Articles by Zek

Ok Google, Everywhere!

Gear Bits

Ok Google, Everywhere!

Last week Google rolled out a pretty big update to Google Now. Among those updates was a sneaky trick; if you have an Android 4.4 device, use Google Now to search “Ok Google Everywhere”. Now head to your Google Now settings and select “Ok Google detection”. You now have Google Now everywhere! Judie, Dan and I discovered this fun trick Sunday, and so far I haven’t noticed a major battery hit on my HTC One M8. It has prompted me to discover some very cool tricks that Google Now has up its sleeve. For example, this morning I was driving…

What eWallet Needs to Do to Stay on Our Devices

Editorials

What eWallet Needs to Do to Stay on Our Devices

Judie and I were huge fans of eWallet from its earliest days, back when we used Palms; we synced the info on our Palms to the eWallet program on our desktop PCs. Later on we used eWallet on our Pocket PCs. Once the app became available for iOS, we loaded it onto our iPhones and eventually also on our Macs.

NOT Your Childhood Slip n Slide

Gear Bits

NOT Your Childhood Slip n Slide

  I have fond memories of zipping down the slight hill in our backyard on a slip n slide, but we never did anything beyond gentle landings. This video popped up recently on Facebook, and while I can’t say I would try this, I am impressed with the people who did!   What about you? Are you ready to try this? 😉

This Video Makes Me Want to Buy a Hyundai

News & Features

This Video Makes Me Want to Buy a Hyundai

There are stunts and then there are stunts. This video shows a real-world stunt that’s proves the power of Hyundai’s tech. Seriously… Watch the video, and then try to deny that some small part of you wants to go buy a Hyundai Genesis RIGHT NOW. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EPTIXldrq3Q Via Jalopnik

Yes, Matt Lauer, You Can Be GM's CEO and Be a Mother, Too!

Editorials

Yes, Matt Lauer, You Can Be GM’s CEO and Be a Mother, Too!

Hypothetical situation: You have the CEO of a major company on your morning news show for an interview. This CEO has been under the microscope for good news (positive sales numbers) and bad news (product issues). So what’s tops on your list of questions? How to fix the products? Why are sales strong? Are they a good parent? Wait, what?!

Simple.TV Adds Windows 8.1 and Plex Support

Gear Bits

Simple.TV Adds Windows 8.1 and Plex Support

If you’re looking to cut cable, Simple.TV should be on your shopping list. Combined with an over the air antenna, you get a DVR that supports iOS, Android, and Roku without having to sell your soul to the cable company. Now Simple.TV is adding support for Windows 8.1 and Plex, this is great timing considering Aereo’s loss today!

The Best Feature of the HTC One M8 Is Boomsound

Gear Bits

The Best Feature of the HTC One M8 Is Boomsound

I really love my HTC One M8, but hands down its best feature is the “Boomsound” speakers. Tonight I was playing Pandora on the deck for our son, and Sarah could hear the music across the backyard so clearly she thought I was using Bluetooth speakers! Not many phones can claim that kind of speaker power, especially outdoors!  

ibolt

News & Features

iBolt SPro2 Connect and MiniPro Connect Car Mount Review

For years I used a GPS in my car, but that’s been replaced by my smartphone. I miss having the GPS mounted to my dashboard, so I was very excited to check out the iBolt line of car mounts and their complementary “Dock ‘n Drive” apps. Does this turn the phone into the ultimate safe car accessory?

Auvi-Q is a Chatty Epi Pen Solution

News & Features

Auvi-Q is a Chatty Epi Pen Solution

Food allergies are stressful, but when you have an allergy that could lead to a severe reaction requiring epinephrin, they’re extremely scary. Remembering all the steps to administer medicine to yourself or someone you care for can be tough, which is why the Auvi-Q, a talking injector, is such a brilliant idea.

