Articles by Dan Cohen

iPad Accessory Review: Skadoosh Stand for Apple iPad

We’ve reviewed numerous iPad stands here on Gear Diary, but of all the stands I have personally had the chance to review, the oddly named Skadoosh Stand for iPad just might be the most substantial and flexible of them all. The Skadoosh has a unique design that is rather unique and, as a result — well lets put it this way — this is the first time I’m traveling since I got my iPad, where I had no second-guessing about iPad stand I wanted to bring along. To start with the conclusion, I like this stand so much, and am…


iPad Accessory Review: Altec Lansing Octiv Stage iPad Speaker MP450

The saying goes that the cloths make the man. Along the same lines one could argue that apps and accessories make the iPad. Think about it… the iPad is a pretty remarkable device in and of itself but the “magical” experience truly takes off when Cupertino’s tablet is used in conjunction with some amazing apps and accessories. One of the key accessories for any iPad enthusiast is the iPad dock. The right dock can make it easier to watch video on the iPad, work on the iPad, charge and sync the iPad and much more. We’ve already had the opportunity…


iPad Accessory Review: AUTUM Straight Jacket for Apple iPad

Let’s face it, you can tell a lot about a designer’s aesthetics within seconds of looking at a single product they have designed. That being the case, it is clear that the designers over at AUTUM, a company I had never before heard of, have AMAZING taste. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Judie recently reviewed a leather iPad pouch and was rather impressed. It is beautiful, heavy-duty, rugged leather that, to paraphrase her, holds the iPad in the same manner that a holster hold a gun … and there you have the difference between the frames of reference a…


SCOTTEVEST Carry-On Coat Review and Giveaway

SCOTTEVEST recently rolled out another neat travel product. In this case, it is a coat specifically designed for travel. The SeV CARRY-ON COAT has 33 pockets (33!!!!!) and can actually replace a carry-on. Here’s how Scott describes the jacket on the site. Sometimes when going on a trip, people choose to “pack light,” and this usually means carrying a small bag or two. The Carry-On Coat redefines packing light by allowing you to replace the contents of a typical carry-on bag with a precisely engineered structure of pockets and compartments built into the coat. No more extra bag fees, carry-on…


Gear Chat: Rotation LockGate. Seriously??

The other morning I read a post by Warner Crocker about his being upset over the change in the iPad’s screen rotation control between the original version of iOS on the device and the new version 4.2.1. Warner referred to it as a “boneheaded move”, and he went on to write this: Where Apple got stupid is in changing the screen rotation control from the hardware switch on the device’s side to one that is now only accessible from the multi-tasking dock. I use my iPad mostly in portrait mode but there are some Apps that work better in landscape…


iPad Accessory Review: ViewSticks iPad Car Mounting System

There are a growing number of us who want to use our iPads pretty much everywhere. And one of those places is in… the car. The iPad makes a great car entertainments system for kids in the backseat. The only thing is… you need a good, secure way to hold the iPad in place. ViewSticks offers one system for doing just that. Priced at just $19.95, the ViewSticks are a convenient, low profile way to hold your iPad in place behind the drivers or passenger seat for easy viewing. Here’s a look at them in action… From the Company: Compatible…


SHHHHH…. Don’t Tell Them But Joey and Talia Are Getting an iPad

It seems everyone wants an iPad. Oprah loves her’s… and so do the 270 audience members who each got one last week. Mayor Bloomberg loves his. And the President signed yet another iPad… Yes, the iPad is the “IT” gift this holiday season and a number of survey’s show that it tops kids’ “most wanted” list this year. Now it was only last spring that my niece and nephew each got an iPod touch. Talia likes hers… Joey… well let’s just say Joey and his uncle share the same obsession with iOS devices. What they don’t know… and please don’t…


Gear Review: VTech LS6245 DECT 6.0 Touch-Sensitive Bluetooth Cordless Phone System

A home telephone is just a home telephone right? Of course not. That hasn’t been the case for years. While we used to rent our telephones from “Ma Bell” and could have our phone in any color and style so long as we liked black rotary phones we now have a wide range of options with regard to both look and functionality. Most recently many people have even gone so far as to get rid of their home phone entirely and rely only on their cell phone. We happen to have two lines coming into our house but both use…


iPhone 4 Case Review: monCarbone HoverCoat Carbon Fiber Case for iPhone 4

Dan: I recently had the opportunity to review the monCarbone HoverCoat fiber Carbon case for the iPad, and I liked it a lot. I liked it so much in fact that I still use it daily, even when my iPad is in a case. I love the way it protects the back and sides of the iPad, feel more comfortable knowing that the iPad is easier to grip thanks to the texture of the material and appreciate the way it looks on my iPad. Recently monCarbone sent two of their iPhone 4 HoverCoats to us to review. The cases are…


iPad Accessory News: ELEMENTS by Revena Product Line Looks Awesome and Flexible

I’ve had the chance to review a host of different ways to use your iPad hands free on a desk or attach it to a wall but the new ELEMENTS line from Revena looks to stand out from the pack thanks to its style and flexibility. As the company explains, This new system allows iPad users to experience and utilize their iPad in any room of their home, their garage, workshop, auto, plane, train, office, soccer field…. the options are endless! And this DOES indeed look to be the case. It starts with the AXIS, “an iPad case with a…


iPad Accessory- InnoPocket AluPose Metal iPad

The hot gift this holiday season?? Why the iPad of course. That is a good thing for Apple who are solidly on track for world domination at this point. It is also a good thing for the many companies who create iPad accessories. It is pretty amazing to think about the fact that there are SO many accessories now available for a device that did not exist at this time last year. Among the most useful iPad accessories you can get is one of the number iPad stands that are now available. You can pay a lot for a heavy,…


Home Gear Review: Aluratek Internet Radio Alarm Clock with Built-in WiFi (v2)

I’ve had a chance to check out more than a few Internet radios in the past year or so and I am impressed with the growing feature-set and fidelity we are beginning to see. I have been checking out Aluratek’s current offering and can safely say that while it doesn’t stand out from an increasingly competitive market it does have some compelling features and a price point that make it a worthy contender. Here’s a closer look… From Aluratek: Aluratek’s new Internet Radio Alarm Clock with Built in WiFi allows you to easily access more than 11,000 radio stations in…


Don’t Want The TSA Checking Out Your “Stuff”? This Underwear is for You!

