Reviews | Gear Diary

Rokform RokShield v3 for iPhone 5 Review and CES Booth Gallery

When opting to put my iPhone in a case these days, I tend to go one of two directions. I either seek out a slim, minimalist case that will protect my iPhone from scratches while adding the least amount of weight and bulk, or I put the phone in a LifeProof case for maximum protection. The new Rokform Rokshield v3 for iPhone 5 that arrived the other day may change that. The Rokshield v3 isn’t exactly minimalist, but it also doesn’t offer the maximum protection found in a LifeProof. Instead it falls somewhere between the two extremes. Actually allow me to…

Events, Reviews

Munitio SV Mobile Performance Earphones Review

If earphones don’t sound good, I’m not interested. If earphones sound good but aren’t comfortable, I’m not interested. And if earphones sound good and are comfortable but don’t offer any style, I’m not interested either. Yes, my time here at Gear Diary has turned me into a bit of an earphone and headphone snob. I want it all and, thanks to the exploding headphone market, I can have it. When Judie and I passed by the Munitio table during CES their current and upcoming earphone and headphone offerings caught our eye. The Munitio Nines look like 9mm shells. They really…

Music Diary, Reviews

AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix for iPad Review

Type of app: Music app Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: IK Multimedia Specifications: AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix™ features: – Real-time guitar mobile multiFX + recording app with Jimi Hendrix tone – Jimi Hendrix™ gear models: 5 Stompboxes (Noise Filter, Fuzz Age, Octa-V, Uni-V, Wah 46) – 2 Amplifiers (JH Gold, JH Dual) and 2 cabinets (2×15″J, 4×12″J) – Complete Jimi Hendrix™ Discography Presets – Jimi Hendrix™ song links directly within the app for play-along – Single-track recorder expandable to 8-track studio with master effects (via in-app purchase) – Import and play songs as backing…

Events, Reviews

MiPow Power Cube 8000M Backup Battery Review

In today’s world of power-sucking mobile devices carrying a backup battery is a must. A reliable, quality battery that will safely charge your devices is important. In fact, that’s the most important feature in a backup battery. But as the MiPow SP8000 proves, having a good quality battery doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style. The battery looks good, offers amazing capacity, has convenient features and has internal circuitry to protect the devices connected to it. It is currently Judie’s and my backup battery of choice. Let’s take a look. There are three styles of the SP8000 currently available. One…

Reviews

Not A Scratch Wooden iPhone Cases Review

Since writing my iPhone wooden case roundup back when I was using the iPhone 4, I have continued to search for other wooden cases that I thought were as good or better as those I had already tried. A small part of the reason that I like wooden cases is that they are usually lightweight, they can offer good back, side and corner protection without adding too much bulk, and they will not interfere with the iPhone’s reception. Then there is the way that they feel; wooden cases have a lovely organic way about them. They are cool to the touch, but…

Reviews

Plantronics Blackwire C720 Headset Review

I’m always impressed by Plantronics headphone offerings. Time and again they are able to combine excellent functionality with comfort; they even mix in a bit of style in the process. The Plantronics Voyager Legend is an amazing headset, and you can read our review here. We have a review of the UC (Unified Communications) version coming soon. Plantronics doesn’t just do Bluetooth headsets of course. They have a long history of offering wired headsets for use with phone systems and computers. Their new Blackwire C720 headset falls into that category but takes things to an entirely new level by combining…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Garmin ForeRunner 10 Still Going Strong All Winter Long

Since I reviewed the Garmin ForeRunner 10 back in mid-October, the YouTube video has continued gathering comments. So I figured it was time for an update. You can see the Garmin peeking out above between my two thermal-tech layers and gloves. You can even glimpse the toll all of the salting and slush are taking on my beautiful new bright orange running shoes! Quick summary: the Garmin ForeRunner 10 is an amazing running watch that is precise and reliable, and only the 5-hour battery time is a drawback. What have I done since the review? Finished training for the Corning…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews

Korg iPolysix Review – Bringing Classic Analog Synth to iPad

Type of app: Music app Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store Developer: Korg Description: ?Polysix polyphonic synthesizer, replicated on your iPad ?Use the newly developed Polyseq polyphonic step sequencer to control the Polysix ?A music production environment including two Polysix units, a drum machine, and a mixer ?Dual Kaoss Pads with chordal support make it easy for anyone to play analog synth sounds ?Polyshare powered by SoundCloud lets you publish, share, and remix songs with iPolysix users Major features: Way back almost 30 years ago I was trying to set up a home electronic music studio. I…

Music Diary, Reviews

‘Synesthesia’ by The Kandinsky Effect Review

As I have been compiling my ‘best of 2012’ list, it has occurred to me that I failed to do something last year I really wanted: ‘quickie music reviews’. So starting with some initial 2013 releases I will try to publish a music review a week that is a ‘quick look’ with a summary impression. And to be honest, this album was good enough to inspire me to start again! Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Music Store, also available on Amazon MP3 Store Artist: The Kandinsky Effect Description: Founded in Paris in 2007, The Kandinsky Effect is a…

