When Apple announced that the latest iPad Pro has the same M1 chip as the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro, I had some thoughts about that, and I figured the rest of the Gear Diary team might too. Is the iPad Pro finally ready to be a stand-alone computer or perhaps function as your only computer?
For Christmas, I bought myself the new iPad Air 4 to replace my aging 2017 iPad. With its new form factor, I needed some new accessories, including something to carry it in. I searched on YouTube, and I’ve found my favorite one so far — the Tomtoc Padfolio Case.
Kyocera has a solution for the men and women who work in challenging environments with its Duraforce Ultra 5G Rugged Smartphone. This phone will be the first 5G rugged smartphone on the Verizon network.
I’ve always liked is Star Trek: The Next Generation. I like the show so much that in 1991 when Pocket Books brought out the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, I had to have it. I bought it and thumbed through it so often that I eventually wore it out. I recently ordered a replacement copy from Amazon. However, what I got was different than what I expected; it wasn’t the original book or even a proper reprint. Evidently, Amazon reprints older books themselves, and it’s not the quality you might be led to expect.
As you get older, various body parts may stop working as well as they used to, thanks to injuries, joints deteriorating, or in my case — from carrying too much weight. My employer has a benefit that helps me with this, that is called, ironically enough, Hinge Health. Does it help? Let’s find out.
Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. My disease is controlled only with medication at this point, and I am heading in the right direction. However, I decided I needed to take the next step in monitoring my blood glucose levels even though my doctor hasn’t said I need to yet. That’s where Livongo came in, thanks to my employer. Will it help me keep track of what I need to keep my diabetes in control? Let’s find out.
I think one reason some have not yet adopted any smart lighting technology is that people want to be sure that it’s going to last. Most of the technology available today is driven by a cloud service. Today I got the e-mail anyone who uses a cloud service dreads getting about my Lightify light system: August 2021 the system will be shutting down.
More and more these days, you can’t trust people to tell the truth. Not long ago, I had someone accuse my son of hitting a car. I wish I’d had the Z-edge Dashcam in his car then, but I am glad I have it now. Let’s see how good it is at doing its job.
At WWDC 2019, Apple announced the new iPad OS. Before I go too far, I want to caution you about loading this beta. If you use your iPad for anything mission critical, then it’s best to wait until the full release. With that said here are my thoughts on the biggest update to the iPad in years.
I used to be a fan of netbooks back when they were a thing. However when you travel for work, you often have downtime and I like to keep work and private life as separate as possible. So I went looking for a small laptop that could also do some video editing, and the Surface Pro 6 fits the bill nicely.
As a technology junkie, one thing I rapidly run out of when around the house or traveling is outlets, so power strips and their designs interest me. That’s why when Accell offered to send me their latest Powramid C Power Center, I jumped at the chance to check it out.
I love my Harry’s bi-monthly shipments. Even better is Harry’s has been available at Target and I saw it at a couple Walmart stores as well. Finally, Harry’s is adding other products to help keep your man smell great with their new body wash and bar soap in Shiso, Fig, and Stone scents!
DJI is the top drone maker for many reasons. One is the software and infrastructure they built for previous drones make each new one want to watch. It’s for their dedication to this market is the reason why I bought the Mavic Pro over anything else. There is no contest. DJI is the best.
![Thinium Recharge[+]2.0 Review: A Wall Charger and Battery Pack in One](https://i2.wp.com/geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ThiniumRecharge2_14.jpg?resize=260%2C146&ssl=1 "Thinium Recharge[+]2.0 Review: A Wall Charger and Battery Pack in One | GearDiary")
Even the latest phones don’t usually have enough battery to go through the entire day if you are a heavy phone user like myself. Even if you aren’t a heavy user, you likely still carry a battery and cable just in case you need to top off. Does the Thinium Recharge [+]2.0 fit the bill of convenience? Let’s find out.
I’ve had a couple Amazon Echo Dots for about a year now. I thought they were great. Then this past Christmas, I picked up a couple Google Home Minis just because I wanted to check them out. Now Amazon’s Echo Dot has been pushed to a backup system as I think the Google Home system is so much better.
I’ve been a Creative Cloud subscriber for a couple of years now. Adobe has always been adding apps on the mobile side but it’s always been a bit disjointed. That has now ended now with their new Lightroom CC, however, they’ve added to the confusion by continuing the previous desktop oriented Lightroom and calling it Lightroom CC Classic. I’m not sure if this will work for them.
I have had a Blue Yeti of some sort for years, and while the mic comes with its own stand, it’s one designed to only work on your desk. I’ve often found there doesn’t really seem to be a good place for the mic with its stock stand. This changed when I received the OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand.
It’s been rumored that the Android 7.1.1 update was hitting Moto Z and Z Force handsets in Brazil and elsewhere for the last few weeks, but imagine my surprise that when I checked today and found that Verizon and Lenovo have released the update to the masses on Verizon as of today!
The location change had to be on the minds of most Dayton Hamvention goers this year. When you were in a location as long as Hamvention was, a location change is big for everyone. I am happy to say that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, the group responsible for the show, was successful beyond any imagination.
Not quite as exciting as an Apple or Google Keynote, the Dayton Hamvention is this week, and I’ll be making the trek to the show this year in its first new location since I started attending, the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. Hamvention is like CES, but for Amateur Radio operators like myself, and it’s a lot of fun.
Last Saturday, I got up and my wife asked me about a $700 charge on our account. I’m like uh-oh, so I go through the motions to fix it. It happens to lots of us, and sometimes we don’t even know how. A week later I find out: my card was breached when I ordered parts from Char-Broil.
