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Reviews August 31, 2013

booq Viper Courier Laptop Bag Review- Slim, Stylish MacBook Protection

Booq describes their Viper courier as “somewhere in between a MacBook sleeve and a slim bag”. Yes, with this laptop bag you can’t carry much more than you would were you using a simple sleeve- and that’s the point. Slip in a laptop, a charging brick, a few key accessories and you are on your way. The booq Viper courier is a minimalist laptop case that is “purpose-built” to protect an Apple laptop. Available in both 13” and 15” models, the Viper courier is part of booq’s Fibre Collection. That means it has a unique look you won’t find elsewhere…

Reviews August 30, 2013

Cambridge Audio Minx Go Bluetooth Speaker Review

As sleek as it is simple, the Minx Go from Cambridge Audio doesn’t try too hard and, as a result, is hard to beat. A five speaker array delivers huge, clean sound. Priced at just $149, this Bluetooth speaker offers up to 18 hours of audio per charge and doubles as a mobile charger. Get it. The Minx Go is a small speaker that impressed me right out of the gate. It combines a simple design with huge sound that really surprised me. Measuring in at just 9.3″ x 4.8″ x 2.4″, the speaker weighs in at 2.4lbs. The three…

Reviews August 29, 2013

Genius Packer 22″ Carry-On Review- Not Just for Mensa Members

All carry-on luggage was not created equal. That’s the message Genius Pack wants you to get when looking at their Genius Packer 22” carry-on. This is a bag for the serious traveler who needs good organization and doesn’t have time for hunting around to find what is in the bag. Normally $298 is currently available for $198. Get it. At first glance the Genius Packer doesn’t look all that unusual. A black 22″ carry-on with wheels, the back looks like something you could pick up at pretty much any department store. The bag measures 22″ x 14″ x 9.5″ and…

Game Diary, Reviews August 29, 2013

Brave Tribe is a Cute, Fun, and Engaging Strategy Farming SIM for iOS

Simulation games often sacrifice story and character for game mechanics, and those that do have a story are often too simplistic to be enjoyable for long. But as the games coming to iOS continue to mature, so do their stories and gameplay; and Brave Tribe is a great example of a casual game with fun story and gameplay.

Reviews August 28, 2013

V-MODA CoilPro for Crossfade M-100 Review

We reviewed the awesome V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones the other day. (Check it out here.) I was impressed and am looking forward to Judie’s “Second-Look” Review. We then reviewed the V-MODA BoomPro cable and microphone. (Read the review.) It is a terrific add-on. Now here’s the V-MODA CoilPro Extended cable. It too is worth considering. Get it. The CoilPro is exactly what you might think it is. This is a coiled cable accessory that gives you additional freedom of movement and more. It is worth noting that the Crossfade M-100 headphones already ship with two cables and a 1/4″ adapter but, unlike the…

Music Diary, Reviews August 28, 2013

PJ Rasmussen ‘Adventures in Flight’ CD Review

PJ Rasmussen makes it clear from the very first notes that he is an up-and-coming force on the electric guitar. His Kickstarter-funded album ‘Adventures in Flight’ sought to create music for TV and Film in the jazz genre, also accessible by general audiences. But while the music is solid and Rasmussen shines, the overall impact is uninspired. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: PJ Rasmussen Description: A debut album is a daunting experience for any artist regardless of age. But guitarist/composer PJ Rasmussen’s first CD – Adventures in Flight on Third Freedom Music – shows a young man…

Reviews August 25, 2013

Odoyo Power + EX For iPhone 5 Review

My biggest problem with my mobile life is batteries. I seem to spend a large portion of my day figuring out ways to charge while on the go. My days have improved with the Odoyo Power + Shell EX For iPhone 5. At $99.99, the battery case promises to keep your phone charged all day long. The Power + Shell EX is a rechargeable battery case with kickstand for the iPhone 5. The 2200 mAh battery provides a full charge for the iPhone while the case provides protection. A kickstand is included tucked nicely away on the back of the…

Reviews August 25, 2013

iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker Review – Mo’Music for Less Money

There’s a lot to like about the iLuv Mo’Beats HD Bluetooth Speaker. It boasts Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, works as a desk and a battery-powered on-the-go speaker, packs SRS WOW audio technology and has a hidden universal tablet and smartphone stand hidden in the top. Best of all it has a price under $100. We’ve been looking at a huge number of Bluetooth speakers in recent months, and the flow of wirelessly connected audio devices doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. The latest unit we’ve had the chance to check out is the iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker….

