Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

XGMI Horizon Ultra

Events, News & Features

The XGIMI HORIZON Ultra Offers 4K Long-Throw Projection, Dolby Vision, and More Features Than You’d Think Possible for Under $1700

If you’ve considered upgrading your home theater setup and want the most bang for your buck, the new flagship 4K XGIMI HORIZON Ultra should pique your interest. It’s the world’s first and only long-throw home projector sporting Dolby Vision. The HORIZON Ultra sports a hybrid laser and LED system, which are hardware-level computing optics usually only seen on luxury projectors costing thousands of dollars; it also offers low-latency gaming modes, and it doesn’t look like the usual box that you’d want to hide somewhere — because it’s not ugly!

Urbanista Malibu Is an IP67 Dust and Waterproof, Light-Powered Speaker Ready for Outdoor Fun

Gear Bits, Events

Urbanista Malibu Is an IP67 Dust and Waterproof, Light-Powered Speaker Ready for Outdoor Fun

How often have you been at the lake or pool while enjoying good music and great company, only to have the battery on your portable speaker die or for someone to drip all over your speaker? With the Urbanista Malibu, neither of these problems would be an issue; not only is it IP67 waterproof and protected against sand, dust, and dirt, but it uses integrated Powerfoyle solar cell technology, so it can self-charge any time it is exposed to indoor or outdoor light! The sustainability doesn’t end there; the Urbanista Malibu is made from recycled plastic and fabrics!

The Brand New 98" TCL S5 98S550G Will Enlarge and Elevate Your TV Watching Experience

Gear Bits

The Brand New 98″ TCL S5 98S550G Will Enlarge and Elevate Your TV Watching Experience

Here’s some exciting news from TCL! Not only are they the official TV partner of the NFL, but they’ve just introduced a seriously impressive new TV model – the TCL S5 98S550G. It’s a whopping 98″, perfect for all you movie buffs and sports fanatics out there. And guess what? It’s not the only option – TCL’s got a whole lineup of 98″ TVs to choose from, including the new 98S550G, the 98R754, and the 98QM850G.

The Tchibo Labor Day Sale

Deals

The Tchibo Labor Day Sale Is Sure to Give You a Righteous Coffee Buzz!

If you can’t start your day without a couple of cups of coffee, you’re not alone! But rather than making a daily trip to a coffee shop, why not make your own fresh-ground coffee or espresso right in your own home or office? With the Bean to Brew Coffee & Espresso Machine and their large collection of coffees, you can enjoy an amazing brew. During the Tchibo Labor Day Sale, which runs today through September 5th, you can also enjoy savings on their coffee and coffee maker.

anymaka portable hammock

Gear Bits, Outdoors

The Anymaka Portable Hammock Stand Sets Up in 3 Seconds, Promising Tree-Free Relaxation Just About Anywhere!

Kev and I have been bitten by the camping bug, as evidenced by our new off-road setup. We’ve got camp chairs, but on every excursion, one of us will mention how nice it would be to have a hammock along. We could buy a packable one, but a lot of times, strapping a hammock to a pair of trees is impossible, impractical, or not allowed, and most portable hammock bases are too large or too unstable for our needs. That’s why the anymaka portable hammock appeals to me.

XEdge Flounder Multitool

Crowdfunding, Gear Bits

The $49 Wearable XEdge Flounder Multitool Is the Perfect EDC for People Who Don’t Want to Wear Batman’s Utility Belt

The XEdge Flounder multitool is a little wonder that’s not your run-of-the-mill everyday carry; it’s a little marvel that combines elegance and efficiency in one compact package. I’m impressed by the range of functions this mini-sized titanium, CNC-machined multitool has packed into its sleek design. Not only is it a mini pry bar, but it’s also a bottle opener, bit driver, nail puller, box opener, graphite everlasting pen, firestarter, pocket saw, and more!

BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station Review: Empower Your Adventures with Near Limitless Energy!

Outdoors, Reviews

BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station Review: Empower Your Adventures with Near Limitless Energy!

The BLUETTI AC200MAX is a 2,048Wh, LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) power station that offers a continuous output capacity of 2,200 watts from its pure sine wave inverter (with up to a 4,800W surge capacity) and up to 16 ways to charge and run your gear. Whether you’re looking for a solution that will power your devices and small appliances when camping or during a blackout, or if you’re considering ways to power a small off-grid home, the expandable BLUETTI AC200MAX offers plenty of solutions to keep the power flowing.