SCOTTEVEST recently released, and we reviewed, new travel boxers that have a pocket built-in. Forget the pocket… they are just plain comfortable. Now there’s a new line of undergarments available. No, they aren’t for the tech-lover or the frequent traveler but rather these bras and underwear are intended to keep prying TSA eyes from checking out your “stuff”. Yes, lead-free, radiation shielding underwear is now available for this individuals who are outraged by the naked-body scanners the TSA is now using. Here’s the detail directly from the company… Rocky Flats Gear ™ is the US manufacture of a revolutionary flexible,…


Verizon to Customers- If You Don’t Read the Fine Print (and Read Our Minds) That’s YOUR Problem

Ever heard of the “bait and switch”? Of course you have. That’s the game in business that advertises one product and then, when it is not available, pushes you to buy something else. In almost every case the “something else” costs more and offers less. It is certainly not the most consumer-friendly approach… to say the least but it works for the bottom line. Well, Verizon might not be playing the “bait and switch” game but they certainly have found their own way to screw customers. Here’s the story- Our friend Joel Evans bought a Samsung Tab from Verizon and…


Tu Hablas Espanol? Dragon Dictation for iPhone Does!

It has been a while since we covered one of my most-used iPhone and iPad apps but there is some great news about Dragon Dictation that is worth sharing. First off, a big congrats to Nuance on the inclusion of the Dragon Dictation app in the iTunes “Hall of Fame”. That’s right, out of the hundreds of thousand apps in the App store Dragon Dictation was selected as one of the 50 to be included by Apple in the iTunes Hall of Fame. Personally I could not agree more. In fact, I would easily put it in the top dozen…


Proof of How Deeply Tablets Have Already Penetrated…

My friend David just pointed me toward some of the best proof of just how deeply tablets have already penetrated. (Or should I say… TABLET… singular) Take a look at this shot form the New York Times homepage… see something funny? Yes, as David pointed out the text says TAP not CLICK. TAP as in on an iPad… TAP as in TAP using the Livescribe Paper Tablet. TAP as in… I don’t need no stinking mouse…


Why Is Apple Letting the iPad Sell at TJ Maxx and Marshalls for $100 Less?

Word came last night that the 16GB WiFi iPad would be available in limited quantities at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. At first many of us assumed it would be a refurb. Even still, $399 would be a full $50 less than Apple sells refurbs so it would be an awesome deal. Now it seems that the units coming to the stores are new. New iPads for $100 less than they cost at Apple? or Best Buy? How can that be? Seth Weintraub over on 9 to 5 Mac Apple Intelligence has an interesting post on why this might be. Among…


iPad Accessory Review- Mophie workbook

I love Mophie’s products. Their batteries are among the best designed and most useful I have found. Last year at CES, the Mopie juicepack air saved us over and over and over when our iPhone batteries wore down as they searched for a signal on AT&T’s network. Now Mophie has extended their line to include their first ever case… the Mophie workbook. I’ve had one here for the last couple of weeks and really like the design. It takes all of the best features of other portfolio-style iPad cases and adds its own twist that makes the workbook unique. Here’s a…


Prepping for iOS 4.2 Means… IPad App Updates Galore

A major update to iOS always means new goodies at the core of the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It also means lots and lots and lots of app updates. Sure, sometimes the updates just make the app optimized to take advantage of the new OS’s functionality but for many it is also seen as an opportunity for developers to bump up features. Here are just a few of the many that showed up on our iPads. First up is BlogPress. A recent update to version 2.0 made this universal app (it works great on all three iOS devices) a…


iPod touch Accessory News- Speck Releases ‘CANDYSHELL GRIP’ Gaming Case for iPod touch

Speck has been releasing some great cases for the current generation of iOS devices. Their latest creation is the CandyShell Grip. The CandyShell Grip is “the first case that seamlessly integrates comfortable, finger-friendly gaming grips into the sleek protection and style of the award-winning hard shell, soft center CandyShell case”. As Bryan Hynecek, Lead Designer at Speck explains, “Anyone can make a big bulky gaming case, but we set out to create a case ideal for people that love gaming that would also look and work just as well as their everyday case. The new iPod touch is amazingly thin,…


AUTUM Releases “Straight Jacket” Leather Sleeve for Apple iPad and MacBook Air.

When it comes to protecting your precious gadgets you can’t beat simple, beautiful, well-constructed leather-goods. That’s exactly what AUTUM is offering with the Straight Jacket, their new line of premium leather sleeves for the iPad and the MacBook Air. As the company web site explains, We found ourselves searching for a leather sleeve deserving of the content it would be holding. Our relentless journey through the interwebs proved fruitless and we took it upon ourselves to build a sleek, minimal alternative to the plethora of cases out there. Custom fitted for iPad & Macbook Air. The Straight Jacket features- Domestically…