Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

16" Lenovo Next-Gen ThinkPad X1 Fold Looks Like It Could Be a Road Warrior's Best Friend

Events, News & Features

16″ Lenovo Next-Gen ThinkPad X1 Fold Looks Like It Could Be a Road Warrior’s Best Friend

As much as I appreciate and enjoy using the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4’s expansive 16″ display, traveling with such an unwieldy laptop isn’t always easy, much less ideal. The X1 Extreme is almost impossible to use in tighter spaces (i.e., airline economy seats); a 14″ or smaller travel laptop makes more sense. Still, I struggle to recreate the same productivity I enjoy on the X1 Extreme when using something smaller for all but the most basic tasks. The just-announced Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold appears to be my perfect solution. Check this out.

Free Busch Light Solar Cookers Part of a Colorado-Based Initiative to Prevent Wildfires

Outdoors, Gear Bits

Free Busch Light Solar Cookers Part of a Colorado-Based Initiative to Prevent Wildfires

If it seems like forest fires are getting worse and occurring more often, it’s not a figment of your imagination. In the state of Colorado alone, four of their five largest wildfires ever occurred in the last five years. To help keep that from happening while people are camping, hiking, or simply spending time outside this fall, Busch Light is giving away Busch Light Solar Cookers to Colorado residents.

Slice Folding Utility Knife and EDC Folding Knife Review: Safer and Much Better Made Than What You've Been Using

Outdoors, Reviews

Slice Folding Utility Knife and EDC Folding Knife Review: Safer and Much Better Made Than What You’ve Been Using

Slice makes cutting tools that are durable and easy to use, but most importantly, their ceramic blades are finger-friendly and safe. Whether your goal is always to be prepared or you regularly have a lot of cardboard boxes that need opening and breaking down (raises hand), Slice has a knife that will get the job done. I was sent the Slice Folding Utility Knife and the EDC Folding Knife to try; both knives have features that make them different from and, yes, likely safer than using their metal blade equivalents. Let’s take a look.

These Google Pixel 6a Accessories Will Keep Your New Phone Protected and Covered

News & Features

These Google Pixel 6a Accessories Will Keep Your New Phone Protected and Covered

Without a case, the Google Pixel 6a is a very stylish and slick little smartphone. If you’re rockin’ a nekkid 6a — all the better to admire its distinctive style, I get it — then you should know that all it will take to tragically end this love affair is the wrong drop on a hard surface. With the longevity of your pocket communicator in mind, we’ve rounded up a few Pixel 6a accessories for your consideration that will protect your phone and its screen.

A First Look at the New OnePlus 10T 5G: Consistent 10-Series Style and Plenty of New Features to Explore

Reviews

A First Look at the New OnePlus 10T 5G: Consistent 10-Series Style and Plenty of New Features to Explore

This morning, OnePlus announced its latest flagship, the OnePlus 10T 5G. With up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, the brand’s first-ever ultra-thin vapor cooling system, a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, a 4,800mAh battery, and up to 125W fast-charging in the US, the 10T sounds like an impressive device on paper. Like every other US reviewer, I’ve had mine in hand for almost a full week. Figuring there will be at least one more update before it starts shipping in September, it seems irresponsible to do a full review now, so please enjoy this first look.

Gear Diary's 2022 Back to School Gift Guide

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2022 Back to School Gift Guide

It’s hard to believe that this long, hot summer is finally nearing its end, and it won’t be long before our kids are back in the classroom and our older kids are back at University. Here’s our 2022 back to school gift guide — it’s loaded with suggestions not just for those heading to school but also for the parents and grandparents who’ve just made it through a third pandemic summer.

Google Pixel 6a Review: Not Too Big, Not Too Expensive; It Might Be Just Right!

Reviews

Google Pixel 6a Review: Not Too Big, Not Too Expensive; It Might Be Just Right!

Google introduced the Pixel 6 series last October. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro flagship smartphones debuted upgraded designs with a distinctive new camera module. Rather than their usual Qualcomm system on a chip, the Pixel 6 series launched with the new Google Tensor SoC, an in-house mobile processor focused on AI and machine learning for even better Pixel device experiences. If you were intrigued by the Pixel 6 series but would prefer something smaller and a bit less pricy without feeling a “that’s all I could afford” let-down, the Google Pixel 6a may be just right.

Anker GaNPrime Chargers

News & Features

6 Next-Gen Anker GaNPrime Chargers Revealed; Here’s Why You’re Going to Want (At Least) One

Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology is the most significant improvement to hit mobile device chargers in recent years; it offers more efficient, faster-charging speeds in a smaller-sized charger than traditional silicone chargers. Anker was one of the first companies to incorporate GaN technology into their chargers; now, they’re the first to introduce a charger line that uses GaNPrime. Coupled with PowerIQ 4.0, Anker GaNPrime chargers will do something that, until now, no other GaN charger’s been able to do — dynamically adjust power distribution to release any extra power output from one USB port to the other devices being charged.

