May 2015



Marco Minnemann Readies Celebration, His New Solo Tour-de-Force!

Last fall I reviewed Marco Minnemann’s excellent solo album Eeps. I called it ‘musician’s music’, “that is technically insane and that you will listen to again and again to absorb the details of what they are playing and how they are putting it together”. Now he is back with Celebration out June 1st, and it sounds awesome so far!


Garmin Announces the ForeRunner 225 with Wrist-Based Heart Rate from Mio

For years Garmin had an unassailable position with their GPS watches representing the ‘gold standard’ for runners. The move to low-cost Bluetooth activity trackers rocked the industry as it pushed manufacturers to include more features, wireless syncing, and lower prices. Garmin pushes the envelope again with ForeRunner 225, the first major running watch with integrated optical heart-rate sensor from Mio.


Verizon Communications Inc. Buying AOL Inc for 4.4 Billion in Cash

It was bound to happen. Yes, at some point we all expected a media giant to buy the once powerful AOL. That media giant is Verizon Communications Inc. and they will be buying AOL for “just” $4.4 billion. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the deal is, “aimed at advancing the telecom giant’s growth ambitions in mobile video and advertising.” 




Case Logic Griffith Park Ion Backpack Review

I love backpacks. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find a backpack you want to use for everyday items. Either it looks like you’re on your way to your first day of pre-K, or you look like you might summit Everest on the way to the office. Case Logic’s Griffith Park Ion backpack aims to sit between those extremes.


2015 Volkswagen Golf R Is Simply ‘Stun’ning

If I had to choose just one word to describe the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf R – the fastest and most powerful Golf from VW yet – I’d use stunning. This new hot hatch, based on the new seventh-generation Golf, is stunning to look at, stunning to drive (especially in “race” mode) and stunning to learn the window sticker price.


Lolli-Flop 5.02 Bricked My Over-Priced Nexus 9

Friday I received notification that Android 5.02 was available for my Nexus 9.  I accepted the update and left it on the charger in my office before leaving for the weekend. Upon my return Monday morning, I found that update 5.02 has apparently bricked my Nexus 9, leaving it in perpetual reboot sequence, and it doesn’t look like I’m alone.


Listen Up!: Car Audio, Part II

In the first part of this series on Car Audio I discussed basic terminology and history of radios in the automobile. This part takes a look at the types of music sources, and the music itself, that we play in our vehicles. Regardless of what type of car stereo equipment you employ in your vehicle, it all begins with music.


Innerexile Glacier: a Beautiful Self-Healing Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

The innerexile glacier case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is a premium lightweight, translucent, and self-healing protective case. All of the iPhone’s keys are fully protected with three different colors of plastic keys that can be switched in and out to give the user customizability of their case. The glacier can be purchased for around $40.




IK Multimedia releases UltraTuner for Apple Watch

For anyone who plays a guitar, when AmpliTube arrived with a built-in tuner it was a revelation. Suddenly you didn’t need a tuner – just your phone, which you already had! Then IK Multimedia introduced UltraTuner and things got even better. Now they have introduced UltraTuner for Apple Watch, and the convenience factor is through the roof!


OLIVERS All Over Shorts Are Gym Shorts Re-Envisioned

If you balk at the idea of a $68 pair of athletic shorts you can stop reading this review right now. Yes, the OLIVERS All Over Shorts are gym shorts re-envisioned from the thread up. The result is a pair of shorts that are pricey but may very well be worth the price. Here’s a quick look.


EasyAcc Charging Dock: Great Little Charging Station and Viewing Stand

Here is a pretty smart device I found, the EasyAcc 6A 5V 30W Charging Dock. This unit can charge up to four devices (including two high current units) and features a built-in stand for you to store a smart device and even watch videos on it. Charge, store, watch. All in one space-saving little unit. What a great little device.


The VeryKool JUNO QUATRO s5511 Is Inexpensive…but Is It Cheap?

The old adage goes that you get what you pay for; in most cases it is right on the money. If a product’s price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Translation — most inexpensive products are inexpensive AND cheap. So what about the sub-$160 VeryKool JUNO QUATRO s5511? Is it just inexpensive or inexpensive AND cheap?


Nebraska Woman Sues All Gays on Behalf of God

Apparently I’m being sued. So are my lawyers. And several of my college friends, roommates, acquaintances, and even complete strangers. Why are we all being sued, you ask? A Nebraska woman who claims she is personally representing God and Jesus has asked the court to rule on whether or not homosexuality is a sin, so all homosexuals are apparently defendants. 


Who is Right in Uber Versus Kansas?

I had my first Uber experience last weekend, and I have to say it was remarkably pleasant. It doesn’t change the fact that I think Uber as a company is a bit shady, and the fact that their response to Kansas requiring background checks and insurance was to take their service and leave the state doesn’t make them less shady.


The Basics: Car Audio, Part I

Music in the mobile environment is more than just an accessory or option to drivers, and for many it is a necessity. Every new vehicle I test usually arrives with a premium audio system, and I love putting the stereo systems through their paces almost as much as the vehicles themselves. But car audio can be more, much more.