Articles by Gear Diary Staff

Breaking TV Monopolies Through Technology?

Editorials January 30, 2011

Breaking TV Monopolies Through Technology?

You can keep up with the situation in Egypt on al Jazeera English . . . if you could get it on U.S. TV Right now, Egypt is undergoing a major upheaval, the kind of thing that may or may not lead to a new Egyptian government, and the first new Egyptian leader after nearly 30 years.  And interestingly to me (from the gear perspective) is that this is basically not being covered on American TV.  With a few shining exceptions like Richard Engel on NBC–who speaks fluent Arabic and lived in Cairo for 5 years–the number of Arab/North Africa/Mid-Eastern…

Power of Tech Shown by Egyptian Protests

Editorials January 28, 2011

Power of Tech Shown by Egyptian Protests

Photo courtesy of the The International Business Times When all of Iran seemed to be exploding in the wake of “President” Mahmoud Ahmadinejad‘s “victory” in the 2009 election, the news was noteworthy not just because a country struggling against authoritarian rule was trying to free itself, but also because of how the news got out:  Twitter.  Before cell phones integrated with digital cameras, smart phones, and Twitter, it’s possible that the world at large might have received no notice at all of the massive protests, deaths, vicious governmental crackdowns, and all the other info about Iran’s “Green Revolution”. Now we’re…

HanDBase for Android Review

Reviews January 23, 2011

HanDBase for Android Review

HanDBase is one of those mobile app titles that anyone who has been around mobile devices for a while will surely recognize. HanDBase, by DDH Software, was introduced for Palm OS initially, eventually migrating to Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, iOS, and now Android. While I don’t use database programs extensively, I have used one program or another for a long while to track media collections or other forms of inventories. If you’re new to HanDBase, it is a relational database program with cross-platform availability, including Mac and PC desktop versions with a sync conduit.  The desktop software has the ability to import…

Surviving My First CES Experience: Learned Some New Rules of Engagement

Editorials, Events, How to Do It Yourself! January 13, 2011

Surviving My First CES Experience: Learned Some New Rules of Engagement

As I sat in my hotel room waiting for my flight home, I had some time to reflect back on my first CES experience. CES for me was as amazing as I ever imagined it would be. More than anything though, it also prepared me for my trip back in 2012. I thought I might write something up that would give you an idea of what it was like and how to prepare yourself. Now that the show is open to the industry as well as the vendors, bloggers, and manufacturers, some simple preparation can maximize your time and coverage…

HTC EVO 4G Battery Review: Monaco Extended High Capacity 3500mAh

Reviews January 10, 2011

HTC EVO 4G Battery Review: Monaco Extended High Capacity 3500mAh

When I first got my EVO 4G I was thrilled. I’ve become a big fan of the Android OS and have always held a special place in my heart for any hardware HTC produces. What immediately did not thrill me though was the EVO’s battery. In simplest terms, it sucked! I thought the battery on the iPhone 3Gs was bad, well the EVO’s is worse. After conditioning the battery and making some modifications to my phone’s settings I was able to greatly increase the amount of power I’m getting off each charge but on heavy usage days I’m unable to…

Ilium Software Launches eWallet GO! - Their First App for WP7

News & Features January 10, 2011

Ilium Software Launches eWallet GO! – Their First App for WP7

Well established mobile software companies are slowly rolling out apps for Windows Phone 7.  Ilium Software, a long-standing mobile software company, has just released its first WP7 app, eWallet GO! (the ! is theirs – not [necessarily] an indication of my excitement). eWallet is a secure information manager (password protector, etc.) that has been around for quite a few years, expanding to new platforms as they are introduced.  It’s an old favorite of many – I myself have used eWallet on several different platforms in the past. eWallet GO! offers over 30 card templates, ranging from credit cards to website…

Vision Objects Makes Their CES Debut

Events, News & Features January 8, 2011

Vision Objects Makes Their CES Debut

Vision Objects has been developing and refining handwriting recognition technology since 1998, with their software being partnered with some well known products, such as the Livescribe pen series so well loved by several Gear Diary writers (including yours truly).  Despite being well known for their handwriting recognition prowess, which is available in different forms for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Android, Symbian, and Windows Mobile, this is the first year that Vision Objects set up shop at CES. To coincide with its first CES appearance, Vision Objects is introducing several new products.  As described by their press release: MyScript Studio…

How Many Bloggers Does It Take to Screw in an Archerfish Solo?

Events, News & Features January 6, 2011

How Many Bloggers Does It Take to Screw in an Archerfish Solo?

“Installing Archerfish Solo is now as easy as screwing in a light bulb – literally.”  Okay, now we’re talking… a product tag line that promises something I can handle.  No drills, hammers, screwdrivers, or circular saws. The Archerfish Solo is advertised as “thinking camera” featuring “built-in Homeland Security technology” that allows it to interpret what it sees, so it only shows you what you want to see – those types of activities that made you install a security camera in the first place – rather than making you weed through hours of uneventful video. Cernium Corporation, makers of the Archerfish…

CarCheckup OBD II Scan Tool and Data Logger Review: A Worthy Addition to Any Toolbox

Reviews January 4, 2011

CarCheckup OBD II Scan Tool and Data Logger Review: A Worthy Addition to Any Toolbox

Everyone has that one friend or family member that seems to be the guy you go to when having car troubles. CarCheckup recently sent me their latest automotive scanner and data logger to review, so I happily obliged and ran it for a few days in a late model Mazda 3. The CarCheckup is kind of like swiss army tool for your automotive computer and does a great job exporting the data to a very usable and readable format. The device is a small plastic module that connects to your OBDII port under your dash which is a direct link to the…

