Reviews

Emily Remler a Retrospective Look at Her Music

Last week would have been the 55th birthday of jazz guitarist Emily Remler … had she not died in 1990. To commemorate this great jazz guitarist and one of the pioneering female instrumentalists, I wanted to do a retrospective of her musical legacy. There are way too many tales of artists who have died too young … it is just sad how many times we see examples of talented people whose careers were cut short because of their own self-destructive choices. In the case of Emily Remler, she died of a heart attack … no doubt exacerbated by some substance…

Game Diary, Reviews

Jumpster for iPhone and iPad Review

Type of app: Action-Platformer game Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad (Universal); available in the App Store Developer: Vogat / G5 Entertainment Description: Jump ship! As Jumpster, a cute little alien, is cruising through the galaxy, his ship is hit by a meteorite and springs a fuel leak! Poor Jumpster crash-lands on the planet Okadia and now needs to recover the lost fuel if he wants to continue his trek. To do so, he must tackle traitorous traps and ravenous monsters in his path. Features: 80 Challenging levels to overcome 4 Hostile planets to escape 42 Fancy costumes for Jumpster 10 Powerful…

Music Diary, Reviews

Griffin StudioConnect MIDI-Audio Interface System for iPad Review

If you plan to use your iPad as a recording studio, you need to figure out a way of getting signals in and out … Oh, and a way of holding your iPad steady while working. Or, you can just get the Griffin StudioConnect and take care of it all at once! Let’s take a look! The Hype: Digital music-making has never been easier. Owning an iPad makes it easier still, taking it to a whole new level of versatility and portability. StudioConnect gives your iPad: audio in/out, MIDI in/out, and a stereo headphone jack with its own volume control…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe in Steamy, Hot Magma Red

Certain automotive formulas work for some automakers. Porsche has its 911, Ford has the Mustang, BMW (of course) the 3-Series and for Nissan it’s the Z. Build a good car that is fun to drive, back it with a loyal customer base and the model line is set for a long lifespan – 43 years in the case of the Nissan sport coupe. “Since the original 1970 Z was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,”…

Game Diary, Reviews

Torchlight 2 Video First Look Review

Type of app: Action-RPG Platform/where to buy: PC (Mac coming); available on Steam Developer: Runic Games Description: The award-winning action RPG is back, bigger and better than ever! Torchlight II takes you back into the quirky, fast-paced world of bloodthirsty monsters, bountiful treasures, and sinister secrets – and, once again, the fate of the world is in your hands! Torchlight II captures all the flavor and excitement of the original game – while expanding the world and adding the features players wanted most, including online and LAN co-op multiplayer. Torchlight II is fast, fun, and filled to the brim with…

Reviews

iHome iDM5 Bluetooth Keyboard Speaker System Review

Mike is in the midst of an iPad challenge to see if the tablet can serve as his 99% computer. (Read it, here!) The speed of the iPad 3 combined with the depth and breadth of the apps now available in the iTunes App Store make it easier to get to that 99% than ever before. Still, there are certain limitations that enter into life with a tablet that software and speed can simply not overcome. Limitation number one is the lousy speaker on the iPad. Sure, you can listen to music, carry on a conversation using Line2 and watch,…

Reviews

Blue Microphone’s Mikey Digital Review

One of the tables I visited at the Pepcom Holiday Showcase last week belonged to Blue Microphones. We’ve long been fans of their products, and I was impressed with the three that I saw. (We’ll be looking at each over the next few weeks.) The company was kind enough to send me home with one of their new Mikey Digital audio recorders for iPhone and iPad. Let’s take a closer look. From Blue Microphones: The all-new Mikey Digital is the perfect tool for mobile recording. Featuring two custom-tuned Blue capsules for stereo recording, a line-input, USB pass through and a stylish…

Game Diary, Reviews

Spec Ops: The Line Video Review

Type of app: Third Person Shooter Platform/where to buy: PC; available at Steam Developer: Yager / 2K Games Description: Spec Ops: The Line is a new original title from 2K Games that features provocative and gripping Third-Person modern military Shooter gameplay designed to challenge players’ morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable situations where unimaginable choices affecting human life must be made. Features include, a gripping, storyline reminiscent of Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness but set in a ruined Dubai, tactical squad-based Delta Force gameplay throughout a horizontally and vertically oriented world, devastating sandstorms which can be…

Game Diary, Reviews

Borderlands 2 Video Review

Type of app: First Person Shooter Platform/where to buy: PC; available at Steam Developer: Gearbox Software / 2K Games Description: Borderlands 2 is a hybrid First-Person Shooter, RPG game focused on over-the-top co-op play, and set in the open-world game environment of the planet Pandora. The second game in the game series, Borderlands 2 raises the ‘loot and shoot’ action of the original game with an even larger and more detailed world to explore, an updated gun system, a new cast of characters and character classes, and integration of storyline with action. Major features: I reviewed the original Borderlands here,…

Reviews

The netTALK DUO WiFi Review

It occurred to me the other day that the last time I used a “standard” phone was… well, actually, I can’t remember. Yes, Elana and I went “all cell” some time back and we haven’t looked back (except when the microcell went down Friday and I couldn’t make calls). Instead of a landline, when I make voice calls these days I use my iPhone or I use my iPad and Line2. We do have an Ooma Telo system here at home but we haven’t felt the need to plug it in. Still, when I was offered the chance to review…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

SOUND+SLEEP Nomad Sound Machine Review

I tend to fall asleep with earphones in and soft music on. It works for me and helps me fall asleep fairly quickly. (The fact that I usually go to be quite late and get up fairly early doesn’t hurt either.) My wife Elana, on the other hand, has a tough time relaxing and an even tougher time falling asleep some nights. That’s why I was interested in getting a review sample of the SOUND+SLEEP Nomad Sound Machine. The nomad is the smaller of the company’s two sound machines and it is primarily intended for travel. (It works just fine…

