Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

Samsung’s Gear 2 and Gear Fit Take Fitness Bands to a Whole New Level

I’ve tried the FitBit Flex, Nike Fuel, and Jawbone UP; while each fitness band had its positive points, there always seems to be something … lacking. At their event last night, Samsung introduced their Gear 2 and Gear Fit watches; one of these may be the all-in-one watch and fitness band combo I’ve been waiting for.


Hands-On with the Sony Xperia Z2 – the Waterproof Superphone

Sony’s new flagship, the Xperia Z2, promises to be even better than its predecessor. It’s waterproof in freshwater for up to 5 feet and 30 minutes, has 4K video capability, and a gorgeous 5.2″ screen. I’ve had some hands-on time with one, and I love the glass body and build quality. Click through for more pics and a video walk-through.


Help Me Find the Best Universal Remote, Please

Okay, I’ve had it! We have too many remotes! Apple TV, Direct TV, TV, DVD, Roku, a Vizio sound bar, and I may even be forgetting one! Has anyone tried one of those smart remotes with a screen? I’m considering a Logitech Harmony remote, but I’m wondering if there is something even better out there?


Spear-Phishing: Is Facebook the Source of Your Spam?

Have you received an email that said it was from someone related to you, but upon closer examination you saw that it was from an unknown email address, and it contained a spam link in the email’s body? If so, you might have thought that either you or your friend had been hacked, but this is something sneakier: spear-phishing.


Jimmy Fallon and Will Smith Show the Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing

Did you catch the bit where Jimmy Fallon and Will Smith were giving examples of the evolution of hip-hop dancing over the years? If not, then you should watch this video; it’s almost guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Obviously they couldn’t fit in every hip-hop move ever, but it’s still a fun trip down memory lane. =)  



The Moshi VersaCover Mini Origami Case for iPad Mini Retina Review

Since returning from CES, my iPad mini has been inside a green Moshi VersaCover Mini Origami Case. Why did I set aside my leather Orbino for a much less “fancy” case? Simply put, the VersaCover Mini Origami case offers the lightest and most versatile protection I’ve yet found; it also makes my iPad mini easier to use.



Make Your Oscar Award Picks on the 2014 Oscars Ballot

I’ll admit that I haven’t seen most of the films that are up for 2014 Oscars, but based on buzz, there are a few that I want to see and that I hope do well. Fill out the New York Times Oscar Ballot, then share your picks and ballot results in the comments below.


Get a Free Pink OrigAudio Rock-It for Valentine’s Day!

Shopping for Valentine’s Day is tough, especially when you aren’t sure that your Valentine will still be your Valentine on the 15th! The OrigAudio Rock-It in Pink is a gift that shows you are considerate without breaking the bank. To get yours, you’ll just pay a little bit of shipping. Supplies are limited, so hurry up and order!  


NYC I.V. Doctor Will Make HouseCalls with Hangover Cure

  Did you party a bit too hard last night during the Super Bowl? If this morning is not treating you kindly, and if you live in the NYC area, then you might want to give the I.V. Doctor a call. “Party without worrying about a hangover” and “discover why so many celebrities and socialites turn to the I.V. Doctor.” How exactly?


Carl Sagan’s Home Movies and More Are Now in the Library of Congress

Carl Sagan holds a special place in my heart. He advocated science and mastered at taking complex ideas and breaking them down into accessible knowledge that everyone could understand. Sagan’s influence on many was, and is, still profound. Due to a donation by Seth MacFarlane, there is now a Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan collection at the Library of Congress.





What’s Up with Zinio? They’ve Gone Missing from the Apple App Store

I’ve been having issues with Zinio crashing while reading articles on my iPad for several months, and I’ve been patiently waiting for a fix. Last night, after Zinio had crashed yet again, I got a popup saying that the Zinio server I was connected to wasn’t the current server, and that I should remove the Zinio app and reinstall.


Ventev Toughglass Screen Protector Review – Protection Where You Need It

I’ve tried several glass screen protectors, and I can say without reservation that they are my favorite type. What better way to interact with your glass touchscreen than by touching glass? What better way to protect your screen than by offering a surrogate when a sacrifice must be made? The $34.99 Ventev Toughglass is my latest test subject. Inside the package are a few items that you’re probably used to seeing come with all screen protectors — a small microfiber cloth and a squeegee. I been applying screen protectors to my devices since the early days, and I generally won’t use…


Help Kerry Woo’s ‘Take the Long Way Home’ Project Hit the Road

Kerry Woo, past Gear Diary writer and current street photographer extraordinaire, has just launched his first Kickstarter project — the aptly named “Take the Long Way Home”. His goal is to “document a rich pictorial history of America’s back roads, [and] upload the images online with professional printing and direct mailing to you” while driving cross-country from Seattle to Nashville. And now, in my words: Kerry is someone who I have never met in person, but over the ten or so years that we have been communicating online, he has become a dear friend. Kerry has always had a quirky…


1st Gen Apple Lightning Cable Meltdown – What’s the Cause?

I noticed the smell before I saw the smoke: I looked to my right, and that’s where I saw the problem — tiny sparks and a rapidly melting sheath near the end of the Apple cable that was charging my iPhone 5S. I immediately unplugged it before flames took over; crisis averted, but why did it happen?



The Travelteq Lauren Leather iPad Handbag Will Make You Swoon

I’m pretty jaded when it comes to laptop bags, and it’s with good reason; I’ve been writing reviews for well over 13 years, and in that time I have seen and tried everything from the completely utilitarian to the somewhat sublime. So you’ll understand my surprise that the new Travelteq Lauren was able to stop me in my tracks …