Judie Lipsett Stanford

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.

Events September 4, 2014

Which New Nokia Would You Rather? The Lumia 830 or the Lumia 735?

This morning at IFA, Microsoft unveiled their new flagship model, the Lumia 830. Running Windows Phone 8.1, with the Lumia Denim update, the 830 has built-in Qi wireless charging, a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, a 10 megapixel PureView camera, and a really sleek aluminum body with a colored polycarbonate peel-off back. Best of all? User removable battery and expandable memory.

Events September 3, 2014

Samsung Gear S: Is a 2″ Curved Super AMOLED Screen Too Big?

I got the chance to try on the just announced Samsung Gear S today, and while I love its brilliant 2″ curved Super AMOLED screen, I can’t help but wonder if it’s just a bit too big for me. Bear in mind that I usually wear a men’s full size watch, and yet I think this one swallows my wrist.

Events, News & Features September 3, 2014

Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge Was the Coolest Thing I Saw Today

It’s not often that I attend a tech event and leave knowing that I’ve seen something that’s going to change the way I expect to use a device that I already own, but that’s what happened after the Samsung event today. The introduction of the Galaxy Note Edge was by far the highlight of my day, and I’m still wowed.

Events, News & Features September 1, 2014

MOTA SmartRing May Be the Most Discreet Wearable Yet

We’ve seen all the different smartwatches that tell their wearers when calls and emails come though, but most of them are bulky and pretty obvious. If you want smart, discreet notifications without giving up your favorite vintage wristwatch, then the MOTA SmartRing may work for you. Once paired, it notifies wearers of incoming calls, texts, calendar notifications, and emails.

Reviews August 29, 2014

The Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci Review: Intelligently Vape Herb Blends

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products and/or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. About a month ago, I went over to a cousin’s house and noticed for the first time that he had a small hookah on a side table in his sitting room. It made me feel less self-conscious about mentioning that I was soon going to review the Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci. You would think that things like this shouldn’t matter, but…

News & Features August 27, 2014

Samsung Gear S Could Be a Wearables Contender

Are you still trying to figure out which smartwatch is going to get your money this fall? Samsung is hoping that you’ll consider their new Samsung Gear S, with its 2″ curved Super AMOLED display. Sure it has Bluetooth and WiFi, but it also offers a trick that none of the others have yet — its own 3G source.

News & Features August 19, 2014

Verizon Gets the HTC One (M8) for Windows: Live Tiles on a Former Android

If you love the HTC One (M8)’s design, but you’re totally digging the Windows and Windows Phone environment these days, HTC has something that should definitely catch your attention — their flagship One for Windows Phone is available online starting at noon ET today, or you can pick one up for $99.99 at Verizon stores starting tomorrow.

Reviews August 18, 2014

Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank External Battery: Slim, Powerful, & Cheap

Do you need a way to keep your phone or tablet powered when you are out and about? Then you should look no further than the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank External Battery. Able to charge your mobile phone or tablet repeatedly without being plugged in again, the Harmonica Style Power Bank is slim, powerful, and at $21, it’s amazingly CHEAP. For just a smidgen over $20, you might expect some cheaply made hulk of plastic that weighs a ton and is, well, ugly. But the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank is actually a very well made and classy looking tool. The battery’s packaging is…

Reviews August 17, 2014

Dyson Cool AM07 Tower Fan: Is a $399 Fan Ever “Worth It”?

I’ve been intrigued by the Dyson series of bladeless fans since they were introduced, but like many people, there was one little thing that kept me from purchasing — the price! A desktop fan retails for $299, and the pedestal fans start at 399! Needless to say, when the opportunity arose to review the Dyson Cool AM07, I jumped.

News & Features August 15, 2014

SWASH May Free You from the Dry Cleaning Cycle

Have I mentioned that I live about 40 minutes from the nearest dry cleaners? And of course I have items which are “dry clean only”, so once or twice a week (when I make the drive to San Angelo) I bring along and pick up my weekly dry cleaning. It’s inconvenient and time-consuming, so I’m about to try SWASH.

Reviews August 15, 2014

Netatmo Weather Station: Keeping an Eye on Your Comfort

While I generally do a really good job of keeping up with the weather conditions outside of my home, I can’t say that I have ever considered what the conditions inside my home might be like, beyond whether it was cool or hot enough for comfort, of course. That’s all changed since I’ve been testing the Netatmo Weather Station.

