Articles by Travis Ehrlich

Amazon Introduces Coins for Kindle Fire Users

My sons will be super excited to learn that Amazon has provided their Kindle accounts with 500 free Amazon Coins which is basically worth $5. The company just announced the coins which can be used to buy apps, games and in app purchases from the Amazon App Store and on the Kindle Fire. While it sounds like each is worth a penny, it is actually an even better deal since there are discounts when users buy additional coins in bulk. Savings of up to 10% can be attained buying the coins, so if/when you stock up, go big! I can…


The Legend of Holy Archer for iOS Review

iPhone and iPad apps for anyone on a budget. Nothing over $.99! As an avid bow hunter, I always look for opportunities to do anything dealing with archery. There are few games for iOS that involve shooting a bow, so when I find one, it is always downloaded. I recently came across a new game called The Legend of Holy Archer. Since the game if free, I could not pass it up. Let’s take a quick look. In the fantasy world of this old kingdom a dark hole appeared allowing horrible devils to attack. Being the holy archer, you are the only one…


DIY Ice Chest Air Conditioner Project

Spring time in Texas is hot; we do not really have seasons, just hot and not so hot. We are deep into the spring turkey hunting season, and some days it is just unbearable. I hunt with a bow, so that is done in a pop up tent blind. Turkeys can see extremely well, so I wear a long sleeve black shirt and black ninja mask. Of course I always wear my snake boots and long pants. The blind is basically an oven. I recently heard about people turning ice chests into an air conditioner on the go and decided…


Startech Flash Drive Duplicator and Eraser

As we move to a virtually paperless society, sharing digital files becomes an issue. While there are many avenues to exchange files in a large setting, many businesses do not prefer to email or share the files over servers for fear of being stolen or damaged. Giving the files on a flash drive insures control until it reaches the end-user. Startech.com has introduced a device to make duplicating flash drives or erasing them a snap, which means no more watching files copy from a computer over and over. I once wondered how companies that pass out large numbers of flash…


Is It Time to Go Solar?

My World Geography class was discussing Africa last week, and the subject of electricity seemed to interest them. There are parts of Africa that are not connected to an electrical grid, so alternate forms of power are a must. A student found an article explaining that 80% of Kenyans do not have electrical service and that they primarily light their homes with kerosene lamps. Long story short, a start up company is now offering solar setups that can run a small house with a pay-as-you-go model to be affordable to the rural residents. Read the article here. My students were impressed…


Introducing The Mood Simple Shell iPhone 5 Case

I am sure we have all had or seen the old mood ring. You know the ring that changed colors and could show others how you were feeling. If you do not remember the rings, surely you wore a hyper color t-shirt back in the late 80’s. For those wondering where these stylish technologies have gone, you are in luck. What better way to show your colors than on the back of an iPhone 5? Grantwood Technology is now shipping the Mood Simple Shell case for the iPhone 5 which will react to the temperature of your skin and change…


Clash of Clans for iOS Review

My latest and greatest addiction came from a source I never thought would put me on an iOS game; the bow hunting forum that I actively participate in had a post about joining the Texas Bow Hunters clan on Clash of Clans. Several of the members expressed their enjoyment of the game, so I thought maybe it was time to try it out. In a few short days, the game has become a huge addiction, and it turns out to be a lot of fun. Let’s take a quick look. Clash of Clans is a combat strategy game that requires…


Simple Bracket for iPhone Review

iPhone and iPad apps for anyone on a budget. Nothing over $.99! It’s March, and you know what that means! I am not referring to the impending spring season or melting of the snow in the north. Yes, the birds are chirping and the time change means the sun stays high a little later for us all, but there are more important things that happen in March. Sunday, the bracket was announced for the March Madness tournament; 64 NCAA Div. 1 basketball teams will enter the tournament with an equal shot to be crowned this year’s national champion. There are favorites, but every…


TrackingPoint Releases Precision Guided Firearm iOS Simulator App

We first broke news of TrackingPoint and their Precision Guided Firearm system during this year’s CES. The system is a custom-built rifle and scope combination that makes long-range shooting much more accurate. Using the XactSystem, shooters tag, track and hit their target with pinpoint accuracy. TrackingPoint has just released Precision Hunter Lite which allows iOS users to experience their revolutionary technology. The free application is basically a first person shooter that replicates the Precision Guided Firearm experience. Using the head’s up display, users practice utilizing the XactSystem to successfully make ethical shots at extreme distances. Users choose their quarry then…


Winston for iPhone Review

  Ever since Siri hit iOS, the idea of using voice features on my phone has become quite interesting. While Siri does not do exactly what I would like yet, I am always looking for other apps that add voice functionality. Sometimes I do not need to dictate to my phone, but would not mind my phone speaking information to me. With this in mind I found a nifty app called Winston. With a polite disposition and English accent, Winston presents stories from social media and news feeds as a personalized briefing. All you have to do is sign into…


