Reviews

AmpliTube Studio

Music Diary, Reviews

AmpliTube Gets New ‘Studio’ Interface in Major Update – Hands-On Review

Along with the original iRig, IK Multimedia delivered AmpliTube, a high quality guitar amplifier and effects chain simulator. It all started simply enough, with a few effects and amp simulators and a solid sound that made it a great ‘practice amp’ in much the way the RockMan worked for musicians in the early 80s. Since then IK Multimedia has improved and refined and added loads of features – and now introduces the new ‘Studio’ interface as part of the version 3.0 update. Which is free to all existing customers. Let’s take a look!

Righteous Kill Movie Game for the Mac

Game Diary, Reviews

Righteous Kill Movie Game for the Mac Review

Have you ever seen the film Righteous Kill? I never did, and consulting RottenTomatoes tells me I didn’t miss much – I did try to stream it, but it wasn’t freely available so I requested it from Goozex, but I wasn’t able to get it before doing this review. Turns out it doesn’t matter, since this game is more ‘based on’ the movie then actually tied to the film. Based on what I hear, that is a good thing. As for the game itself – let’s take a look!

Spigen SGP Ultra Thin Air Transparency Case for Samsung GALAXY S4 Review

Reviews

Spigen SGP Ultra Thin Air Transparency Case for Samsung GALAXY S4 Review

If you are looking for simple protection for you Samsung GALAXY S4 smartphone that won’t add much bulk or weight to the device you will want to check out Spigen SGP’s Ultra Thin Air. The Ultra Thin Air is exactly what the name would suggest — a simple, super-thin, super-light snap on case that protects the back, sides and corners of the Samsung GALAXY S4. Here’s a video look… As you can see in the video, this is the Crystal Clear Transparency version of the Spigen SGP Ultra Thin Air Transparency for Samsung GALAXY S4. The case itself is made from…

Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers Add Good Laptop Sound for a Good Price

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Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers Add Good Laptop Sound for a Good Price

When Apple first announced the MacBook Pro with retina display a year ago, they made a big deal out of the fact that the 15″ laptop powerhouse would not only ship with the best screen ever, but that it also sported the best speakers they had ever put in a laptop. Having had my MBPr for almost a year, I can without hesitation, say that IF that is the case, then it simply means that all previous Apple laptops had particularly crappy speakers. Yes, I’ve been using my 15″ MacBook Pro with retina display for a year, and I have been…

Sky Gamblers Storm Raiders Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Sky Gamblers Storm Raiders Review

Throughout my career as a student and teacher, World War II has always been my favorite subject to study. I have looked at the war through all sides’ eyes and studies all aspects of the weaponry. The advancement of the air war has always intrigued me, and in my opinion it is what brought WWII into modern warfare. From fast fighter planes to huge bombers, the world was forever changed by the idea of air superiority. During college, I spent a lot of time writing papers and studying planes from the USAF, RAF and German Luftwaffe. When I saw Sky…

Oberon Design Laptop Messenger Bag

Reviews

Oberon Design Laptop Messenger Bag 13″ Review – One Leather and Canvas Bag to Rule Them All

I have long admired the exquisite leather offerings by Oberon Design; their embossed journal covers, Kindle and iPad cases, and their smartphone sleeves are handcrafted, gorgeous, functional and protective. Even so, I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical when I read that they were going to offer a laptop bag. Plenty of other high-end accessory companies have tried to make this leap, and plenty of them have left me feeling unimpressed. I needn’t have worried. Like everything else they have made, the Oberon Design Laptop Messenger Bag is handmade by artisans, and it is composed of quality materials; it…

2Day Tasks App for Windows Phone Review

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2Day Tasks App for Windows Phone Review

When I made the switch to Windows Phone, I had to start replacing my various “go-to” apps. Chief among them was a decent lightweight to-do manager. Something more robust than, say, “Reminders” on the iPhone, but it didn’t need to be a full-blown Getting Things Done organization system. I poked around Windowsphone.com, and noticed 2Day had a number of positive reviews. This has quickly become my favorite new productivity app; it is simple to use, with tons of customizable task options. Read on to learn more! 2Day follows the Windows Phone “Metro” interface, meaning you can swipe back and forth…

Innoio and Texas Instruments Partner for SmartBeam Pico Projector

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Innoio and Texas Instruments Partner for SmartBeam Pico Projector

In Brief: The SmartBeam Pico Projector from Innoio is one of the latest handheld projectors powered by Texas Instruments DLP Pico technology. At 45mm on each side the SmartBeam is tiny. And yes, despite its small size the projector puts out 35 lumens at a resolution of 640 by 480. That means the small projector can push out the equivalent of a 60” screen. This isn’t going to be one of my typical reviews. While I could go through the general description of the Innocube SmartBeam and then hit up the specs that really would not do it justice. Instead…

Remember Me Review on PlayStation 3

Game Diary, Reviews

Remember Me Review on PlayStation 3

Set in 2084, this third person action fantasy game has an extraordinary narrative as players rebuild the life of a female protagonist named Nilin in Neo-Paris amid a world where memories are the ultimate commodity. The Hype Speculative, stunning vision of our future – Discover Neo-Paris 2084, where augmented reality and memory digitization have taken control of people’s lives. Play as Nilin, an elite memory hunter with a clouded past – Become the most wanted memory hunter in Neo-Paris and experience the power to break into people’s minds to steal their memories. Memory Remix – This innovative new gameplay mechanic…

