Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

Lumsing 5 Port USB Travel Charger Review

Reviews, Travel October 11, 2014

Lumsing 5 Port USB Travel Charger Review

Can you ever have too many USB ports available? That’s a silly question; of course you can’t, and that applies whether you are at home, at work, or traveling. So here’s something that’ll help take some of the burden off of your laptop’s ports, allowing you to travel with just one power source: the Lumsing 5 Port USB Travel Charger. Measuring approximately 5.3″ long x 2.75″ wide x 1.25″ thick, the Lumsing charger is compact enough to fit into a pocket in your laptop bag, gear bag, larger purse, or briefcase, but it is powerful enough that it can charge up to five devices at once using USB…

The HP ElitePad 1000 G2 Tablet and Expansion Jacket with Battery Review

Reviews October 10, 2014

The HP ElitePad 1000 G2 Tablet and Expansion Jacket with Battery Review

One of my favorite things about Windows 8.1 is the touch aspect built into the OS that makes laptop and/or tablet — 2in1 — computing possible. When using Windows 8.1 laptops, I’ve wondered if I’d be able to manage without a dedicated keyboard. Testing the HP ElitePad 1000 G2 for the past month has allowed me to decide.

Toddy Gear Keeps Your Device's Screen Clean and Clear

Reviews October 7, 2014

Toddy Gear Keeps Your Device’s Screen Clean and Clear

One of the things that each of our gorgeously screened mobile devices has in common is that they are all fingerprint magnets; by the end of the day those devices which may have started with clean glass expanses will inevitably become barren wastelands of oily fingerprints and face grease. Ew.  Obliterate those grease tar pits with products from Toddy Gear. I was recently sent a sample of their brand new 9×9 Toddy Smart Cloth and Pocket Toddy. Both products are dual-sided — with plush premium microfiber on one side for cleaning and a bright and distinctive silky microfiber design on the other to polish.   Toddy Gear…

OtterBox Commuter Series for iPhone 6: Double Layers of Protection

Reviews October 4, 2014

OtterBox Commuter Series for iPhone 6: Double Layers of Protection

My friend Lee’s iPhone stays in an OtterBox Commuter Series case. He likes to tell about how his first Commuter case was damaged when a rock chip pierced his shirt at high-speed while he was working on a road crew. The OtterBox case was sitting in a pocket over his heart, and he’s convinced it saved him and his iPhone.

Kanex GoBuddy+: the Bottle Opener Keyring We'll All Want

Gear Bits October 1, 2014

Kanex GoBuddy+: the Bottle Opener Keyring We’ll All Want

If you usually carry a bottle opener keyring, as so many of us do, then you could be getting so much more utility out of that doodad. A Kanex GoBuddy+ adds an emergency sync and charge cable with either a lightning port or microUSB connector, and yes — a bottle opener. Pretty nifty, right? It will charge your device, open your cold beverage, and attach via included carabiner clip to your keys. The Kanex GoBuddy+ is $24.95 for the Lightning version and $19.95 for the microUSB version; both come with that bottle opener keyring.

JunoPower Kaebo Lightning Cable Review: Guaranteed to Last

Reviews September 30, 2014

JunoPower Kaebo Lightning Cable Review: Guaranteed to Last

I’ve mentioned that Kev recently upgraded his iPhone 4S and moved to an iPhone 6, which ultimately meant a cable upgrading crisis at my house. All of Kev’s 30-pin cables had to be upgraded to Lightning, which brought him nosing around my stockpile, so I was scrambling. Fortunately, I had the JunoPower Kaebo Lightning Cable in my queue. Fancy, right?

Velvetwire Powerslayer Blu: A Beautifully Intelligent Charger

News & Features September 29, 2014

Velvetwire Powerslayer Blu: A Beautifully Intelligent Charger

Imagine charging your device and when done, automatically turning off power to prevent overcharging and protect battery life. What if the charger looked stylish and wasn’t an ugly block? How would you like an app that allowed you to see and monitor information about the level of charge your device was receiving?  With the Velvetwire Powerslayer Blu, it’s possible. At its heart, the Powerslayer is an extremely intelligent charger that rapidly charges both phones and tablets. It is UL certified with built-in surge protection, and continuous temperature monitoring. Built in microprocessor control “protects against overcharging and eliminates wasted power by turning off automatically when charging is…

2015 Kia Soul EV: 100 Miles of Electric Vehicle Style

Vehicles & Gear September 27, 2014

2015 Kia Soul EV: 100 Miles of Electric Vehicle Style

Did you know that when you drive an electric vehicle, random people will wave at you, like you’re a member of some special club? It’s true. I leaned that the other day while driving the 2015 Kia Soul EV. I also figured out that while electric vehicles are getting much more attainable, they still aren’t a realistic choice for me. I haven’t had a lot of experience with electric cars. I live in West Texas after all, and our infrastructure is simply not yet ready for vehicles which — with the exception of the $71,000 Tesla — typically only get 100 miles or less per charge. The other reason I haven’t seriously considered Electric…

