News & Features

Using a Seagate GoFlex Satellite Harddrive? Read This Before Updating to iOS 6.0

We’re big fans of the Seagate GoFlex Satellite wireless hard drives. We love the way they let us add tons of storage to our iPads, iPhones and iPod touch’s. And we love the way the company updated the firmware and made them even better a year after we first did our review. BUT, and this is an important “but”, if you have updated, or are going to update to iOS 6.0 you need to update the firmware on the drive. Thankfully it is easy to do. Just click here and follow the instructions. No OS update is without bumps along…


Rokform RokLock v3 Protective Case Adds Functions and More

We reviewed Rokform’s case for the iPhone 4S last summer and were super impressed with it. The design is decent on its own, but when you add in the functionality it offers, it truly impresses. (Read the review here.) Here’s what we had to say about it at the time: I didn’t think I would like this case… errr… system as much as I do. But I do! I like the looks. I like the flexibility. I like the number of different options that can be purchased to work with it. No, I don’t love the price which, if you…


Sprint Readies the Samsung Galaxy Note II for Release This Fall, Reports 1 Million 4G Devices Sold!

As noted before, this morning we heard from Samsung that they have coordinated with all five major U.S. carriers to bring the massive Samsung Galaxy Note II to market; now Sprint has followed up and announced that they will be launching the 16GB version of the device later this fall on their ‘Truly Unlimited’ network! The Galaxy Note 2 is the successor to the popular ‘phablet’ that was huge for a phone but small for a tablet yet found a solid global audience. The new version increases the screen size to 5.5 inches (from 5.3), has full 4G LTE support,…


Hands-on Review of AmpliTube 2.5 (now 2.6!) and Amplitube Fender 1.2

IK Multimedia recently released major updates to their AmpliTube and AmpliTube Fender amplifier simulation apps for iOS devices, which I wrote about here. If you follow Gear Diary, then you know that aside from a quick blurb we seldom do a ‘deep dive’ on a ‘point release’ update … but this time there was a reason! Read on and see if the new AmpliTube is for you! The Hype: • Full MIDI Integration. This feature allows users to control AmpliTube Fender 1.2 via standard MIDI controllers using an iOS MIDI interface such as iRig MIDI. This allows to remotely switch…


Apple iOS 6 Update Now Available for Download!

Today is iOS 6 release day, and as anticipated the update went ‘live’ close to 10AM Pacific Time. As often happens, the servers will get hit hard and make downloading and updating a slow and sometimes frustrating thing. Make sure you: – Have the space on your device – Have a good WiFi connection – BACKUP! – Have the time to leave the device in one place for the update Good luck and report on your experiences! My download is going s-l-o-w right now … If you want more details on the iOS 6 update, head to Apple!


Listen to Green Day’s Uno Streaming on Facebook!

Green Day is launching into a jam-packed year, releasing a trio of new records and embarking on a grand world tour. The first album ¡UNO! arrives on September 25th, but you can stream it for free right now at Facebook! Here is what they say: Hear ¡Uno! before it hits stores next week! Check out the advance listening party on the Facebook tab presented by Nokia Music and AT&T at http://smarturl.it/hearunonow On Mobile? Head back to a computer to take a listen! Let us know what you think in the comments below and share this post! You need to ‘Like’…


Vote For Brandeis To Host The “Today Show”

In my house, there’s a loose rivalry between Syracuse and Brandeis. They hardly compete head to head in anything, but since I went to Brandeis and my brother Andrew went to Syracuse, there’s a good natured sibling rivalry. It doesn’t help that we have older cousins who attended Brandeis and Syracuse, so the unofficial competition spans generations. Now Brandeis finally has the chance to pull ahead here, but I need your help! See, the “Today Show” is running a contest where they will film their fourth hour the week of October 12th at one of six schools: Brandeis, Ohio State…


ioSafe Turns to Indiegogo to Help Fund the “Disaster-Proof Private Cloud”

We’ve long been fans of ioSafe. We’ve spent time with them as they burnt, crushed and soaked hard drives. We’ve seen the drives abused with shocking results. We also taken shotgun shots as their drives. Now ioSafe has taken things even further. They’s turned to Indiegogo to help fund their newest endeavor, the ioSafe N2. Before we dig into this more deeply take a minute and watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1LdY2Fe6IUM The company describes the ioSafe N2 as “Disaster-Proof Private Cloud – like an aircraft black box for personal or business data”. I think that is a pretty apt description. Whereas…


Stats Pad for iPad Review

Type of app: Statistical Analysis Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store Developer: Consensio Works LLC Description: Stats Pad brings detailed statistical analysis to your iPad. If you use Excel’s Data Analysis Toolpak or PHStat for statistical analysis, then you will love Stats Pad. Stats Pad is the perfect tool for classroom statistics or on the go analysis. Major features: It has been a year and a half since I reviewed Biostatistics, and since then the $24.99 app is gone from the App Store, and most of what exists are either desktop tie ins (JMP Graph Builder) or…


The Who All-Star Tribute Album ‘Who Are You’ Releases October 2nd!