Ugreen Nexode 200W GaN Charger Review: Plenty of Power to Charge Up to Six of Your Devices Simultaneously

Travel, Reviews

Ugreen Nexode 200W GaN Charger Review: Plenty of Power to Charge Up to Six of Your Devices Simultaneously

Playing the equivalent of musical chairs with your wall chargers and cables can become the norm, especially when your everyday carry includes multiple power-hungry devices like laptops and tablets. The Ugreen Nexode 200W GaN Charger puts four USB-C ports and two USB ports at your disposal; with its GaN technology, you can fast-charge up to three 65W laptops simultaneously or charge up to six smartphones and tablets simultaneously.

TCL Stylus 5G Review: An Integrated Stylus Sets This Affordable Option Apart

News & Features

TCL Stylus 5G Review: An Integrated Stylus Sets This Affordable Option Apart

While introducing the iPhone in 2007, Steve Jobs famously asked, “who wants a stylus?” In 2022, a surprising number of people still do! While not as common as they used to be, smartphones with built-in styli have remained popular among those who prefer the accuracy that comes from using a stylus. The alternative, of course, is the imprecise fingertip smudges and swipes the rest of us encounter while using our devices. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with a built-in stylus and you’re a T-Mobile customer, the new TCL Stylus 5G is worth considering.

The capacitive area on the AXS Audio Professional Earbuds stem

Reviews

AXS Audio Professional Earbuds Review: Fabulous Sound and Excellent Battery Life

True Wireless Earbuds are becoming so common that it’s no longer a question of whether you can find a great pair of TWE that will work for you; it’s what one particular pair does to set itself apart from all other brands and how much they cost that matters now. AXS Audio Professional Earbuds won’t win any awards for original style, but at $149, they offer quite a few features that punch well above their price.

People having wayyy to much fun while gathered around a phone that may be running the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+

News & Features

The MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC Will Efficiently Power and Boost the Performance of this Fall’s Flagship Phone Elite

If you thought that the Dimensity 9000 system-on-chip (SoC) has impressive specs, you’ll want to pay attention to the upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC. If you’ve been hoping for phones with an even more powerful and efficient chip than the Dimensity 9000, the new top-of-the-line Dimensity 9000+ will should fit the bill. And if the last thing you’ve ever thought about was whether or not a smartphone’s SoC sounded impressive, read on, and I’ll give you a few reasons to care.

43mm Withings ScanWatch Horizon Review: A Dive Watch by Any Other Name Is Just a Dive Watch

Reviews, Health and Fitness

43mm Withings ScanWatch Horizon Review: A Dive Watch by Any Other Name Is Just a Dive Watch

There’s something so effortlessly fashionable about the chunky, utilitarian design of a traditional diving watch. But other than being able to withstand abyss-like pressures underwater, even the most expensive diving watches can’t do much more than tell the time and apprise the wearer of how long they’ve been underwater. The Withings ScanWatch Horizon, on the other hand, offers luxury dive watch design and features, but it is so much more than just a great-looking watch that is also water-resistant to 10ATMs.

Lumina Camera in Rose Gold

Reviews

Lumina Webcam Review: It’s Cute, Tiny, and Surprisingly Good

Before Covid, I rarely used webcams. Calls requiring my video presence weren’t part of my normal day-to-day, but that’s no longer the case. Video conference calls have become my new normal, and that’s why the Lumina webcam seemed like a perfect fit when I was offered a review unit. Lumina is a tiny, premium webcam that claims to provide adaptive color correction, a realistic depth of field effect, and AI features — including adjustable bokeh and cameraman effects — so you’ll always look your best. Intrigued? Read on.

Withings ScanWatch in Rose Gold

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2022 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is May 8th, and we all know how holidays like this have a habit of sneaking up on you! With the items in our 2022 Mother’s Day Gift Guide, you can help mom work smarter, relax more comfortably, and ease some of her daily grind. Whether you’re on a budget or the sky is the limit, we’ve got you covered if you’re having trouble (or haven’t even started) figuring out what to give to the most influential women in your life!

Amazon Echo Show 15 Review: Much More Than a Beautiful Smart Digital Photo Frame

Reviews

Amazon Echo Show 15 Review: Much More Than a Beautiful Smart Digital Photo Frame

If you are using an Amazon Alexa smart speaker to control your home’s various connected features, adding an Alexa-enabled smart display to the mix seems like the obvious next step. Built with the user’s privacy in mind, the Amazon Echo Show 15 is a convergent device that functions not only as an elegant touchscreen smarthome hub but also as a convenient family communication center, a mesmerizing 15.6″ digital photo frame, a helpful cooking companion, a smart speaker, a movie and video entertainment center, a home security camera, and more!