One of the things that comes up every time I leave the country is how I’ll manage data while roaming this time. In the past, I’ve paid the $120 to AT&T to get 800MB international roaming data. This trip to Mobile World Congress, I did that data package on my iPhone, but I gave KnowRoaming a try on my iPad.
It never ceases to amaze me what people will pay to own a piece of pop culture; case in point, the 1987 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio used in the Oscar nominated “Wolf of Wall Street”. I own a 1986 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio, and as much as I love my car, I’m shocked to see bidding for this one at $80,000+(!!).
The world of cutting edge technology always has some risks. A device may have bugs, or you may pay top dollar for a cool gadget that sells for half your cost a year later. Investing in Bitcoins raised the stakes this week when a major exchange went bankrupt, taking significant assets down with it.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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. =)
Any time I know that I’ll be away from an opportunity to charge my phone from a computer, AC, or DC outlet, I carry an extended battery pack with me along with least one charging cable. Lately I’ve been carrying the Moshi IonBank 5K; it has 5000 mAH, a built in Lightning cable and a built in USB charger.
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.
Insulting a celebrity is basically a victimless crime, right? Perhaps, but it’s hard to look at Jennifer Garner as she reads a particularly rude tweet without cringing and feeling some sympathy. A HuffPost about the sixth Jimmy Kimmel Show‘s “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” (many are NSFW) reminded me that I’ve wanted to mention this series for a while.
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.
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!
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 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.
There are several personality traits that can supposedly be revealed based on the results you glean from this simple 5 second test. Kev and I did it over breakfast, and the results were a bit surprising … or maybe they weren’t. Watch the video, take the test, and then share your results below!
Dan likes to tease me that when we’re together working, he never sees me wearing headphones; he says he just doesn’t see me as the type person to wear them. Well Dan, I may use them differently than you do, but I most definitely do wear headphones. These days the Harman Kardon Soho headphones are my favorites; here’s why …
If you participate in the emotional vortex that is called Valentine’s Day, and you have no idea where to start looking for original and meaningful gifts this year, then you’ll want to check out Oberon Design. They have added limited editions that include copious amounts of hearts and red-drenched leather.
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.
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…
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…