Articles by Gear Diary Staff

Psychic Chasms Games Review

Deep within the murky depths of alternative medicine lies the field of dream interpretation, the discipline of assigning poignant meaning to our subconscious, slumbering thoughts. Not only do professionals exist in this area, they claim grounding in Freudian psychology. A main tenet held by such specialists (as verified on LinkedIn), is that dreams, while often confusing and disparate, hold coherent meaning within their surreal borders. Analgesic Productions’ latest work, Anodyne, explores the nature of dreams in a similar way, but often forgets that abstraction isn’t as simple as ambiguity. At its humblest, Anodyne draws heavily from the top-down Zelda era of the nineties. The creators…

Game Diary

Wii U TVii Service for March Madness Basketball!

March Madness on the Wii U TVii Service is a brand new experience based from the Sports section. The recently released TVii service, exclusive to the Nintendo Wii U, allows access via the GamePad to a television and other entertainment content, was not originally available at Nintendo Wii U ‘s November launch, but it’s here just in time for March Madness. This free TVii service comes pre-loaded into the Wii U does not require any extra equipment and functions like a web browser. User can browse and perform familiar actions on the GamePad touch screen while watching other programs on…

Events

Elon Musk Keynote Address at SXSW Interactive

As South by Southwest Interactive (henceforth: SXSWi) approached I found myself a bit overwhelmed by all the choices of talks, panels, hangouts, meetups, and God only knows what else. As an Austin resident, I didn’t feel the need to over-indulge on Sixth Street’s entertainment venues — I can do it any time — so I tried to concentrate on talks and events that I though I would find interesting, and you all would find interesting. I got a clunker or two, but in the main I did okay. Even with the overwhelming choices available, there was one person who I was…

Reviews

Targus Touch Pen for Windows 8 Review

Let’s face it, most of us who have become adept at using smartphones and tablets have become quite accustomed to using our fingers as the primary input devices. Microsoft took note of this and enveloped Windows 8 in something of a hybrid interface to permit this on touch-capable devices. Right now I’m running Windows 8 Pro on a 16″ Dell XPS 1640 laptop I configured back in 2009. In my position as one of my company’s two IT admins and software tester, I need to keep abreast of the latest OS technologies, so I took the plunge and put Windows…

News & Features

Merrell’s Four Fundamentals of Fitness with Tim Ferriss

Earlier this year I reviewed Merrell’s M-Connect line of shoes and was blown away by the comfortable but minimal fit. Merrell has really committed to making great minimalist footwear, and that commitment doesn’t end when you slap on the shoes. They want to know that you’re really getting good use out of your shoes, and enjoying yourself fully. That’s why they’ve teamed with Tim Ferriss, the self-proclaimed “human guinea pig” and author of The 4-Hour Work Week, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef to offer up the four fundamentals of fitness. Yes, Tim Ferriss apparently likes when things come…

Editorials, Events, Gear Bits, News & Features

SXSWi New York Times Talk on Gated Content

In which Doug attends a talk by New York Times reporter David Carr (above) on gated content at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) One of the talks that I had really been looking forward to at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi)–as a contributor to an online site as I am–was David Carr’s talk, “Gates of Heaven, Gates of Hell”,on how media was adapting to the internet, and specifically about the NY Times’ experiences with pay walls, online advertising, and the like. If you’ve been online for a while and followed the business news regarding making online sites pay, you know…

Editorials, Events

SXSW Interactive: First Fumbling Steps

South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi)–my first foray into trade show/events in a while I don’t go to many trade shows or other events. Gear Diary’s editors, such as Judie, Dan, or CarlyZ, are usually the ones who take on that burden/honor. It’s not that I don’t want to; I rarely have the opportunity. But Chevy is running a promotional event about their hybrid Volt during South by Southwest Interactive (i.e., SXSW Interactive), and as Judie is on vacation and our go-to superlative car guy David Goodspeed couldn’t make it, your humble news guy was asked to step into the breach….

