Gear Diary Staff | Gear Diary

iPhone 4: As Far As The iPhone Can Go?

When iPhone 4 was announced I’ll admit it, I was giddy. Apple’s newest creation looks to be almost as revolutionary as the first iPhone they released. Jammed packed into arguably the sleekest, most stylish handset on the market, are a ton of features. Some of the highlights that really stand out? Multitasking Orientation Lock Video Calling Gyroscope iMovie Only 9.3MM thin Glass Front and Back 960×640 Screen Better Battery 5 MP Camera with LED Flash HD Video A4 Chip Portrait Lock iPhone 4 looks to have almost every feature I could ask for in a mobile device. And to top…

News & Features

Aluratek Drops a Brick (For Your iPhone, That Is)

When I think of a brick, I either think of the actual structural element from which buildings are constructed, or I think of any electronic device that seems unnecessarily large and cumbersome. Now, Aluratek wants us to reimagine the word as an audio component. Aluratek is releasing their latest product, the Brick Speaker Dock for iPhone/iPod this week. Aluratek boasts that the Brick offers high-quality sound at an affordable price. It will work with the iPod Touch, iPhone, and any iPod model with a click wheel. As it includes a 3.5mm auxiliary input, the Brick can also be used with other mp3 players. …

Reviews

iHome iP88 Review

I’ve been using the Sony ICF-CL75iP as my bed side clock since I reviewed back in November. While the Sony does a ton, arguably more than any alarm clock on the market, it’s not without its faults. Most prevalent, it only has one dock and the screen is so bright it sometimes keeps me up. While on a recent shopping trip with my wife at a “home” store I stumbled across the iHome iP88 and on impulse snatched it up. Here’s how iHome describes the unit: The iP88 is an innovative clock radio for iPhone & iPod that features two docks allowing you…

Editorials

C25K Week 4: Zoom, Zoom

Larry: Week 4 of the C25K is in the books. This week’s 3 work outs consisted of: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) I did all three workouts outside, on a new route. I definitely felt some progress this week. Running is becoming easier, although that first 5-minute run was tough! It’s good to feel progress as it makes…

Reviews

Electric Pocket’s BookLover for iPhone Review

I know I’ve said it here before, but I’ll say it again: I like lists. I’m a sucker for any promising program that allows me to make more lists, and while I like programs that allow me to create lists for a wide range of needs (Things or ListPro, for example), specialized list programs are great, too, because they can incorporate features that true enthusiasts want but are specific to the list topic. BookLover from Electric Pocket – makers of BugMe! – is just such a specialized list. BookLover, as may not surprise you given the title, is a program…

Reviews

Fbook Photos for iPad Review

A couple of weeks ago I told you about the iPad application Flickpad which offers a unique way to view your and your friend’s Facebook photos. fbook Photos is another alternative for viewing pictures from your Facebook contacts. In order for fbook Photos to connect with your Facebook account you’ll be asked to give it access. As long as you keep the “keep me logged in” box checked this only happens the first time you launch the application. If you uncheck it you’ll be asked to log in each time. Once the application logs you in you’ll be presented with…

Reviews

Feuerwear Scott Laptop Bag Review: Each Has a Story to Tell

Feur is the German word for “fire.” Being a firefighter I’m sure it’s not surprising that I often visit various firefighting related blogs & web sites. During a recent visit to one I stumbled upon a link the Feuerwear web site. Feuerwear is a German company who takes out of service fire hose and turns it into bags, wallets and belts. Since the hose they use to make their products was actually used in the field, each item they produce takes on its own individual look. Fire hose often gets dragged through the elements and exposed to extreme heat and…

Reviews

RadTech Aero for iPad Review

RadTech‘s newest offering for the iPad is the Aero Case. Made from thermoplastic polyurethane (which is just a fancy way of saying that stiffer silicone feeling material we’re all used to iPhone cases), the Aero comes in two color options, Bronze and Clear. RadTech describes the case as “a form-fitting and light-weight protective Apple iPad case. Colorful, rugged, stylish and durable for long-lasting protection of your iPad’s elegant finish. Skin-tight, zero-flex polyurethane material enhances your grip when carrying and handling, and provides excellent impact protection from bumps and drops. Made from washable and autoclavable thermoplastic polyurethane for years of tight-fitting…

Reviews

Battizer Review: Charges your Batteries and Helps Save the Planet

If you’re like me and never replace your batteries until it’s too late, then this product might be for you. If you have kids, lots of remotes, RC cars or anything that takes AAA and AA batteries, then the Battizer could prove to be a great investment. My home theater remotes, thermostat batteries, and Wii controllers are the items which to die at the most inconvenient times., so instead of saving money by going to the Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s and buying a bulk pack of AAs, I usually run to the convenience store and spend $6 on a…

Reviews

CableJive dockXtender Review

Last summer I reviewed the CableJive Dock Extender cable. This 30-pin male to female cable allowed iPhone and iPod Touch users who use a case to dock their devices without removing their case to do so. Many dock accessories (clock radios, charge and sync docks, speakers) do not accommodate the iPhone or iPod Touch while it’s in a case. However, there was one problem with that version of the Dock Extender. The connector plug was too large to fit inside some cases, perhaps most importantly the super-popular OtterBox Defender. Well, fast forward to today. CableJive has corrected the short coming…