2015 Kia Sedona: A Multipurpose Vehicle for People Who Hate Minivans

Vehicles & Gear September 26, 2014

2015 Kia Sedona: A Multipurpose Vehicle for People Who Hate Minivans

I’ve never seen myself as a minivan type of person, but I have always considered myself practical. What will allow me to haul my family from Point A to Point B safely, comfortably, stylishly, and perhaps most importantly — without feeling like I’m driving a land barge? The 2015 Kia Sedona is a multi-purpose vehicle that easily accomplishes that goal. I recently spent an afternoon driving a loaded Kia Sedona SXL through some of the twisty Southern California hills near Dana Point. While I may not be the typical Minivan customer, I left thinking that driving a Kia Sedona was a much more attractive option than…

Out of Juice? Pocket Jump Charges Dead Car and Phone Batteries!

Gear Bits September 22, 2014

Out of Juice? Pocket Jump Charges Dead Car and Phone Batteries!

This is a first for me; we’ve covered plenty of external battery packs on Gear Diary, but never one that was able to serve as both “an emergency vehicle jump-starter and portable power bank”, which is exactly what the Viatek’s new Pocket Jump does. You can back on Kickstarter for as low as $40 or get two for $70.

Incipio DualPro SHINE iPhone 6 Case Review

News & Features September 21, 2014

Incipio DualPro SHINE iPhone 6 Case Review

My iPhone 6 Plus is still showing as “preorder processing” with a delivery date of 11/09 – 11/27 (ugh!), but Kev’s shiny space gray 128GB AT&T iPhone 6 arrived on Friday. Already here — and ready to protect it — was the new Incipio DualPro SHINE iPhone 6 Case. It’s attractive and sleek; not bad for just under $35!

AKiTiO Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition 512GB SSD Portable Drive Review

Reviews September 20, 2014

AKiTiO Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition 512GB SSD Portable Drive Review

If you have a lot of data that needs regular backup, then once you’ve experienced Thunderbolt, nothing else will ever seem fast enough again, not even USB 3.0. I’ve been using the AKiTiO Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) Portable Drive for the past few weeks, and it’s a good thing it’s a keeper, because I’ve become spoiled. 

Pre-Orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Start Tomorrow

News & Features September 18, 2014

Pre-Orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Start Tomorrow

I had a chance to fondle the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while at IFA a few weeks ago, and as far as Android devices go — it’s impressive! If you have been waiting to upgrade, then tomorrow is your day. Get ready to pre-order the most advanced and feature-rich Galaxy Note yet!

Quirky Pickup Power Provides Portable Power in a Strip of Brilliance*

News & Features September 16, 2014

Quirky Pickup Power Provides Portable Power in a Strip of Brilliance*

Here’s a product that seems so brilliantly obvious that I wish I’d thought of it: the new Quirky Pickup Power is a three AC outlet power strip with a built-in external 4000mAh or 6000mAh battery charger that’s always ready to go. Starting at $99.99, you can keep your portable battery charged and ready, then pop it out when needed.

The Misfit Flash Is Half the Price of Other Fitness Trackers

News & Features September 16, 2014

The Misfit Flash Is Half the Price of Other Fitness Trackers

If you’ve wanted a fitness tracker but balked at spending $99+ on something that counted your steps and tracked your sleep, the Misfit Flash may be just the device for you. Made of a “special soft-touch plastic”, this $49.99 activity and sleep tracker is waterproof to 30 meters, comes in seven colors, and it can be worn in multiple ways.

Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case Review

Reviews September 11, 2014

Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case Review

I never thought that I’d enjoy using much less carrying a phablet with a 6.4″ screen, but the Sony Xperia Z Ultra has really grown on me. Up until last week I was carrying it caseless, but that’s changed since receiving the Noreve Sony Xperia Z Ultra Tradition D Leather Case; it is lovely, protective, and a pleasure to use.

What You Missed If You Weren't at #IFA14 Last Week #Intel2in1 #IntelPartner

Events September 9, 2014

What You Missed If You Weren’t at #IFA14 Last Week #Intel2in1 #IntelPartner

This is a sponsored post; we received compensation from Intel, but all opinions are the author’s. I’ve just returned from Berlin and a hectic week at IFA; it was my first time to attend. Perhaps because I went in with zero expectations, I left thinking the show was larger than expected, and I feel pretty comfortable saying that it was a great consumer electronics expo, and I’m glad that I was there.

The New Intel Core M Processor Will Make Computing Even More Mobile #Intel2in1 #IntelPartner

Events September 5, 2014

The New Intel Core M Processor Will Make Computing Even More Mobile #Intel2in1 #IntelPartner

This is a sponsored post; we received compensation from Intel, but all opinions are the author’s. This afternoon at IFA, Intel announced its new Core M processor. The M might as well stand for Mobile, as this processor enables “razor-thin, fanless designs with the optimal blend of beauty, performance and battery life.” Intel Core M will be available as early as October on systems from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Toshiba.