Gear Diary’s 2023 Back to School Gift Guide: Preparation Is Key, and We're Making It Easy!

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2023 Back to School Gift Guide: Preparation Is Key, and We’re Making It Easy!

Where did the summer go? Hopefully, yours was full of good times with the kids and grands, and you were able to fit in a getaway with family and friends, but now it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming school year. Whether that means the kids in your life are attending elementary, middle, or high school or heading to college, our 2023 Back to School Gift Guide has got you covered.

Samsung Unpacked Introduces Latest Folding Flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5; Are You Ready to Upgrade?

News & Features

Samsung Unpacked Introduces Latest Folding Flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5; Are You Ready to Upgrade?

At this morning’s Samsung Unpacked event in Seoul, details were revealed regarding the brand’s latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5. But unlike previous years, Samsung’s no longer one of the (very) few foldable readily available with US carrier financing. Now, we can choose from the Google Pixel Fold, the updated Motorola Razr, and, if the rumors hold true, an upcoming OnePlus device. With more Android foldable choices available, we’ll soon know if the latest Samsung Galaxy offerings will be enough to keep its future-forward users loyal; in the meantime, let’s discuss Samsung’s latest flagship releases.

ICECO VL60 Review: An Extraordinary 63.4-Quart Dual-Zone Refrigerator and Freezer That's Ready for Every Adventure

Reviews, Outdoors, Travel

ICECO VL60 Review: An Extraordinary 63.4-Quart Dual-Zone Refrigerator and Freezer That’s Ready for Every Adventure

Kev and I recently purchased a travel trailer that can be pulled behind his Toyota Tacoma or my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Part of the fun of planning your first big camping adventure is making sure that you have all the necessary gear to go off-grid for days at a time, which is why the offer to review the ICECO VL60 couldn’t have come at a better time. The VL60 is a heavy-duty metal dual-zone refrigerator and/or freezer powered by a Danfoss SECOP compressor that can be used in multiple outdoor and indoor scenarios. Let’s take a look.

Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs Review: Light Your Home According to Your Mood with These Flood Lights

Reviews

Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs Review: Light Your Home According to Your Mood with These Flood Lights

There’s something supremely cool about having smart lights in your home that are white when you want but can also be any other colors when you prefer a different vibe. If you have recessed lighting, as I do, you may have considered installing smart floodlights, but if you want to get them from a known brand, they can be as much as $50 per bulb! The new Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs are reasonably priced, and rather than being from some random maker, they come from Nanoleaf, a well-known smart lighting brand. Let’s take a look.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G Review: At $300, It's an Excellent, Budget-Friendly Smartphone Choice

Reviews

OnePlus Nord N30 5G Review: At $300, It’s an Excellent, Budget-Friendly Smartphone Choice

The OnePlus Nord series is known for mid-range smartphones that deliver better-than-expected cameras, impressive performance for their class, vibrant displays with fast refresh rates, ample RAM, and features that are generally found on more expensive models; the new OnePlus Nord N30 5G is no exception. The unlocked N30 features a refined slab style, a 108-megapixel main camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 8GB RAM (adjustable to 16GB), 128GB user memory, a 5,000mAh battery, and more for just $299.99. Read on to see if this might be a good choice for you.

Realme 11 Pro+ 5G Review: A Fashion-Forward Mid-Range Smartphone That Rocks a Flagship-Level Camera

Reviews

Realme 11 Pro+ 5G Review: A Fashion-Forward Mid-Range Smartphone That Rocks a Flagship-Level Camera

Realme is known worldwide for offering feature-rich smartphones at affordable prices, and their latest model, the realme 11 Pro+ 5G, is no exception. Available in China last month and soon to be available in India and Europe (and available in the US if you don’t mind using a reseller), the 11 Pro + 5G  boasts a 200-megapixel camera, 5,000mAh battery, 100W fast wired charging, and impressively, the base memory option starts at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for well under $500.

10 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Lock-Down and Secure Your Online Accounts!

Editorials

10 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Lock-Down and Secure Your Online Accounts!

After getting hit with yet another phishing email this morning and having received several password reset emails in the last week that I didn’t ask for, I figured it was a good time to go over some of the things you can do to secure your online accounts and ensure that you don’t fall victim to hacking and account takeovers. Keeping your online accounts secure is a crucial way to protect your privacy and personal information while preventing unauthorized access to financial or personal data. Here are ten things you can start doing today to help secure your online experience: