I was a huge fan of LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Star Wars II way back in 2005 and 2006 when they were released and a fan of the subsequent 2007 ‘Complete Saga’ release. The PC & Mac versions arrived in 2009 and 2010, and now have landed on the iTunes App Store as a universal iPhone/iPad release.
I have reviewed Virtual City Playground multiple times on different platforms and tracked major updates since the game was released. The game takes all of the best elements of Virtual City 1 & 2 and adds great new features and constant free updates. So what remains? A release for Windows Phone and tablets on the Windows Store! Virtual City Playground is a sim social that lets your imagination run wild so that you can look down at your wonderful metropolis and marvel at the wonders you’ve created. Please your inhabitants by providing them with tons of business opportunities and true-to-life…
When I was a kid, the concept of ‘wind chill’ was new; the National Weather Service didn’t start reporting it until the 1970s, and it took a while longer to become popular with news viewers. Now it has evolved into ‘Real Feel’ or ‘Feels Like’ rather than just ‘Wind Chill’. Either way, Apple’s Weather app doesn’t have a clue.
One thing I love about my Google Glass is that it takes better hands-free video than anything else I’ve seen. One thing I dislike is that in under 40 minutes of shooting video, without some kind of external battery pack, Glass’s battery will die. For $50, GazerGlass adds a 1500 mAh battery to the skinnier Glass arm. Not too shabby!
I have a few weather apps on my Lumia 928, but I’ve been keeping the Bing Weather app pinned to my launch screen because it looks the nicest. However, lately it has been all looks and no brain … either that, or it thinks if it doesn’t tell me how bad the weather is, I won’t notice the snow outside!
I love tower defense, and know that with games such as Plants vs. Zombies and Kingdom Rush there are several Gear Diary members who spend way too many hours on just-one-more-turn! But imagine a game where instead of just planning your defense, you actually got to attack your enemies!?! That is exactly what the newly released Aspects TD delivers.
‘Auto-runner’ games are fan favorites, and I know my kids have enjoyed a variety of them. A new release has gotten loads of attention with some new features and fun twists on standard gameplay elements – Galaxy Run. The game is featured on the app store and feedback from a couple of friends is that Galaxy Run is a blast!
While I never reviewed Eschalon Book II beyond my first impressions, the series remains one of my favorites of the last several years. I declared Book I ‘Indie RPG of the Year’ for 2007 at another site, and have been anticipating Book III for quite a while. Now Eschalon Book III has a release date: Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2014. The game will be simultaneously released on Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms – and based on past releases all are native code and perform equally well. Here is some info from the official site: On February 14th the game will…
If you have been gaming for long enough, chances are you have come across a game that wouldn’t install or that you couldn’t keep running for more than a few seconds without a crash. You used all the tricks you know, consulted support and forums, and ultimately had to face the reality that the game would never work for you.
My Facebook feed recently exploded with snarky jokes; I was chatting with friends that I haven’t talked to in months, while Sarah and I were laughing so hard at Facebook that I worried we might wake the baby. What’s so funny? NBC’s live interpretation of “The Sound of Music”.
Booq has been coming out with some great new bags and sleeves for carrying all your mobile gear. Their new Python Slimpack Camera Bag now brings booq-style to carrying photography gear as well as a laptop and a few key essentials. The $149.95 backpack is made from great materials, offers superb ergonomics and looks great. Learn more.
For fans of traditional computer role-playing games (cRPG), there has been a bit of a drought of games the last couple of years. There have been some really good games, but they have been few and far between. Now there’s a Kickstarter for a new RPG that is something RPG fans can get excited about called Deathfire: Ruins of Nethermore! Note: Deathfire is down to the final 3 days of funding! Here is the basic description: “Deathfire: Ruins of Nethermore” is a party-based computer role-playing game with turn-based combat that hearkens back to the Golden Era of fantasy cRPGs. Built…
I’m taking my first trip with the Lenovo Yoga I recently reviewed. The Yoga’s only caveat is that it has just 128GB of storage. Fortunately SanDisk’s Cruzer Fit, which Dan recently wrote about, is a perfect solution; it packs 64GB inside its tiny body, while SanDisk’s Cruzer Force also holds 64GB. Guess which one is now installed inside my Yoga?
Spacetime Games is on a roll, releasing multiplayer games for iOS and Android across genres that are free to try and a blast to play. The latest of these games is Battle Command. It uses a standard build, battle, enhance format, followed by upgrades and so on. And while it is familiar – it is a blast to play!
Just over a year ago I reviewed iRig Keys, the 37-note multiplatform mini-key controller. It remains in constant use by either myself or my son! Now IK Multimedia is introducing iRig Keys Pro, featuring 37 full-size velocity sensitive keys, Lightning, 30-pin and USB cables, for universal compatibility with all models of iPhone, iPad, and Mac/PC. iRig KEYS PRO is a true “plug and play” professional-quality programmable MIDI controller designed specifically for making music on the go with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. It features 37 velocity-sensitive full-size keys for 3 full octaves plus one note — allowing…
Occasionally, my wife, Sarah will point out products she thinks we should cover on Gear Diary. Often they’re interesting or unusual, and sometimes they’re just “oh, come on, you’ve got to be kidding me” ridiculous. The My Spy Birdhouse we saw on TV today clearly falls in the latter category, and Sarah practically fell off the couch laughing at it!
Yesterday at Thanksgiving, an older member of my wife’s family cornered me for some tech advice. She’d just “upgraded” her Samsung flip phone to a newer flip phone (yes, apparently Verizon still sells those), and she was confused about the menu layout.
One of the only annoying things about playing the guitar is tuning. I already use my iPhone as my primary tuning device since it is always with me. The Roadie Tuner on Kickstarter utilizes an iPhone app and pairs with a device via Bluetooth to automatically tune each string for you. The device will be $99 and releases soon.
Every year Steam offers up huge savings on PC download games, and this year is no exception. They have games on sale all weekend, 24-hour sales, and quick ‘flash’ sales. All of the deals are good, and it is definitely worth checking the deals out every day! Right now they have System Shock 2 for 75% off!
If, like me, you love using your iPhone and iPad mini, you are always on the lookout for a great stand that will hold and charge your mobile device. Just Mobile’s new AluBolt promises to do just that. An upright Lightning dock for iPhone and iPad mini, the $49.95 dock is finished in aluminum and includes an integrated USB cable.
Sometimes it is easy to be cynical and assume that young people are only seeking the quick and easy path to pop stardom – many are working hard to become the next generation of truly great musicians. Combining passion for the music with hard work and research, here are a few videos by one young guitarist you will definitely remember!