NOOKColor Morphs from Quiet Little eBook Reader to Killer Little Android Tablet

eBooks, Reviews December 31, 2010

NOOKColor Morphs from Quiet Little eBook Reader to Killer Little Android Tablet

If you have been following along here at Gear Diary you probably have seen Carly’s review of the NOOKColor. The NOOKColor was noted as Barnes and Noble number one seller for the holiday season and it’s pretty easy to understand why. I am not really an eBook user and don’t often find myself reading too many books, but what I do enjoy is pretty much anything Android and the hardware that it runs on. So far you’ve seen what the $250 devices gets you, a full featured, beautiful color screen eBook reader powered by Android 2.1. It was not days…

Solar System for iPad Review

Reviews December 30, 2010

Solar System for iPad Review

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get a review copy of the iPhone 4 version of The Elements, a book/media/textbook/app that describes and demonstrates the Periodic Table of the Elements (with pictures of examples that could be manipulated). I loved it. In fact, I ended up absorbed in it so much that it put me behind on other reviews, because I had to tell you all about it. Now the same development company, TouchPress (Get it? It’s on iOS, so you can “touch” and “press” the app, but it’s also a publishing company, so “press” has a…

BottomsUP Beer Might Be the Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Seen

News & Features December 28, 2010

BottomsUP Beer Might Be the Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Seen

A company called GrinOn Industries has created one of the coolest beverage accessories I’ve ever seen.  They’ve designed and fabricated what they call the “Bottoms Up Draft Beer Dispensing System.”  The  proprietary Bottoms Up Dispensing System is the fastest dispensing system in the world and fills at a rate of up to nine times that of traditional beer taps. The system isn’t only a marvel to watch but it’s pretty cost-effective too.  The company claims because of its super fast delivery speed (videos on their web site show them pouring off up to 56 beers in a minute) that it…

CuffLink iPhone Wrist Band Takes the iPod on Your Wrist Too Far

News & Features December 27, 2010

CuffLink iPhone Wrist Band Takes the iPod on Your Wrist Too Far

Some of the iPod Nano 6G watch bands look pretty cool. The TikTok and the LunaTik, both Kickstarter projects, have seen a tremendous amount of support and more importantly capital to begin production. However, this iPhone band is just taking things a little too far. Over at Kickstarter the band, named the CuffLink, is in need of backers.  The designer is looking to raise $10,000 of capital so she can begun production. The CuffLink will retail for $34.95 and come in a variety of colors. Here’s what it’s designer has to say about it. Hi, I’m Zenda Snyder and thanks…

Samsung Galaxy Tab Case Review: Snap-On Protective Leather Case

Reviews December 27, 2010

Samsung Galaxy Tab Case Review: Snap-On Protective Leather Case

When I’m at home I prefer to use my Galaxy Tab in the sleekest, slimmest, most lightweight form I can manage. However, I’m also a realist. With three small girls around and a dog my Tab needs some sort of protection. I keep an anti-fingerprint screen shield on the front and have been using the Snap-On Protective Leather Case on the back. This case comes in two leather color variations. The tan color I’m personally using as well as black. I choose the tan color, which reminds me of a baseball glove, because it’s just different. I’ve got so many…

How the iPad and Twitter Have Changed My News Consumption

Editorials December 26, 2010

How the iPad and Twitter Have Changed My News Consumption

Image courtesy of CleanSlate and Better Homes and Gardens I’m 47 years old–the “wedge” generation just after the Baby Boom, and just before Generation X.  I’m old enough to have owned a black-and-white TV (13″; it was my high school graduation gift!), had rotary dial phones (Michael just talked about these the other day!), one phone company for the whole country (Ma Bell!), three TV channels, and read the newspaper for news. I don’t delve into this nostalgically–I love all my modern gear.  I have an iPad, iPhone, Lenovo Thinkpad T61, DVR, DVD player, a 1 Terabyte drive for storage…

Akron Portable Fold-Up Stand for Apple iPad Review

Reviews December 24, 2010

Akron Portable Fold-Up Stand for Apple iPad Review

(Note: All the photos here but one are from Akron–since they matched my experience, and are of better quality, I used them instead.  Hope y’all don’t mind.) When I was planning what accessories–if any–to get for my iPad, one of the things I was pretty sure I was going to pick up was a stand.  I fly back and forth all the time between Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, and while watching movies on my iPhone is okay, even with just an iPhone it gets fatiguing holding the durn thing up for two hours.  An iPad?  Nope; gotta…

Forever Lazy: Lazy at Home, Good - At Work, Not So Much

Editorials December 24, 2010

Forever Lazy: Lazy at Home, Good – At Work, Not So Much

In early December I spotted a video on the Yahoo home page about Forever Lazy.  AP had run the story which was sort of a rags to riches success tale about how the company’s two founders had left their corporate jobs and created a product, basically from their sofa and because of a few celebrities liking their idea had begun to see serious growth. The Forever Lazy bills itself as an adult “onesie”.  Like a one-piece sweat-suit, it’s meant to be worn offering ease and comfort.  It’s complete with pockets, a hood and even zippered hatches in the front and…

Gear Diary Deal or Dud #8: The Perfect Brownie Pan

Reviews December 19, 2010

Gear Diary Deal or Dud #8: The Perfect Brownie Pan

If you’ve ever made brownies at home you know the toughest part is the cutting.  You basically need a degree in geometry to determine where to make your cuts to guarantee you get finished brownies that are all even in size and shape.  Not to mention the problem of the brownies, which so often end up stuck together. The Perfect Brownie Pan promises to take the guess work out of making brownies.  It features a non-stick pan, divider and stand which combine to create brownie perfection. The pan is available at your local “As Seen On TV” store for $19.99….