Reviews

V-MODA Crossfade LP Review

When the press release came into the Gear Diary e-mail account about the release of V-MODA’s first over the ear styled headphones I jumped — literally jumped — at the chance to review them. I had recently reviewed their Remix Ear Buds and was thrilled with them, so I was excited to see what they’d done next. The Crossfades were developed over a lengthy process of collaboration with professional musicians, producers and DJs. V-MODA set out to create an over the ear style headphone that not only sounded great but looked equally so. By crafting the Crossfades from luxurious materials…

News & Features

C25K Week 3: Protect Those Feet

Larry: Week 3 of the C25K is in the books. This week’s workouts got a little harder and the first 3-minute run was a bit of a struggle but once out of the way I could start to feel the return of my endurance, even if it was ever so slightly. Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes) Judie: Those three minute jogs were a killer, and since I got a new…

Reviews

RadTech RadSleevz Review: Fits Your iPad Like a Glove

RadTech is one of my favorite accessory companies. Why? Because they’re smart. The company doesn’t take the “throw some spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks” approach to marketing. Meaning, they don’t make a thousand items and hope that one or two of them sell well. What they actually do is carefully decide what the consumer wants and needs, and then, only then, do they bring an item to market. This keeps their inventory of stocked items new, innovative and always exciting. The company recently sent me a few items to review, the first of which we’ll look at today….

Reviews

M-Edge Executive Jacket for iPad Review

M-Edge has a wide variety of case options out for the iPad. We’ve had the chance to review a few of them already, but their Executive Jacket might be the most sophisticated of the bunch. The book style case is available in 2 synthetic leather colors and 6 authentic leather colors; it features a four-point harness for mounting your iPad inside the case. Whether you’re in a board room, office, meeting or just off to school this case seeks to be your go-to, offering the protection you need with the style you want. I was sent a Black version of…

Reviews

Fabrix Cases Magic Sleeve for iPad Review

I’ve been enjoying using my iPad in its naked form. Truth be told I do have it wrapped safely in a full body Clear Coat protectant skin but it’s as close to naked as I’m willing to go. That being said pouch style cases seem to work best for me. I definitely need something to protect the iPad when I’m carrying it around but want something that allows me to keep the device as sleek as possible when I’m using it. Zippered pouches are nice but they require some work when I need the device. The Fabrix Magic Sleeve is…

Reviews

Gowalla vs. Foursquare: Which One Is Right For You?

I got hooked on Foursquare, the social networking iPhone OS application that allows you to “check-in” at the places you visit, by Judie back at CES. Judie, Dan and I had a fun time battling for mayorships of various locations in Las Vegas. I’ve been a frequent user of the app. since then too. But a worthy competitor to Foursquare has emerged, so worthy in fact that I find myself using Gowalla more. Both Gowalla and Foursquare are iPhone OS applications that operate on the same basic principal. Using your device’s built in GPS the applications locate you and show…

Editorials

C25K Week 2: Get On The Bus

There’s nothing like peer pressure to get you motivated. Last week I told you that after hearing my plan to start the C25K program and write about it for the site both Judie and Dan eagerly joined in too. Dan’s still on the sidelines with his wrist injury but Judie and I are plugging along, despite Judie battling illness and getting ready for her wedding! Well after seeing my week one article even more members of the Gear Diary staff decided they wanted in on the fun as well. Starting this week with week one of the C25K were Travis,…

Reviews

Gear Diary Deal or Dud #4: Original Space Bag

I’m back with another episode of Gear Diary’s Deal or Dud? This month I take a look at the Original Space Bag. Several years ago these bags were all the rage. You loaded them full of your most bulkiest sweaters, blankets and other items that you used seasonally, sucked all the air out to compress and them and then stored them neatly under your bed. In my continuing quest to create more closet space in my own home I snatched up a new version of the space bag. The Original Space Bag promises to triple your closet space. The one…

News & Features

J. Scott Campbell’s Disney Princesses Rated “R” Style

That being said, if Disney had used artist’s J. Scott Campbell’s drawings for the basis of their characters, then they probably could have tapped into a whole new market and made me happier too. At the very least, all those adults waiting in line around Disney’s parks, watching the movies etc. would be just a little more excited about having to do so. Of course then they wouldn’t have been appropriate for kids, but work with me here … this is just a fantasy. With three young girls, I’ve been subjected to countless viewings of the Disney Princess movies, been…

Editorials

Feuer Wear: Gear Made From Recycled Fire Hose

As a firefighter, when I came across this company I was immediately intrigued. Feuer Wear produces a wide range of products all from recycled fire hose. Feuer is the German word for “fire.” Their line includes bags, belts and wallets. Each piece they produce has its individuality. The hoses used in production come from actual fire companies where they spent countless hours in service. Fire hose takes a beating. It’s soaked, dragged, run over, covered in soot and exposed to extreme heat and fire. Each hose is scrubbed clean and then cut to size. But each hose retains it own…

Reviews

Flickpad: Fun Way To View Facebook Photos on iPad

Flickpad from Shacked Software is a really fun way to view photos from your Facebook friends on the iPad. The application takes full advantage of the iPad’s multitouch features to allow you to quickly browse through pictures from your friends in a way that’s extremely intuitive and actually a ton of fun. Once you load the app, and after you’ve entered your Facebook account information (only required once) it will show you all your unseen pictures from your Facebook contacts. By default the app loads all new pictures from the day you first launch it but you can move the…

Articles by Gear Diary Staff