Reviews

Doomsday Preppers (NatGeo Show Tie-In) for iPad Review

Type of app: Building Management game Platform/where to buy: iPad/iPhone; available in the App Store Developer: National Geographic Games / G5 Entertainment Description: 135 floors to build – how deep will you go? Six types of floors: Shelter, Security, Food and Water, Science, Workshop and Recreation Over 300 products to prep and store Over 150 male and female customizable avatars to choose from Regular game updates to keep you plotting and planning Play with other preppers, including your Facebook friends Major features: I have to confess that I have never seen Doomsday Preppers, which starts its second season on November…


HSTI Wireless Media Stick Review

As time goes by, I have seen USB ports appearing in places that one would not normally expect to find them; from the car to our televisions, USB ports have been incorporated into many devices. So picture this scenario: you have a computer at home that has media on it that you’d like to get on your TV, Stereo or any other place you might have a USB port.  You could copy the music to a thumb drive and use that, but then what happens when you want to add more music or change it out?  You’d need to retrieve the thumb drive,…


Gear Chat – the ‘Mike Wasn’t Getting an iPad Mini’ Episode

OK, so just a few weeks ago I made some bold declarations about how I would not be getting an iPad Mini, stating it in our last Gear Chat, then taking a bold stance on the ‘Five Reasons I Won’t Be Getting the ‘iPad Mini’’ (which Dan rebutted with a single reason). Since release although I didn’t explicitly post a review or anything else declaring that I had gotten the Mini, I did mention it in my post about iOS 6 WiFi problems, a game review, and then my continuing ‘iPad as my 99% Computer series’. So yeah … I…


Stereo Sound Test Review – Kindle Fire HD vs iPad Mini

We now know that the iPad Mini is the first iDevice with stereo speakers. But they are located on either side of the downscaled Lightning connector port. I have also touted the excellent sound and stereo separation of the Kindle Fire HD. Now that I have both tablets … let’s put them to the test! The first thing I did was a series of basic stereo separation tests, some of which you can find here. The results? The Kindle Fire HD shows much more dramatic stereo separation and better ‘sound location’, which makes it very immersive when watching a video…


Twelve South HiRise for MacBook Review

At present my only computer is a 15″ MacBook Pro with Retina display. I love it. Similarly, Elana’s only computer is an 11″ MacBook air. She loves it. When Elana works on her MBA, she always does so with the computer sitting atop the Rain Design mStand for MacBook I reviewed back in December of 2010. After a full two years of use, it still looks brand new. (Read the review.) Elana loves the fact that the stand lets her raise the screen closer to eye level. And, thanks to a keyboard and mouse, she effectively has a desktop that…


JBL Micro 2 Rechargeable Portable Speaker Review

Your iPhone’s speaker stinks, and so does your iPad’s; even the iPad mini’s stereo speakers, a first for an iOS device, are crappy. And your Android devices? They don’t really do much better. Yes, for a quick YouTube video or conversation the speaker on your mobile device is certainly adequate but it’s not going to win any audiophile prizes. And while you could keep a larger speaker such as the JawBone in your gear bag, that takes up space and adds weight. That’s where this diminutive speaker from JBL comes in. The JBL Micro 2 is small, light, and can…


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…


Belkin Car Charger with Lightning Connector for iPhone 5 Review

Those of us who use Apple’s mobile products have entered into a transitional period. The devices we had prior to this fall all use the company’s 30-pin dock connector but, as you likely know, all of their new products use a much smaller, and thankfully reversible, connector. If you have old cables, it means you either need to buy new ones or get one of Apple’s pricey adapters if you want to charge on the go. Thankfully Belkin has been first to step in and release new products that use the updated connector. They sent me one of their Car…


SMS STREET by 50 DJ Over-the-Ear Headphones Review

Back in June we reviewed the SMS Audio Street by 50 Wired Headphones. (Read the review.) I was impressed by both the comfort and the sound. I summarized them with “What I Like: Well-made; Stay in the ear nicely; In-line controller; Flat, tangle-free cable; Sound great”. Since then SMS Audio has greatly expanded their offerings which now include their SMS STREET by 50 DJ over-the-ear headphones. They are big, bold and make a statement. I’ve been using a pair for the last few weeks, so let’s take a look. I’m usually a fan of in-ear or on-ear headphones more than…


Epson Expression Premium XP-800 Small-in-One Printer Review

I haven’t been all too interested in printers for the last year and a half or so. The reason for this is quite simple — I have been making a concerted effort to be as “paperless” as possible. Thanks to my iPhone, iPad and the various apps that are now available for them, there is little I actually NEED to print. And on those rare occasions when I DO need something printed out … I just send an email to my assistant and ask her to print it using her laser printer. The result? I don’t have or need a…


iRig Keys iOS/USB Keyboard Controller Review

Keyboard controllers are not a new concept – soon after MIDI became a standard, sound modules were released that allowed you to access the sounds of a synthesizer without all of the other hardware bulk or expense. It also allowed for keyboards offering a robust piano-like feel, or guitar-like portability – all while bringing along the great sounds offered by the hot synths of the day. As we have gotten to the point where it is possible to make high quality music with an entire suite of software synths, the need for external keyboards and sound modules has declined to…


