We’ve reviewed numerous Bluetooth speakers over the past few months and many are quite good. Still, we’ve never seen one quite like Melody by Soundcast. Melody is a round speaker with a sun-resistant white plastic shell. It has an integrated handle, Bluetooth connectivity and offers, excellent huge sound. Oh, and did we mention that it’s designed to be used outdoors?
Here on Gear Diary we often review new products and, sometimes directly and at other times indirectly, we offer recommendations. This time out, I’m turning to all of you for guidance and input: which laptop I should use on a series of upcoming trips. Here’s background on where things currently stand and what kind of input I am seeking.
If you are looking to protect your iPhone 5C without putting it into a huge bulky case, then you’ll want to check out the TYLT RUGGD for iPhone 5C. Built to keep your colorful iPhone safe, it offers triple protection for the phone’s ever-vulnerable corners. It will be available in black and lime for just $34.99. Learn more here.
Battery cases that protect and recharge iPhones are great during CES, but the bulk and extra weight aren’t always right for every day use. That’s where the TYLT ENERGI Power Case for the iPhone 5/5s can help. It gives you two snap on minimalist cases AND an extended slide on battery — just $99.99 for all three. TYLT describes this battery/case system in the following manner: The ENERGI Case with slide on battery is made for the real world. And with slim battery technology we only add 9mm to the thickness of the iPhone, you barely know you are carrying 9…
The Swann: Platinum HD System is for the seriously security-minded homeowner. The full 1080p HD DVR/camera kit and the Swann View app offer live remote viewing via four HD Cameras recording at 30 FPS. A 4 Channel DVR with 2TB hard drive records 45 days of non-stop video. It even has night vision. Available now at www.Swann.com for $1599.
Judie and I recently got pitched to cover the Grilled Cheesus. Yes, it is exactly what is sounds like — a grilled cheese gadget that makes “grilled cheese sandwiches easier and tastier — and more divine”. It is a real product that costs $39.95. We got to thinking, what would other faith-based grilled cheesers look like? Let’s take a look.
Keeping your gear going is a challenge of modern mobile life and the accessories that help keep gear charged is usually far from exciting or stylish. TYLT is seeking to change that with their Y-CHARGE + SYNCABLE. The Lightning version is $49.99 while the microUSB version is just $29.99.
Every now and then a product comes along that screams out, “I deserve in a permanent place in your gear bag!” Scosche’s boltBOX is one of them. The small plastic box has a USB connector on one side, a Lightning connector on the other, and a 3′ cable that sits inside the box waiting to be needed. Get one.
The other day we took a look at a Slickwrap’s carbon fiber skin for the iPhone 5S. The skin offers complete 360° protection of your flagship iPhone. If, however, you have an iPhone 5C Slickwraps also has you covered. There are numerous wraps from which to choose and, best of all, the Slickwraps offerings are nicely priced. See them.
Does iOS 7 have you wondering what happened to your iPhone? Is the new OS making you wish you’d never upgraded your iPad? Do you like iOS 7, but wonder if you are getting the most out of it? If you answered yes to any of these, download this free e-book and master iOS! Grab it and get started.
The Jabra Solemate remains one of our favorite small, Bluetoooth speakers thanks to its great, rugged design and excellent sound. Jabra added a mini version and now announced the upcoming Jabra Solemate Max. The speaker is a big, rugged and packs two tweeters and two woofers. Coming in Q4 we’ll be going hands-on soon. Until then, here are some details.
If you are looking to add a bit of color and protection to your iPhone 5C, then you’ll want to check out the TYLT BAND. For just $34.95, the BAND wraps your iPhone 5C in a case that is rugged yet flexible. The impact resistant shell may not look like much, but it offers decent protection. You can pre-order now.
Olloclip’s pricey but awesome iPhone lens system just got even better thanks to the new Olloclip 4-IN-ONE. Offering two different Macro lenses (10x or 15x) it also includes fisheye and wide-angle lenses. Made with precision ground, coated glass multi-element optics, the barrels are aircraft grade aluminum and the iPhone attachment is soft plastic material. It is $69.99 and available now.
The wireless, computerless, paperless revolution is here thanks to the new NeatConnect scanner. Its Wi-Fi capability lets you scan directly to NeatCloud, email, and cloud services such as Evernote and Dropbox. Best of all it is completely computer free. The $499.99 MSRP includes a three month subscription to NeatCloud. Our full review is on the way. Click here learn more.
The Divoom Bluetune-Bean is a pocket-friendly Bluetooth speakerphone that easily clips to a backpack or purse so you can enjoy your tunes on the go. Bluetooth V3.0 provides crisp and clear sound quality up to 10 meters away. Available in blue, yellow, pink, red, white, or black, the speaker gets up to 8 hours per charge. Just $29.90. Get it!
I always love it when Lowepro announces a new line of bags. They always add something new while building upon the time-tested and proven features and quality that makes Lowepro so popular with so many of us. Their new StreamLine series of bags is no exception, and the StreamLine Sling comes in at under $50.
If you don’t love the idea of using a case on your iPhone 5/5S/C but you still want to give it some degree of protection you’ll want to check out the various offerings from Slickwraps. With a range of different colors and styles and prices that won’t break the bank they are worth checking out! See them all.
TYLT’s Sliding PowerCase for the iPhone 5/5S is an interesting product. It comes with two minimalist cases in different colors. When the battery runs down you simply slide the phone, case and all, into the battery and recharge. At under $100 it is a great option for iPhone power users. The full review is coming. Here’s a video first look.
A quick search of past posts will reveal how much I love my SONOS system; I use it constantly. Now SONOS has announced the SONOS PLAY:1. The most affordable way to jump into SONOS yet, the PLAY:1 has two custom-designed drivers with dedicated amplifiers. Small but powerful, the $199 PLAY:1 is ready to rock your world. Get it.
We all have our favorite style of case and my wife Elana is no exception. Since making the move to the iPhone her go-to case has been the CandyShell Grip. Elana recently got an iPhone 5C and couldn’t be happier that one of the $35 CandyShell Grip cases arrived for review. See all of Speck’s cases.
We recently brought word that Phiaton was releasing two new pair of headphones. Phiaton’s $349 Chord MS 530 Headphones cut the cords thank to Bluetooth AND have active noise cancellation. The $180 Fusion MS430 headphones use carbon fiber to keep weight down without comprising on build-quality. Reviews are on the way. For now, check out these two first look videos.