Shoot Better iPhone Video With the Satechi Professional DV Stereo Microphone

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Shoot Better iPhone Video With the Satechi Professional DV Stereo Microphone

When I began using my Canon T3i to shoot video last spring I quickly discovered that the onboard microphone was terrible. It did not capture good audio and, even worse, you could hear the autofocus motor when it was doing its thing. I ultimately solved this by using a Marshall Electronics MXL FR-310 Hot Shoe Shotgun Microphone (read the review) and a firmware hack that gave me more control over the camera’s operating system. It worked well but the Canon T3i and even the Sony NEX-6 I am now using, are a bit on the large side. It makes sense…

Ooma Telo VoIP System Review - Functions Like a Landline While Saving You Money

Reviews

Ooma Telo VoIP System Review – Functions Like a Landline While Saving You Money

We pay a fair chunk of change for our family cell phone plan each month. As a result, we opted not to add a landline when we moved into our new home. However, we had the opportunity to test out the Ooma Telo VoIP system, and it might just swing us into believing in having a dedicated line for the house. How does it work, and why is it persuading us? Read on to find out!

Pat Metheny John Zorn Tap

Music Diary, Reviews

Tap: Book of Angels, Vol. 20 – Pat Metheny Plays the Music of John Zorn

If I was to make a list of musical artists whose stuff I enjoy and who have influenced me through the decades, two names that would certainly be on the list are Pat Metheny and John Zorn. I have followed Metheny since the late 70s and have enjoyed most of his group and solo works; Zorn I discovered with ‘Naked City’, but since then have enjoyed sampling his voluminous output through the years. Yet in spite of each artist collaborating with tons of other musicians, they had never worked together – until now! Tap is from John Zorn’s Book of…

ZoneGuard Review

Reviews

Eton ZoneGuard Weather Alert Clock Radio Review

Many times when we discuss Eton we refer to their excellent line of outdoor-focused emergency radios, with flashlights, phone chargers, and solar panels all built-in so you can be in touch no matter what is happening in the world. Eton doesn’t just want you to be on top of the weather when you are out in it, they want you to be able to track “climate events” from the safety of your own home. And while we all have smartphones and a ridiculous number of weather apps at our disposal, Eton offers the  ZoneGuard Weather Alert Clock Radio, a stand-alone…

Pixuru Turns Your Digital Photos into Works of Art

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Pixuru Turns Your Digital Photos into Works of Art

Between my iPhone 5, my Sony NE-6 and my iPad mini I take more pictures than ever. You probably do too. The actual process of taking pictures is fun, but the question of what to do with the pictures once they are taken is often hard to answer. Pixuru has a great suggestion for what to do with your digital pictures. More accurately, Pixuru has a series of answers to the question of what to do with your digital photographs.The service made it possible for me to check out three of their offerings and I am happy to say I’m…

Scurvy Scallywags

Game Diary, Reviews

Scurvy Scallywags for iOS Review

Puzzle Quest is one of my all-time favorite casual RPG games. With a cool story, integrated RPG level-up mechanics and fun match-3 gameplay you were always challenged but in a way that worked for quick-hit gaming on the go. It is a formula that many have attempted to imitate with varying degrees of success. The latest game making the attempt is Scurvy Scallywags, which has the distinction of having some major names at the helm. Let’s take a look and see how they did!

Where Angels Cry for Mac

Game Diary, Reviews

G5 Releases Where Angels Cry (Mac Version) Review

I have noted that G5 Entertainment continues doing a great job bringing games to a variety of platforms including iOS and Android, but also Mac, PC, Kindle Fire, Nook, Windows Phone and so on. Most games are cross-platform ports, but that means that gamers get a chance to check out these great games on their preferred platform. I reviewed and enjoyed Where Angels Cry HD on the iPad, but now that it is out for the Mac, let’s take a look and see how it made the port! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) Platform/where to buy: Mac…

Jon Wirtz - Tourist

Music Diary, Reviews

Jon Wirtz Tourist Review – A Great Collection of Disparate Compositions

Back in 2010 Jon Wirtz impressed me and many others with his debut recording ‘Sea Level, featuring mature solo piano work that evoked comparisons to reknowned pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Vijay Iyer and Matthew Shipp. Now he has returned with his ‘Nuskool’ trio on an album of strong and diverse compositions called ‘Tourist’. The album had a ‘soft launch’ back in April but I have been enjoying it on my iPod for even longer. Let’s take a look!

Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Backpack Review - Bigger and Better!

Reviews

Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Backpack Review – Bigger and Better!

It’s been a while since Tom Bihn released the original Synapse backpack.  I liked it very much except that it does tend to look a little silly on a big guy like me, and sometimes it’s just a bit too small to hold the things I want to bring along.  Apparently I am not the only one who has said that, which led Tom to design a bigger version of the Synapse, called the Synapse 25.  The original Synapse is still being made, and is now called the Synapse 19. What’s New?

The Lifesaver Filtered Water Bottle Review

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The Lifesaver Filtered Water Bottle Review

There are a few basic necessities that all humans need to survive:  Food, Water, and Shelter.  Shelter can be built by people with materials one finds throughout the world; wood, stone, sand, clay are all examples of items that can be found in nature in order to build and provide shelter for humans.  Food can also be found by either scavenging or hunting and there are simple ways to prepare food with fire.  However, clean, drinkable water can be extremely difficult to find and there are no real fool proof ways to ensure that one can remove all bacteria, viruses,…