Reviews August 24, 2013

HP Pocket Playlist Review – Gives You 32GB of Stylish Wireless Storage on the Go!

With each passing year, flash storage is cheaper and more plentiful, but the options for using storage have become fewer. Apple has few options for storage expansion, and fewer Ultrabooks, tablets and smartphones allow expansion. But the HP Pocket Playlist offers 32GB of wireless storage for use even when you are offline, and does it in a stylish $99 package. Description: •Engineered to entertain: Hey, parents! The HP Pocket Playlist puts you in control of managing your mobile entertainment. No matter where you go— car, train, restaurant, mall— your kids sit still, not fight and stay happy watching their own…

Reviews August 24, 2013

V-MODA BoomPro Microphone Review – You Can Definitely Hear Me Now!

The V-MODA BoomPro microphone cable for the V-MODA Crossfade series of headphones adds a boom microphone to the already-awesome Crossfade M-100 headphones. Sure the M-100s ship with a cable that has a microphone but this microphone makes a world of difference. At just $30 it is a terrific add-on to an already amazing pair of headphones. Get it. It seems a bit odd to be writing a review for what is essentially an accessory for an accessory, but when the first accessory is the V-MODA Crossfade M-11 headphones (read our review), and the second accessory makes them even better, the latter item deserves…

Music Diary, Reviews August 23, 2013

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Hands-On Video Review

This week I wrote about the QuNeo pad controller from Keith McMillen Instruments;. Here’s the QuNeo in action. As I noted in my review, it offers a level of expression and control not found in most pad controllers even more expensive ones! Check out my hands on review using the QuNeo, an iPad 2 and the Korg iMS-20.

Music Diary, Reviews August 22, 2013

Craig Hartley – Books on Tape Vol. 1 CD Review

Innovating in a crowded space is never easy, but there is always room for a talented artist to create an impression even within an established genre. That is exactly what Craig Hartley does with his ‘Books on Tape Vol. 1’ piano trio recording. Great compositions, improvisation and playing; my favorite piano trio yet this year. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: Craig Hartley Description: From the artist: This album represents an interpretation of some of my musical and life experiences translated into song. included in the liner notes are brief descriptions of my thoughts and inspirations for each…

Music Diary, Reviews August 22, 2013

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Review

Being a Kickstarter darling has its ups and downs. QuNeo earned more than 10 times its funding goal of $15,000 then struggled through manufacturing problems, partner changes, and delays before finally launching. The end result shows that being patient and steadfast paid off with a product that is iPad compatible, high quality, affordable, and totally musical! Description QuNeo is the next generation of pad controller. As small as an iPad and more powerful than any other MIDI controller you’ve ever played, QuNeo makes beats, launches clips, remixes and reinvents your musical world. 44 pads, sliders, rotaries & switches Pressure, velocity…

Reviews August 22, 2013

Epson XP-410 Multi-Function Printer Review – Small But Does It All

If you need a small multi-function printer that has a tiny footprint and a budget price, then you will want to check out the Epson XP-410. Good quality prints, WiFi, and printing from iPhones, iPads, and Android devices — thanks to integration with AirPrint and Google Cloud Print — are just the beginning. And it is priced under $100. It may be an increasingly paperless world, but there are still times when you need to print or scan a document. Epson offers a terrific range of multi-function printers at a wide range of prices. My current go-to printer is the…

