Articles by Perry Brauner

Withings Aura Active Smart Sleep System Unveiled at CES 2014

Events, News & Features January 6, 2014

Withings Aura Active Smart Sleep System Unveiled at CES 2014

Withings Aura Active Smart Sleep System combines an under-mattress sleep sensor and a unique bedside device in order to take into account your entire sleeping environment so that it can improve your overall sleeping experience.  The color changing bedside device uses light and sound programs to “positively impact your sleeping conditions.” The sleep system sends all the data it collects to a free mobile phone app so that you can visualize your sleep and learn what wakes you up or helps you sleep.  With the app, you can adjust your wake pattern as well.  The bedside device emits different colors…

Jet Car Stunts 2 Now Available on iPhone, iPod, and iPad

Game Diary January 4, 2014

Jet Car Stunts 2 Now Available on iPhone, iPod, and iPad

Jet Car Stunts 2, the follow-up to the popular original racer by True Axis, is now available for iPhone, iPod, and iPad on the App Store.  The Jet Car Stunts series takes an interesting approach to car racing by adding the ability to fly using a rear-mounted jet engine and realistic physics.  It’s available for free on the App Store.

Felt Audio's Pulse Bluetooth Speaker Review - a Tiny, Capable Speaker

Reviews December 13, 2013

Felt Audio’s Pulse Bluetooth Speaker Review – a Tiny, Capable Speaker

Felt Audio’s Pulse mobile Bluetooth speaker is a fine example of the old adage “Good things come in small packages.”  The adaptable wireless speaker is about the size of a business card, a little thicker than an iPhone, and weighs only 2.5 ounces.  The Pulse can serve many functions, all while fitting in your pocket.  The Pulse retails for $79.99.

Mota Battery case for iPhone 5/5s Review - Great Battery Capacity in a Slim Form

Reviews December 5, 2013

Mota Battery case for iPhone 5/5s Review – Great Battery Capacity in a Slim Form

The Mota Battery Case for iPhone 5/5s combines the convenience of additional battery life with a sleek, slim design that’s easy to keep in your pocket.  I’ve always been wary of extended battery cases because I keep my phone in my pocket and don’t want the added bulk, but the Mota eliminates that concern.  The Mota Battery Case is $99.99. The Mota Battery Case is extremely similar in design and features to the Naztech Battery Case I reviewed recently.  They both are made of two parts, the battery pack itself and a plastic frame that sleeves over the side of…

SuperTooth Freedom Bluetooth Stereo Headset Review - Great Sound at an Even Better Price

Reviews December 2, 2013

SuperTooth Freedom Bluetooth Stereo Headset Review – Great Sound at an Even Better Price

If you’re looking for a pair of competitively priced over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones with great sound quality and excellent battery life, you should look no further than the SuperTooth Freedom.  This comfortable headset connects to your phone, tablet, laptop, or PC using Bluetooth 4.0 technology and even has NFC connectivity if your device supports it.  The SuperTooth Freedom retails for $149.

G-Boom Bluetooth Boombox Review - Rugged Boombox can Follow you Anywhere

Reviews November 29, 2013

G-Boom Bluetooth Boombox Review – Rugged Boombox can Follow you Anywhere

The G-Boom Wireless Bluetooth Boombox by G-Project is a rugged speaker system that, despite it’s lower-end price tag, actually sounds pretty good.  The G-Boom has a rechargeable battery for when you want to take the boombox into the woods, audio line-in jack, and volume, play, and forward/backward control buttons on the top.  The G-Boom Bluetooth Boombox retails for $99.99.

HipShotDot Laser Sight Accessory Review - Advanced Aim for FPS Games

Reviews November 24, 2013

HipShotDot Laser Sight Accessory Review – Advanced Aim for FPS Games

I never thought I needed a special accessory to play First Person Shooter (FPS) games, until now.  The HipShotDot is a tiny red LED light that’s plugged into your console or computer’s USB port.  The LED enhances your view of your weapons crosshairs in order to improve accuracy and reaction time.  HipShotDot is a brand new product retailing for $29.99.

I Can't Wait to Go Camping with the Power Pot V

Gear Bits November 22, 2013

I Can’t Wait to Go Camping with the Power Pot V

A really cool review item just came across my desk: the Power Pot V, which turns your campfire or any other heat source into juice for your USB-powered device.  All you do is fill the pot with water, heat it up, plug in your device, and the Power Pot charges your device. The Power Pot sells for $149.00.

