February 2016

ALCATEL Announces Their IDOL 4 Series!

Events, News

ALCATEL Announces Their IDOL 4 Series!

With Mobile World Congress 2016 gearing up this week, ALCATEL is announcing their IDOL 4 series today. Attempting to capitalize on the success of the IDOL 3, the IDOL 4, and IDOL 4s smartphones, they are introducing new features such as the new Boom Key and a unique augmented multimedia experience. “The IDOL 4 series marks another milestone in ALCATEL innovation,” said Dan Dery, Chief Marketing Officer at ALCATEL. “The Boom Key boom-ifies everything, from the sound to photos to gaming. Something we’re really excited about, and something I’m eager to show my friends is that we’ve augmented IDOL 4’s multimedia…

Neverware's CloudReady Makes an Old PC New Again!

Reviews

Neverware’s CloudReady Makes an Old PC New Again!

We’ve been trying to get our “junk drawers” organized, and in the process we unearthed my old Toshiba NB205 netbook. I loved this netbook, and it was a faithful companion for two years. Time took a toll on performance, and it slipped into the pile of unused electronics. It has new life, though, thanks to Neverware’s CloudReady (ChromeOS) build!

2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 Continues to Impress

Vehicles & Gear

2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4×4 Continues to Impress

As I eagerly await some more new vehicles to review (models I have not tested in the past couple of years) I will update you on some familiar fascias that have arrived in the test driveway recently. We first looked at the new Jeep Cherokee two years ago and the recent Trailhawk tester featured a couple of updates.

The Bragi Dash Is Only Fast at One Thing: Dying

Reviews

The Bragi Dash Is Only Fast at One Thing: Dying

Typically when you spend $299 on a pair of earphones, you’re expecting quality, but you’re also expecting some flaws. Well, that’s exactly the case with the Bragi Dash. So let’s get right into it. I originally backed the Bragi Dash February 23rd, 2014 after scouring Kickstarter for $199 (early bird pricing) with expectations of getting them in January 2015 (no really, there’s screenshots): I finally received them February 12th, 2016 after much delay and plenty of Twitter and emailed excuses. It’s something I should’ve expected after being a backer of “Coin”, which most people know wasn’t the most successful launch…

Adorn Your 13" MacBook Pro retina with a Wooden Toast Skin

Reviews

Adorn Your 13″ MacBook Pro retina with a Wooden Toast Skin

What’s better than wrapping your laptop in a beautiful wood cover — front, back, and sides? Not much, I tell you. But Toast managed to top all of that goodness by sending me one of their Real Wood MacBook Covers with Gear Diary’s logo emblazoned on the front. The result is absolutely gorgeous!

Native Union Wants to Pair Your Phone to Its Dock!

News

Native Union Wants to Pair Your Phone to Its Dock!

A personal favorite company of mine, Native Union announced today their minimalistic charging line, with a host of new colors! Native Union finally announced that their popular DOCK SERIES for the Apple Watch as well as for the iPhone and iPad will now be available in a midnight blue with gold brushed metal, or a stone color with rose gold brushed metals. These new colors will completely round out the finishes to your Apple Watch or smart device when it needs to be docked to charge. Fabien Nauroy, Head of Design at Native Union comments: “Customers love our charging docks…

What's the Point of Those Sticky Card Holders for Your Phone?

Editorials

What’s the Point of Those Sticky Card Holders for Your Phone?

In the last year or so, I’ve noticed smartphone/tablet adjacent accessories have become big giveaway items. Instead of a crappy free pen, you get a crappy free pen with a rubber capacitive stylus tip on one end. Yay? At least pens are useful…the sticky card holder I received today is just weird, ugly, and useless.

The Spongester: Keeps Your Good Sponge Separate from Your Evil Sponge

Reviews

The Spongester: Keeps Your Good Sponge Separate from Your Evil Sponge

If you use sponges (or O-Cell-O pads) in your home, then you probably have two: one that you use on dishes and countertops and one that gets used in places like the toilet, floor, or worse. The Spongester is a simple two-tiered stainless steel rack that stores your sponges so they can dry, keeping them clean and most importantly — separated.

MiPow PlayBulb Comet Shines Hidden Light Wherever You Want

News

MiPow PlayBulb Comet Shines Hidden Light Wherever You Want

The MiPow PlayBulb Sphere lets you take your smart light with you. The MiPow PlayBulb Color lets your smart light also rock your tunes. The PlayBulb Comet applies the same smart lighting approach to strip lighting that can bring light under your cabinets, behind your television or, for that matter, pretty much anywhere you want. And setup is a breeze!

I'm JK, and I'm a Gear Addict

News

I’m JK, and I’m a Gear Addict

As the new kid on Gear Diary, let me introduce myself and explain why I’m so excited to be here. My name is James Kendrick and I’m thrilled to be the newest member of the Gear Diary family. I’ve been covering mobile tech since before tech sites existed, and I’m a self-proclaimed gadget addict.

Synology Launches Its First WiFi Router, the RT1900ac Today

News

Synology Launches Its First WiFi Router, the RT1900ac Today

Synology Inc., manufacturer of award-winning Network Attached Storage devices (NAS), has launched its first router, the RT1900ac, in the US. The 802.11ac WiFi router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals for combined data transfer speeds of up to 1900mbps. Boasting a slew of software features, the RT1900ac is perfect for home or office and comes with an MSRP of $149.99.

Brighten Your Room with Light and Music Thanks to the MiPow PlayBulb Color

News

Brighten Your Room with Light and Music Thanks to the MiPow PlayBulb Color

If you’re looking to add both smart lighting and Bluetooth audio to a room easily you don’t need to look much further than the MiPow PlayBulb Color. For under $70 you can have a smart bulb that screws into a standard light socket and a Bluetooth speaker that’s hidden away in the bulb itself. It’s a great concept. I’m impressed!

Monster ClarityHD Wireless Headphones Review

Reviews

Monster ClarityHD Wireless Headphones Review

I am not a big fan of the Apple earbuds that came with my phone, so I am always searching for replacements. Monster is looking to replacing your earbuds with the $79.95 ClarityHD High-Performance Wireless Earbuds. Not only is Monster looking to improve earbud performance, but to also cut the cord with this Bluetooth option. Let’s see how they fared!

2016 Chevrolet Suburban: The Tradition Continues

Vehicles & Gear

2016 Chevrolet Suburban: The Tradition Continues

What is the longest-running nameplate in the automotive industry? If you said Suburban you would be correct. Now in its 81st production year, the Chevrolet Suburban Carryall offers all of the latest safety and infotainment technology available while still being the mother of modern land yachts to transport families and their stuff.

Booq's Cobra Brief Is a Traveling Professional's Best Friend

Reviews

Booq’s Cobra Brief Is a Traveling Professional’s Best Friend

The Cobra Brief by Booq is my favorite 15” MacBook Pro-toting briefcase for traveling. I’ve used it twice so far on plane trips from Newark to both Chicago and Orlando and it’s been very comfortable to carry with me, stow under the seat in front of me, or in the overhead luggage compartment. The Cobra Brief is available for $295!