Reviews August 20, 2013

ECOROX Waterproof Speaker Review – Use It On or In the Water

Like the elusive Loch ness monster, the search for a Bluetooth speaker that is fully waterproof and actually sounds decent has endured, but an actual sighting has long-eluded those seeking to capture it in the flesh. Finally however ECOXGEAR’s ECOROX waterproof speaker has reared its head. It is waterproof and it sounds good. ECOXGEAR describes their ECOROX speaker as “a unique portable audio system combining Bluetooth, Lithium Ion Battery and Waterproof Technologies”. It has an MSRP of just under $130 and, thanks to its rugged design, looks the part of a speaker built for the outdoors. The ECOROX is shock resistant,…

Music Diary, Reviews August 20, 2013

The O’Farrill Brothers – Sensing Flight CD Review

The O’Farrill Brothers remind me of seeing Harrison / Blanchard in New York City and buying their debut CD ‘Nascence’ – there are interesting songs, a certain rawness and rough edges, an abundance of talent, and apparent influences on display. And like ‘Nascence’, I expect greater and more mature work in the future, but that doesn’t diminish this fun and intriguing recording! Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: The O’Farrill Brothers Description: The O Farrill Brothers display their astonishing instrumental hard bop virtuosity and a distinctive, coherent ensemble sound with a musical maturity well beyond their young years. Features…

DRACO HYDRA Aluminum Bumper -for Samsung Galaxy S4

Reviews August 19, 2013

DRACOdesign HYDRA Ducati Aluminum Bumper for Samsung Galaxy S4 – Adds Sporty Good Looks and Protection

If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S4, and you want corner protection without covering up your phone more than absolutely necessary, then the $99.99 DRACO design HYDRA for S4 bumper case may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s sleek, made of aluminum, and it manages to make the S4 look even hotter! As you may have guessed by looking at these pictures, the DRACOdesign HYDRA is an officially licensed Ducati product. Available in Meteor Black, Luxury Silver, and the Flare Red I was sent, the HYDRA is composed of aircraft grade aluminum that has been precision-machined in a 5…

Reviews August 19, 2013

OlloClip Quick-Flip Case for the iPhone Review – Put a Photo Studio in Your Pocket

The OlloClip Quick-Flip Case for the iPhone 5 and 5th generation iPod touch is THE case for the iOS photographer. It not only lets you quickly and easily use OlloClip lens adapters, but it lets you mount your device on a tripod and mount a light or microphone on your iOS device. MSRP is $49.99; get it here. OlloClip describes their Quick-Flip Case as being More than a sleek attractive case for the iPhone, the new Quick-flip turns your iPhone into a mobile photo studio. Having used the case with both my iPhone 5 and my iPod touch I have to…

Reviews August 18, 2013

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Headphone Review – Dress Up Your Tunes

At $310, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones are a pricey option for anyone looking to purchase a new pair of over-the-ear headphones, but they are absolutely worth the price of admission. The headphones are tough, comfortable, block outside noise, and they sound amazing. They ship with a super-protective case, multiple cables and more. Check them out. V-MODA’s latest headphones stand out in almost every regard. While the company name and these Crossfade M-110s might not be as familiar as Beats or Monster or either company’s offerings, these headphones have all the style, flexibility and audio-quality you could want. Are they worth…

Music Diary, Reviews August 16, 2013

John Scofield’s UberJam Deux – Can the Sequel Live Up to the Original?

Artists seldom revisit their work, and too often when they do it is a disappointment. Jazz legend John Scofield wanted to take his Uberjam in a new direction, and the resulting UberJam Deux show the mark of everything he had done before or since, and represent a new horizon for the jam-band jazz style he pioneered. Don’t miss it! Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: John Scofield Description: Uberjam Deux, has been a decade in the gestation, following in direct line of descent from 2002s Grammy nominated Uberjam; not that Scofield has been inactive in the interim, far…

Reviews August 16, 2013

Jabra Style Bluetooth Headset Review – Give Your Conversations Some Style

The Jabra Style is one of the new Bluetooth headsets from Jabra, a company known for its expertise in creating great Bluetooth devices. This stylish headset is great for taking calls, listening to music or podcasts. The $49 headset has Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and is designed for comfort and simplicity — it even adjusts the volume automatically. Check it out. When creating the Jabra Style, the company was looking for something that would look great, fit comfortably and be easy to use. They have pretty much achieved that with the Jabra Style, and the fact that they have been able to…