December 2020

Brookstone PhotoShare Smart Digital Photo Frame Review: Easily Share Photos to Feel Closer to Friends and Family

Printing photos for your relatives every time you take a great shot of one of the kids or your latest vacation is so retro; instead, you could be uploading and sharing those masterpieces directly to a Brookstone PhotoShare Smart Digital Photo Frame in their homes. We’ve got their latest 14″ frame in for review, and it’s as easy to operate as it is stunning to look at (and watch).



OnePlus Nord N10 5G Review: A Return to OnePlus’ Roots

OnePlus released the Nord in Europe some time ago with the promise that it would eventually arrive on our US shores. They later released the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and Nord N100 in Europe with promises to eventually bring them to the US. I’ve been testing the European OnePlus Nord N10 5G, and I am quite impressed. It is an excellent phone in its own right, and it represents OnePlus returning to its roots and the approach that first put it on our radar.




Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Is All About That Speed

We all know Qualcomm makes zippy processors. No one’s doubting that Qualcomm is a big part of why we all have more power in our pockets than Neil Armstrong had when he landed on the moon. But it’s hard if you’re not a computer expert to know exactly what that means. Thankfully, Qualcomm put together a helpful video on their Snapdragon 888 to show us!


Roku and HBO Max FINALLY Hook Up!

We are big fans of Roku here at Gear Diary. They make some truly excellent hardware and strive to offer a hardware and software experience that makes streaming easy, no matter what your choice of content. It’s been frustrating, then, that they didn’t have a deal with Time Warner’s HBO Max. It was basically the only streaming service you COULDN’T get natively on your Roku…until now!


AT&T Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Review: Retro Action with Futuristic and Fast Upgrades

If someone had told me that after 2005 I’d be enamored by a flip-phone, I likely would have laughed at them; yet here we are. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip first came out in February, and the 5G version came out just a few months ago. While I think a lot of us were taken aback by the Z Fold 5G’s $1450 price tag and worries about how its folding screen would actually hold up over time, the Z Flip has been out long enough that even if the price understandably gives you pause, you might still be interested in…


Keep Your New Gear Charged with Aukey’s Line of Powerful Wall Adapters

You’ll likely get at least one gift this holiday season that needs to be charged. Unfortunately, companies like Apple no longer include wall adapters with their phones. Thankfully, Aukey offers a range of smart, technologically advanced charging solutions. You can see all their offerings here. First, though, take a look at the four offerings they sent us to check out.


Nomad Rolls Out Luxurious Leather MacBook Pro Sleeves and Mousepads

With just a few days left before 2020 ends, Nomad is releasing not one but two new products. Their Horween leather sleeve is a thing of beauty. Available for both the 13” and the 16” MacBook Pro, it offers refined protection… for a price. They’ve also announced a new leather mousepad; it’s the MacBook accessory you didn’t know you needed.


Lose the Weight Not the Protection with the Pitaka Air Case for iPhone 12 Pro

We recently reviewed Pitaka’s MagEZ case for the iPhone 12. It’s my daily driver thanks to its lightweight, excellent protection, and the embedded metal that makes it perfect for use with Pitaka’s MagEZ chargers, like the MagEZ Juice or the MagEZ Mount Qi. But while it may be thin, the Pitaka Air Case is even thinner! Weighing just .35oz, it is featherlight but protective.



Spotify’s 2020 Wrapped Experience Is an Interesting Look Back on This Very Weird Year

Are you a Spotify user? If so, you may have noticed that they’ve recently published their year-end Wrapped results, which revealed the artists, songs, and albums that the world most streamed in 2020. Even better, they’ve released personalized Wrapped results for eligible Free and Premium users. Did you check yours out? I did, and it was enlightening, albeit not surprising. I’ve played these artists and their songs on repeat, and honestly, it’s part of what got me through this insane year.


Lenovo Helps the Office Embrace Video Conferencing No Matter Where You Are

We’re hopefully going to see an end to the COVID-19 pandemic soon, but there will be some lasting changes to how we work. Even when people go back to work, it’s unlikely we’re all going to be mingling like the before days. Lenovo is all set to make this transition easier, whether it’s working from home or holding virtual meetings across the world, with a line of adorably tiny computers, webcams, a soundbar for better audio (no more “I hear feedback, is it you or me? Hello?”), and ThinkSmart Manager to make the whole thing run smoothly.



My Golden-Doodle, Nava, Is Excited About WaterField’s Newest Releases

I love WaterField products… but they’re going to the dogs, and that’s a good thing. In recent weeks they announced two new products, the Wag Hip Pack and Wag Dog Leash. Designed for those of us who are owned by a dog (because dog people know who’s the boss), they bring WaterField’s premium design and construction to your favorites pooch’s gear.



Monitor Your Vehicle’s Health and More with a Free Nonda ZUS Smart Vehicle Health Monitor Mini

Don’t you hate when you get a check engine warning light? Sometimes, it’s something serious that warrants major repairs, but often it’s something simple. Figuring out what’s going on (and whether you can fix it on your own or not) generally means a trip to a mechanic; more often than not, they’re going to charge you to hook your vehicle up to their diagnostic machine, even if no repairs are done! The Nonda ZUS Smart Vehicle Monitor Mini can help, and you can get one for free — you’ll pay the shipping cost.


Fully Remi Standing Desk Review: Working from Home Has Been Made a Bit More Comfortable

Back in March, when the pandemic started, my job decided early to send us home to work safely. They supplied us with monitors, keyboards, mice, and well wishes, but the one thing we couldn’t take home was our standing desk. This resulted in hours of sitting at my apartment’s kitchen island with improper posture while getting my work done. Fully recently offered me the opportunity to check out their Remi standing desk, and let me tell you… without it, I wouldn’t have been nearly as productive.



Are You Ready to Read Ready Player Two? A Book Review

Ready Player One has been the butt of internet jokes for years. I didn’t hate it, though I agree it wasn’t exactly fine literature. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I impulsively bought Ready Player Two over the weekend despite poor reviews. Should you read it? Well, read on for my review.