2017

Brooks Levitate Offer a Smooth and Comfortable Run in Style!

It’s been a few years since I have been able to really self-identify as a runner. I still love running, but after two knee surgeries, my left knee is less enthused. I am always an optimist, though, and eagerly try every new running shoe we get offered, hoping to find one that works…and Brooks seems to have come through in a big way with the Levitate! Brooks Levitate is a lightweight, cushion-y neutral road shoe. At first glance, they look almost simple — there’s a tread pattern, a sole, and a smooth upper. No fancy swirly holes, or gel-filled packs, or…


Punkt. UC 01 USB Desktop Charger: Plenty of Power to Spare!

One USB multi-device charger is just the same as any other, right? Well, no, not exactly. To start, not all USB chargers are powerful enough to charge more than one tablet at a time. The Punkt. UC 01 USB Desktop Charger, however, is fully capable of charging up to three iPads simultaneously.


Is Facebook Spying on You? Probably. Maybe?

Recently, Reply All, a podcast from Gimlet Media about the Internet, published a podcast centered around Facebook and its notoriously shady data collection practices, titled “Is Facebook Spying on You?” Users noticing strange coincidences regarding Facebook’s targeted ads are left wondering whether Facebook has been listening to their conversations through their smartphone’s microphone without their knowledge.




Eero Gen. 2: Still My Number 1 Whole Home WiFi System

Eero is back again with their 2nd generation hardware and they remain my favorite whole home WiFi system. Packing tri-band WiFi radios with wall-to-wall coverage and featuring eero’s typical easy-as-heck setup, you can’t go wrong. In the quest for the best WiFi system for your home, you can stop looking once you’ve found eero. Read on to find out why.



The iPhone X Is The Most Breakable (and Expensive to Repair) Smartphone Ever

If you were one of the lucky few to receive your iPhone X last week (or are waiting for it to arrive in the coming weeks), one thing that you might be inquiring about is if you should purchase AppleCare+, or a more affordable alternative. If this is the case, you should truly check out SquareTrade. SquareTrade is one of the most popular alternatives to Apple’s own $200 AppleCare+ program, but it also includes way more features that the average user wouldn’t get from Apple. The company actually put the latest iPhone X through its breakability test that it’s done…


Nomad Sport Strap for Apple Watch Goes Everywhere You Do

I recently reviewed the leather Nomad Modern Strap. It’s a lovely way to dress up your Apple Watch. If, however, I am going to wear a nice watch, I’m likely to choose to wear the Movado Raina gave me on the day of our wedding. For my Apple Watch, I’m using the Nomad Sport Strap; it looks and feels great.


Rowkin Micro Are Small, Truly Wireless Earbuds Offering Big Sound

I reviewed the Rowkin Bit Charge Stereo Earbuds some time ago. (Read the review.) They weren’t perfect, but I liked them a lot. Now the company has released the Rowkin Micro. Similar to the Bit Charge, they also fall short of perfection but still, I do like them a great deal. Read on for the good… and the not-so-good.


Look to Cognitive Surplus Science Barware for Out of This World Gifts

If your idea of relaxation is to sip a glass of your favorite beverage at the end of the day, and if you are a bit of a science geek (which I’m betting you are), then you’ll love these Cognitive Surplus science-themed barware items. Wine glasses with the constellations? Yes, please. Chemistry-themed barware? Oh, yes.


KININ Personal Aromatherapy Pens — Just Don’t Call It a Vape!

I have a love/hate relationship with essential oils. I know they can be soothing and relaxing, but often, when they’re running through a diffuser for a long time, I get a headache. We were offered the chance to review the KININ personal aromatherapy pens, which have a different approach to aromatherapy, so I thought it was worth a shot!


iPhone X Widely Available for Apple In-Store Pickup

If you didn’t jump into the pre-order line when the iPhone X was first available for ordering back on October 27, 2017, don’t despair. A quick early morning check of my local Apple stores is showing a wide variety of stock from multiple stores.





Adobe’s New Lightroom CC Cloud-Based Editor Review

I’ve been a Creative Cloud subscriber for a couple of years now.  Adobe has always been adding apps on the mobile side but it’s always been a bit disjointed. That has now ended now with their new Lightroom CC, however, they’ve added to the confusion by continuing the previous desktop oriented Lightroom and calling it Lightroom CC Classic. I’m not sure if this will work for them.



OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand Review

I have had a Blue Yeti of some sort for years, and while the mic comes with its own stand, it’s one designed to only work on your desk. I’ve often found there doesn’t really seem to be a good place for the mic with its stock stand.  This changed when I received the OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand.


GMC Trucks First Drive: Low-Key Luxury in the Sand

What do you get when you cross a truck with seemingly endless acres of soft sand? Before last week, I would have answered “a tow truck and a hefty bill,” but now I know that the answer is “Fun, lots of fun!” GMC Trucks can handle towing your 4-wheelers to the sand, pushing sand, and yes, even driving in sand!


2018 Volkswagen Atlas Already Taking the Cake

Three-row crossover utility vehicles are popular and they are putting a real pinch on minivan and sedan sales across the showrooms. And while they have been around for some time now there apparently is still room for competition as Volkswagen has just rolled out its entry into the segment, dubbed Atlas.