Articles by Gear Diary Staff

Reviews September 30, 2013

Gorilla Band Will Have Your Child Swinging from the Vines

Gorilla Band is for kids. Completely, unapologetically for kids. Like my 5-year old. Who adores this app. Gorilla Band, by the folks at Wasabi (who provided us with a copy to review), is an interactive children’s book for iOS and Android devices. The main storyline, aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 7, is about gorillas who play instruments and form a band. The gorillas don’t like the classical music they’re being taught – they want to play rock ‘n’ roll, of course. Fortunately, their music teacher welcomes their interests. The story begins with two gorillas who don’t like…

Game Diary, Reviews September 27, 2013

Grand Theft Auto V Review on PlayStation 3

Grand Theft Auto V continues improvement in open world environments where crime is king and characters expand with a three main character scenario that allows character to switch among them. Rockstar Games expands existing gameplay into show-stopping events with more role-playing opportunities as main and supporting characters cross paths while players can take main routes or choose tangents any time. The Hype Los Santos: a sprawling sun-soaked metropolis full of self-help gurus, starlets and fading celebrities, once the envy of the Western world, now struggling to stay afloat in an era of economic uncertainty and cheap reality TV. Amidst the…

Reviews September 22, 2013

Droid MAXX by Motorola Phone Review – Maximum Advantages/Options

The Droid MAXX by Motorola lives up to its name with maximum screen size and considerable battery life. The MAXX (Android from Verizon) officially released this past August; it features a nice rounded design protected with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber material, and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass for the 5-inch HD multi-touch screen which also vibrates with user interaction. The MAXX’s style is sleek and durable. The striations on the outer case and chin accentuate the large panel screen. The dimensions are 5.41 (H) x 2.80 (W) x 0.33 (D) inches (137.5 x 71.2 x 8.5 mm), and users can really feel the weight is 5.89…

Game Diary, Reviews September 22, 2013

Project X Zone Review for Nintendo 3DS

Project X Zone combines popular fighting game franchises from Capcom, SEGA, and Namco Bandai into an Nintendo 3DS exclusive game with frantic action, unique character dialogue and special interactions. The Hype When a rift in time and space suddenly appears, a doorway to various universes is opened allowing both heroes and villains from different worlds to cross paths. Players will be able to take control of a huge selection of paired heroes including favorites such as Jin and Xiaoyu (Tekken), Toma and Cyrille (Shining Force EXA), or X and Zero (Mega Man X) to discover the cause of the rift and…

Game Diary, Reviews September 13, 2013

Disney Infinity Review on PlayStation 3 – Imaginative and Addictive Fun

Disney Infinity synergizes action figures and video games in fun, creative ways with limitless options, future expansions/collaborations, and creative gameplay. The game expands interactivity by “syncing” physical pieces with the video game. The Hype Introducing Disney Infinity, a unique toy based video game where a spark of imagination unlocks the freedom to play with some of your favorite Disney and Disney/Pixar characters in their respective worlds like never before. Game features include: extreme game customization and character mingling in ‘Toy Box’ mode, the inclusion of everything needed for initial play including the base peripheral and three initial character figures, multiple virtual…

Reviews September 12, 2013

Rechargeable BlueFlame Slingshot Bluetooth Speaker Review – It Goes Anywhere!

BlueFlame has quite the repertoire of stylish accessories for you mobile needs. One such clever device is their Slingshot wireless, water-resistant speaker. At about $119, this speaker system packs a lot of sound in a small package and can fit into other BlueFlame Slings. Simply pop the speaker unit proper out of one Sling and slip into another. The BlueFlame Slingshot is a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker that permits users to stream audio from a mobile device of choice while also permitting the reception of cell phone calls with its built-in microphone. Boasting increased bass response and improved sound quality…

Game Diary, Gear Bits September 11, 2013

Download GRID2 Demolition Derby Mode for Free

Codemasters rocks the game racing world again with a free Demolition Derby Mode download for GRID 2. It’s available for Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3 versions of the game … and it is very cheap compared to the Mono edition. Enjoy GRID 2 Demolition Derby mode in single-player, split-screen, and in up to twelve player online races.This mode features the Jupiter Eagle Ray Mk 5 Demo Derby car and the Detroit Demolition Derby Stadium with two track setups. Players can create crossover jumps for extra excitement. The Xbox version (via Xbox Live) and PC version (via Steam) debuted last week while the PS3 version…