SteelSeries Impresses Again with the Siberia Elite Gaming Headphones

Gear Bits November 22, 2013

SteelSeries Impresses Again with the Siberia Elite Gaming Headphones

SteelSeries, the leading gaming headphone manufacturer, recently introduced a set of headphones that will really turn heads.  The SteelSeries Siberia Elite  pack some serious specs including Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound and Dolby ProLogic IIx for an even more immersive soundscape.  The Siberia Elite cans also feature a retractable noise-cancelling microphone; they retail for $199.99.

Xbox One Unboxing Video - Day One Edition with SWAG!

Gear Bits November 22, 2013

Xbox One Unboxing Video – Day One Edition with SWAG!

I preordered my Xbox One Day One edition months ago. I got to my local Best Buy around 7pm last night, expecting to wait in a long line. Although there was a long line of people who hadn’t preordered, I was the first preorder in line and the first customer at that Best Buy to purchase an Xbox One.

Coin is Trying to Bring Credit Card Payments into the Future

News & Features November 20, 2013

Coin is Trying to Bring Credit Card Payments into the Future

There have been attempts to unify all of your payment methods in the past using Near Field Communication technology (NFC).  However, NFC really hasn’t caught on like some had expected.  Coin is trying to bring to market a truly universal product that will unify all of your credit cards, gift cards, and loyalty cards into one swipeable card.

Equil Jot Smartpen Review - A Great Way to Digitize your Handwritten Notes

Reviews November 17, 2013

Equil Jot Smartpen Review – A Great Way to Digitize your Handwritten Notes

Equil’s smartpen offering, the Jot, is a truly useful tool, especially for those who often take handwritten notes.  With Jot, your written notes are digitally translated to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac in order to collect and organize your ramblings.  There are two free companion apps, one for writing and one for sketching.  The Jot retails for $149.99.

MeCam Wearable HD Camera Review

Reviews November 15, 2013

MeCam Wearable HD Camera Review

MeCam is a wearable 720p video camera that can also record video and has Infrared LED lights to be able to shoot in low light and dark conditions.  The small camera comes with a pin and a lanyard so it can be pinned to fabric or worn as a necklace.  The MeCam starts at $49.99 with 4GB of memory.

Free Games with Gold Heading to Xbox One in 2014

Gear Bits November 14, 2013

Free Games with Gold Heading to Xbox One in 2014

Xbox Live’s Larry Hryb AKA Major Nelson announced today, via Twitter, that the Xbox One will receive the same Games for Gold program that the Xbox 360 currently has.  The Games for Gold program gives Xbox Live members free access to certain games chosen by Microsoft each month.  What could be better than free games every month?

The Xbox One's Next-Gen Dashboard Looks SLICK in New Microsoft Sneak Peek

Gear Bits November 8, 2013

The Xbox One’s Next-Gen Dashboard Looks SLICK in New Microsoft Sneak Peek

If you’re anything like me, you’re extremely excited for November 22nd to roll around; that’s the day that the Xbox One is being released to the salivating masses.  Today, Microsoft gave us a bit of a teaser into what the next-gen dashboard looks like and how it operates.  Let’s just say that this only feeds the flames of desire.

Star Wars: Tiny Death Star Puts You in Charge of an 8-Bit Death Star in this Tiny Tower Remake

Gear Bits November 7, 2013

Star Wars: Tiny Death Star Puts You in Charge of an 8-Bit Death Star in this Tiny Tower Remake

Developer NimbleBit has teamed up with Disney and LucasArts to bring you Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, where you take the helm of the Death Star in order to build, develop, and prepare the planet-sized Death Star.  The gameplay is extremely similar to NimbleBit’s Tiny Tower.  It’s available for free on the App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store. You hire outer space “bitizens” in order to build the commercial and residential floors of the Death Star.  Like many freemium games, Star Wars: Tiny Death Star employs the use of premium currency that help speed up certain in-game actions.  On…

Duracell Powermat and PowerSnap Kit Review – Charging your Phone from the Future

Reviews November 6, 2013

Duracell Powermat and PowerSnap Kit Review – Charging your Phone from the Future

Ever since I learned about the magic of wireless charging back when the Palm Pre and Touchstone charging device came out, I’ve wanted to try it out for myself.  Although the inductive charging experience with the Duracell Powermat isn’t perfect, it’s a pleasure to use.  The Duracell Powermat retails for $49.99 and the Powermat PowerSnap Kit retails for $99.99.