Utilizing Smartphones in School

When I began teaching, no students and few teachers had cell phones. Most of the classrooms did not even have internet and everything was accomplished with books, pen and paper. Of course, as of late, every student has a phone. In fact, in my current classes, every student but one has either an iPhone or an Android phone. As phones began to become more prevalent, it was a constant battle making sure they were turned off and never in sight; this was a cat and mouse game that drove teachers and administrators to their wit’s end, although as long as…


Munitio Nines Earphones Review

Earphones, headphones, buds…it seems like I am in a constant search to find a great audio option to be used with my devices. I love trying them all out and experiencing the slight detail differences in the bass, highs and mids. Earphones come in all different shapes and colors, but rarely would I call them truly unique. I recently had the opportunity to try out some Nines by Munitio, and can now say I have some unique earphones. Will the sound quality match the cool design? Let’s take a look. Munitio Nines are definitely unique in that they look like…


Make Your Face Perfect With The GoateeSaver

Facial hair is becoming more the rage for today’s man. It seems that many men from their 20’s to 40’s are now growing beards and goatees. I grew my first goatee just out of high school and have had facial hair ever since. I currently sport a full beard, but for many years I had to groom and shape my goatee. Many think that having facial hair means less shaving, but that is far from true. While less area must be shaved, it takes great skill and diligence to keep a beard of any sort shaped and trimmed to perfection. There is nothing…


ZooGue New iPad Leather Case Genius Pro Review

Since I have moved to using an iPad 3 for my full-time mobile computing option, I’ve discovered how important my case choice is. The iPad literally goes everywhere with me, including my deer blind. It is important to not only protect the tablet, but for it to also be functional in many situations. My iPad is used on a work desk, in my lap, lying in bed, in the car, on the deck, and while I’m hunting. The situations where I use my iPad are literally endless. All of this means my case must work in each environment without having…


TrackingPoint Presents the World’s First Precision Guided Rifle Technology

As many of you know, I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I hunt not only for the sport of it, but also because it is a way to feed my family. I hunt with a compound bow as well as a rifle, both with different goals. With my bow, the goal is to get the game as close as possible enabling a 20-30 yard shot. Conversely, I prefer to shoot at longer ranges with my rifle. Usually 200 yards and up, and to facilitate this I use a scope with a ballistic drop reticle. Basically, there are dots under…


Magellan Explorist 510, A Gear Diary Outdoors Review

  For anyone who enjoys the outdoors it is important to know your location, where you are going and where you have been. Whether hiking or hunting, it is too easy to get caught up in the scenery or tracking an animal and lose your bearings. Each rock or tree begins to look familiar and next thing you know, you have been walking in circles. Luckily, modern technology allows us to use some wonderful tools to keep us from getting lost or to remember our amazing trails we have discovered. I recently was able to obtain the Magellan Explorist 510…


Griffin Expands Their Audio Lineup at CES

It is always exciting to see what new gear is on the horizon during CES. One of my favorite categories is audio accessories. Whether it is new ways to create audio and music or new ways to consume it, there is always something fun and interesting being released. Griffin always has a fresh lineup of interesting devices that promise to spice up anyone’s audio gear bag. Their latest releases include a way to create music on the go and some awesome new headphones. With StudioConnect the audio in and out is simple: Audio In – Plug instrument in through a mono…


Camera FX for iPhone Review

These days it seems as if pretty much every mobile device has a camera; phones, tablets, laptops — almost anyone on the go can now take a picture when and where they want. While these small cameras are pretty good, a little software help can make them great. There are many offerings for iOS users at many price points; you do not necessarily have to spend a lot to get good results. Camera FX falls into the ‘cheaper with results’ category. Lets take a quick look. Camera FX is designed to present a DSLR like user experience. You can see…


Bike Baron for iPhone Review

Even though I have very little free time during football season, everyone needs something to ease their mind and take a short break. As of late, I have enjoyed a few iPhone games that seem to follow the common theme of driving. There is not any particular reason every game I am currently playing involves driving, jumping and trying not to crash, but it has been bringing me some much needed relief and entertainment. My latest craze is Bike Baron. Let’s take a quick look. MASTER over 100 different tracks, beat more than 300 unbelievable challenges and learn the secrets…


ecbc Javelin Daypack Review

A must have for every gear junky is a good gear bag. I have been carrying the Everki Titan Backpack for quite a while. I love the bag, but since I am not using a laptop anymore, it is just too large. I actually quit carrying a bag at all of late because of the over kill for my needs. All I carry now is a tablet, but also have some odds and ends that need to travel with me, just not as much as I did when I was using a laptop. A smaller, lighter gear bag is definitely…


Extreme Road Trip 2 for iPhone Review

When I game on my iPhone, it must be a quick experience that can be played in short period of times without the need to beat long levels. I particularly enjoy games that utilize a well-built physics engine and include some speed and destruction. While recently searching the App Store, I found a category of recommendations that are utilized for use on the iPhone 5. I chose to take a look at Road Trip 2 and have been addicted ever since! Let’s take a quick look. Your gas pedal is stuck AGAIN! Do stunts to get nitro boost and SLAM…