2016

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Reviews

They Listened! My Review of Master & Dynamic’s MW60 Wireless Headphones

If you happened to read my review last year about Master & Dynamic’s corded MH40 Headphones last September, you know how much I LOVE the brand, and the only downside being I wanted a Bluetooth option. Well, it seems as if they heard me because late last month they sent me over a pair of their MW60 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones to try out, and they’ve easily continued their reputation as my favorite new headphone brand! The MW60’s are everything I’ve already spoken about that the MH40 featured, from their lambskin leather headband and accents, down to the steel and aluminum…

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Reviews

Incipio [Performance] Series Level 5 Dual Layered Drop Protection For iPhone 6/6S

We’ve looked at most of the cases in the Incipio [Performance] Series line of iPhone 6 cases. Now it’s time for the most substantial and protective case in the line. The Incipio [Performance] Series Level 5 Dual Layered Drop Protection For iPhone 6S is $49.99 and is serious about protection. It ships with a holster and includes screen protection. To review, each case in this series of five different levels of protection offers something a little bit different. The Level 1 case is the lightest and simplest of the bunch. It is also the least expensive. From there it goes…

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Reviews

Adidas Fit Smart: Get Your Workout by Running from This Device!

There’s an old adage that says if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. If I followed it, this would be a very, very short review. It’s not that the Adidas Fit Smart is BAD, per se…it’s just that the handful of useful features don’t outweigh the major flaws.

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News & Features, Reviews

Powerstick’s Mosaic Powerstream Will Let You Have Expandable Storage

A once successful Kickstarter program, I finally had the opportunity to try out the Powerstick Mosaic Powerstream, and honestly, I have mixed reviews in regards to it. Designed to be a tool to give you more storage, the Mosaic is essentially a wireless external hard drive that will get you through a long flight by allowing you to stream your media directly through the Mosaic. The model I received is the 16gb version which means I didn’t actually stream very much. My only issue with the Powerstick Mosaic is the fact they even have a 16gb version. Now granted, not…

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News & Features, Reviews

The iPocket Drive Could Give Your iPhone Some Added Storage

Let’s face is, if you have an iPhone, chances are you’ve come across a friend with an Android device who brags on and on (cough Judie) about how their devices have external memory that is a MUST. Well what would you say if I told you that there’s a portable USB flash drive for your iDevice that can do the same thing? The iPocket Drive is essentially an external hard drive for your photos and media. Since Apple has a firm hatred towards external memory, the best option we have in terms of external storage is expandable memory. Essentially doing…

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News & Features

BlackBerry Priv Now Available on T-Mobile for $719 or $30/mo

T-Mobile is now offering the Android-based BlackBerry Priv for $719 or $30/month for 24 months. Hailed as the (possible) savior of BlackBerry, this qwerty keyboard device has drawn mixed reviews. The keyboard has been welcomed by fat-thumbers. An excess of heat from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and creaking body panels has been mentioned as negatives by a few purchasers. The Priv is available in the U.S. at AT&T and T-Mobile.

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Crowdfunding

Allerguarder Aims to Keep Kids With Food Allergies Safer!

If you were to ask any parent of a kid with food allergies what their biggest fear is, there’s a good chance the answer would be “other people feeding our kids”. Realistically, we can’t expect everyone to grasp allergy awareness like we do. But Allerguarder has a clever way to ease worries and remind caretakers of dangerous food allergies!

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News & Features, Reviews

The Fugoo Style XL Speaker: Where Everything is Bigger

We review a lot of Bluetooth speakers here at Gear Diary, in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and beyond, but none quite like the Fugoo  Style XL. At $279.99, the Fugoo Style XL is certainly not the smallest speaker on the market, but it’s certainly one of the loudest, and stylish ones. If you’ve followed any of Fugoo’s other product including their popular Sports model, you know that they are notorious for creating Bluetooth speakers that are rugged and have a long lasting battery life. The Fugoo XL certainly means what they say in regards to XL as the 11.33…

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Reviews

Channel Your Inner DJ with Pioneer’s HRM-7 Headphones

Over the past month or so I’ve had the opportunity to review Pioneer’s HRM-7 Reference Monitor DJ Headphones from their Studio Monitor series, and for a lover in mixing music, or just audio in general, the HRM-7’s are not only unique, but great to wear! As soon as I opened the box and saw the headphones, the first things I thought was: Pioneer is serious about this! The DJ HRM-7’s are obviously something you’d catch that Dj at your favorite nightclub wearing, but for the casual user I will say that they are a bit bulky to just wear out…

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News & Features

Scosche boomBOTTLE+ Bluetooth Speaker Is Ready for Anything!

The original Scosche boomBOTTLE impressed me. A Bluetooth speaker built for use indoors and out, it pumped out excellent sound in every direction. And it had the added benefit of fitting into a bike’s water bottle cage! Now Scosche has released the Scosche boomBOTTLE+. It keeps a similar design and is a worthy update to an already-impressive Bluetooth speakers.

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Vehicles & Gear

2016 Jeep Patriot Is the Real Value Deal

Quite honestly I did not realize the Jeep Patriot was the lowest priced compact utility vehicle on the market. At under 18 grand it offers value along with the on and off-road capability folks have come to know with the Jeep name. Sure, you won’t be doing any rock crawling with this unibody vehicle but Patriot can go everywhere else!

IllumiBowl Takes the Guesswork out of Nighttime Bathroom Visits

Reviews

IllumiBowl Takes the Guesswork out of Nighttime Bathroom Visits

Have you found that it’s pretty jarring to deal with bright overhead bathroom lights when you get up in the middle of the night to relieve yourself? Bright lights can wreck our sleep ability and cause health issues, it’s proven, but you still need to be able to see where you’re going and what you’re doing.

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Deals

T-Mobile Takes $75 off Any Note 5 with Code NOTE5DEAL

Have you been thinking about a Samsung Galaxy Note 5? If so, this could be your lucky day. T-Mobile offers $75 off any model Note 5 with promo code NOTE5DEAL. The Note 5 first appeared in the U.S. in late August. Three months later in November, a gold platinum variant was added.  In other deals, T-Mobile is also offering $80 off the Samsung Galaxy S6, and $40 off the LG Leon LTE. Deals are good online or via telesales with no expiration given.

Incipio [Performance] Series Level 2 Dual-Layered Drop Protection

Reviews

Incipio [Performance] Series Level 2 Dual-Layered Drop Protection

We’ve looked at the Incipio [Performance] Series Level 1 case. (Read the review.) It’s thin and light, and it offers just enough protection. If, however, you still want thin and light but need a bit more protection, you’ll want to check out the Incipio [Performance] Series Level 2 Dual Layered Drop Protection for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S.

Giving Up a Smartwatch Made Me Feel Free!

Editorials

Giving Up a Smartwatch Made Me Feel Free!

My wife recently challenged me to turn off my smartwatch. Instead of letting me discreetly stay connected, I was constantly reacting every time it buzzed, even if I didn’t check my phone. It was interrupting dinner, playtime with my son, and distracting me during meetings. Surprisingly, I’m not the only Gear Diary person who has disconnected from their smartwatch!