Gear Bits




ThermoWorks RFX Officially Launches: A Full-Service Meat Thermometer with a Reliable, Long-Range Wireless Connection

In June, I was blessed with a trip to ThermoWorks headquarters, where I learned a lot, had some excellent food, hung out with some great people, and got a sneak peek at their new RFX wireless network technology. The ThermoWorks RFX is the first meat thermometer to use ThermoWorks’ new patent-pending industrial radio frequency technology. Say goodbye to unreliable Bluetooth signals!



WaterField Essential Crossbody: I Reviewed It, and I Still Use It

Through Gear Diary, I get to review all kinds of unique products. Many of those products have become essential to my everyday carry items collection. That’s especially true with products from WaterField. I’m currently out of the country, and the WaterField Essential Crossbody I reviewed years ago is part of my everyday carry.


Style, Sports, and Sound Are Present in the New Skullcandy Active Collection

I have a real love/hate relationship with most true wireless earbuds. They’re great for when I’m sitting in one spot but tend to pop out of my ears at inopportune times while I’m working out. I’ve tried and loved Skullcandy‘s active earbuds in the past, and they’re leaning into the need for more secure true wireless earbuds (TWE) with a major release of their all-new Skullcandy Active Collection!


UAG’s 4th of July Sale Brings 20% Off Sitewide, and Includes the New Limited Edition UAG Monarch Pro G-10 Case!

Urban Armor Gear (UAG) makes smartphone cases that offer exceptional protection in even the toughest conditions. They were the first major case brand to offer products certified to Military Standards, the first case brand to send an iPhone 6 into space (it survived), and they were the first brand to test their cases’ strength by throwing their phones out of a vehicle going 120 mph (they also survived)! They’ve expanded their offerings to include laptops, tablets, backpacks, and more, and for their July 4th sale, you can get 20% off sitewide — even on the new limited edition UAG Monarch…





Whistle Pig CampStock Campfire Kit Is the Perfect Summer Night Accompaniment

Summer goes quickly, but the memories created around a campfire can last a lifetime. The Whistle Pig CampStock Campfire Kit guarantees that this summer’s memories will be the best ever by combining the warmth of a smokeless firepit with the rich flavor of a limited-edition bourbon. WhistlePig and Solo Stove have collaborated to create the CampStock Campfire Kit, the perfect combination of two great brands to make this a summer to remember.


Stoke Voltaics Nomad Cooking System Is Perfect for Adventurers Who Want to Safely Cook Outside

The Stoke Voltaics Nomad Cooking System aims to solve some common challenges outdoor enthusiasts face, such as fire hazards, power limitations, and portability. Its electric-powered design offers a safer alternative to traditional campfires and gas stoves, eliminating the fire risk and making it usable just about anywhere. With adjustable power settings ranging from 200W to 1000W, it works with multiple power sources, including RVs, portable power stations, vehicle inverters and solar systems, and even home outlets, with a reduced risk of power loss and breaker-tripping.


The Safemo 2-Camera & Hub Set P1 with 5W Solar Panels Offers a Local, AI-based Home Security System

A newcomer to the home security market, Singapore-based Safemo (a combination of the words Safe and Mode) offers a new home security system composed of two wireless cameras and a hub with two 5W solar panels. As with other systems on the market, this system can differentiate between people, vehicles, and packages, but unlike other systems, it does so locally using AI and data processing, all without a monthly subscription. Up to six months of data and video (32GB) can be stored on the device. An optional SSD hard drive can add up to 4TB of storage.



MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and 7300X Chipsets Will Bring Enhanced AI, Gaming, and Photography to Foldables and More

The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and 7300X chipsets have just been announced with an emphasis on making smartphones even faster and more efficient. These new chipsets use advanced technology that makes them more power-efficient and boosts their overall performance. The Dimensity 7300X is specifically tailored for foldable phones, allowing it to support smartphones with two screens.


Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Bring Next-Gen AI to Your Workflow

It’s safe to say that AI is inescapable. We’re still working out how and when AI can augment our everyday lives, but one place where it’s becoming incredibly tightly integrated is with Windows. Microsoft added the CoPilot button, and now we’re seeing AI PCs coming out to take advantage of this new feature. Lenovo is ready for both commercial and personal use with two new AI PCs, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6.


Hang Enbrighten Eternity Lights Once, and You’ll Enjoy Permanent Outdoor Accent and Holiday Lighting Year-Round

There’s something magical about lighted neighborhoods during the holidays. Whether the lights are a minimalistic white or an over-the-top cha-cha display, I love looking at their festive effect. Even so, I’ve never strung lights on my own home; I’ve always thought that doing so would be a hassle, especially since you have to remove them a month or so later and have a safe place to store them. But the new  Enbrighten Eternity Lights are making me rethink my stance; they are permanent outdoor LED lights that, once installed, remain in place year-round, providing many outside lighting options.



MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ Is the Latest Flagship Mobile Chip for Enhanced AI Experiences

MediaTek has just announced its newest flagship mobile chip, the Dimensity 9300+, joining the Dimensity lineup. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ boasts increased clock speeds and is specifically crafted to elevate on-device generative artificial intelligence (AI) processing capabilities. With broader support for Large Language Models (LLMs) and various performance enhancements, it offers an enhanced user experience over its predecessor, the Dimensity 9300.


TCL 50 XL 5G Brings Budget-Power to T-Mobile Metro!

TCL is wildly underrated in the phone space. They’ve been popping out excellent Android phones for several generations, constantly improving speed, displays, and cameras. Best of all, they’re reasonably priced and make an amazing bang for your budget. If you haven’t been paying attention yet, here’s your chance with the TCL 50 XL 5G on Metro by T-Mobile!