News & Features | Gear Diary

News & Features January 6, 2015

TRENDnet Announces Two Home Automation Products

The flood of new technologies for the home is exciting. I currently have one smart plug in my den and want to expand my home control technology options. TRENDnet has just introduced two new products to their home automation line, the Smart Switch Powerline Kit and the Smart Switch Powerline Kit with Wifi Extender which retail for $104.99 and $79.99. The THA-102PLK retails for $104.99 and is quick app based setup. Includes the base unit and powerline adapter. Turn any device on and off with the free app or set a daily timer from any mobile internet connection. Requires a…

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 6, 2015

IK Multimedia announces iRig 2 Next Generation Guitar Interface

Back in 2010 IK Multimedia introduced the first guitar/bass interface for iOS, iRig. Paired with Amplitube, the first amplifier & effects simulator for iOS, iRig provided a portable solution that turned iOS into a portable solution for all musicians. Since then they released the iRig HD, and now they’re back with the iRig 2, filled with improvements and new capabilities!

News & Features January 6, 2015

Alcatel Introduces Pixi OS Agnostic Phone at CES 2015

Today at CES Alcatel has announced it’s 3rd generation of the Onetouch Pixi phone. The Pixi 3 is designed to be OS agnostic and will run Android, Firefox OS or Windows Phone. Screen size will range from 3.5 inches to 5 inches so there should be a size for everyone! Hopefully we’ll hear more soon about this exciting phone that offers several OS choices.

Events, News & Features January 6, 2015

Griffin Introducs Cable Management Collection at CES 2015

Most of us have several cables we carry or use throughout the day be they charging cables, headphone cables or data cables. Unfortunately, they all tend to create a mess in the bag, on your desk and in your car. Griffin aims to change that at CES with a new collection of cable management accessories.

Events, Health and Fitness, News & Features January 5, 2015

Magellan Announces Echo Fit Smart Sports Watch at CES 2015

I have professed my unabashed love for the Magellan Echo before, because of how it perfectly melds GPS watch capability while using your smartphone as the engine. I reviewed the Echo almost a year ago, and still use it regularly – because it just plain works. Now Magellan has introduced the follow-up Echo Fit at CES 2015!

Events, News & Features January 5, 2015

Henge Docks Gives Us an Exclusive Pre-CES Hands On Demo with Their Wares

Henge Docks has been making Gravitas docks for some time; we’ve reviewed them, and Dan won’t part with his, no matter how much I beg. Today we got an exclusive Pre-CES look at their entire Gravitas line, their Clique Apple keyboard and Magic touchpad holder, as well as their amazing new Horizontal Dock for the 15″ MacBook Pro retina.

Health and Fitness, News & Features January 5, 2015

Wellograph Debuts All-New Capabilities, Feature-Rich App & Color Options

I wrote about Wellograph when it was first announced in September, and have had one since they were first available. The rate of improvements has been incredible, so when I heard about the new stuff announced at CES, I thought ‘of course’, without surprise. The new functionality is definitely worth noting if you have considered buying a Wellograph.

News & Features January 5, 2015

LiveScribe 3 Android Support Coming This Spring!

I have been a LiveScribe fan since I first saw (and immediately bought) the Pulse, and today my LiveScribe 3 smartpen and notebook are with me everywhere I go. When I switched phones back to Android last year I sorely missed the LiveScribe 3 support, so it is great news that LiveScribe Android support is coming this spring!

News & Features January 5, 2015

Standzout Debuts Bandstand, An Apple Watch Accessory

The Apple Watch isn’t here yet, but Standzout is ready for early adopters with their new Bandstand. It’s an Apple Watch cradle that will let you charge the watch and two USB devices at once. There are no details yet on price or availability, but the mockup looks darn cool! Keep your eyes peeled to Standzout’s website for availability news!

Events, Game Diary, News & Features January 5, 2015

PlayStation Now Service Release Date Announced at CES 2015

On Monday, January 5, 2015, SCE President and CEO Andy House presented details on Sony’s PlayStation Now (PS Now) game streaming service at the CES show in Las Vegas, Nevada along with an official North American release date. This new Web service streams full games to Sony consoles, televisions, and other devices while offering game rental and subscription service options.

News & Features January 5, 2015

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.

News & Features January 5, 2015

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!

News & Features January 5, 2015

Narrative Clip Captures Snippets of Your Life in 30 Second Increments

How would you like a visual reminder of everything that you did during the day? I’m talking a record of every place that you went, every person that you ran into, every interaction? To me it sounds like a big boring nightmare, but to you? Well, if it’s your idea of a good time, then you need the Narrative Clip.

News & Features January 4, 2015

Paxie Brings Wearables and GPS Tracking to Kids

Being a parent comes with a healthy side of worry. Are you feeding your child the right foods? Are you teaching them how to be a good person? Are they safe? SAFE Family is trying to address some of this with their new Paxie band wearable for children.

News & Features January 2, 2015

Amazon Prime Pantry: Leave the Heavy Lifting to the Delivery Service

I just received my first order from Amazon using their Amazon Prime Pantry shopping service. If you haven’t heard of this before – join the club. I stumbled upon it while browsing Amazon and the lightbulb went off in my head. Like many small businesses I’m forever running errands to stock my office fridge.

News & Features January 2, 2015

Cutting the Cord with Live Streaming Sports: Impossible for Many Fans

As I watched the Ohio State Buckeyes face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl, I realized that none of the top-four bowl games have been broadcast on television in the last five years. ESPN has a stranglehold on them, and that brings to light one big reason many can’t cut the cord by moving to live streaming sports.

News & Features December 26, 2014

Make Your Farts Smell Like Flowers with the Pilule Pet Fart Pill

There’s a saying that the woman you love will have farts that “smell like roses”, but we all know that is never true … or at least that was the case until now! A French company has developed the Pilule Pet Fart Pill that can make your farts smell like roses, violets, or even chocolate!

Game Diary, News & Features December 26, 2014

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.

Game Diary, News & Features December 23, 2014

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!

Game Diary, News & Features December 23, 2014

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.

News & Features December 23, 2014

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.