Game Diary, News & Features August 28, 2013

Nintendo 2DS Announcement and Wii U Deluxe Set Price Drop

Big news from Nintendoland! On September 20 the Wii U Deluxe Set will be discounted to $299.99 and a limited edition Wii U bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will arrive along with several high-profile game releases and special offers. Then, on October 12, the Nintendo 2DS handheld console will arrive. Let the games begin. Yes, Nintendo clearly hopes to increase interest in their handheld Nintendo DS console and Wii U console with new offers, games, and special bundles. Let’s run them down! On October 12, Nintendo will debut the slate-styled Nintendo 2DS handheld console for a MSRP of $129.99,…

Gear Bits August 28, 2013

The Nourishmat Starts Your Gardening Adventure with Ease!

Do you lack a green thumb, but like fresh vegetables? Have only a small space in your yard but want a garden? If so, the good folks at Nourishmat have a special package for you! At $64.95 for the base model, the Nourishmat comes with a weed-barrier mat with plant templates for seeds and step-by-step instructions—perfect for beginners! It is ingeniously simple. Using the companion planting technique, the neat little package helps simplify gardening for busy folks or people with limited space. Everything from seeds (82 seedballs with 19 different garden plant types), garden mat staples to plant location and spacing is…

Game Diary, Health and Fitness, News & Features August 28, 2013

Mario Esposito Discusses Sensoria Fitness Game Development Projects

We recently talked with Heapsylon’s CTO Mario Esposito about impressive gear that can interface among the physical world and video. Esposito also co-founded Heapsylon in 2009, which concentrates on wearable body sensing technology. Heapsylon, a Washington-based start-up, has launched Sensoria Fitness, which consists of mobile applications, the first e-textile pressure sensing smart sock, and Bluetooth anklet. The mobile application monitor and guide you through real-time audio cues. The smart sock, completely made of fabric, can be washed or dried like a regular sock. The anklet magnetically snaps on the cuff of the sock and sends commands. Sensoria Fitness recently completed two successful campaign on…

Gear Bits August 22, 2013

New Need for Speed Rivals Features Announced

Check out two new features in the upcoming Need for Speed Rivals racing video game coming to PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on Nov. 19 and eventually the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Check out the preview video here. Get into gear! Electronic Arts revealed two new features in the upcoming Need For Speed: Rivals racing video game – personalization (returning) and a revised career progression – both built into the AllDrive gameplay features, which meshes all the game modes together so players can quickly jump among different gaming experiences. In Need For Speed: Rivals players will enjoy these two features on either side of…

Game Diary, News & Features August 20, 2013

Official PlayStation 4 Console Release Date Announced

Set your calendar for November 15! Sony announces the North American release date for their newest console just in time for the holidays. Let the pre-order frenzy begin!

Gear Bits August 16, 2013

Purse n’ Boots Keep Your Money and Gear Safely Stashed

Ladies, how often have you wished that you had a pocket when one wasn’t available, or wished you could go without a bag when carrying one wasn’t practical. If you are wearing a pair of Purse n’ Boots by Elizabeth Anne, you’re set! Pockets inside the boots hold your cellphone, passport, money, and other similarly sized items; these are brilliant! Built in cell phone, credit card and passport pockets (new) Holds everything from your ID, passport, makeup, cell phone, cash and change The first boot in our catalogue with a cushy, comfortable flat heel Ideal for dancing, travel, shopping & riding Fully functional riding heel for horse lovers…

News & Features August 15, 2013

Celebrate Julia Child’s 101st Birthday with a Price Reduction in the Mastering the Art of French Cooking App!

