Reviews | Gear Diary

Casio Edifice Watch Review: Yep, I Said Casio

I have a pretty extensive watch collection which includes time pieces that range in price from very low to very high. While I do posses several “high-end” watches I find that I wear a digital watch most often. Part of the reason is my line of work – I just am too hard on anything I wear to worry about a pricey wrist accessory and part of it is the functionality a digital watch offers. A few weeks ago I took off my trusty Casio G-Shock while at the mall and gave it to my wife to hold. When we…

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Gear Review- MOBiLE CLOTH High Tech Split Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Touchscreens are awesome but they are also fingerprint magnets. As the above image shows, try as I might, I can’t seem to keep my screen pristine. And that’s just the aesthetic issue. Recent studies have shown that touchscreens tend to collect lots and lots of germs. That’s especially problematic now that it is flu season. Seriously… it is gross to think about what is squirming around on this screen. Yuck! That’s why I was intrigued when we received an e-mail from a new company, MOBiLE CLOTH. They wrote to tell us about their product which is specially designed to remove…

Game Diary, Reviews

Fruit Ninja for iPhone/Touch Review

I have developed a few preferences while gaming on my iPhone. First, the games have to obviously be fun, but also something I can play in short spurts. My life has become much too busy to sit around and work through levels and play for long periods of time. About all the time available now is a minute here or two minutes there. The IOS as a gaming platform is perfect for these types of games. Another preference is that the games utilize Game Center. A group of my football players have began competing pretty heavily with our Game Center…

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Speck Pixel Skin HD iPod Touch 4G Case Review

TPU and silicone style cases for the iPod Touch and the iPhone are a dime a dozen. If you’re going to impress me with a soft case you’ve got to stand out from the crowd. And that’s exactly what the Pixel Skin HD from Speck Products does. This TPU style case features 6 DPI of high-definition grip in four stylish colors. The Pixel Skin HD is offered in Black, Yellow, Bright Red and Purple. The case doesn’t come with a screen shield. Speck isn’t offering their ShieldView for the 4th generation Touch just yet, so if you need a screen…

Music Diary, Reviews

Music Diary Retrospective: A Magical Mystery Tour of the Beatles Catalog

It is hard to believe (well, for me anyway), but we are fast approaching the 30th anniversary of the assassination of John Lennon, after just recently passing the 70th anniversary of his birth. We are also 40 years since the break-up of the Beatles, so in honor of all of these anniversaries going on I decided to take a walk through the Beatles official release catalog. The entire set was released just over a year ago fully remastered, and it is those versions I will revisit. This means that my brother’s copy of Meet the Beatles will be left unaddressed….

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Gear Review: Sewell Minideck USB to DVI/VGA Display Adapter

I work with some awesome people day in and day out. They are smart, creative, dedicated to their community and a great team with whom to work. They are also, for the most part, tech-phobic or, to be gentler, not the most technically savvy crew around. For example, when I moved my entire staff over to Gmail from Outlook a few years ago, you would have thought I was repeatedly poking them in the eye with a sharp object. The kicking and screaming that went on was painful. Then, one day … bam! … I heard the words “I actually…

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Internet Radio Review- Allegro Wi-Fi Radio Portable Wireless Radio & Streamer

I HATE Elana’s transistor radio. It has the most annoying crackle when AM radio is on and even FM radio sounds terrible. I’ve tried to throw it out and replace it with a WiFi radio or an iPod touch numerous times. But like a bad penny it keeps coming back. Yup, none of the solutions I offered to Elana as replacements for her radio were good enough for her. She kept going back to that THING. Until now! Grace Audio was kind enough to send me a review unit of their Allegro Wi-Fi Radio Portable Wireless Radio & Streamer. I…

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iPod Accessory Review: H2O Audio Capture Waterproof Case

The last generation iPod nano was a rather impressive device. It was small, held a good amount of music, let you watch video AND it had a video camera built-in. No, it was anything but a high-definition camera, but, in a pinch, it did get the job of capturing memories done. Sadly, Apple discontinued the design after just a year and replaced it with an awesome, but stripped-down, smaller version with a touchscreen. Still, there are lots of the iPod nano video out there and you can pick a refurbished one up on Apple’s site for a nice discount. If…

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Speck Candy Shell iPod Touch 4G Case Review

It’s no secret. I’m a big fan of the cases Speck Products had been churning out for the entire iDevice lineup. One of their newest offerings, The Candy Shell for the iPod Touch 4G recently arrived on my door step and I was happy to welcome it. I’ve owned the Candy Shell for both the iPhone 3G/3Gs and the iPhone 4 and have come to appreciate the hybrid style hard case for all it has to offer. How does the iPod Touch 4G version of this case fare? Read on to find out. Speck was kind enough to send me…

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The Primary Case Company Offers A Case For Your Case

Most iPhone users choose to protect their device with a case. A case not only offers a barrier between your phone and the outside elements but allows you to add your own personal design tastes to your mobile device. For me a protective case is only half of the equation though. How I carry my iPhone is just as important. I often choose to carry my phone in my front pants pocket but this can be uncomfortable. I’ve tested a few case/holster combinations but haven’t been particularly thrilled with any of them. The Primary Case Company recently released an entire…

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Android Device Review: U.S. Cellular’s HTC Desire

all photos by Kevin Mitchell reviewed the HTC Desire back in April, an Android 2.1 device which at the time was only available in the UK, Europe and Asia, but that’s since changed. US Cellular, a CDMA carrier, has released their branded US version. While in many ways it is basically the same device as the one Mitchell had, there are some differences worth noting. But first, we’ll start with the similarities. Some of the other phones we’ve seen released as both GSM and CDMA carrier branded versions can appear to be completely different model phones when placed side by…

