Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

OPPO Find X5 Pro Combines Futuristic Styling with World-Class Performance and Excellent Cameras

One of the most visually stunning and spec-loaded flagship smartphones released last year was the OPPO Find X3 Pro, and the just-announced OPPO Find X5 Pro promises to be a worthy successor. The Find X5 Pro boasts a clean and modern style, flagship specifications, a huge battery, and top-of-the-line cameras that include enhanced Hasselblad Natural Color Calibration and Master Filters.


28″ LEVEL8 Luminous Trunk Review: This May Just Be the Perfect Checked Luggage

Heading to the airport after the Snapdragon Summit in December, a friend noticed that my 6-years-old (and very well-traveled) Rimowa trunk had a massive new crack just below the handle on its front side. Thankfully, the luggage and its contents made it home without self-destructing, but it will need to be sent in for repairs (assuming they are even possible). With many upcoming trips planned, I was thankful for the opportunity to review the  28″ LEVEL8 Luminous Trunk. How does it stack up against the more than twice as expensive Rimowa trunk? Read on to find out.


Hands-On with the Realme 9 Pro+ and Realme 9 Pro: Excellent Features Abound in Two Very Reasonably Priced Smartphones

Realme became its own brand, independent of OPPO in 2018; since then, the Chinese company has become a force in its own right. Currently listed as a top-5 smartphone vendor in 30 global markets and six regions, part of realme’s success has come from its firm commitment to make well-designed, aesthetically pleasing smartphones that have competitive features rarely found in similarly-priced devices. The latest models in their lineup are the just-announced realme 9 Pro+ and realme 9 Pro; realme has sent them in for us to check out, so here’s a hands-on look at both devices.


Samsung Galaxy S22 Line-Up Announced; Galaxy S22 Ultra Picks Up Where the Galaxy Note Left Off

This morning, Samsung held their Galaxy Unpacked event to introduce the Galaxy S22, S22+, and the new S22 Ultra. This latest Samsung S series flagship lineup boasts big batteries, excellent cameras, and fast processors. If you are a Galaxy Note fan, you’ll be relieved to find that the Note lives on in the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which now sports a built-in S Pen. By meshing the Ultra’s large display, flagship specs, and pro-grade cameras with the Note S Pen’s siloed convenience and note-taking functionality, Samsung has created a smartphone that might just offer the best of both worlds.


Google Pixel 6 Case Round-Up: Protective Options from Incipio, Vena, and Gear4

Have you got a Google Pixel 6 series? If so, I’ll bet you love its flagship build, the pure Android experience, the Pixel exclusive features, and the excellent cameras. It may seem like a shame to cover up such a beautiful device, but a naked Pixel 6’s glass body is slick, slippery, and just waiting to be dropped. With that in mind, we’ve got five protective Pixel 6 case options for your consideration, including the Incipio Dual, the Vena vCommute, the Kate Spade New York Defensive Hardshell Case, the Gear4 Havana, and the Incipio Grip.


Gear Diary’s 2022 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly; are you ready? If not, that’s okay! We’ve got plenty of ideas in our 2022 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide that will make your sweetheart swoon! If you’re looking for romantic, thoughtful, practical, or “gee, how did you know I wanted this?” items, we’ve got you covered.


MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 Live Demos Are Happening. Oh, You Thought Your Wi-Fi 6 Was Fancy? Bless Your Heart!

Once upon a time, Wi-Fi was just Wi-Fi. You’d have your modem and Wi-Fi router, and you’d be forgiven if you hadn’t a clue what version of Wi-Fi the router ran because it didn’t matter! Then Wi-Fi 6 happened, and all of a sudden, it was like, “Oh, Wi-Fi 6 is so fast! I upgraded my home and office routers, and now I can fly!” Well, I’m here to let you know that MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 Live Demos are happening today. If you have no idea what I am talking about, get ready to have your mind blown.


WaterField Pro Executive Backpack Review: A Well-Organized and Professional Backpack That’s Perfect for Commuters, Road Warriors, and Remote Workers

If you are one of the many who now has to work remotely, or if you regularly commute and need a bag that can hold it all and then some, you’ve come to the right review. Finding a well-made backpack that looks professional, has intelligently designed compartments, and that’s comfortable to carry when fully loaded is no easy feat; the WaterField Pro Executive Backpack handles it with élan.


