long after product purchases have been made. That is exactly what Sonos has, and continues, to do. The latest public beta of the Sonos software brings enhancements to the musical system that will be welcome by pretty much anyone who loves Sonos. Yes, it’s a Beta but it is still worth checking out. The first enhancement is specifically targeted toward those who, like me, own and use a Sonos PLAYBAR.The audio device already sounded great but the update brings enhanced sound so it’s even better. As SONOS explains: Enjoy a HiFi soundbar…


2014 Lexus CT 200h Offers Luxury and Sport in a Hybrid

I hadn’t driven the Lexus CT 200h hybrid Cross Tourer since its launch four years ago, despite my efforts to the contrary. I enjoyed testing the new hybrid-only wagon-like vehicle from Toyota’s luxury division and looked forward to spending a full week behind the wheel, but it did not come to fruition until only recently. And I still liked it.


City Turf Shoe from Ogio Lets You Go Golfing at a Moment’s Notice

One of the problems I used to encounter when I worked in a real office instead of from home was getting busted for sneaking out to play a round of golf. That glove hanging out of my pocket was a dead giveaway. I wish I’d known about OGIO’s new line of golf shoes back then, particularly the City Turf Shoe. I’m already a big fan of OGIO’s gear with several of their backpacks and my golf bag prominently featuring their name. I bought their golf bag because I didn’t want to associate my mediocre golf game with any particular club…


No More SIM Swapping with KnowRoaming!

If you travel internationally, then you know that one of the best tricks is to buy a local SIM and swap it out with your home SIM in your unlocked smartphone; then you can enjoy data and local calls at a reasonable rate. Buying a local SIM and making the swap can be a hassle; that’s where KnowRoaming comes in. I met with Gregory Gundelfinger, the CEO of KnowRoaming, at Mobile World Congress this year; that’s where I first learned about this service and how it works. KnowRoaming is coming off of a successful 12 month pre-launch and beta period, and now you can get your money-saving kit for…


Get Your Samsung Galaxy Note Edge on November 14th!

One of the coolest new devices I saw while at IFA was undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. It had a beveled edge on the right side of the main screen which displayed received messages, email, calendar, and other notifications. The Note Edge takes the best qualities of the new Galaxy Note 4, but adds an extra wow feature! The beveled screen will display scrollable messages, “extending the screen with room to do and see more. The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge screen gives access to email, Internet, apps, notifications, news and more without interrupting the content on the main screen.” Users will be able to…


Dodge Rocks 100th Birthday in Mötley Fashion

Dodge, the performance brand at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. As part of the festivities they threw themselves (and 2,000 of their closest friends and fans) a little party in Dallas that featured a huge Dodge and Mopar car show, Viper drifting, Challenger drag racing and a concert by a little band called Mötley Crüe.


The Brinell Private Cloud Device Is the German Swiss Army Knife of Travel

The sophisticated design of the brinell Private Cloud makes it the perfect travel companion for business trips. This private cloud creates a private WiFi network that allows you to share data wirelessly via the detachable large capacity USB stick. It also provides a mobile recharging station while on the go. It’s available in many styles and capacities, starting at €179.


Jabra Move Wireless Headphones Brings Wireless Music on the Cheap

You could call the Jabra Move Wireless Headphones “cheap” but you would be wrong. These sub-$100 wireless headphones are inexpensive, but there’s little about their comfort and sound that would qualify as “cheap.” When I first saw them I wasn’t expecting all that much. After using them I was surprised and impressed enough that I can highly recommend them. Available in three colors the bright pair I was sent for review would probably be better suited to someone quite a bit younger. Thank goodness I don’t have to see myself when I’m wearing headphones. The sub-$100 price means you don’t get…


Ventev Powercell 3015 External Battery Review and Giveaway

The Ventev Powercell 3015 External Battery is not the most powerful external battery we’ve reviewed, but its small size, light weight, and low-price make it a good option if you are looking for something inexpensive that will keep you from running out of juice three-quarters of the way through the day. Here’s our review and a chance to win one. As we have seen with other products from Ventev, the packaging is nothing to get excited about. That’s really not an issue, since this is all about having the practicality of a small, light, inexpensive external battery. Fancy packaging would…


Beware Things That Go Bumpies for iPhone 6 in the Night

I have to hand it to the people who created the Bumpies for iPhone 6 smartphone protection system. They really thought out of the box when coming up with their product. Then they found a way to actually USE the box. The result is a rather unusual un-case that offers minimalist protection while still actually protecting… sort of.