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iPad Case Review: Waterfield iPad Wallet

I’m a huge fan of cases and bags from Waterfield. Their designs tend to be a bit different from all of the other look-alikes. The materials and construction is second to none. And they tend to bring out new products shortly after devices are announced and shipping. That is the case with their iPad offerings. Within a few weeks of the iPad shipping they had a good number of protective systems available for it. Since then, they have rolled out new items on a regular basis. One of the most recent is the iPad Wallet. The iPad while it is…

Game Diary, Reviews

PC/XBOX360 Game Review: ArcaniA: Gothic 4

If you read my ‘impressions’ of the demo version of ArcaniA, you know that even though I pre-ordered the game I had several hesitations about the potential for the game to be any good, and even more reservations about it being a ‘good Gothic game’. Having now completed the game as both a mage and a warrior, I’m ready to render my verdict on both counts … The Hype: Arcania is a Fantasy Action game set in a rich world that invites the player to explore all of its innumerable attractions and details. Different climate zones, abundant flora and fauna,…

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TWIN VIDEO Review: The World’s First Dual Lens Video Camera

Vlogging is a very popular activity these days. If you’re not familiar with it, the process involves recording a video-diary of your life and then posting it online for the world to follow. It seems everywhere I look there’s someone who’s decided to record a portion of their life and post it on the internet. If you’ve ever tried to record yourself while “out and about” you know it’s not easy. Using a standard video camera requires what I like to call the “one arm reach” where you hold the camera in one hand and turn it around. Then you…

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One of a Kind Gear Diary Case-Mate Tough Do-It-Yourself Case for iPhone 4 Review

A number of weeks ago Case–Mate invited me to create one of their do-it-yourself Tough cases for the iPhone 4. I played around with their online DIY case creator program and had a great time doing so. Eventually I settled on creating a case that used our site’s colors and had the Gear Diary logo on the back. After all, we recently passed 10 million unique visitors. I figured this was a great way to mark the occasion!! The next day I received notice that the case had shipped. I waited. And I waited. And I waited. The case didn’t…

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MacBook Air Case- Waterfield’s Suede Jacket Sleeve for 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air

My MacBook Air finally arrived. (I HATE delayed gratification even if it is just a week!) It is awesome. Small, thin, light but speedy. I love it. Were this seven months ago I would be bringing it everywhere. Since we are AiP (After iPad), however, I don’t see it going everywhere with me but I DO see taking it to CES in January and on other work/site-related trips. For those occasions I want something that can protect my precious Air while not adding too much bulk and weight. Waterfield has a great option for doing just that- the Suede Jacket Sleeve for…

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Review: Arctic K381 Slim Keyboard For Windows

Our school finally recently replaced the teacher workstation computers with updated machines running Windows 7. One thing they did not replace was the old keyboards. I am not sure how old the keyboard I had was, but it was enormous. I remember a few years ago when keyboard seemed to have the bigger is better phase and this was a remnant from that era. The keyboard was so high that I had to use a wrist pad to raise my hands up to even use it. I was not a fan of the large spring-loaded keys either. (I know some…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Toyota Sienna Is All About the ‘Swagger’

While minivans have reserved a place in automotive history for themselves they are rarely the first (or second or third) type vehicle most folks think about when dreaming of a new car. Not to mention the minivan segment has shrunk considerably over recent years in response to that line of thinking (and buying). Toyota is one of a handful of automakers that has remained loyal to the segment and has given its 2011 model Sienna a significant makeover, along with quite the marketing campaign. Dubbed the “Swagger Wagon” the new Sienna has been given life in primetime thanks to entertaining…

Music Diary, Reviews

Music Diary Retrospective: In Memorium of T Lavitz, I Look at The Dregs ‘Industry Standard’ and More!

A few weeks ago we learned that jazz keyboard player T Lavitz died unexpectedly in his sleep at the age of 54. Lavitz was best known for his time in the jazz-rock fusion group Dixie Dregs, but also released high-profile solo works, and he also formed groups such as the critically acclaimed Players, as well as Jazz is Dead which was an ensemble of veteran jazz players reinterpreting works of the Grateful Dead. Lavitz was one of the many talented artists to come out of the University of Miami’s ground-breaking jazz education program of the 1970’s (including most of the…

Game Diary, Reviews

Catapult Madness for iPhone/Touch Review

A strange thing often happens with IOS games. Sometimes a simple, seemingly boring game can become completely addicting bringing joy, frustration and waste lots of time. I recently found Catapult Madness at the top of the games list and it was on sale for free so I thought I would give it a try. I was mildly amused at first, but kept wanting to extend the distance I threw the peasants so I kept playing. That mild amusement turned into straight addiction as I kept upgrading and getting further and further. The addition of GameCenter compatibility has created more of…

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HoodieBuddie Review: Headphones With You 24/7

We all love our ScotteVest clothing here at Gear Diary. One of the coolest features of SeV wear is the ability to take a set of ear buds and wire them through the garment so they’re always there when you need them. The only issue is the fact that you then have to dedicate a set of headphones to this task – wiring them up each time you want to use them isn’t practical. Enter the HoodieBuddie. The HoodieBuddie looks like any old hooded sweatshirt. But it’s not. Using their patent-pending HB3T technology the HoodieBuddie contains a standard headphone jack…