June 2015

Pictyear Is a Photo App That Can Make a Collaborative PhotoBook Instantly!

Summer is already in full swing, and with 90 degree weather and vacations being planned, there’s one thing that’s certain: pictures will be taken. But we’ve all been there where we’ve taken a photo and family or friends say “Oh! Send me that!” Luckily for you, there’s an app that’s here to put you ahead of that moment.


iHome Power Omni 3000 All-in-One Portable Battery + Charger Review

I get paranoid about my phone’s battery dying, and yes — friends will tell you that I can be a bit irrational about it — but the thought of being caught without my phone or with a nearly dead one gives me chills. I appreciate the all-in-one convenience of the iHome Power Omni 3000 All-in-One Portable Battery + Charger.


Close5 Location-Based App Makes Selling Items Safer and More Local

Most of us hate trying to sell things online. There’s been many cases where I’ve attempted to sell things and the buyer backs out, or I’m too afraid that the person might not be as legit as I think. Thus you have to play a guessing game when meeting in a public place to sell that lovely dining room table that won’t fit into your new place. Well now there’s a solution to that problem.


Griffin’s LightRunner Armband Now Available Online!

Earlier today Griffin Technology announced that their LightRunner Light-Up Armband will now be available to purchase from Griffin’s website. Available for $39.99, the LightRunner is a super comfortable neoprene smartphone armband that allows the user to jog safely at night. Announced at CES 2015 earlier this year, the armband is their newest accessory that has flashing LEDs embedded in the band in a sculpted gTex Cloth and rubber for structure and stability around your smartphone.



What Is Vaping?

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products and/or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. What is Vaping? What are E-Cigarettes? By definition, ‘vaping’ is the act of inhaling water vapor through a personal vaporizer or electronic cigarette. Vaping eliminates 4000 chemicals and carcinogenic compounds that come from real cigarettes, without compromising the act of ‘smoking’ itself. Vaping can also contain nicotine as an option for maximized effect of cigarette smoking.


Chris Leckness Talks Vaping

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products and/or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. Hello, esteemed Gear Diary readers. My name is Chris Leckness, and I am a 43-year-old certified geek. I will not bore you with the long story of geekdom that I have lived out, but I will share a little about my online life as a geek.


Otterbox Strada Line of Protective Leather Cases for iPhone and Galaxy S6

Otterbox is now offering Strada, a line of stylish protective leather cases for iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6. The new cases feature a slightly more stylish look with a leather flip cover while still retaining drop protection. Both cases include a single card slot for  driver license or debit card. Easy-on and easy-off fit is  promised.


Lems Boulder Boots Are Begging to Be Your New Travel Companion

During high school and college I spent a good deal of time in Israel, much of that time was spent walking and hiking. A pair of heavy leather boots were my constant companion. The need to travel light, along with airline baggage limits, means the days of traveling with heavy boots is over. That’s where Lems Boulder Boots come in.


Adventure to Education, Hasbro Toys Has It All!

When the youngest grandbaby comes over for visits, he (nearly two now) heads straight for the iPad or smart devices, and the four-year old plops down in my office chair at the computer. I see this and wonder, does anyone make “real” toys anymore and if they did, would today’s kids be interested in them? Hasbro has that answer.


K-Vape Micro-DX Vape with Digital OLED Display Review

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products and/or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. If you prefer to enjoy your tobacco (or other loose leaf herbal products) products via a vape rather than actually burning the leaf. then you might be interested in the new K-Vape Micro-DX. This vape has a digital OLED display, heats in half a minute, and comes with a lifetime warranty. This feature-packed vape is currently…


My Week with the Apple Watch

“He used his Apple Watch as a boarding pass!” the TSA agent shouted to his buddy. I was geeking out too, but to be honest, it was pretty awkward finding a good way to position my arm so the watch was face-down on the scanner. That pretty much sums up my impressions so far: The Apple Watch is exciting, but…


The Polk Audio Omni S2 Is Wireless Sound That Goes with Any Decor

Polk Audio describes the Polk Audio Omni S2 wireless speaker as “The First Great-Sounding Wireless Music System.” That’s a bold claim for a wireless speaker that costs under $180 and comes with multiple grills. If the claims ring true the S2 is a great deal. The key of course is, “If the claims ring true…” According to Polk Audio the Omni S2 offers “unparalleled sound.” As they explain: “The Omni S2 is an ultra-compact speaker that lets you put Polk’s widely respected signature sound in any room of your home. The Omni S2 comes with both black and white swappable…