Amazon's Whispersync for Voice Upgrades eBooks to Audiobooks

eBooks

Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice Upgrades eBooks to Audiobooks

Amazon may come under fire for their dominant position in ebooks, but they are number one for more reasons than just price aggression. Not all retailers can leverage the various versions of books to their advantage like Amazon can, and they’re showcasing it with their new “Whispersync for Voice” upgrades program.

Barnes and Noble Teams with Samsung for New Nooks

eBooks, News & Features

Barnes and Noble Teams with Samsung for New Nooks

Looks like Barnes and Noble has hit upon a new way to keep their NOOK business relevant, while still getting out of the costly hardware space — they’re partnering with Samsung to make NOOK branded Galaxy Tablets! This looks like a win for everyone. B&N will continue to sell tablets, and Samsung has a new avenue to showcase their products.

Papernomad Little Tootsie for iPad Mini Review: Expensive Nostalgia

Reviews

Papernomad Little Tootsie for iPad Mini Review: Expensive Nostalgia

There are all kinds of cases out there for tablets these days-rugged, leather, pleather, vinyl, rubber, folio-style…if it’s a material that can be tablet-sized, chances are someone’s made a case out of it. Papernomad has an interesting twist with cases made from brown paper and felt, allowing you to feel like your iPad is a childhood textbook.

Will iOS 8 Lure You Back to the iPhone?

News & Features

Will iOS 8 Lure You Back to the iPhone?

After Apple’s iOS 8 preview at WWDC, I posed the following query to the Gear Diary Team: Carly: So for everyone who has used iOS and been using Android, or for those who have used both platforms…does iOS 8 make you want to jump back to iOS full time? Personally I think this looks like an awesome upgrade.

Swype is Excited for iOS 8, and You Should Be Too!

Editorials

Swype is Excited for iOS 8, and You Should Be Too!

A huge swath of users jumped up and cheered during yesterday’s iOS 8 announcement when one simple option was mentioned: Swype. iOS 8 will be open to changing keyboards from the default Apple keyboard, much like Android has for years, and Swype is one of the best. If you aren’t excited about this, you probably haven’t used Swype yet.

Target and Librify Partner Up for a New Twist on Subscription Ebooks

eBooks, Editorials

Target and Librify Partner Up for a New Twist on Subscription Ebooks

Target has sold books and eBook readers in their stores for years, and now they are sticking a very tentative toe into the world of selling digital books. No, you won’t be heading to Target.com for your next eBook (yet), but they are partnering with new website Librify, which is a social network/eBook subscription service coming this summer.

Why Amazon Prime Music Makes Sense

News & Features

Why Amazon Prime Music Makes Sense

Buzzfeed is reporting that Amazon is planning on expanding their Prime offerings to include music as well as books, movies, and free shipping. This has been speculated before, and the terms (no music newer than 6 months) fits with the backlist strategy of the rest of Prime. It also shows who Amazon Prime is truly aimed at: digital dilettantes.

Speck Acquired by Samsonite!

Gear Bits

Speck Acquired by Samsonite!

The folks at Speck know how to protect your phone; the folks at Samsonite protect your clothes, electronics, and other gear when you’re on the go. Now they’re combining forces, as Samsonite is reportedly acquiring Speck for a whopping 85 million dollars! Sena, Lifeproof, and now Speck have all been acquired…the age of case manufacturer consolidation is clearly upon us!  

Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini

Reviews

Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini

I am a huge fan of writing via my iPad. Since I rarely sit at a desk or table except at work, I love the flexibility of writing on the go or from my couch. Basically, I’m the perfect candidate for something like the Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini. But will it dethrone my existing keyboard options?

The Ultimate Use for Siri; the Baby Whisperer

Gear Bits

The Ultimate Use for Siri; the Baby Whisperer

We try not to let our 11 month old son play with our phones, but he loves all things iOS. Not because he loves Apple … just Siri. Our son has learned that holding down the home button brings up Siri, and he loves when she talks after he babbles at her. At last, we’ve found a purpose for Siri!