News & Features | Gear Diary

News & Features August 12, 2013

Check Out Dan’s Look at the Polk Audio LSi25 Speakers – Then Enter to Win Big with eBay

Dan loves his small wireless speakers, but the Polk Audio LSi25 Speakers may bring him back to component stereo systems. The speakers are pricey, and they require the addition of an independent amplifier, but in return they offer huge, impressive sound. Dan took a look for eBay as part of their huge My Gadgets Giveaway. As Dan points out in his post over on the eBay Influencer’s Blog, while you can get good sound from a small speaker, big, teeth-rattling, bone-shaking sound won’t come from something that can sit on a bookshelf. For that kind of sound, you’ll want something…

News & Features August 11, 2013

MUNITIO PRO40 Headphones Now Shipping

In an ever-crowded headphone market, MUNITIO is looking to make its mark with the PRO40 headphones. At about $350 these headphones,which include a Bass Enhancing Chamber for powerful bass without distortion, aren’t cheap. They do, however, look to offer great sound and a quality build. You can order yours on the product page. We got a look at Munitio’s upcoming PRO40 Headphones last January at CES 2013 and were impressed with how great they looked. We weren’t able to give them a listen at the time, but the use of 40mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers and Munitio’s tuning of the headphones promised to deliver…

News & Features August 9, 2013

Pearl Guitar Brings Realistic Sound To The iPad

Amidio Inc. has just introduced a super realistic sounding guitar application for the iPad. No need to carry a full-sized instrument and case when on the go when you can make your iPad sound like the real thing. The $2.99 app is modeled after a 1979 Martin & Co. dreadnaught guitar complete with realistic resonance and string noise. I certainly do not own a 1979 Martin steel string acoustic guitar, but would love to. Amidio’s Pearl Guitar app is a carefully tuned replica of the classic guitar stuffed into an iPad. The sound is actually quite stunning complete with string noise,…

News & Features August 8, 2013

Instagram for Android 4.1 Update Says Package File Invalid

I saw there was an update to Instagram for Android so I went to go apply it, as I usually would. However, upon download completion, it says “Package File Invalid”. So I tried to remove it and reinstall the app — the same issue occurred. I completely removed all Google Play Updates and cleared caches, and still … nothing. I tried it on my tablet, and had the same issue. Because I’m having this issue on two devices, it’s obviously something else. I checked the Play Store’s web interface, and sure enough, there are multiple reviews with the same issue for…

Music Diary, News & Features August 8, 2013

Tony Levin is Back with a New Levin Minneman Rudess Recording!

Back in 2011 I was thrilled to review the latest release from Tony Levin, a trio set called ‘Levin Torn White’. I was impressed with every aspect of the recording, saying: aside from trying to assign genre labels, the most fitting label is ‘collaboration’. This recording is about three great musicians working together to share a vision of music with each other and with their audience. To that end they have constructed a cohesive set of statements borne out of rhythm and harmony and a passion atmosphere that is instantly communicative yet reveals more with each listen. This is a…

News & Features August 7, 2013

Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini Is a Perch for Your iOS device

I’ve seen and used a variety of different stands for my iPhone and iPad, but none have caught my attention the way the new HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini from Twelve South has. This brushed metal stand has the kind of refined lines that will compliment your iOS device while also adding to its utility. The HiRise is designed to work with Apple Lightning Cable, but it is a BYOC (Bring Your Own Cable) accessory. And, thanks to its thoughtful design, the HiRise works with iPhone and iPad when they are naked AND when they are in most current cases. The…

News & Features August 6, 2013

B&O Play’s BeoPlay A9 Nordic Sky Edition Speaker Looks Great, Sounds Awesome

B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen just introduced the Nordic Sky edition of its BeoPlay A9. It is the perfect meeting point between art, furniture, and High Fidelity. Designed to be standalone furniture, or art that is hung on the wall, the BeoPlay A9 is also an amazingly powerful piece of audio equipment. The speaker packs impressive technology into a sleek, one of a kind, design. The BeoPlay A9 has a total of five speakers and has an output of 480 watts thanks to a digital Class D amplifier with separate amps for each of the five speakers. At the center…

Gear Bits, News & Features August 6, 2013

Want to Help Your Favorite Show Get Better Ratings? Start Tweeting … Maybe!