Reviews August 13, 2014

Just Mobile AluPen Digital: The Most Pen-Like Stylus for Your Devices

I have resisted regularly using a stylus for any of my phones or tablets, because I’m not a fan of the overly large soft-touch wide-tipped capacitive styli now available. If I were to use a stylus, I’d want it to be pen-like and more refined — with a fine, hard tip. The new Just Mobile AluPen Digital fits the bill.

News & Features August 11, 2014

Here’s Your Chance to Design Your Own Vertu Monogram Constellation

If you’ve ever wanted to see what your initials would look like on a custom Vertu Monogram Constellation, but the idea of walking into a boutique didn’t appeal, then this is for you. Vertu has created an online design tool, and you can use it to customize the exterior of three of their phones to your heart’s content.

News & Features August 11, 2014

The Polaroid Cube Is a Cute and Reasonably Priced Action Cam

We have an entire generation of people who grew up watching shows such as MTV’s ‘The Real World”, and so to them it probably seems normal to have a camera following them around, catching everything they say or do. If you think you and your friends are interesting enough, you can life-blog while wearing the $100 Polaroid Cube.

Reviews August 3, 2014

Bayan Audio SoundBook X3 Review – Great Sound and Fab Design

We have reviewed quite a few portable speakers that offer excellent audio and multiple ways to stream or connect, but with few exceptions it seems like most could be described as more utilitarian and less refined. The $299.99 Bayan Audio soundbook X3 is one portable speaker that not only sounds fantastic, it also looks terrific. Bayan Audio, a UK company founded in 2011, focusses on creating “outstanding products to help you enjoy sound wherever you are”, and with whatever device your music happens to be stored on, whether it be “Audio Systems, Smartphones, Tablets or Notebooks.” They focus on making quality products that use wood, aluminum, and…

Reviews, Yum Log August 2, 2014

Colossal Cube Molds Review: Big Blocks of Ice for the Best Drinks

I’ve been on a “designer” ice-cube kick for a couple of months now; the bigger and more interesting, the better. I’ve finally come across a clear winner; say hello to the $14.95 Tovolo Colossal Cube Molds. These molds produce blocky ice cubes that will look impressive in your glass as they chill your beverage!

News & Features August 2, 2014

Tory Burch FitBit Flex Accessories That Might Make You Want a Flex

When the Fitbit Flex came out, I ordered. It took about 15 minutes to realize that I hated its bracelet, but that the device itself was okay. I threw it in a drawer, and it’s sat there for a year. Last week came the announcement of Tory Burch Fitbit accessories. Because of them, I’m giving my dusty Flex another try.

Reviews July 31, 2014

Lumsing Mini Portable Power Bank: 5200mAh of Energy to Go!

I love it when an external battery pack includes everything needed to charge and be charged in one package, and that is where the $17 5200mAh Lumsing Mini Portable Power Bank really shines. Not only does it have a built in microUSB for charging your phone, it also has a built in USB charger for charging the battery itself. Measuring approximately 3″ long x 2″ wide x 0.8″ thick, the power bank is composed of shiny white plastic that is bisected by a rubber USB to microUSB cable that plugs into matching ports on the battery, ready to be unplugged when needed. But as usual, I…

Gear Bits July 18, 2014

Todd Pavlisko’s Richard Pryor Portrait Made of Hang Tags

One of the highlights of Kev’s and my recent visit to the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC was the huge Richard Pryor portrait by Todd Pavlisko made of plastic retail hang tags. Pavlisko is a contemporary pop artist known for his “partly facetious tributes to cultural icons in his multi-disciplinary practice, which includes film, installation, painting, and sculpture.” From far away, I thought the pixel-style portrait was made of carpet or some other randomly textured item. Once we got closer, I realized that it was something a bit more interesting … Millions of plastic retail hang tags clustered together by color! I find Todd Pavlisko’s Richard…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear July 16, 2014

Kinivo Bluetooth Car Kit (BTC455) Review – My 2008 SUV Is So 2014 Now!

A short while ago, I wrote about the Kinivo Bluetooth Car Kit; well, they’ve sent me one to review, and I like it so much that I will be ordering at least two more. Why? Because now my non-Bluetooth equipped SUV is now able to stream music and take hands-free calls. This solution is not perfect, but it’s pretty awesome.

Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford