Judie Lipsett Stanford

Ancestry.com’s Family Tree Maker for Mac Released, Thrilling Genealogy Buffs Like Me

For me, genealogy has been as much a passion as it was a hobby; my maternal grandmother and my uncle started researching their Meador and Bridwell lines years ago, and when I became an adult I picked up where they had left off, expanding the search for my father’s family, the Lipsetts and Hublers, as well. Over the years I have spent countless hours online and in libraries researching and amassing a huge collection of data; I have truly enjoyed discovering information, pictures and stories that have helped me learn more about my ancestors’ lives. Genealogy has given names in…

News & Features

Tekkeon Releases myPower, the First iPhone 4 Extended Battery Case with Swappable Batteries

Using an extended battery which also serves as an iPhone case is a great way to keep your phone going all day, and it’s nothing new. But Tekkeon is introducing a new twist — swappable battery packs available in either 1200 mAh (the Ultra Slim) or 2200 mAh (the Ultra Power). So here’s how it works: the myPower Extended Battery Case comes with an Ultra Slim extended battery, and you can order extra batteries in either the Slim or the Power size; rather than remove the case when its extended battery loses its charge, you just swap out the depleted…

News & Features

The “i-hotake” Makes Holding & Taking Your iPad Easy

Here’s an intriguing new way to protect and carry your iPad; the “i-hotake” (a play on “hold & take”) appears to be a pretty-thick protective plastic bumper case with handles on each end. Made for kids? Made for klutzy adults? We’re not exactly sure and they aren’t telling. Cutouts for syncing, speakers and other ports are in their proper places, so if nothing else — when your iPad is in this you can use it a mini breakfast in bed tray. 😉 i-hotake site (MSRP $39.99)

News & Features

Halloween Chats Get Spookier with a Surprise IM+ Theme

Starting on October 30, you can enjoy a spooky pumpkin theme behind all of your IM+ Lite or IM+ Pro chats. Beyond the cute new wallpaper, IM+ is a solid instant messaging client which not only handles your MSN, GTalk, Yahoo, AIM, Jabber and ICQ chats, it also takes care of Twitter, Facebook Chat and MySpace. You’re push-notified anytime someone tries to contact you, and getting set up couldn’t be more simple. It’s so funny, because up until just a year or two ago, I thought of SMS as something you did on your phone only, while instant messaging was…

News & Features, Travel

Skooba Gear Introduces Their New Ultralight Bag Collection, Techlife

Get ready for something special from Skooba Design! They are in the process of rolling out Techlife, a collection of sporty, casual, and Ultra-super-seriously-lightweight bags. Shown above is the Techlife Digital Daypack, which will retail for $99.95. According to Michael Hess, this collection includes … Updated versions of our iPad/Netbook bag and neo-skin, a slick new backpack in 2 sizes, a compact laptop messenger (for MacBook 13 and similar), a slim laptop case, and my personal favorite “big story,” which is… drum roll… The Weekend Warrior Duffel [$119.95] — nothing else like it on the market. A solution for “single-bag,…

eBooks, Editorials

MyPadMedia: They’re baaaaackkkkk!!!!!

with apologies to Poltergeist, the movie They’re baaaaacccckkkkkkk! Like a rat that just won’t go away, like a bad penny that just keeps returning, like your Aunt Gertrude who just won’t stop coming to visit each Sunday … one of our all-time “favorite” post subjects is back – and they have become even bolder than ever. Yes, once again we are hearing from MyPadMedia … and the lack of a link is because we aren’t about to help promote their page rank. They’re continuing to play their games, continuing to use highly deceptive tactics to draw people in, and attempting…

News & Features

Relive Your First Love with a Classic Car Shelf

My first car, the one that I actually picked out and paid for on my own, was NOT a 1969 Corvette. It was a 1981 Toyota Celica Supra, back when they were still Celica Supras. It had a sunroof which leaked when it rained, and it was the most god-awful maroon. It didn’t matter; I loved that car. Evidently the Celica Supra wasn’t a cool enough (or American enough) car to be made available as one of the Classic Car Shelf Collection from Gadgets & Gear, but I suppose I’m not really surprised. Because the others that have been replicated…

News & Features

Stop. Think. Connect: Reminding Kids to Stay Safe While Online

Parents with kids who are growing up in this internet age have undoubtedly got more to worry about than parents even five years ago. It is imperative that our younglings understand that anything posted on the internet (even if only briefly) can come back to haunt the poster (or the postee) forever. Vicious gossip, bullying, hurtful photos … these are things that can be magnified to unbearable proportions when posted online. I found this cute video today; it may see simplistic at first, but it’s message is right on. This video was created by EMC Corporation and RSA, its Security…

News & Features

Teach Me Sushi for iPhone Sounds Tasty

I’ve flirted with making my own sushi, but I can never seem to get my rice just right or my rolls just so. If you are in the same (sushi) boat, then here’s an app that might be able to help. The new app offers helpful tools and over 45 minutes of instructional videos demonstrating how users can make advanced sushi rolls in their own homes. The Expert offering takes the lessons a step further, teaching users to create advanced rolls including Shrimp Tempura, Volcano Rolls and Spicy Crunchy Tuna Rolls. And just like that … I am now craving…

News & Features

Love Is In the Air at Gear Diary!

This has been a celebratory two weeks for Gear Diary, as we have just seen two of our writers get married! Dan is officiating Carly and Sarah’s wedding today … probably right as you are reading this! And David and Tish were married on October 1. Please join us in wishing Carly & Sarah, and David & Tish a very happy, very wonderful, and very much loved rest of their lives!

News & Features, Travel

TravelTeq’s TRIP Will Pack You, Seat You, Carry You and Rock You

… and it will cost you. 😉 Nothing is more tiring than the journey anymore; getting to airports hours early, waiting in long lines, being herded like cattle through security only to find that there are no seats left for your oversold flight at the already over-packed gate … ugh! But the ends justify the means, right? And whether it is for vacation or business, we continue to endure the pitfalls of modern day travel. With that in mind, I found this product interesting when it landed in my email this morning; the TRIP is a carry-on suitcase that carries…

News & Features

Urbanears New Headphone Colors Revealed as Colorful Music Lovers Cheer

Out with the old and in with the new; say hello to the colorful new Urbanears 2010 Fall / Winter collection. Urbanears headphones have a 3.5mm jack and remote compatible with most devices including Nokia, Blackberry, HTC and iPhone giving them the additional functionality of a headset. In conjunction with the turn of the season, Urbanears has revamped its color offerings. Seven colors have been dropped from the line and are being replaced with seven brand new sleek colors. As seasons and fashions change, Urbanears will continue to introduce and drop colors every six months. … Currently, these colors are…

Reviews

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90z All-In-One Desktop Computer Review

photos by Kevin Lenovo recently sent me a 23″ touchscreen ThinkCentre M90z all-in-one desktop computer to use for long-term evaluation. Because of its similar form factor to the ThinkCentre A70z (which had a 19″ non-touchscreen monitor), I already knew that I would like its space-saving design. But what I didn’t expect was how much I would come to appreciate the touchscreen; having a desktop computer with a touchscreen has never seemed that important to me before, as I am used to more traditional methods of input. As with the A70z, the M90z came packaged in a ThinkCentre bag; minimal cardboard…

News & Features

Just in Time for Halloween, Batman’s Utility Belt Can Be Yours

I’ve been making jokes about BatBelts for years – usually when referring to the way so many of geeks will carry a plethora of items clipped to their waist. And now, for $149, geeks everywhere can have a real BatBelt of their own. Composed of polished bronze leather with silver studs, this isn’t some cheep plastic wannabe — it’s the real deal with usable and movable pouches. Fantastic for Halloween and cosplay, the TDK Batman: Utility Pouch should also make an interesting addition to your “Casual Fridays” attire. And for those of you who are thinking “But it’s gold! Too…