Reviews

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…

Game Diary, Reviews

‘The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series’ Review

Ever since winning Spike TV’s 2012 Game Of The Year award, Telltale Games has been topping yearly ‘best of’ lists like crazy. Yet, with all the press, there’s still a fundamental question to be answered: what’s so good about the new Walking Dead game series? It’s just a tie-in, right? How can a licensed, downloadable title be anything more than a cash cow? As it turns out, Telltale Games had an answer. The studio, while previously known for its mediocre, licensed work (CSI, Back To The Future) has finally done something remarkable. They’ve crafted an episodic series that manages to…

Game Diary, Reviews

Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition Wows on iPad, Adds Little on PC – Review

Type of app: Role Playing Game (RPG) Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store , PC version available through BeamDog Developer: Overhaul Games / BeamDog Description: * 80 hours of Epic RPG adventure * Over 40 classes and kits * Over 100 spells * over 150 magical items * New adventure: The Black Pits, a thrilling combat adventure * New character: Rasaad yn Bashir, a Calishite Monk searching for answers. * Available for purchase: New character: Dorn Il-Khan, a half-orc blackguard with a history of violence. * Available for purchase: New character: Neera the Wild Mage, a half-elf…

Game Diary, Reviews

Adidas miCoach Game Review on PlayStation 3

Looking to stay in shape after the holidays? Adidas miCoach connects fitness fanatics to professional trainers in multiple sports and existing Adidas media. The Hype Why leave your house when you can train with the pros right in your own living room? Take your fitness training to the next level, train with word-famous athletes, receive feedback in real-time and get the results you want with Adidas miCoach. Hook up your PlayStation Move and get ready for personal training like you’ve never experienced before. Automatically share your progress via miCoach.com Training Games: Move around your living room with fun sport-related games…

Reviews

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…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews

Living in Question – Recipes and Remedies CD Review

Living in Question – Recipes & Remedies Do you have people you interact with who, when they suggest music you simply listen? I certainly do, and even better I have developed an instinct for discovering quickly when someone falls into that category. While reviewing ‘Levin-Torn-White’, I exchanged emails with producer Scott Schorr of Lazy Bones Records, and I really liked his musical instincts on the record and music in general. So when he approached me recently and said he had something ‘not quite what I normally listen to, but he thought I would enjoy it’ … I simply had to…

Game Diary, Reviews

Inbetween Land for Mac Review

Have you ever started playing a game, left it for a while, and after trying to get going again felt lost and restarted? That is what happened to me with Inbetween Land for the Mac. The story centers on a city that is suddenly sent into turmoil by a flying island in the sky … which goes from being an object of fear to a tourist destination. Your friend Mary goes missing after a beam of light appears from the floating island, so that is where you start your search. The gameplay elements are immediately familiar – you have puzzles,…

Reviews

Dropbox “Official” app vs. Box File Provider app on Windows 8 (Modern UI)

A couple of days ago, Dropbox added their app to the Windows Store for use in the Modern UI of Windows 8. Before this app became available, I had been using Box File Provider to access my Dropbox files via the Modern UI. If you are using an RT version of Windows, a Modern UI version is critical, as the desktop function is severely limited on the RT versions of Windows 8. There is always the option to access your files stored in Dropbox through the web browser interface, but I find that to be kludgy and not as easy…

Game Diary, Reviews

‘Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden’ HD for iPad Review

Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available from the Apple App store. It’s developer is Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment. Description: 40 dazzling and exotic underwater locations 16 unique hidden object scenes to search 22 mini-games, including an unusual Domino game Three difficulty modes: casual, advanced and expert In-depth Strategy Guide Game Center Support iPhone 5 support Major features: As I mentioned in my Dark Arcana review, most hidden object games fall into either crime mysteries or dramatic stories involving the supernatural. Once again developer Artifex…

Game Diary, Reviews

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask Game Review on Nintendo 3DS

Outstanding puzzles and great storylines continue creating a potent, mystery-adventure game mix in Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, the fifth overall installment in this “prequel” game series. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is the second game in a new prequel trilogy (fifth overall) and was first released in 2011 as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS within Japan. It is also the first game in the series for the Nintendo 3DS while previous installments released on the Nintendo DS. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, which primarily takes place one year following the events of Professor Layton…

Game Diary, Reviews

Classic Apple II Fighting Game Karateka Reborn for iOS, Here’s Our Review

Type of app: Side-scrolling Fighting game Platform/where to buy: iPad or iPhone; available in the App Store Developer: Jordan Mechner / Karateka LLC Major features: If you asked me to name the games that stand out from my Apple ][+ era in the early 80s, right alongside Castle Wolfenstein would be Jordan Mechner’s Karateka. The game was simplistic yet completely addictive as you would at first try to win by any means, then as you improved you would try different tactics, techniques until you could eventually make it all the way through with without losing any health. When I heard…

Reviews

Start8 by Stardock for Windows 8 Review

To date, my biggest pet peeve with Windows 8 is the lack of the Start Menu. Having used Windows since the early 90’s, the Start Menu is always the default way to locate files, programs, menus and everything else. It is the base from which everything else is accomplished. Redmond’s desire to encourage users to step away from the Start Menu may be the way we are heading in the future, but for me, it’s one step too far in learning to navigate my way through the new OS. So, that left me searching for Start Menu replacements. Samsung included…