When I was a wee preschooler, my morning TV schedule ran from Sesame Street to Mr. Rogers, and then to Julia Child’s cooking show, The French Chef, which helped plant the seed that influenced my interest in cooking. Why do I mention this bit of minutiae? Well, it so happens that today is famed chef Julia Child’s 101st birthday, and to celebrate, Random House Digital, Inc. slashed the price of their iOS app Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Selected Recipes from $4.99 to $1.99 from August 15 through August 18! Based on Child’s acclaimed book Mastering the Art of…

Health and Fitness, Reviews August 13, 2013

Merrell Vapor Glove Minimal Running Shoe Review

Minimalist running means different things to different people, from zero-drop to barefoot design to little cushioning. Regardless of definition, the Merrell Vapor Gloves qualify; they have zero drop, 2mm of cushion, and they can fold up into your pockets. They are amazingly comfortable while offering an uncompromisingly minimal design, so it’s worth checking them out to see if they’re for you. I did an initial impressions post on the Vapor Glove, and now after spending more time with the shoes, it is worth going back to see they have performed over a longer time period. So let’s get into some…

News & Features August 13, 2013

DataViz Protects and Syncs Your Passwords and Sensitive Info with Passwords Plus

If you are an avid user of Documents to Go you probably already knew about some of DataViz, Inc.’s product offerings in the software office arena. One aspect that is critical to office integrity is security, and DataViz has recently stepped up to the plate with their new Passwords Plus cross-platform password security software. Starting at $9.99, Passwords Plus works to keep passwords, PINs and related sensitive information secure from prying eyes and keep that data synched between devices. No more struggling to remember passwords or hunt through filing cabinets for password lists! It should be no secret that…

Gear Bits August 5, 2013

Keep a (Free) Sharp Lookout for Boats with PocketMariner’s Boat Watch iOS App

When my family and I went out to visit family in northern Washington, we were treated to the sight of many boats and ships sailing across Puget Sound and surrounding waterways, something of a novelty for us Midwestern landlubbers. In fact, we were able to take advantage of the ferry system at Mukilteo (and lunch at Ivar’s right next to the ferry landing) to help get us to our destination. During this same visit, I was semi-press-ganged into rowing on the Erica with the Old Anacortes Rowing and Sailing Society, and let me tell you, being in a small wooden…

Game Diary, Reviews August 5, 2013

Deadpool Review on PlayStation 3

In Deadpool, the “merc(enary) with a mouth” gets his own third person action shooter/action game and goes up another number to break the “fourth wall” into several video game genres and various jokes/references. The Hype Some of you may know me as the Merc with the Mouth. And it’s time to get mouthy. Prepare to get Deadpooled – That’s right, $#*! just got real! Couple things I’d like to get off my chest: I’m a mercenary for hire with an accelerated healing factor. I like to run my mouth. Some say I’m unstable but I’m very stable. (Yep, totally stable)…

News & Features, Reviews August 3, 2013

Justin Case Rechargeable iPad Battery Case Review

Power, power every where, And my battery levels did shrink; Power, power, every where, Nor any electricity to drink. With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, how often have you been going about your days busily using your iPad, only to discover the battery is getting low, and it’s just not convenient or possible to plug it into a wall charger? Are there times when you are jetting across the land for business and want to work on those reports or just unwind on the flight and play a few games like one of the Alchemy Mystery variants, but you have…

News & Features July 31, 2013

M-Edge Has Your New Nexus 7 Covered

It’s that classic dilemma – you want to be an early adopter and buy that newly released phone/tablet/laptop/media player, but you also want to protect it in a stylish manner. Nothing deflates one’s pride at carrying around the latest tablet faster than pulling it out of last year’s case. I mean, sheesh, one must have standards, right? Luckily for you, M-Edge completely understands, and, anticipating the new Google Nexus 7, has introduced the Stealth for the updated tablet. The Stealth is a leather folio-style case, designed to be slim and lightweight. It has a magnetic closure and uses M-Edge’s GripTrack…

Game Diary, News & Features July 30, 2013

BioShock Infinite Clash in the Clouds Expansion Pack Releases

Today 2K and Irrational Games released the first expansion (a.k.a. downloadable content (DLC)) pack for BioShock Infinite – BioShock Infinite: Clash in the Clouds on the PlayStation 3 ($4.99), Xbox 360 (400 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live), and PC ($4.99). Gear, Tears, Vigors, Sky-Lines, and weapons will help players conquer four new areas including the Museum, Emporia Arcade, and Duke and Dimwith Theater. BioShock Infinite: Clash in the Clouds is set in a unique arena shooter format with the main character Booker DeWitt and his companion Elizabeth as the playable characters. Players can also unlock exclusive content including voxophones, kinetoscopes,…

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