News & Features

A Most Awesome Video: the History of Rap with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

There are no words! Dieter Bohn (@backlon) just tweeted this, and I thought it was so awesome that I had to share. See if you can name all the songs and artists Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake go through; the imitations are spot on, fun to watch and the whole experience is hysterical! Unfortunately this video is Flash, but if you can’t watch it on your mobile device it is worth clicking when you get back to a computer. Kottke.org

Reviews

iPhone 4 Accessory Review: Speck CandyShell Case

The newest member of the popular Speck CandyShell line is their new CandyShell iPhone 4 Case. No surprises there, right? But what might give you pause is the case’s combination of hot colors, good looks and protection on the iPhone 4’s sides and back. The interior of the case shows how the CandyShell is actually two layers, composed of a “thin, hard-shell coating with soft rubbery interior lining, bezel, & button covers.” The iPhone slips into the CandyShell where it is securely held. There are cutouts for the mute switch, sync & charge port, speaker, microphone, camera with LED, and…

News & Features

Lenovo Releases Their First AMD-Powered M-Series ThinkCentre Windows 7 PC, and We’ll Be Giving One Away Soon!

This is just a heads up! Lenovo and AMD have joined together to create the new M75e ThinkCentre, and the specs are pretty impressive … The ThinkCentre M75e is an enterprise-class mainstream desktop designed for cost-conscious large enterprises and public segments. This is the first M-series ThinkCentre desktop featuring the powerful AMDTM processor AMDTM VISION Pro Technology. The ThinkCentre M75e offers high performance, multi-monitor capability, manageability and energy-efficiency. Built on the AMDTM VISION Pro technology that is known for reliability and performance, the ThinkCentre M75e supports processors up to AMD PhenomTM II Quad CoreTM Bx series – delivering the exceptional computing…

News & Features

Glow In the Dark Car Paint Can Hide Insults Well … Until Dark, Anyway

What you’re looking at is color changing paint; it’s invisible during the day, but at night … well, as the song goes — the freaks come out at night. Gadgets & Gear is introducing a glow in the dark powder that when professionally mixed with the highest quality car paints produces glow in the dark effects that can last for up to 20 glowing hours. This isn’t some one shot deal, either, as the paint’s glowing properties can last for up to 10 years! Sure, you could design some really cool paint design that looks fabulous during the day and…

Events

How ETS-Lindgren Makes the Products You Use Every Day Even Better

Along with a very small group of bloggers, earlier this month I had the opportunity to visit ETS-Lindgren in Cedar Park, Texas. If you are as uninformed as I was before this trip, that name will mean absolutely nothing to you. However, I can promise you that by the time you finish this trip report you will understand why you should be familiar with this company, and how they have most definitely had an effect on you. My initial introduction to the company was a link to their site and a slightly cryptic email from a contact saying that “they…

Editorials

Which Automated Cat Litter Box Is Better? CatGenie vs Litter-Robot

I’ve reviewed both the Litter-Robot and the CatGenie, two automated Cat Litter Boxes here on Gear Diary, and I’ve had several years to test each extensively. On top of that, when I started using the CatGenie, and it became evident that it would work out for me, I gave the Litter-Robot to my friends Steven and June; they have been using it since early 2009. Since reviewing both, I’ve received questions about how the two stacked up to each other, but none covered as many issues as a recent letter from Danielle.

News & Features

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Score ‘The Social Network’; You Get a Five Song Sampler for Free

Here’s a heads-up that you can download a FREE five-track sampler of music from the upcoming movie The Social Network, scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, by clicking this link. You can also pre-order the full 19 song soundtrack as a CD ($8.00), in HD Blu-ray Audio ($20.00), or on vinyl ($25.00). The Social Network soundtrack will be released digitally on Tuesday September 28th with physical formats to follow in October. You can pre-order standard CD, Blu-ray (audio only 5.1 surround and high resolution stereo) and 2 disc 180g vinyl formats now. All preorders include an instant 5 song sampler download…

Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford