2019



Become a Podcasting Hero with the MXL APS Podcasting Bundle

For the past few years, I’ve been trying to increase Gear Diary’s presence on YouTube. Sure, we are approaching nine million lifetime views but that’s not enough. But do make a decent video requires a good microphone. I’ve tried a few, but MXL Podcasting APS Bundle promises to make it even easier.


Black Ember’s FORGE Backpack Is the 3-in-1 Everyday-Carry That You Need

If your Instagram algorithm has been telling you about a cool backpack company by the name of Black Ember, or you’ve ever checked out backpack reviews, you know that Black Ember’s Citadel bag is one of Chase Reeves favorite bags. I’m currently reviewing that bag now, but Black Ember has an even newer backpack that’s 3-in-1 functionality sets a new bar for what to expect in your everyday carry.



Ninja Announces New Kitchen Items That Need to Be in Your Home

Whenever you hear about Ninja’s Products, you just know for a fact that they are going to make sure you don’t have to spend precious moments hovering over your kitchen, but most importantly have justified prices that means the products will last for years, and starting today, there are multiple new products that you’ll want on your countertop.


Woken Compostable Espresso Pods Remove the Single-Serve-Coffee-Making Guilt

Everyone likes the convenience and choice offered by using a single-serve coffee maker, right? But one of the biggest problems is that single-serve coffee makers produce unrecyclable waste. Some coffee pod makers offer to recycle used pods, but you have to return those used pods to them. Woken Coffee makes user compostable pods that reduce waste with minimal effort.




Ooni Koda Review: Delivers Gas-Powered Pizza Heaven

Last year I reviewed an Ooni wood-fired pizza oven. The oven did a great job despite the fact that I used premade pizza dough. (And boy did I hear about it in the comments on the video.) The company sent me one of their new Ooni Koda gas-powered outdoor pizza ovens It’s pretty impressive. (And I used real pizza dough!)


Skyroam Solis X: A Major Upgrade to Wi-Fi Hotspots

We’ve covered the original Skyroam, a great way of connecting on the go regardless if you are a digital nomad or just someone who is traveling and needs to overcome the limitations of traveling data packages that your carrier might provide. The company sent me over their latest innovation, the Skyroam Solis X, which is proving to be even better than I expected.


Casely Brings Subscriptions and Style to Phone Cases

Some people buy a case with their phone, and never take it off. Others see a case as a fashion statement and swap them based on mood, needs, and what matches. Casely has a plan for the case-swappers, offering a new case every 1 or 3 months. We tested their cases to see if they’re worth a rotating spot on your phone!







InvisibleShield Glass Elite Offers Superior Protection for Your Google Pixel 3a

InvisibleShield describes their Glass Elite for the Google Pixel 3a, and I assume other smartphones, as, “Our strongest screen protection ever.” I don’t know if that is true, but I do know that it is the easiest screen protector install I have ever done. The $39.99 screen protector is also crystal clear and maintains the screen’s touch sensitivity.


Samsung Launches Note 10 Reservation Page with $600 Trade-Ins!

It is hard to believe that my Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is nearly a year old already, and it’s still my main daily driver due in large part to the awesome S-Pen. In case it isn’t obvious – I have long since decided I would upgrade to the Note 10 based on the many rumors of enhanced performance, upgraded cameras and AI, and of course the all-new S-Pen features.


Pure Mahjong for Nintendo Switch Is a Pure Joy!

I have been a fan of Mahjong games since 1986 when I played Shanghai on the Apple Mac Plus, and so have been thrilled over the past several years to see many high-quality mahjong games released for smartphones, tablets and handheld game systems. Now the Nintendo Switch has been added to the list with the release of Pure Mahjong.