Gear Diary Staff | Gear Diary

Otterbox Commuter and Commuter TL Colors for iPhone 3G &3Gs Review

A few weeks ago Dan and I took a look at two new cases for the iPhone 3G & 3Gs from Otterbox. The Commuter and the Commuter TL both offer Otterbox’s tremendous quality in a slimmer, less bulky manner than Otterbox’s most famous case, the Defender. When the cases first launched they were both available in only black with the promise of various color options to come. Fast forward to today and the color pack add-on backs for the Commuter and the colored Commuter TL cases are now shipping.

Reviews

Shinnorie GEN Label Custom Skinny Slim Bag Review

I recently reviewed Shinnoire‘s custome iPhone Leather Flip Case. I had a lot of fun selecting my personal color choices for the case. It’s not often you get to pick and choose the exact colors which will go into your case and then have it personally hand crafted. Shinnorie offers the same level of customization for their bags as well and I was also allowed to custom build a laptop bag for review. The bag I had built is their Skinny Slim Bag. It’s a slim bag good for short trips, daily commutes to and from work or meetings. The…

Reviews

Socialize for iPhone OS Review

If you’re into social networking chances are you visit several of the more popular sites. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and more. On your computer at home it’s easy to do on your web browser. On your iPhone it can be done as well but most of us choose to have an individual application installed on our phone for each of the social networking sites we’re subscribed to. Socialize, from Anthony Geranio, seeks to combine multiple social networking sites into one compact, easy to navigate iPhone application.

Reviews

WW2 Beachhead for iPhone OS Review

Sunstorm Interactive is quickly becoming one of my favorite developer of game applications for the iPhone OS. I recently reviewed their Real Deer Hunting application and found it to be quite entertaining. Now Sunstorm is back with a new title, WW2 Beachhead. Here’s how they describe the game play…… Buried in a beachhead bunker, players must demonstrate courage, quick reflexes and decision making ability to stand their ground against the attacking enemy. You play as the last units remaining at the critical line of defense where you fight against ever growing hordes of soldiers, shattering tank fire, and strafing gunfire…

Reviews

A-DATA sh93 Waterproof Hard Drive Review

A-DATA recently announced the release of a waterproof and shock resistant hard drive. The sh93 Incorporates rubber and plastic along with special cushion materials that allow it to withstand a 1M waterproof test for 30 minutes and military standard MIL-STD-810F drop test. The SH93 comes in two colors : racing car yellow and chili pepper red. With capacity up to 640GB, it is designed for users to conveniently carry around massive documents without the fear of damaging files stored in the drive in the incident of accidental drop or water spills. I’m quite familiar putting hard drives to the “test”…

Reviews

Dexim P-Flip for iPhone & iPod Touch Review

If you follow me here on Gear Diary you probably know I’m quite fond of convergence devices. I really like when manufacturers release new, innovative products that complete more than one task. Maybe it’s the fact that these devices lighten the load in my gear bag, maybe it’s the fact that as I get older I prefer to have to remember to pack less things. Either way I appreciate these multi-function gadgets. Dexim has a variety of convergence devices for the iPhone & iPod Touch and they were kind enough to give my one of their newest to review. The…

Reviews

An iPhone/iPod cable that withstands a beating

From what I understand it’s a fairly common problem with the iPhone & iPod charge and sync cable. It’s also a problem that causes both costly and aggravating results. After pulling it out from the dock connector of your device countless times, the wire that connects to the dock plug becomes damaged. It’s simply not built all that heavy duty and the stress from pulling and pushing on the cord over and over again breaks it down.

Reviews

Archibald’s Adventure by Rake in Grass for Windows Phone Review

Introduction Archibald’s Adventure is a unique action puzzle platform game. The story of Archibald’s Adventure goes something like this:- Archibald and his friends were near a dump behind a mysterious mansion of inventor – professor Klumpfus. Accidentally Archie fell down a pipe and ended up in professor’s basement. In the same time some crazy experiment went wrong and all genetically engineered creatures escaped from their containment in laboratories, while paranoid central computer locked the whole complex up! Now both Archibald and professor got stuck in the mansion! It’s up to you to help Archie to overcome all of the pitfalls…

Reviews

Real Deer Hunting for iPhone OS Review

Sunstorm Games developed the very first deer hunting game back in 1997. I can remember playing the game on one of my Motorola flip phones, using the phone’s center navigation pad to move and the OK button to fire. Times have certainly changed. The iPhone has brought cell phone games to a whole new level. Real Deer Hunting, Sunstorm’s latest title, is described as a game that “boasts realistic deer behavior, outstanding graphics and the most immersive hunting experience.” Does the game’s revival live up to the iPhone experience? Read on to find out.

