June 2020 | Gear Diary

Hoop Cam Plus Is an Excellent Security Camera That Moves to Your Touch

Home security cameras are quickly becoming a commodity these days, and they all follow the same basic formula – the more you pay, the more you get. The Hoop Cam Plus seemingly breaks that mold by offering a very affordable camera that is attractive, easy to both operate, and setup that even includes panning and tilt in its feature list. The Hoop Cam Plus has no right to be this good for this price, and I’ve been impressed with how good it truly has been.

Game Diary, Reviews

Bioshock Infinite for Nintendo Switch Is a Must-Play for Shooter Fans

Nearly seven years ago, we reviewed the PC & PS3 release of Bioshock Infinite. While there were a few niggles with the game, we saw it as a great entry into an already classic series. Now the game (along with the entire Bioshock collection) has been ported to the Nintendo Switch, so let’s see how it looks and plays in 2020!

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Happily Running Makes Great Masks for Running … and for Life!

As someone who runs outside every morning, and also someone in an essential job that required me to go into a facility every day, finding a mask that promotes safety while also being comfortable has been a key. I have plenty of surgical masks and homemade masks, all of which work well in general – but for running I really needed something safe, lightweight, and comfortable. The best thing I have found so far are the masks from HappilyRunning.com, which I wholeheartedly recommend.

Editorials

Apple Unveils $100 Million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative

Recently we have taken Apple to task for their lackluster take on racial justice and for making a tone-deaf product launch just as the pandemic was spiraling out of control in the US (and honestly since they were already leading with financial commitments, had they just said ‘we’re launching these products and are dedicating X% of every sale to COVID-19 relief efforts’ it would have made a big difference in perception).

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s Father’s Day 2020 Gift Guide

June 21st is Father’s Day. Let that sink in for a moment; we are already halfway through 2020. While it may seem like this has been the longest year ever, there are still six more months just waiting to spring their surprises on us — which is all the more reason to take a minute, slow down, and celebrate the fathers in our lives.

Music Diary

Master & Dynamic Joins Forces with Leica Again for the MW07 Plus and MW65

Back in 2017, Master & Dynamic joined forces with like-minded luxury optics brand Leica Camera AG and their high-end accessories brand 0.95; the signature collection features four reimagined versions of M&D’s products. Three years later, the relationship is going strong, and they’ve partnered again.

News & Features

Win a Tivic Health ClearUp Sinus Pain Relief Device for Father’s Day

If you suffer from sinus pain, you’ve probably tried everything from nasal sprays to hot compresses trying to get the pain to stop so you could continue to function. Carly gave the Tivic Health ClearUp device a try last year to manage her sinus pain, and she had excellent results. As a Father’s Day gift for one of our readers, we have a ClearUp to give away!

News & Features

State Bicycle Co Introduces the 4130 All-Road Bike While Supporting #25MilesForJustice

We’ve known the folks at State Bicycle Co for a while now, after having reviewed their 4130 Core Line fixed gear bike back in 2018. State is known for making high-quality bikes that are accessible and affordable. The introduction of the 4130 All-Road is no exception. Starting at $799.99, you get a gravel bike with an impressive set of features.

Editorials

UPDATED: Apple Makes the Difference Between Empty Promises and Real Action Very Clear

I think it’s safe to say that all of us have watched the news over the last eleven days with broken hearts. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other people of color are a national tragedy. People everywhere are rightfully using their first amendment rights to seek change; corporations are jumping on the bandwagon, sometimes with mixed results.

Reviews

Peak Design’s Travel Tripod: A Well-Designed, Compact Tripod for Everyday Use

I have owned several travel tripods that were decent for quick shots, but serviceable at best. Something usually broke under minimal use after a short time, usually a knob, lever, or handle. Peak Design’s Travel Tripod is the tripod I never knew I was looking for; simply put, it is awesome.

Reviews

Lutron Caséta Is the High-End Smart Lighting System You’re Looking For

There are so many smart home products on the market; tech companies or small startups make many, but who knows who you can trust? Lutron has been making quality lighting accessories since the 1950s, and they’ve become a highly-regarded name in the lighting industry. With the Caséta Wireless series, I’ve finally found a smart home brand I can trust.

Health and Fitness, Reviews

For My Family’s Safety, We’ve Been Wearing the Oura Air Mask

A lot is going on in our world today. Regardless of how much we’d like things to go back to how they used to be, at the current moment, it’s best to protect yourself from the Coronavirus with a face mask when you step out of your front door. Why not do it with a reusable mask that’s just as comfortable as it is functional?

Reviews

Jabra Elite Active 75t Raise the Bar for True Wireless Earbuds Even Higher

Some months ago, I declared the Jabra 75t the “current champ of true wireless earphone.” I currently switch between them and the Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus as my goto daily TWEs- The M&D when I want top fidelity and the Jabra 75t for activities like walking my dog, Nava. Now we’ve got the impressive Jabra Elite Active 75t.

Reviews

Nomad Rugged Case Protects Your Pixel Buds in Style

Everyone is used to having a case for your phone, but what about a case for your earbuds? Nomad has produced a beautiful leather Rugged Case for your Google Pixel Buds in both brown and black. Not only does it protect your Pixel Buds case, but it is a premium feeling and looking product that will up your style points every time you take them out of your pocket.

Gear Bits

Lenovo Leans into Linux Workstations

Linux may not be the first operating system that springs to mind for the average user, but it has plenty of ardent fans. According to Lenovo’s citations, 2.87% of computer users are opting for Linux, which may not sound like much, but imagine if the entire population of Washington State switched to Linux en masse. Yea, there’s a market there, and Lenovo doesn’t want it left behind.

Reviews

Google’s Pixel Buds Are a Taste of the Future in Your Ears

Totally wireless earbuds once felt incredibly futuristic and out of reach, but they are now pretty commonplace with a virtual smorgasbord of choices available. Google’s Pixel Buds announced last year, but just shipping now, enter this crowded market and do everything you would expect from a quality set of earbuds.

Music Diary, News & Features

Esperanza Spalding and Fred Hersch Announce 5-Song Duo EP to Benefit Musicians

The global pandemic has presented nearly all of us with unique challenges and hardships in every phase of life, but there are many people whose chosen profession requires them to live from day to day without a safety net or health care resources. Musicians fall squarely in that camp, with fewer than 5% able to make more than the poverty level based on their music alone.

News & Features

Space X and NASA Showed Us the Future This Weekend

This was a big weekend for the United States space programs! NASA and Space X successfully launched a shuttle to the International Space Station on Saturday, and on Sunday the shuttle docked!