Articles by Zek

Free Nomad Carabiner-Act Quickly to Snag This Carabiner/Mini USB Charge Cord Combo!

News & Features December 7, 2017

Free Nomad Carabiner-Act Quickly to Snag This Carabiner/Mini USB Charge Cord Combo!

Nomad makes some amazing products, from cases to cables and stands, and if you’ve ever eyed their carabiner with a mini USB cable attached, now is the time to snag it. If you head to Hello Nomad, and enter the code MINI, you can snag the carabiner for only the cost of shipping (normally $29.95). This ONLY applies to the mini USB carabiner, and only one per person. Better head there fast, you never know when you’ll need to charge a camera while climbing a mountain!

Platinum Box Is a Classic “If It Sounds Too Good to be True...”

Editorials November 29, 2017

Platinum Box Is a Classic “If It Sounds Too Good to be True…”

I have not had cable for almost three years. Instead, everyone in my house relies on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime for their entertainment needs, all on a Roku 3. It works quite well, and we probably pay around $25/month for the three services. Platinum Box is claiming to do the same thing but for free …

Martha and Martha Give Batman vs Superman Some Much Needed Levity

News & Features November 16, 2017

Martha and Martha Give Batman vs Superman Some Much Needed Levity

I’ve been watching a lot of classic superhero stories lately, thanks to my 4-year-old, but my running joke is that I don’t want him to discover the DC Extended Universe — it’s just too bleak and dark. However, the folks over at Cracked have found a way to make it much more delightful: with Martha Kent and Martha Wayne doing commentary!

Fossil Q Grant Review: It's Smarter Than the Average Watch

Reviews November 14, 2017

Fossil Q Grant Review: It’s Smarter Than the Average Watch

You know how I can tell smartwatches have officially hit the mainstream? I showed a coworker the Fossil Q Grant, and she attempted to tap the glass, thinking it was a touchscreen along the lines of the Android Wear powered smartwatches that Fossil has been marketing.

Urban Kukri Knives Combine Utility with Art

Reviews November 11, 2017

Urban Kukri Knives Combine Utility with Art

I have had a habit of carrying some sort of pocket knife around for years. People tease me sometimes, but it really does come in handy to have a blade for everything from opening cardboard boxes to slicing up an apple. So when Urban Kukri offered to let us check out their artistic and unique spin on pocket knives, I was all over it!

LG Repair Service Has Completely Failed My Household

Editorials November 9, 2017

LG Repair Service Has Completely Failed My Household

We have an LG washer/dryer set in my house. Overall, they’ve been fantastic, but a week ago the washer started having issues. It’s out of warranty, but according to LG, I could purchase a flat fee repair to get it fixed. Our other option was to call a local appliance repairman. I assumed that going through the manufacturer would be the more prudent solution. As it turned out, I was very, very, very wrong. Avoid LG Repair Service at all costs.

Brooks Levitate Offer a Smooth and Comfortable Run in Style!

Health and Fitness, Reviews November 8, 2017

Brooks Levitate Offer a Smooth and Comfortable Run in Style!

It’s been a few years since I have been able to really self-identify as a runner. I still love running, but after two knee surgeries, my left knee is less enthused. I am always an optimist, though, and eagerly try every new running shoe we get offered, hoping to find one that works…and Brooks seems to have come through in a big way with the Levitate! Brooks Levitate is a lightweight, cushion-y neutral road shoe. At first glance, they look almost simple — there’s a tread pattern, a sole, and a smooth upper. No fancy swirly holes, or gel-filled packs, or…

KININ Personal Aromatherapy Pens — Just Don't Call It a Vape!

Reviews November 4, 2017

KININ Personal Aromatherapy Pens — Just Don’t Call It a Vape!

I have a love/hate relationship with essential oils. I know they can be soothing and relaxing, but often, when they’re running through a diffuser for a long time, I get a headache. We were offered the chance to review the KININ personal aromatherapy pens, which have a different approach to aromatherapy, so I thought it was worth a shot!

