News & Features

Tommy Santora Interview on Mi (Mobile Intelligence) Alert Systems

Tom Santora, the creator of Mi (Mobile Intelligence) Alerts, recently explained these new, multipurpose systems to me that all stem from one central communication hub – your mobile phone. “Our mobile intelligence technology called MiAlert involves several functions where people get important information via their mobile phone/device,” says Santora. “Our multi-phased plan will make this technology available for several practical uses including video footage immediately after incidents. The Mi (Mobile Intelligence) Alerts represents intelligent mobile alert technology with initial uses for automobiles/vehicles, homes/buildings, people (children, family, etc.), and pets. Users can monitor activity using their mobile phone using a free…

News & Features

ContourROAM2 Action Camera Is Built for Life in Motion

Perry recently wrote up an awesome action camera that allows you to shoot video in two different directions at once. The Oregon Scientific ATC Chameleon is a neat idea that lets, for example, not only see where you are going but also shows you the slow-pokes behind you on the ski slope or in the bike race. (Check out the review here.) The camera Perry wrote about is only one of a growing number of action cameras that offer quality, durability and great features. We received word of another one yesterday and it looks quite interesting. The ContourROAM2 action camera gives you…

News & Features

Findables Cases for iPhone 5 and iPad mini Review

The more I review tech accessories, the more I find that I’m less inclined to use gadgets that rely on app-gimmicks than ever before. What I mean by that is, if there is something that lends itself to having a specialized application great. But if the inclusion of an app is a little more than a gimmick that differentiates the case from the other players in that space, I’m not interested. That’s why I wanted to check out some of the cases from Findables; Findables describes itself as offering the first cases that come with an app. Findables makes a…

Events, Music Diary, News & Features

Stream the International Jazz Day Concert Live Today!

For the second year, April 30th is International Jazz Day – and to celebrate there is a large celebration concert! With the success of last year the event has grown incredibly to be a major happening. This year the concert is taking place in Istanbul and you can actually live stream the event! The site is hosted on YouTube, and will be streaming beginning at 9pm/Istanbul, 7pm/London 2pm/New York and 4am(May 1) Sydney. For those who can’t make the event, it will repeat a few hours later. The spokesman of the event is UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Thelonious Monk Institute…

Music Diary, News & Features

iTunes Music Store Turns 10, Look Back at the Launch Event!

Over the years, there have been Luddites like has-been rocker Jon Bon Jovi who claimed Steve Jobs was ‘personally responsible for killing the music business’, but there have been even more people — most of them with data and arguments that make sense — talk about how Jobs and Apple saved and even revolutionized the music business. Regardless of which way your opinion swings, there is one thing that is certain: Steve Jobs and Apple CHANGED the music business forever. And April 28th marked the Apple event that launched the iTunes Music Store. Throughout the second half of the last century,…

News & Features

3 to 5 Hours of Streamed Music from the MiPow Boom mini? Not Even Close!

We brought an exclusive first look at the MiPow Boom mini (read the post), and then we shared the first ever review of the diminutive new speaker coming from MiPow. As you might recall, Judie and I met with MiPow in January when they were showing off their newest offerings at CES 2013. We were impressed by the company and its products and were glad that the company, unknown in the US but widely popular internationally, was finally bringing their products State-side. Here’s our unboxing of the MiPow Boom mini. So here’s the thing, the MiPow Boom mini sounds great,…

News & Features

Leap Motion Makes the Right Move, Even Though it Means a Delay

The piece of tech I’ve been most excited about is something I have not often discussed, since all we’ve had thus far are a few promo videos of the actual product. The Leap Motion controller promises to transform the way we interact with our computers. It has the potential to truly allow us to interact with our hands moving in the air rather than with a stylus, keyboard or by voice. Just take a look at this promotional video of the device in action and you’ll see what I mean. I took one look at the video and joined the…

Editorials, Health and Fitness, News & Features

The Right and Wrong Way to Do Post-Disaster Fundraising

Much has been written about all of the amazing people who stepped up after the Boston Marathon bombings, as well as companies in the area that opened their doors for stranded runners and other impacted individuals. We have since seen both good and bad examples of those who claim to want to help. The obvious bad example was the fake Twitter account looking for retweets claiming a donation would be made for each one, and the many fake charities looking to funnel off some of the generosity that has sprung up. One of the best things that happened was the…

News & Features

Re-Timer Offers Portable Light Therapy for the Sleep Deprived

During the waning months of my career at Borders, I worked two weeks of overnights during a store remodel. Actually working in the middle of the night wasn’t the hard part, what was tough was going to bed when it was broad daylight and waking up as the sun was setting. I bought a sleep mask, which helped, and I had very considerate roommates who tiptoed around and kept it quiet near my room. In any case, the experience left me with a lot of respect for the people who work third shift and other odd hours. There are many…

News & Features

Sony’s Cyber-shot HX50V: A 30x Optical Zoom in a Small and Light Camera

When the smartphone market exploded the point and shoot camera market went into a nosedive. That's not a surprise since, for many of us, our iPhones or Galaxy 3 does a perfectly good job of letting us grab shots on the go. In addition, thanks to powerful applications and ubiquitous connectivity we are now able to play with our pictures on the go and then share them… In seconds. Still, there is a market for cameras that are small and powerful and sit somewhere between a smartphone camera and a big, bulky DSLR. Songs been doing some nice things in…

Game Diary, News & Features

Next Xbox Console Annoucement Date Set

“A New Generation Revealed. Be part of this historic online event, featuring a live stream, video, images, updates and more.” Microsoft released this accompanying statement today as they announced the time for the reveal on the next generation Xbox console. The announcement date is May 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). That would be 1 p.m. EST. Spike TV will televise the announcement at this time while it also streams live on Xbox Live and Xbox.com.

