Most Gear Diary readers probably don’t know, but my regular day gig is as a food and drink writer for online and print media outlets. Through that job, I am lucky enough to sample many different wines and spirits. But sometimes it’s difficult to detect the subtle nuances of spirits. Well, it was difficult until I discovered the NEAT glass.
If you care about your music, then you simply must check out the $189 Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver. And since Audioengine offers a no-strings attached “30 Day Audition”, there’s no reason NOT to check it out and add high-quality Bluetooth streaming to your current sound system. Easy to set up, it will be music to your ears.
Leaving aside Samsung’s cute commercial bashing iOS Device battery life, external portable battery packs are a reality of modern-day mobile living. Our devices are simply too power-hungry, and recharging on the go is a must. The TYLT ENERGI 2K Travel Charger is a stylish and convenient way to do just that. Best of all it costs under $40.
If you like to backpack, and you like to take photographs, and sometimes you like to do both at the same time, then this is the pack for you. The Nanue Adventure K4L v2 35L Hiking Camera Pack, at just $279.95, is an amazing backpack for hiking that has a special camera pod that can be used on its own.
Do you need a way to keep your phone or tablet powered when you are out and about? Then you should look no further than the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank External Battery. Able to charge your mobile phone or tablet repeatedly without being plugged in again, the Harmonica Style Power Bank is slim, powerful, and at $21, it’s amazingly CHEAP. For just a smidgen over $20, you might expect some cheaply made hulk of plastic that weighs a ton and is, well, ugly. But the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank is actually a very well made and classy looking tool. The battery’s packaging is…
I am amazed at how much stuff I used to carry in a gear bag. The bags were huge and packed with back-breaking weight. As our devices get lighter and smaller, the need for huge, heavy bags is a thing of the past. The Mobile Edge Tech Briefcase promises to make your commute stylish and slim at only $79.99.
I’ve been intrigued by the Dyson series of bladeless fans since they were introduced, but like many people, there was one little thing that kept me from purchasing — the price! A desktop fan retails for $299, and the pedestal fans start at 399! Needless to say, when the opportunity arose to review the Dyson Cool AM07, I jumped.
If you use iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini to record audio or video, the Blue Microphone Mikey Digital is a fantastic way to quickly and easily improve the quality of the audio captured. For under $100 the microphone, which plugs directly into the Lightning connector, will let you capture what you actually hear.
The HooToo TripMate Elite 4-in-1 device is a personal cloud, travel router, external battery pack, and dual USB AC charger all in one. The versatile TripMate Elite can be used on an airplane, in your hotel room, in the airport, or even in the car or train. It’s the perfect travel companion. The TripMate Elite’s price is $89.99.
If you’re doing some last-minute back-to-school shopping, then you might want to check out the iLuv TimeShaker Micro. This small alarm clock features Bluetooth audio, an FM radio, USB charger, iLuv’s jAura audio, and a vibrating alarm that will make sure you don’t miss class without waking up your roommates; best of all, this clock radio is under $50.
While I generally do a really good job of keeping up with the weather conditions outside of my home, I can’t say that I have ever considered what the conditions inside my home might be like, beyond whether it was cool or hot enough for comfort, of course. That’s all changed since I’ve been testing the Netatmo Weather Station.
I have resisted regularly using a stylus for any of my phones or tablets, because I’m not a fan of the overly large soft-touch wide-tipped capacitive styli now available. If I were to use a stylus, I’d want it to be pen-like and more refined — with a fine, hard tip. The new Just Mobile AluPen Digital fits the bill.
If you listen work out to music, you know that the right pair of headphones make all the difference. Whether you have in-ear or On-ear headphones they have to be comfortable and stay put. Oh, and they have to sound good too. Right? The new SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones are comfortable, stay put and sound awesome.
Synology’s new DS415play is a 4-bay Network Attached Storage (NAS) system that was designed with the home theater in mind. With room for 4 SATA hard drives, the DS415play can hold up to 24 Terabytes of data. Combined with Synology’s excellent user interface, DiskStation Manager, the Synology DS415play is an excellent buy. The MSRP for the DS415play is $539.99.
The little things can make all the difference. The Magnector Magnetic Charging Adapter for Micro USB Cable is one example of this. Designed to turn a microUSB cable into a charging system for the Sony Xperia line of devices, I have one and absolutely love it. You may balk at the price, but it is worth every penny.
When our son was an infant, we toted him around in a baby carrier. It worked great when he was tiny, but as he grew, it became too uncomfortable. We wanted to be able to carry him on hikes and other outdoor adventures, so with that goal in mind, we recently put the Chicco Smart Support backpack to the test.
I’ve long been a fan of Spigen’s various products. They make excellent cases and screen protectors and have slowly been expanding into other accessory lines. That’s why I was excited to purchase a Sony Xperia Z2 case from them. (Three cases actually.) Sadly I’m returning all three cases. Each is a quality case but each has the same fatal flaw.
“Emergencies Happen. Be Prepared” That’s the statement splashed across the Champ E-Prep Gear landing page. Prior to Hurricane Sandy coming through the East Coast I might have scoffed at that as a marketing ploy. Post Sandy I now know it is important to be prepared. The $49.99 Champ Survival Sidekick Weather Radio is one part of such preparation.
The other day we took a look at a soft, inexpensive neoprene case for the Sony QX10 lens camera. It does the job but is more “functional” than anything else. The Sony Soft Case for the Sony QX10 LensCamera serves the same purpose but does so with far more class. Best of all, it won’t break the bank.
I recently picked up a Sony QX10 lens camera. The price had dropped $50 and, now that I am using a Sony Xperia Z2 I figured it made sense. I also went in search of a good way to protect the camera. The Op/Tech USA Fold-Over Pouch 301 seemed like a good option. Let’s take a look.
There are times when the simplest of ideas can be the best. The Bluelounge Kickflip is a good example of this. The Kickflip is a small strip of plastic that lifts your Macbook and creates a more ergonomic platform for your typing. Available for both the 13″ and 15″ Macbook it is simple… And impressive.