Game Diary, Reviews

Tomb Raider Review for PlayStation 3

In Tomb Raider, adventuress/archeologist Lara Croft returns in her ninth video game…the first in four years. Was it worth the wait? Definitely. Developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix push current consoles to their limit with this impressive reboot. The Hype A Survivor is Born When the first ever Tomb Raider game launched in 1996 it was a revolution. Outstanding in terms of graphics, gameplay, and storyline, it changed the way that video games were played and developed forever. Fronting the games assault on the world was the central character, Lara Croft. Lara was also to have an incredible impact,…

Game Diary

Tomb Raider Interview with Darrell Gallagher and Noah Hughes

I recently discussed the new Tomb Raider video game (releasing today, March 5) with Darrell Gallagher (Crystal Dynamics Studio Head) and Noah Hughes (Crystal Dynamics Creative Director). Crystal Dynamics developed this recently released reboot featuring the female adventurer hero Lara Croft, as well as the previous four Tomb Raider games. Publisher Square Enix purchased Eidos and took over this popular 16-year-old game franchise recognized as the “Most Successful Human Virtual Game Heroine” by the Guinness Book of World Records. The character development and gameplay elements expand in this installment along with a new multiplayer mode. Tomb Raider is also the…

Editorials

Unlocking Cell Phones and the White House Petition

It used to be that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) had an exception which allowed unlocking cellphones (i.e., unlocking the phone from carrier exclusivity through the use of an unlock code — purchased from a third-party or obtained directly from the carrier). However, in October of 2012, the Librarian of Congress decided that this exception was no longer valid, and so unlocking cellphones would now be illegal and subject to prosecution, fines, and all the other fun stuff that illegality brings. Not too long thereafter, Sina Khanifar decided that this was unfair, unreasonable, and shouldn’t be the case, so Sinfa…

Reviews

Olloclip iPhone Camera Lens System Review

Although Dan had previously reviewed the ?lloclip (read it here) when I met the folks from ?lloclip at the LA Times Travel Show, they were kind enough to give me an ?lloclip for iPhone 4/4S to test out for myself. They also showed me a new case they are developing to go with the ?lloclip, which is not quite ready for sale yet, but is quite impressive in person. Once they are ready to bring it to market, I’m hoping to get one to be able to review, but I can tell you that the case functions not only…

Reviews

Brincatti Easy Fill Travel Bottles Review

While visiting the LA Times Travel Show over the weekend, I didn’t expect to run into too many tech or gadget related items, but to my surprise, there were several gadget travel related booths. While my wife was signing up for every time-share contest in the place, I got a chance to visit with a few. I got to chat for a minute with Kenny Brincat representing his Brincatti Easy Fill Travel Bottles. They are sold in a set of 4, 3 snap top and 1 spray pump bottle each with a 3oz capacity. What makes these bottles different from…

Game Diary, Reviews

Dead Space 3 Limited Edition Review for PlayStation 3

In Dead Space 3, players can “uncover the past and embark on a thrilling expedition to save mankind”. The Hype Prepare yourself to scavenge the violent wilderness, build devastating weapons, and take down the terror together. Isaac Clarke and the hard-nosed soldier John Carver unite in the struggle against the Necromorph outbreak. Dead Space 3 brings Isaac Clarke and merciless soldier, John Carver, on a journey across space to discover the source of the Necromorph outbreak. Crash-landed on the frozen planet of Tau Volantis, the pair must comb the harsh environment for raw materials and scavenged parts. Isaac will then…

Game Diary

Sims 3 Interview – Ryan Vaughan, Lead Producer

The Sims 3 lead producer Ryan Vaughan recently discuss the amazing longevity of one of the best-selling game series and what’s in store for the future. The Sims 3 strategic life simulation game series debuted in June 2009 and still going strong on PC and Mac…plus consoles…and the Nintendo 3DS handheld console plus iPod Touch and iPhone. The Sims 3 Store has also provided immense purchasable download content for the series include the recently released Aurora Skies world/town (the 8th). Players have enjoyed several expansion packs and stuff packs including the upcoming University Life (March 5 – the 9th…