Kizik Shoes Review: Quite Possibly the Most Comfortable and Easy to Wear Shoes Ever!

Before CES, Zek and I got offered the chance to try Kizik Shoes. As you can imagine, wearing the right shoes is critical when you’re going to be on your feet all day. Thinking that we would be doing our usual 15K+ steps per day while walking to meetings and attending events around Vegas, we were eager to see if Kizik styles could possibly be as comfortable as promised. We didn’t make it to Vegas for CES, but Zek and I still managed to put the shoes to the test; here’s how it went.



QuietOn 3 Sleep Earbuds Are Perfect for Home, Work, and Travel

Dan reviewed the QuietOn 3 Sleep Earbuds with active noise cancelation a few months ago; he’s happy to report that he still uses them every night. With CES 2022 on the way, I got the opportunity to check out a different use for the QuietOn 3; I wanted to see how well this latest generation worked while on a plane or in other situations where I might find myself needing peace and quiet.


Gear Diary’s Best of CES 2022 Awards

After spending countless hours scouring the latest press releases, sitting through virtual embargoed showcases on new products, planning to be in Vegas, and once again having to attend virtually, we’ve found that the best-laid plans don’t always work out. Even so, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most innovative and exciting tech that came out of CES while trying to stay away from products that won’t ship or become available in 2022. So, without further ado, we present Gear Diary’s Best of CES 2022 Awards!


The John Deere Autonomous Tractor Will Help Farmers Focus on Feeding the World More Efficiently

Last year at CES, John Deere showcased how technology and sustainability drive modern farming, but this year they took things to a whole new level. Building upon 20 years of self-driving technology that still required a farmer to supervise what was happening from the tractor, the John Deere Autonomous Tractor is now a reality. This futuristic tractor will not require human supervision in the cab, freeing up time and helping farmers work more efficiently.


Steambox Is a Self Heating Lunchbox That Will Allow You to a Enjoy Hot, Delicious Meal Anywhere in Just 15 Minutes

Do you often bring your lunch to work or school? It’s so much better to bring your own food than to dine out or pick up fast food, but it’s usually so inconvenient! I’ll bet that you hate having to microwave your leftovers or prepped foods (it makes them so dry!), or even worse, eating them cold. If that’s the case, you probably ought to check out Steambox; it’s a new way to keep your packed meals hot and delicious with steam.





Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Roborock Dyad Will Make Keeping Your Floors Clean Simpler and More Efficient

Roborock is known for its robot home cleaners and other cleaning appliances; at CES, they’ve just introduced the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and the Roborock Dyad. With the S7 MaxV Ultra, Roborock is one step closer to offering truly autonomous floor cleaning, as this latest robot needs even less maintenance or operational input from users. The Dyad is Roborock’s first wet and dry all-in-one solution that vacuums, washes, and dries floors to eliminate dirt and messes from edge-to-edge.


Withings Body Scan Features a 6-Lead ECG; It Can Assess Nerve Activity and Measure Segmental Body Composition, on Top of Tracking Your Weight

Smart scales continue to get more intelligent, and none is more advanced than the Withings Body Scan, which provides daily analysis and record of biomarkers associated with common health conditions. Not only can the Body Scan monitor segmental body composition, heart rate, and vascular age, it also provides measurements that will assess nerve activity and heart rhythm using a 6-lead ECG. With a tool like this in your arsenal, it has never been easier to take proactive control over your health!


Morphee Zen: A Screen-Free Device That Offers Meditation and Wellness Breaks On-The-Go

Every now and then, you need to take a mental break, even if just for a few minutes, so you can manage your anxiety and stress and “place your thoughts elsewhere.” But picking up your phone or looking at another distracting screen isn’t necessarily the best way to get that done. The Morphee Zen is a pocketable, screen-free, and non-digital solution that can provide mental wellness sessions throughout the day to reduce anxiety and boost concentration and mental focus.


Oral-B Continues to Innovate, Strengthening Their Commitment to Access, Education, and Improvements in Oral Health

Have you been taking care of yourself as well as you did before the pandemic began? Or have you fallen into a survival mode existence? With all of the extra stressors, uncertainties, and everything that has been going on, has your diet, oral health, and general well-being become collateral damage? If it has, you’re not alone. While Oral-B can’t solve or stop the trauma that so many have been dealing with, the company is trying to help refocus our attention to the importance of oral health and self-care by making the tools to achieve it more accessible.