Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford


The OPPO Find N2 Flip Is Gunning for the Samsung Galaxy Flip4, and It Just Might Be the More Compelling Device!

Is a smartphone with a folding display on your wishlist? One that, when flipped open, is the size of a regular smartphone rather than a tablet? If so, you might think that your only options would be a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr. But if you don’t mind trying something new, there’s now the OPPO Find N2 Flip to consider. What can an OPPO folding display smartphone offer that might make you choose it over one of the other brands? With the Find N2 Flip being released worldwide, there’s no better time to find out.


Take a Look at the New OnePlus 11 5G, and Let Us Know What You Think!

Returning to its roots, OnePlus has taken a bold step with its latest smartphone release; rather than being one of several flagship models offered, the OnePlus 11 5G stands alone. Maybe you won’t feel like you’re settling without a Pro model, though, because the 11 5G comes loaded with many top-of-the-line features, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, a 5,000mAh battery, and 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging in the US. However, there is one feature you won’t find on this new device; will its omission be a deal breaker for you?


Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Is Out; Which One Sparks Your Interest?

If you’ve been considering replacing your aging smartphone with a new Samsung Galaxy Device, now is the time! During today’s Unpacked event, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series was introduced. This latest generation of flagships, which includes the S23, S23+, and the S23 Ultra, builds upon the brand’s past successes with bigger batteries in the Galaxy S23 and S23+ models, even better AI cameras across the board, and of course, all three boast the latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy.



Gear Diary’s Best of CES 2023 Awards

It was a blast to be back in person for CES this year, and as is always the case, we found plenty of new gear that caught our fancy.  After sorting through hundreds of announcements and making our way through dozens of CES events, venues, and demos, we’ve decided on the gear that we found to be the most innovative and intriguing. Without further ado and in no particular order, here are our top ten choices for Best of CES 2023!


Outfit Your New Google Pixel 7 Pro with the Best Accessories, Cases, and Charging Solutions

Did you get a Google Pixel 7 Pro over the holidays? Lucky you; it’s safe to say that you’re in for a treat! Not only does the 7 Pro offer a pure, uncluttered, and frequently-updated Android experience with all of the Pixel-exclusive features and apps that users have come to expect and appreciate, but it also offers one of the (if not the) best cameras available on any smartphone. If you just got a Pixel 7 Pro or already have one and are interested in new gear, here’s a great selection to keep it stylish, protected, connected, and conveniently charged!


Escort MAX 360c MKII Radar Detector Review: Another Fantastic Radar Detector Hampered by the (Still) Buggy Drive Smarter App

The Escort MAX 360c radar and laser detector were released five years ago. Made to integrate perfectly into vehicles with their own WiFi hotspots for real-time alerts and ticket threats, the Max 360c gave drivers 360º protection with intuitive onscreen arrows that displayed the direction of threats relative to the driver’s vehicle. It was a hit! The Escort MAX 360c MKII builds upon the original’s success with an all-new internal platform and more powerful components, including a new Blackfin DSP chip that provides faster response times and a 50% improvement on the original model’s detection range.


Gear Diary’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone and Every Budget!

If you’ve got a list of people you’d like to buy gifts for and are wondering where to even start, we’ve got you covered. Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone and every budget. Many of these items have special holiday pricing, so be sure to click the links to check for discounts if something catches your fancy. So grab a drink, get comfortable, and have fun perusing our mega-guide!



Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Review: A Compact Cooker That Can Do It All, with Smoke!

If home is an apartment where the use of open-flame grills is banned on patios and balconies, you can still enjoy cooking outside with the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. Billed as a portable and compact electric cooker, the Ninja Woodfire’s primary function is grilling; however, it’s also a wood-infused BBQ smoker, air fryer, and outdoor convection oven that can bake, roast, broil, and even dehydrate. If the Ninja Woodfire actually delivers an enjoyable outdoor cooking experience anywhere with electrical power, then I can think of quite a few other uses for it, too. Let’s take a look.





Cielo Breez Plus Review: A Brilliant Way to Make Just About Any Remote-Controlled AC Unit Smart

A few years ago, I bought a Kenmore window unit air conditioner that touted being smart, app-controlled, and able to connect to Alexa and Google Home. After Kev had securely installed the AC in my office window, I powered it on only to find that the app and smart features were incompatible with my WiFi mesh system. :facepalm: Long story short, for the past three years, I’ve had an otherwise excellent window unit that’s never lived up to its potential. However, that all changed when I received a Cielo Breez Plus review unit; with it, my AC is finally smart!


MediaTek Dimensity 1080 Chipset Provides Upgraded Cameras and Performance to Next Year’s Mid-Range Android Smartphones

Do you know what processor is powering your smartphone? Chances are that you don’t, and that’s okay, but I find processors fascinating because they control everything from your phone’s responsiveness to how many megapixels the cameras on your phone can be. With the new MediaTek Dimensity 1080 5G chipset, we’re promised upgraded camera features and a performance bump compared to its predecessor, last year’s Dimensity 920.


Two Months with the OnePlus 10T 5G: Power and Speed Make for an Excellent Experience

In August, I posted a first look at the OnePlus 10T that covered the OnePlus 10T 5 G’s design, features, and hardware. In this follow-up, I’ll cover the smartphone’s cameras, battery life performance, carrier compatibility, and other things I’ve noticed while using it for the past couple of months. If you haven’t already, read the first part of this review, and then come back to read the rest of the story.


Hide Your Wallet, or the Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed Will Snatch It!

If you struggle to fall asleep because your bed is too hot, too cold, too hard, or too soft, and if you and your partner can’t seem to find a mattress that will work for both of you, maybe it’s time to try something like the Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed. It’s billed as the first-ever bed to actively cool, warm, and effortlessly respond to each sleeper. Although pricy, the Climate360 Smart Bed sounds brilliant.


Vivo V25 Pro Review: UV-Activated Gimmicks Aside, It’s a Great Phone for Less than $450 (If You Live in India)

Vivo may be an unfamiliar smartphone brand to many in the United States. Still, as of August this year, it is the sixth largest smartphone manufacturer worldwide with a 4.29% market share¹ and 149 million smartphones shipped². Since 2011, Vivo has made a name for itself by creating smartphones that offer high-end features at mid-range prices. Available now in India, the Vivo V25 Pro is their latest model, and it happens to be the first Vivo product I’ve ever tried. Let’s take a look.


The New Amazon Kindle Scribe Has a 10.2″ Display That You Can Write On

Do you remember the Kindle DX that came out in 2009? I had one of those, and while I loved the larger, 9.7″ display, having the physical keyboard at the bottom made for a very oversized reading device. I bring up the Kindle DX because after it was discontinued, there were no large-screen Kindle options available. Anyone who wanted a Kindle with a larger display had to buy an iPad or Android tablet just to run the Kindle app. But now, we have the 10.2″ Amazon Kindle Scribe, the first Kindle for reading and writing.


OneAdaptr OneWorld 65 Review: With 6 Different Ports, This Could Be the Only Travel Adapter You Need to Bring

If you travel internationally, you know the #1 rookie mistake is arriving at your destination and finding that you either forgot that country’s correct adapter or you didn’t bring enough adapters for all of your gear. I recently traveled to Berlin for IFA, followed by a week in Spain. I only brought two adapters with me, the OneAdaptr OneWorld 65 for charging all of my gear and a basic US to EU adapter that was kept attached to my curling iron’s US plug. Thankfully, this proved to be the perfect setup.