I just wrote about the announcement show on the BBC for the 12th Doctor, which was ‘must see TV’ for my younger son. But unlike when my wife and I sit down to watch TV, where we set our phones on the end tables or coffee table; for him the first thing my son does is grab his phone and open up Twitter. Once there, he gets involved with pre-show chatter, right into the announcement itself, and then post-show follow-up. According to a new Nielson study reported at TheNextWeb, this is exactly the sort of situation where ‘Twitter Chatter’ helps…

Music Diary, News & Features August 6, 2013

RIP Jazz-Rock Pioneer and Legend George Duke at 67

Aside from the major jazz releases I try to cover, I also collect other new music and try to do ‘overview’ reviews of several albums when possible. I had one in progress, and the ‘highlight’ release for the set was DreamWeaver from George Duke. The album was released three weeks ago on July 16th, and it is one of the best recordings of the year, as well as one of my favorites from Duke. Dreamweaver mixes mainstream jazz, funk, pop and fusion elements in a very tender and intimate way, and showcases Duke’s vocal, compositional and most of all his…

Crowdfunding, Game Diary, News & Features August 6, 2013

Larian Studios Releases Launch Trailer for Dragon Commander

Once again, I have cool news about Larian Studios, the creators of one of my all-time favorite games — Divine Divinity. In early April I talked about the Divinity: Original Sin Kickstarter, and a couple of weeks later noted the addition of a tier that also gave you a digital copy of Larian’s RTS (real-time strategy) game Divinity Dragon Commander. Well, today is the release date for Divinity Dragon Commander, and Larian Studios has published a launch trailer. Rather than some bland cinematic, this trailer actually shows you the purpose of different elements of the game, how you play and…

News & Features August 6, 2013

Three Great Bluetooth Speakers for Your Son or Daughter’s College Dorm Room

If your son or daughter is headed off to college no doubt he or she wants a way to listen to some tunes while studying (or not studying as the case may be). Over the past months we’ve seen a host of decent bluetooth speakers and many would be great for a college dorm. Three that recently came to us for review stand out as excellent options. They are the Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 for PC/Mac computer, tablet and smartphone, the Soundfreaq Sound Step with Lightning Connector and the iLuv Mo ‘Beats HD High Definition Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker with Viewing…

News & Features August 5, 2013

Check Out Dan’s eBay Review of the Onkyo TX-NR609 A/V Receiver and Then Enter to Win Big!

The other day, Dan brought word about my reviews of the Samsung GALAXY S4 and the Barnes & Noble NOOK Simple Touch with Glow Light. Both reviews were written as part of the eBay Influencers program and are currently live on eBay’s Digital Digest. You can read the S4 review here and the Nook review here. Dan is also part of the eBay Influencers program, and he just published a review of the Onkyo TX-NR609 A/V Receiver. If you are a regular Gear Diary reader, then you know that Dan has covered — and continues to cover — numerous portable…

News & Features, Reviews August 3, 2013

Justin Case Rechargeable iPad Battery Case Review

Power, power every where, And my battery levels did shrink; Power, power, every where, Nor any electricity to drink. With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, how often have you been going about your days busily using your iPad, only to discover the battery is getting low, and it’s just not convenient or possible to plug it into a wall charger? Are there times when you are jetting across the land for business and want to work on those reports or just unwind on the flight and play a few games like one of the Alchemy Mystery variants, but you have…

Gear Bits, News & Features August 2, 2013

Will You Pay Apple for More iCloud Storage When Your MobileMe Bonus Expires?