Music Diary, Reviews

The iRig Pre Microphone Preamplifier Review

Sometimes releasing audio accessories is a thankless job. I recently reviewed the iRig Stomp, which has the glorious job of being a foot pedal interface between your guitar and the awesome sonic shaping of AmpliTube. Not exactly glamorous! Now along comes iRig Pre – and all it has to do is get your professional-grade microphone sound into your iOS device without screwing things up. IK Multimedia seems to know this if you look at ‘The Hype’ below. But let’s take a look and see how it does! The Hype: Introducing the First studio quality mic pre-amp for the iOS platform…

Reviews

The Verizon HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE Review

all photos by Kevin Stanford It’s hard not to get excited when a new phone shows up for review, especially when one boasts all of the bells and whistles found in the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE. This particular Droid model was announced earlier this year at CTIA, and I have been using it off and on for the past month. What I’ve learned during this time is that while the Incredible has a slightly smaller build than most of the higher-end Android phones we’ve seen lately, you won’t be compromising too much with this device, and there’s much to…

Reviews

Kindle Fire HD Quick Hands-On Review and Comparison to Fire and Nexus 7

Last year Amazon stunned the world with the $199 Kindle Fire, melding a 7″ tablet that was a solid front end for Amazon with a decidedly budget price. A few of us at Gear Diary bought them, but whether they remained varied quite a bit based on usage. Since then there have been some other 7″ tablets but only one worth noting – the Nexus 7. Now Amazon is back with the next entry – the Kindle Fire HD. Let’s take a quick look and see how the three titans of 7″ tablets compare! The Hype: World’s most advanced 7″…

Game Diary, Reviews

Epic Adventures La Jangada HD for iPad Review

Type of app: ‘Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure’ (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version also available); available in the App Store Developer: Urchin Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Embark on an unforgettable journey in this epic adventure based on a Jules Verne’s novel! After Minha agrees to marry Dr. Manuel Valdez, they decide to hold the wedding in Brazil. However her father’s dark past threatens her happy marriage. Long ago, he was accused of murder and now he is being blackmailed for Minha’s hand in marriage. Search for answers and clues in 43 thrilling locations, solve a variety of…

Reviews

Marshall Electronics MXL FR-310 Hot Shoe Shotgun Microphone Review

One of the main reasons I opted to get the Canon T3i when I was purchasing a DSLR last spring was the ability to use the camera for video. I love the camera and am quite happy with my decision. Still, the video aspect of it has been a bit hit and miss. You see, while the image quality when shooting video is excellent, the audio is far from it. And, as I have discovered over the past few months, this is a common issue. You see, while the T3i is a powerful camera the microphone amplifier built into it…

Reviews

Bling My Thing iPhone 4S Case Review

For some people the iPhone is a tool, a way to do business and keep in touch. For others, it doubles as both a tool and a fashion statement. The choice of a case isn’t utilitarian, it’s a way to express your style. That’s where “Bling My Thing” comes in with a Swarovski elements studded clear case, and as a coworker of mine exclaimed “This isn’t a case, it’s a work of art!” Physically, the Bling My Thing case is very similar to most minimal shell cases. It’s actually just a hair thicker than my Incipio Feather case, with the…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2012 BMW 335i Luxury Line

The BMW 3-Series luxury sport sedan has long been held up as the “industry standard” in its segment and for 2012 the Bavarian automaker gives us the sixth-generation of this modern icon. Globally, however, the 5-Series sedans sell better and here in the states sales have fallen off a bit for the champ. The reason? The field has become so crowded consumers are spreading their investments across three theaters of production now, those being traditional Europe, Japan, and now newcomer Detroit and the likes of the Cadillac ATS. There is not much I can say here that Bimmer enthusiasts don’t…

Game Diary, Reviews

Fieldrunners 2 HD for iPad Review

Type of app: ‘Tower Defense’ game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version also available); available in the App Store Developer: Subatomic Studios Description: The biggest sequel in tower defense history is now on iPad: Fieldrunners 2 HD has arrived! From Subatomic Studios, creators of the award winning classic strategy game, comes an all new adventure that was years in the making. Build epic mazes out of powerful weapons to defend the world from the invading fieldrunners! Major features: I am amazed that I never did a review of Fieldrunners, which I absolutely adore and have been playing on my iPod…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews

Hands-on Review of AmpliTube 2.5 (now 2.6!) and Amplitube Fender 1.2

IK Multimedia recently released major updates to their AmpliTube and AmpliTube Fender amplifier simulation apps for iOS devices, which I wrote about here. If you follow Gear Diary, then you know that aside from a quick blurb we seldom do a ‘deep dive’ on a ‘point release’ update … but this time there was a reason! Read on and see if the new AmpliTube is for you! The Hype: • Full MIDI Integration. This feature allows users to control AmpliTube Fender 1.2 via standard MIDI controllers using an iOS MIDI interface such as iRig MIDI. This allows to remotely switch…

Reviews

Run Roo Run iOS Review

Type of app: iOS, Universal for iPad and iPhone Platform/where to buy: iTunes, App Store Developer: 5th Cell Description (from the App Store): Hop, skip and jump Your way across tons unique and interesting obstacles in the Australian Outback! Run Run Roo is a micro-platformer featuring single screen levels filled with unique, fun obstacles and easy to learn one-touch gameplay. Play for only a few minutes or a few hours; your journey to Sydney always picks up where you left off. Major features: Run Roo Run is a micro-platformer, meaning each level is a single screen. Make it across and…

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