Gear Bits


On Tax Day, Here’s Where YOUR Money Is Going

If you live in the US, you know that April 15th is tax day — when tax returns must be filed along with payments for all taxes owed from the previous year. Have you ever stopped to think about where your tax dollars are actually being spent? The White House has released a tool that can show you (in general).


Gone Girl Movie Trailer Hits, and It’s Deliciously Dark

Did you read Gillian Flynn’s 2012 book, Gone Girl? Full of dark twists and a satisfyingly unexpected ending, I liked it so much that I devoured Ms. Flynn’s two other (unrelated) novels. Amy Dunne disappears on her 5th wedding anniversary; did she leave voluntarily? Did her husband David kill her? Or is something even more twisted going on? GONE GIRL — directed by David Fincher and based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn — unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his…


Speck CandyShell for Samsung Galaxy S5 Cases Brings Sweet Protection

Did you pick up a Samsung Galaxy S5 this weekend? If you answered “Yes” you’ll want to make sure to keep Samsung’s latest super-phone safe. Speck’s got you covered with three different styles of Speck CandyShell for Samsung Galaxy S5 cases. We’ve got a bunch in hand. Here’s a quick overview. Speck CandyShell for Samsung Galaxy S5 Speck brings their classic CandyShell design to the S5 in five different colors. The cases offer “the best of both worlds”: Samsung Galaxy S5 cases that looks as good as they protect. Combining great colors, military-grade drop protection and a dual-layer design that…


Chili’s is Now Serving Up. . . Tablets?

Like many other mid-level restaurants these days, Chili’s is attempting to redefine itself to avoid becoming almost irrelevant–just witness what has happened to Olive Garden and Red Lobster in the last year. With remodeled restaurants, plenty of fresh new menu items, aggressive couponing and promotions, and now touchscreen tabletop kiosks, Chili’s is looking to engage tech-savvy customers and enhance sales.


I’m Ready for My Samsung Galaxy S5 and so is TYLT

The new Samsung Galaxy S5 was just released and mine is in transit. Hopefully it will be in my hands tomorrow. I’m excited to get it and I’m excited to see the new accessories TYLT just announced new accessories for the Galaxy S5. Among them are S5 versions of the company’s ENERGI Sliding Power Case and ALIN screen protector. Here’s a quick look at them.  


FarFaria Children’s Book App Now Available on Android

FarFaria is a children’s book app that has been called “Netflix for Kids.”  It has a ton of awesome features, most of which you can read about in my previous post. Today is an exciting day for FarFaria, as they’ve just announced that FarFaria is now available on the Android platform.  You can download it from Google Play today!  


Get Ready for Game of Thrones Season 4 with This 25 Minute Recap

In anticipation of Game of Thrones Season 4 tonight on HBO, Kev and I rewatched Season 3. Last night, after the season finale, we noticed this gem on HBOGo — a 25 minute recap of season 3’s high points. If you are a fan of the show, but you’re fuzzy on last season’s details, it’s time to catch up!


MyTask: The “Swiss Army” iPhone Case

Smartphones are great, and for many people they replace quite a few things, from alarm clocks and day planners to cameras and GPS. But sometimes you need something more than just your phone, and the MyTask case aims to make that easier than cramming the pockets on your cargo pants. Need a pen or spoke wrench? This case has you covered.



Homestar Runner Updated for the First Time in Four Years

Homestar Runner was one of my favorite websites in college.  The mix of crazy characters, funny voices, strange situations, and quotable lines was a hit with my friends and me.  However, over the years, the creators, The Brothers Chaps, slowly stopped updating the site.  But after four years, it was finally updated yesterday. Go check it out!


Wake Up Rocking with the Soundfreaq Sound Rise

Last year Soundfreaq released a number of nicely priced Bluetooth speakers and docks with impressive features and excellent sound for the money. Now they have announced the availability of their newest speaker, the Soundfreaq Sound Rise. The Sound Rise is a modern take on the bedside alarm clock; it has all the features you want and then some.



The Bluelounge Kii Unlocks the Key to My Gear

Last week my keyring got a new addition — the Bluelounge Kii Micro-USB. The Kii is a small sync/charge adapter looks like a simple key but opens to reveal a short but very practical USB-to-MicroUSB cable. At $24.95 (the Lightning Connector version is even more) it is a pricey accessory, but the convenience can’t be beat.


Drink your Spirits With Spirit With the Neat Drinking Glass

When drinking spirits the right glass can have an impact on your enjoyment. The Neat Drinking Glass offers, “a superb, sensual, enjoyable tasting experience” whether you prefer rum, tequila, whiskey, scotch, vodka, or gin. The glass is designed to dissipate nose-numbing alcohol aromas and maximize the “breathing” process to enhance the flavor of all spirits. Just $27 at touchofmodern.com.


Bravo Audio V2 Tube Driven Headphone Amplifier Video Look

Headphone amplifiers are a great way to power personal listening devices that, like the Beyerdynamic 990Pro 250ohm headphones I recently picked up- require a bit of extra juice. The Bravo Audio V2 Tube Driven Headphone Amplifier is a rather unusual looking device that brings the old-school “tube amplifier” audio experience home at a low price. Here’s our video look.


Titanfall’s Developers Push Out Updates and Promise Future Free Content

Titanfall was released on 3/11/14 to a shower of positive reviews.  Since then, players have logged countless hours and have made some general complaints.  Respawn Entertainment, Titanfall’s developer, has been surprisingly responsive to its fans with regard to server outage updates as well as quickly releasing game balancing and bug-fix updates.  Just yesterday, a beta matchmaking balance update was released.


In a World of Sameness, Modify Watch Lets You Be Unique

We posted on the Modify Watch Mod-To-Order Kickstarter project the other day. We asked them to create a one-of-a-kind Gear Diary timepiece, and they were kind enough to do so. What do you think? The project has hit their funding goal, and you have less than a day to still get in on it. Click here to back.


Monopoly Game Changer: Your House Rules May Become Official on April 3

Have you noticed  almost every time you play Monopoly at a friend’s house, their “rules” are just a little different? Toy maker Hasbro noticed that as well, and they’re running a contest where through April 3, 2014 you can vote on some of the more popular house rules and urge that they become official.


Watch the New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Trailer at Your Own Risk

I loved, loved, loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was a little kid. They were the coolest, especially “nerdy” Donatello. So it’s with a heavy heart and the hope that this is an elaborate joke that I’m sharing the new TMNT movie trailer, directed by Michael Bay. Try not to cry as your childhood is ruined in 90 seconds.


The Uneven Glass Could Make Drinking Social Again!

Smartphones can be evil when you’re drinking; you might look at your phone instead of talking with friends. or you could be tempted to call or text people who aren’t drinking to tell them the brilliant ideas that came to you after a few rounds. If you’re in the right bar in Brazil, the solution is simple: the Uneven Glass.