News & Features

Griffin Announces the iTrip AUX Bluetooth and iTrip AUX AutoPilot

The first car I owned had an AM/FM radio with two knobs and six buttons … now new cars come with wireless audio systems that detect and sync your phone and autoplay content with home stereo system quality. Many of us are trapped in between these extremes, so Griffin helps with new iTrip AUX Bluetooth and AutoPilot connection systems.


Withings Aims for the Masses with Activité Pop

If you like the look of a regular wristwatch but want the benefits of activity tracking, you’ve probably heard of the Withings Activité. It’s a beautiful Swiss watch with a second analog hand that indicates your activity levels, and syncs to your phone. But it’s a bit rich at $450, so Withings is aiming for the mainstream with a $149 Activité Pop!







Xbox Live and PSN Christmas Day Outage Update

Games will have to wait to play some of their new gifts that require online gameplay after they got a lump of coal yesterday in the gaming realm. Xbox Live and PlayStation Network (PSN) services went out on Christmas Day with a group of hackers claiming responsibility. Both companies acknowledged network issues and are working to restore services.


GTA Chinatown Wars Goes Universal, Out on Android!

One of my first posts at Gear Diary was the review of the Nintendo DS game Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a game I considered ‘essential and ‘my favorite game of the franchise’, and which remains the best-reviewed DS game. In 2010 I reviewed the game on iPhone and later iPad, and now it is out for Android!


Christmas Release on Wii U for NES Duck Hunt

Duck Hunt, the game that help launched their Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 into the game stratosphere, will finally be released for Wii U this Christmas Day (December 25) in time for new players to discover this mainstay shooting game while veterans get to relive the memories all over again.


Noreve Saint-Tropez Tradition B Case for iPhone 6

With a price starting at under $60 for a finely crafted, rich leather case, the Noreve Saint-Tropez Tradition B 2107TB case is a luxury offering for your Apple iPhone 6. I needs a nicer name but the case is gorgeous and truly lives up to the high standards this company has set for itself. It is a great example of affordable luxury.


Try 3D Jewelry Versions First with Brilliance.com

It can be a lot of pressure to get that perfect diamond ring or jewelry piece right for that special someone, especially around the holidays. Now there is an app for that – The Brilliance.com 3D Printing Diamond Engagement Ring Program uses their own “diamond finder” app to let customers try 3D versions of the final rings/jewelry before final purchase.


Mobius 1080P HD Action Camera

If you are in the market for an action camera and don’t want to spend a fortune, you might want to check out the Mobius 1080P HD ActionCam. At under $100, this small-but-powerful camera is packed with features. Add in the tripod mount on the bottom, and you get a flexible AND powerful action-camera at a great price.


EA/Maxis Releases New Free ‘The Sims 4’ Content/Updates

The Sims 4 now gifts new career-related content and a Holiday Celebration pack to their ever-growing set of free content since the initial fall release. The new business and athletic careers branch into two new paths/professions, which unlock four career-reward rooms in the build mode when played through. Sims now get paid time off! Update in-game or on Origin.


Sony Cancels ‘The Interview’ Film

The action-comedy, Kim Jong-un assassination satire film The Interview and all related press events have been cancelled by Sony Pictures Entertainment who made an official statement that stated they “have no future release plans for the film”.



Tech On TV: Element Case Makes a Cameo on White Collar

I’m a big fan of the television show White Collar (and am bummed the series is coming to an end, and don’t get me started on The Newsroom being done. Grrrrr!) I especially loved the fact that, on the last episode, Element Case made a cameo. We are excited to visit the company’s booth at CES, and we already have a few of their new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ cases on the way for review. We will keep you posted, but do check out these pictures of an iPhone encased in one of the premium Element Case cases. And…


Phorce Freedom Keeps Your Mobile Devices Charged and Carried in Style

Does your bag manage your devices and keep them powered, too? Can it be a briefcase, a messenger bag, or a backpack? If you have the Phorce Freedom, then your answer will undoubtably be yes, yes, yes! The Freedom can charge “up to two devices simultaneously with two LED backlit USB reversible ports. It has a “built-in, flight-friendly, rechargeable 15,000 mAH lithium-ion battery which charges the bag to full power in eight hours. The Phorce Freedom features “intelligent connectors that automatically supply the correct voltage for your device”, and it has a “Smart Power Core includes power save function that automatically…


GrooveOtter Might Help You Get Things Done

Working from home I often find myself not wanting to take a break sometimes; with all the comforts of home it can be hard to realize how hard I am working. Recently, I came across GrooveOtter, which is purportedly an app that will help you get things done and not feel exhausted. Well, it’s not an app; it’s a website.


Opera Coast Seeks to Deliver the Future of Mobile Web Browsing

Mobile web browsers have a unique challenge – delivering an experience optimized for a smaller screen, has less available memory, but also delivers the full content of a desktop browser. The result is browsers that seem to constantly reload tabs, fill up with ads and provide a scaled-down experience. Enter Opera Coast 4.0, the latest from the innovative browser developer.


Hush Smart Earplugs May Help You Get Rest

As a person afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea, I recognize when I have had a good night sleep. One issue I struggle with is that I hear my machine as well as other sounds when trying to sleep. On Kickstarter, I came across this interesting project that aims to change that with Hush, the first smart set of earplugs.