When iCloud launched and MobileMe was mercifully bludgeoned, those of us fool enough to have paid for the service were rewarded for our stupidity with an extra 20GB of free iCloud storage for a limited time. That time was extended once, but is now set to expire at the end of September according to emails that went out this week. Here is the message from Apple on their support site. Former MobileMe members received a complimentary storage plan after moving to iCloud between October 12, 2011, and August 1, 2012. On September 30, 2013, the complimentary iCloud storage plans will…

News & Features August 2, 2013

Check Out Judie’s eBay Influencer Review of the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight Then Enter to Win Great Prizes

The other day Judie posted her eBay Influencer review of the Samsung GALAXY S4. It is a great look at the powerhouse S4 and it also include a way you can enter to win awesome prizes. Now Judie has followed up with an eBay Influencer Review of the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. She concludes her review noting that, “Whether you are considering an eReader for use when traveling, sitting by the pool, or for pleasure reading, the Nook Simple Touch is an excellent choice.” And while that is a nice endorsement in and of itself it…

News & Features August 2, 2013

Pebble Adds Email Notifications For iOS Devices

I have become quite dependent on my Pebble smart watch. Being able to see my messages without looking at my phone is actually extremely convenient. When I am in front of a class teaching, on the field coaching or even driving, the watch makes it super easy to glance at my watch when I get a message. It only takes a second and I never skip a beat in what currently is going on. Really, the only reason I like to check is to just make sure it is not an important message from my wife or anything dealing with…

Google Nexus 7 Still Made for Watching Movies

Gear Bits, News & Features August 1, 2013

3 Reasons I Almost Bought a Nexus 7 2 … and 5 Reasons I Held Back

Over the last few years it has become somewhat of a mantra – a new 7″ Android tablet comes out, I buy it and quickly lose interest, sell it off for a minor loss, and repeat. I have gone from Samsung Galaxy Tab to HTC Flyer to Acer Iconia to Kindle Fire to Nexus 7 to Fire HD … but it all pretty much stopped with the iPad Mini. With the Mini I found the perfect intersection of a size I knew would work and the functionality I need. Still … I kept contemplating new Android tablets as I heard…

News & Features August 1, 2013

Learn About Wireless Audio From One of the Experts

Wireless audio has gone from simple convenience to serious audio experience over the last few years thanks to Play-fi, AirPlay and, of course, Bluetooth. Honestly, at this point I wouldn’t even consider an audio system that didn’t offer the ability to cut the cords and go wireless. But while it used to be the case that you had to choose between the convenience of wireless audio and the quality of the music you can enjoy that is far from the case these days. Wireless audio is here to stay and, best of all, it is getting better and better. It…

Gear Bits, News & Features August 1, 2013

Start Your Child on the Right Geek Path with The Star Trek Enterprise

When Sarah was pregnant with our son, we received two pieces of advice from nearly every parent we knew: get lots of sleep while we still could, and go see as many movies as possible before the little person arrives. This advice is the only reason Sarah relented and agreed to see “Star Trek: Into Darkness” with me. And while she found it less than exhilarating, our unborn child LOVED it. Yes, he spent the entire movie kicking and moving. Now, it might have been the vibrations from all the explosions, but I prefer to believe the little one…

News & Features August 1, 2013

Seidio’s Ledger Cover now Available for Galaxy S4 and HTC One

Seidio has announced a new fashionable way to protect your Samsung Galaxy S4 or HTC One device, the Ledger. This clam shell case offers a sleek and stylish way to protect your Android device from drops and scratches as well as spying eyes. The nice thing about the “book” style of case is that while your phone is sitting on the table, not being used, the cover protects your screen from being read by others when you receive notifications. The Ledger also protects your phone from all angles, leaving no fragile area exposed. The Ledger is crafted from Italian Polyurethane…

News & Features August 1, 2013

FX Photo Studio For iPhone/iPad Free Until August 5th

It is often said that the best camera is the one in your hand. This is true and our mobile devices have become the main photography tools for most people. Most modern cell phones and tablets have fantastic cameras and chipsets, but there often is something missing to make them the perfect shot. My favorite aspect of using my iPhone for photos is the ability to immediately edit and enhance images on the fly. I take pride in my ability to make my phone pics look great and use my iPad to edit images from my DSLR. With the use…