808’s Performer Bluetooth Headphones Are Best Used With It’s Cable

It’s always fun being able to review Bluetooth headphones over here at Gear Diary, so it was exciting to be able to review 808’s Over-The-Ear Audio Performer BT Bluetooth Headphones.   I will be the first to say this…I hate cords. Wearing a sling bag daily to and from work, I really despise having to pull my phone out of my pocket to change a tune or check a notification. Yes, first-world problems. The 808 Audio Performer BT’s are able to be used wirelessly for those of us who enjoy being cable free, or if you just have to have…


Know When to Fold ‘Em: Jorno’s Folding Bluetooth Keyboard

After following their Kickstarter a few years back, I was actually surprised when I got the opportunity to review Jorno’s tri-fold Bluetooth keyboard. I’ve used quite a few Bluetooth keyboards for my devices, but none quite like this one. And to be honest, that’s a good thing.   The first thing you see after ripping open the packaging is how compact and sleek the keyboard truly is. Jorno’s selling points back in 2012 when they first launched their Kickstarter was how it is the world’s smallest, pocket-able keyboard. They certainly didn’t lie. After close to $105,000 in pledges and a…


Up Your Keurig Game Thanks to Starbucks Single Origin Coffees!

My second Starbucks Blogger Box arrived some weeks ago and it was a delightful package of Keurig K-Cups and coffee accessories. This time, however, Starbucks filled the box with their rare Starbucks Single Origin coffees from across the globe. They are delicious and, thanks to a coupon at the end of this post, you can save some money when you try them yourself!   GUATEMALA LAGUNA DE AYARZA The first coffee I tried was their Guatemala Laguna de Ayarza. It has a rich flavor and offers “balance with lively flavor notes.” As the company explains “This smooth, medium-bodied coffee thrives…


Nubia’s Borderless Z9 Smartphone Is Ahead of The Curve

There’s no shortage of innovative smartphones these days, but there is a shortage of one particular feature that not many devices get correct, and that’s screen retail. But as of today it seems that Nubia, a high-end Android smart phone manufacturer, has officially solved that problem for folks looking to get more screen and less bezel. Today, Nubia unveiled their flagship 2015 device in the US, the Nubia Z9, which they call a leap forward in styling in ease for Android smartphones. The borderless phone is the first of it’s kind in the US, but with features like grip and…


Urbanears Launches Their Plattan ADV Wireless Headphones, Win A Pair!

We here at GearDiary have always liked Urbanears. The affordable line of headphones come in vibrant colors, and their sound quality is great for the bargain you receive. So its no surprise how delighted we were to see the newest offer from their lineup! The makers of one of the more recognizable due to it’s simplistic and stylish headphones, Urbanears has introduced the Plattan ADV Wireless headphones. This is a first for the company, and well overdue. Now you are able to move around freely and listen to your music without tangled cords! Available now for $100 from select retailers…


EasyAcc 3200mAh Extended Battery Case for iPhone 6 Provides Double Duty

The batteries in new devices seem to be stabilizing in daily life span, but continued use still takes a toll on the stored energy. Accessory companies like EasyAcc offers solutions to this power dilemma with items like the 3200mAh Extended Battery Case. This unit provides double duty as an everday protective case while more than doubling your device’s usage time.


Fallout 4 is Happening and it’ll be a Beautiful Nuclear Wasteland

After 24 hours of teasing, Bethesda Game Studios announced the long-awaited fourth installment of the Fallout video game franchise ahead of the full reveal at E3. Fallout 4 takes place in, you guessed it, an open-world post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland…but this time, it appears to be in post-nuclear fallout Boston! Fallout 4 will be released on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.


Infinity Reference 1200S Subwoofer Is All About The Bass

While not an homage to Meghan Trainor, this review is all about that bass–specifically, the Infinity by HARMAN Reference 1200S Subwoofer. An award for unique style and design should go out to the Infinity car audio engineers that came up with this unique, space-saving, low-profile subwoofer that brings excellent bass reproduction, selectable impedance, and small enclosure requirement.