Game Diary

PlayStation 4 Specifications Answer Some Questions

The PlayStation 4 specifications have been released after the initial February 20 announcement from Sony. Still no backwards compatibility…for any PlayStation 3 game, but services will be available to stream PS1, PS2 and PS3 games. One of my biggest questions was answered – the disc drive. Game format will be downloadable and optical disc. The “cloud”-like downloading trend made me wonder if the PS4 would even have a disc drive. Another big one – No DualShock 3 controller support. The new DualShock 4 controller will have a special lightbar so the new PlayStation 4 camera can track the controller’s 3D…

Game Diary, News & Features

PlayStation 4 Console Announced – Will ‘Radically Customize Technology’

Sony announced the PlayStation 4 will be released for the holidays 2013. This announcement event was held in New York. Presenters included Andrew House, president and group chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. then Mark Cerny, PS4 lead architect; and finally David Perry, co-founder of Gaikai. Sony’s current console, the PlayStation 3, was released in 2006. Cerny mentioned that Sony began seriously envisioning the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in 2008 and wants to “radically customize technology”. The PS4 will feature an enhanced GPU, a x86 processor with eight CPU cores, and 8GB of RAM memory. PS 4 games will be…

Events, News & Features

Oscar Weekend!

The Academy Awards…I mean the Oscars are here. Get ready for a film filled Oscar weekend! The 85th Oscars ceremony occurs this Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood televised live on ABC beginning at 5:30 p.m., PT / 8:30 p.m., ET. Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy) will host as the stars squirm in their seats as viewers celebrate an exciting year in film. Nominees will be sitting much closer to the stage as producers plan a Hollywood musical theme based on the recent resurgence in the past decade beginning with Chicago plus several surprises. Here are my…

Game Diary, Gear Bits

Indie Game Anodyne Will Satisfy Your Old-School Zelda Nostalgia

Anodyne, a new downloadable title, is the closest you’ll to come to playing an SNES-era sequel to A Link To The Past. The game was developed by a team of just two developers, and (not to spoil the full review) is pretty damn good. At its core, the title stands as a magnificent tribute to Nintendo’s flagship adventure series. If you’ve got any latent nostalgia you’re looking to blow off, Anodyne was made for you. If you’ve got a PC, Mac, or Linux set-up (read: any computer), you can download this beautiful, stylistic work for a mere $10 USD. Even…

News & Features

Best Buy to Keep Price Matching Policy Permanently

Over the holiday shopping season, Best Buy had announced that they would price match not only to local brick and mortar stores, but also to online retailers including Amazon, NewEgg, TigerDirect and Buy.com (now Rakuten.) However they have now announced that they will retain this price matching policy permanently in an attempt to stop the practice of “showrooming.” “Showrooming” is when consumers visit a brick and mortar store to check out items, especially electronics, and then leave the brick and mortar store and make their purchase online instead, seeking less expensive prices on the same items. To help consumers…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Merrell Bare Access 2 Review

I sing the praises of minimalist shoes every chance I get. They’re great at strengthening your legs and feet, but it can be harder on your body at first and requires some adjustment. Merrell recognizes this, and their M-Connect line isn’t just for super minimal shoes. The Merrell Bare Access 2 shoes give you the qualities of a minimalist shoe, but it has a slightly thicker sole to make it easier on your feet in the transition. Does it walk that line between just enough shoe and too much shoe? Read on to find out! In many ways, this shoe…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Merrell Proterra Sport Low Profile Hiking Sneaker Review

The Merrell Proterra Sport is a unique shoe. It’s part of the M-Connect line of minimalist footwear from Merrell, but if you were to line up most of the shoes in a row with the Proterra, it would look like a game of “one of these things is not like the other.” Until you put it on, it doesn’t look much like a minimalist shoe. But when you start moving, you realize the beefy look on the outside is hiding a low profile hiking sneaker designed to give you a minimal feel while still protecting your feet. How does it work? Read…

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