Indigo Proves Bookstores Are Not Dead by Expanding into the USA!

eBooks November 3, 2017

Indigo Proves Bookstores Are Not Dead by Expanding into the USA!

Indigo Books might not be a household name in the United States, but they are extremely well known in Canada. Much like Barnes and Noble in the USA, Indigo is the last bookstore standing for our neighbors to the north. B&N needs to step it up, though, because Indigo is coming to America!

Original Grain Showcases the Art Form of the Analog Watch

Reviews October 30, 2017

Original Grain Showcases the Art Form of the Analog Watch

I test a lot of gadgets and gear for this site, and none of them have received the compliments or interest that the Original Grain “The Barrel” watch has. It doesn’t tell me when I have a call, or buzz me for texts, or vibrate uncontrollably when I haven’t visited Facebook in 20 minutes. It does two things: tells time, and looks good doing it.

eBook Readers, Check Your Amazon Accounts!

eBooks October 18, 2017

eBook Readers, Check Your Amazon Accounts!

The Apple/Amazon ebook feud was settled several years ago, and last year big credits started hitting people’s accounts. These were reimbursements for overpaying for ebooks at the time, determined by the price fixing contracts that had gone on between the publishers and the ebook sellers. Apparently there’s been a recalculation, because several of us at Gear Diary received an additional amount in settlement credits! These credits work just like the last ones; you can buy anything you want at Amazon, and the credit is good for six months. There’s been a few versions of the credits, from ebook-specific credits to…

Kids Don't Need High-Tech to Have Fun!

News & Features October 16, 2017

Kids Don’t Need High-Tech to Have Fun!

This weekend, I bought my son a toy that he has declared is “the greatest toy of all time, ever!” He spent hours with it, told everyone he saw about it, and pretty much played nonstop. It was educational, it sparked his imagination, and it cost me $1.50, because it was just an egg full of Silly Putty.

Quip Makes Toothbrushing As Simple As Checking Your Mail

Reviews October 14, 2017

Quip Makes Toothbrushing As Simple As Checking Your Mail

When we received the pitch to review Quip, I immediately volunteered while thinking, “These guys are way too excited about toothbrushes!” Now that I’ve spent some time with Quip, I still stand by that — they’re way too excited about toothbrushes — but the bright spot here is that their excitement has created a truly excellent product and ecosystem!

Stranger Things Game Will Get You Lost in the Upside Down

Game Diary October 13, 2017

Stranger Things Game Will Get You Lost in the Upside Down

Stranger Things is coming in just a few weeks! If you live under a rock, “Stranger Things” is a horror-ish drama from Netflix that is an homage to the 1980s. It has evil scientists, parallel dimensions, plucky pre-teen heroes, and Winona Ryder screaming at Christmas lights. Now it also has a companion game, and it is incredibly addictive!

Super Mario Run Gets an Upgrade and a Temporary Price Cut

News & Features September 28, 2017

Super Mario Run Gets an Upgrade and a Temporary Price Cut

Reaction to Super Mario Run was a bit mixed when it was first released. On the one hand, it was Mario, on a phone! On the other hand, it was a bit of a generic running game, plus there wasn’t much to do once you slammed through all the levels. Plus, it was really pricey relative to other games at $9.99. Both issues are being resolved with the update out today, which adds new levels AND cuts the price to $4.99 temporarily! The new update adds levels beyond the original 6, as well as a new game called Remix 10….

E Fun's Nextbook Flexx 11A Sets a New Bar for Budget Machines

Reviews September 10, 2017

E Fun’s Nextbook Flexx 11A Sets a New Bar for Budget Machines

How much technology can $230 buy you? It’s not enough for an iPad, certainly not enough for an iPhone, and will maybe get you a low-end Chromebook. If you’re willing to look beyond the big brands, though, E Fun offers a hidden gem in the form of the Nextbook Flexx 11A.