Reviews

Voiis Stereo Wireless Music Gateway Review

Stereo Bluetooth is a great innovation for the freedom it grants from cables. I was quite pleased when Apple finally added stereo Bluetooth functionality to the iPhone. Not that being connected to a headphone cable is a huge problem, but it’s nice to be able to set my iPhone on my desk while listening to music, and still be able to move around my office without needing to pick up the iPhone and carry it with me if I’m just moving a few steps to get something off a shelf. Mobile Action understands the appeal of eliminating wires. Their new Voiis Stereo Wireless Music Gateway…

Reviews

Kanex High Capacity Battery for the Palm Pre Review

One of my big complaints about cell phones and mobile devices generally is that the batteries are never able to adequately handle all of the advanced features which tend to be included. The Palm Pre is a perfect example of this, with its WebOS interface, and always connected email (not to mention Internet, Wifi, 3G, and Bluetooth). Generally, if I do not have a charger handy, then I am going to lose my phone before my day ends. Add to that equation the fact that I love to go camping overnight, and the battery is quickly unveiled as typically inadequate. …

Reviews

HyperMac External Battery Review

Every once and a while a product comes along that really catches my eye. Such was the case when I spotted an advertisement for the HyperMac external battery in a tech. magazine last month. The HyperMac is currently the only external battery available for use with Apple’s line of Mac Book computers. And with the new unibody Mac Book Pro and its built in battery the HyperMac might just be a must have for the true road warrior. Hyper Shop, the company behind the HyperMac, was kind enough to send me a HyperMac 150Wh battery for review. I’ve put it…

Reviews

Apple TV Software version 3.0 video walk through

Apple has released a major update to its Apple TV software. The hardware did not change but the new 3.0 software version has been given a full makeover. With a totally redesigned start page, internet radio, support for iTunes LPs and more the new software version, although not the new hardware many people were hoping for, at least gives Apple TV users something new to play with. Here’s a brief video walk through of the new 3.0 software.

Editorials

The Palm Pre through the eyes of a former Palm OS Treo Business User

I’ve been a business smartphone user since the category was invented. I started with Palm and have been loyal to them through the years as the market has developed from a niche geek market to the fastest growing segment of mobile communications. Analysts say it will easily overtake conventional cell phones in developed countries very soon. As a business user, I’ve always assumed the ‘next’ new device would be better than the previous device at getting the job done. That job being primarily communicating with colleagues via voice or text. Originally email was the exclusive text method, but of course…

Reviews

MobiValet Review

When I saw an advertisement for the MobiValet in a tech. magazine I was recently reading I immediate had one of those, “now why didn’t I think of that” moments. My car has plenty of cup holders. But often times every single one of them is filled with a drink belonging to one of my children, snacks, sunglasses, toys etc. When I do find an empty one to stick my iPhone in I’m usually hesitant to do so. The iPhone is slimmer than what’s meant to go inside a cup holder and this results it in being tossed around as…

Reviews

HAVA Review: Live TV for PC and iPhone

When I saw the press release announcing that HAVA was coming to the iTunes App Store and that it was an application which allowed for live streaming of your home television, I was intrigued. I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the live TV options available for the iPhone but I have to admit I’d never heard of HAVA. I’m currently running both a Slingbox Solo and an EyeTV Hybrid in my home office. The Slingbox allows me to view live TV on my Mac as well as my iPhone and doesn’t require the connected computer…

Reviews

X-Mini Speakers Review

X-Mini makes some really functional and really small speakers which are meant to be used with your multimedia devices. The company was kind enough to send over a both their X-Mini II & X-Mini Max II for review. Do these tiny speakers pack enough punch to rock out too? Read on to find out.

Reviews

SubHunt for iPhone OS Review

Sub Hunt from Addicting Games is a shooting game the puts you under the sea in your very own submarine. The game features three different control methods, tons of weapons and upgrades, music and more. It’s an entertaining game each time you come back to play.

Reviews

New iPhone cases from Griffin Technoloy

Griffin was one of the very first accessory manufacturers to churn out items for Apple’s line of personal media players. They’ve been making cases, chargers, FM transmitters and other items for a long time. There’s an old marketing phrase that goes something like “innovate or die.” It seems Griffin recognizes this, and instead of sticking with the same lineup of cases year after year they’ve recently released several new iPhone cases for the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. Griffin was kind enough to send Judie and me a few of the new cases for review.

Reviews

mSpot Mobile Movie Streaming Review

You use your smartphone for everything from playing music, snapping photos, recording video, banking, and playing games. Are you ready to rent and view your next movie on your mobile phone? mSpot certainly hopes so. The company recently launched its mobile movie rental service and allowed me to trial it for a few days. Take a look at the mSpot service in action, and find out whether mSpot deserves a spot on your smartphone… http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UWl-AXuK9ik Above you’ll see mSpot streaming a scene from “The Reader” to my iPhone. The process to rent a film from mSpot is straightforward. Just go…

Reviews

IM+ by SHAPE Services for Windows Phone Review

Instant Messaging (IM) has gained popularity over the years, and it has become part of our lives now in the communication world. With mobile devices gaining popularity, everyone would love to stay connected with their IMs. Some of the popular IMs out there include MSN®/Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!®, and Google Talk. Those are all separate applications, requiring space on users’ devices and requiring them to juggle between each application when they want to IM their friends on the different services. What a pain! SHAPE services has come to the rescue, with IM+! IM+ is a messaging client that lets you…

Articles by Gear Diary Staff