Masters of Mystery Crime of Fashion for Android Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: Android; available in the Google Play Store Developer: Big Blue Bubble / G5 Entertainment Description: The brutal murder of a famous designer shakes the high-stakes world of New York fashion. Join Detective Carrie Chase and use interactive forensic tools to explore crime scenes and find evidence. Follow the twists and turns in the case , crack the crime and stop a serial killer in Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion. 500 Objects to find with 4 unique interactive tools 25 Stunning locations in 3 chapters 6 Fascinating puzzles…


XtremeMac Microshield Fade Case for iPhone 5 Review

As someone who loves simple cases that protect your device without adding too much weight or bulk, I’ve found that XtremeMac’s Microshield Fade Case for iPhone 5 does a great job of being simple while still retaining interest. When the case is on the phone, you barely know it is there. At the same time, the gradient transition from translucent to opaque when you travel down the iPhone is visually striking. Let’s take a look and then give two away. From XtremeMac: Protect your new iPhone 5 device with this sophisticated and stylish Microshield Fade case by XtremeMac. Capturing the…


Skyfall Film Review

The longest-running film franchise of all time celebrates their 50th Anniversary in style with Skyfall, the twenty-third installment in the James Bond film series. Daniel Craig marks his third performance as James Bond (a.k.a. Agent 007) as Ben Wishaw debuts as gadget guru Q (a.k.a. Quartermaster). Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) helms this film and all the underlying themes amid Audiences get a great mix of surprises, new elements, and familiar fundamentals like the exotic international locations, overt sexual overtones and, of course, the gear, which for Bond personally is surprisingly simple. Unique weapons like a stinging…


ViewSonic’s VSD220 21.5” Display Review

When I was at a Pepcom Holiday Event a few weeks ago, one particular item caught my eye — ViewSonic’s VSD220 21.5” display. You see, this isn’t any old display. No, this is a display and a huge Android tablet in one. That’s right, the VSD220 (sexy name right?) comes with Android Ice Cream Sandwich baked into it. That means you get  a 21″ monitor and “computer-free computing” in a single device, one that can either sit on a desk or hang on a wall. I was impressed, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the reality of actually using it…


Epic Adventures Cursed Onboard HD for iPad Review

Epic Adventures: Cursed Onboard is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available in the Apple App Store, and its developer is Urchin Games / G5 Entertainment. Description: Unravel the mystery of Jangada, a long lost ship stranded in the Amazon Jungle. A great ship called Jangada set sail in the 1970s but was never seen again. The fate of the crew remains shrouded in mystery and whoever tries to reveal it vanishes forever. Embark on a dangerous trip to the Amazon Jungle, search eerie locations, find hidden objects and solve intriguing puzzles….


Standapp Review

Type of app: Fitness Platform/where to buy: iOS App Store Developer: Lyonel Douge Description: Desk job? Sit too long and often? Did you know sitting can be deadly in the long run? Standapp helps combat “Sitting Disease”. Price: Free Major features: Standapp aims to help you not sit so much. Sitting is bad for our bodies for a number of health reasons, but it’s not always practical to have a standing desk. I know in my office I sit in a cube farm, and it would look awfully weird if I was standing and looming over the top of all…


XtremeMac Microshield Style Case for iPhone 5 Review

Here’s another XtremeMac case for the iPhone 5. This time out it is covered in a layer of cork. This adds visual appeal but also offers some practical benefits such as making it easier to hold than some of the more slippery cases. At under $30 the case is a good deal. Were it to include a screen protector it would be an even better deal. It doesn’t. But I still like the case. From XtremeMac: XtremeMac mixes style and function with these durable cases for the new iPhone 5 device. Durable, hard shell finish protects your iPhone 5 and…


XtremeMac Microshield Stand Video Review

XtremeMac has released a bevy of new cases for the iPhone 5 and were kind enough to send a few for review. This time out, we are looking at the XtremeMac Microshield Stand and giving two review samples away. Let’s jump in. From XtremeMac: Microshield™ Stand includes an integrated viewing stand that comes out of the case for watching videos or FaceTime™ applications, and then folds in seamlessly when not in use. Designed from durable, hard plastic material to protect your iPhone 5 device and avoid scratches, dust and dirt. Features: Seamlessly integrated viewing stand for watching videos or FaceTime…


Masters of Mystery Blood of Betrayal HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: Big Blue Bubble / G5 Entertainment Description: Solve a riveting new case in this challenging hidden object sequel to Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion. Join Detective Carrie Chase while she investigates a troubling double homicide in an exclusive penthouse. Track clues from one location to another, uncover the leads using your forensic tools and search for evidence that will help you nab a killer. Be ready to experience deception and betrayal in this titillating series of games!…


Totem Tribe Gold HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Real-time Strategy (RTS) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: Enkord / G5 Entertainment Description: Help Aruku, a chief of the Hawk tribe, restore peace and lead her tribe to a better future in this real-time strategy and adventure game! On a beautiful chain of islands, life used to be peaceful until a comet fell from the sky. Now, tribes and creatures that once lived in harmony are fighting each other. Help reestablish balance by exploring the islands, gathering sacred Totems and returning them to their home – the Cradle…