News & Features

Sony’s DEV-50V Digital Recording Binoculars Let You See (and Record) Clearly Now

Remember when binoculars were just simply devices you placed to your eyes to get a closer look at something that was a bit too far for your eyes alone? Well those days are long past and Sony’s new DEV-50V Digital Binoculars are packed with features to let you not only get a better look but to also record what you see in the process.

News & Features

Hublot and Monster Announce Inspiration Hublot, a Luxury Headphones Collaboration

As if the Monster Inspiration headphones I reviewed last fall (and still use regularly) weren’t already something special, the new collaboration between Hublot and Monster promises to blow them out of the water. Hublot, the luxury watchmaker, has teamed with Monster to “combine the very best in high fidelity audio with the finest watchmaking craftsmanship and materials” to create Inspiration Hublot — a luxury noise cancelling headphone that offers an “unprecedented music listening and lifestyle experience.” The new Inspiration Hublot over-ear headphones will have a brushed aluminum finish, a premium rubber headband, a leather headband, and carbon fiber earcups with leather…

News & Features

Harman Kardon Reveals New AirPlay Networked Receivers

I’m currently evaluating the Harman Kardon NC noise canceling headphones. I am, once again, impressed by the quality, finish and audio of the company’s products. Now Harman Kardon has released two new audio/video received that offer AirPlay and network connectivity. Both the Harman Kardon AVR 2700 and AVR 3700 feature Apple AirPlay and 4K video scaling, as well as a sleek, modern design. In addition, both receivers are powered by the “acclaimed Harman Kardon high-current, ultra-wide bandwidth amplifier design for top sonic performance”. Each receiver is equipped with eight HDMI inputs and have easy-to-use on-screen menus for simple setup and…

News & Features

Organize, Share and Enjoy Your Dropbox Photos in New Ways

Dropbox is one of the most important productivity tools I use these days. Having my files, documents and images in Dropbox means I can have access to any and all of my files no matter where I am and no matter what device I happen to be using on any particular day. That’s the reason I keep almost all my active documents in my Dropbox account. Side note: I also have a huge folder in Dropbox entitled “Not Kept Local”. It has all the files, movies and pictures I want to safeguard but don’t need on a daily basis. That…

News & Features

LapDawg’s o-Stand Review – Expensive, Impractical, and Awkward

I have been looking for a convenient way to read from my iPad while freeing up the use of my hands. I’ve tried makeshift holders made from pillows and magazines, and I’ve tried maneuvering my case to double as a mini stand, but nothing has really worked. The o-Stand by LapDawg seemed like the perfect solution. I could use a completely adjustable iPad stand to hold my iPad at any angle without having to hold it. According to LapDawg’s website, the o-stand has a number of appealing features: 4 removable metallic “flexy” legs that you simply bend to any…

News & Features

HTC One Available Online and in Retail Stores Nationwide

If you want an Android handset with a solid build, great speed and superb audio, then you want the HTC One. The latest and greatest handset from HTC is now widely available online and in retail stores including AT&T, Sprint, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Walmart, Target, Amazon.com, Costco, Car Toys, Sam’s Club, HSN.com, and HTC.com. The HTC One stands out as a phone that is built like a piece of jewelry. It has a “full-metal, zero-gap unibody design” that looks and feels as solid as any phone you have ever held. It competes with, and may surpass, the iPhone 5…

eBooks, News & Features

Reader Rocket Aims to Easily Compare eBook Readers

Despite many predictions to the contrary, eBook readers are still going strong. They may not be as flashy as tablets, but they are great devices with long battery lives, clear readable screens, and lightweight both in size and on your wallet. Most people tend to pick an eBook reader based on their bookstore preferences, what their friends and family use, and similar criteria. But if you’re the type looking for lots of statistics and specifications to compare and contrast, it can be tougher to find truly technical reviews of eBook readers. That’s where Reader Rocket, a newly launched site, thinks…

News & Features

White Tuxedo Monster DNA Headphones Review

In the realm of headphones the quip, “It’s better to look good than to feel good” might well be rendered as “It’s better to look good than to sound good.”. In both cases, the statement is obviously nonsense. Just ask anyone with chronic inflammatory arthritis… it doesn’t matter a bit what you look like if you feel awful. Similarly if headphones looks great but don’t sound good, then they really aren’t worth a thing. That was, honestly, my concern when we were asked to review and then give away a pair of the White Tuxedo Monster DNA headphones that…

Game Diary, News & Features

Strategy Game Machines at War 3 Launches!

I have to confess that it was my intention to have a full review of Machines at War 3 for today, but I really wanted to alert everyone to the release of Machines at War 3. This is a real-time strategy (RTS) game with a deep campaign mode, skirmish and full multiplayer modes – and it is a true indie effort! As a RTS, you are constantly working against time and building bases, doing tower defense, navigating stealth subs, commanding gigantic mega units, and researching new technologies. I have played through the tutorial and some of the campaign on both…

Music Diary, News & Features

Twitter Launches #Music Service and App, Check It Out!

Twitter has been rumored to have had a music service in the works for a while, but since we don’t dabble in rumors here at Gear Diary, we waited until it was released to cover it. Now it is out, and it isn’t as much of a ‘music service’ as it is a ‘music DISCOVERY service’, one that depends on artists being on Twitter and having their music mapped out on iTunes, Spotify or Rdio. Twitter describes the service as “A fresh approach to finding new music by using Tweets and follows to power discovery.” The service offers charts of…

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