While The Beatles and The Rolling Stones get the 60’s glory, and Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd rule 70’s rock nostalgia – The Who were there for it all, blazing a path that strangely melded the ‘first punk band’, ‘thinking man’s rock musicians’, and ‘worst rock’n’roll band in the world’. Now they are getting an all-star tribute album coming out on October 2nd and featuring an amazing cast of rock musicians from the last five decades. As noted at Classic Rock Magazine: Cleopatra Records, behind the release, say: “The Who has sold over 100 million records, had 27 top 40…


Otterbox on Track to Keep Your Soon-to-be Shipped Shiny iPhone 5 Protected!

Otterbox takes device protection seriously, and their cases reflect a company passionate about doing just that, unsurprising since their About Us page lists “work hard/play hard” as part of the company culture. Now that the Apple iPhone 5 has been announced, Otterbox has just released for pre-order two cases: the Defender and Commuter Series, with the Reflex and Prefix cases not quite available, but coming soon. These cases, most of which offer several color combinations to choose from, should be ideal for owners who want to keep their iPhones very safe but also easily useable, treading the fine line between…


Welcome to Apple PR-Nightmare Fall 2012 Edition

image from Cult of Mac Something tells me that Apple is about to have another PR nightmare, and it has everything to do with their handling of the move from the 30-pin adapter to the new Lightning port. Change happens; no one can deny that. So Apple’s decision to change the port in order to, in part, allow for a smaller size, is something that was going to happen eventually. Few argue that point. But then they went from bad, to worse to… Kaboom!!!! Bad #1. The phone doesn’t ship with an adapter. It should. The adapter costs Apple little…


IK Multimedia Releases Huge 2.6 Update for AmpliTube!

I was just going through and trying to finish up my hands-on review of the major updates in AmpliTube 2.5 and AmpliTube Fender 1.2, and I noticed that AmpliTube appeared in my App Update list … with even MORE content added! As always there is a great combination of fixes and improvements along with in-app purchases of new amp and effect models. My review will be updated to include the version 2.6 content as well when it is published! I was reading a history of bass amplification the other day just before the update came, and amongst the classic models…


Ordering a New iPhone Tomorrow Morning? Check Out Sena’s Case Offerings

  Continuing the rollout of iPhone 5 case news we have some great offerings from our newsletter underwriter Sena Cases. As the release notes… On the heels of Apple’s most profound revolutionary iPhone 5 launch, Sena is ready with their new line of protective leather cases available for immediate protection and style for the powerful new iPhone 5.   If you read the site you know that Sena is one of our favorites when it comes to leather cases for iPads, iPhone and assorted other electronics. Heck, I used Sena cases on my devices all the way back when I was…


Waterfield SFBags iPhone 5 Cases Up for Pre-Order

Our friends at Waterfield let us know that their iPhone 5 cases are available for pre-order now. Their selection includes the iPhone Wallet, the iPhone Hint, the iPhone Smart Case, the iPhone Suede Jacket and the iPhone Travel Case. As they explain, with these cases you can… Carry everything you need with the iPhone Wallet or iPhone Hint. Get smart and stylish protection with the Smart Case; make it light and tight with the Suede Jacket; and get organized with the iPhone Travel Case. You’ll find an iPhone Case for every style and need. Why so many styles? Because, as…


My Five Day ‘Juice Detox’ Experience

The expression goes that a juice diet has three stages: “I’m hungry”, “this isn’t so bad”, and “please someone shoot me NOW”! I had the opportunity to get a package from ‘A Choice for Life’ for a 5 day detox, and as I had just spent the past several months losing weight and getting into shape I was intrigued about the ability to ‘press reset’ on my system. So I decided to give it a shot. Of course there were a few concerns and caveats: – The ‘check with your doctor’ advice should always be taken seriously: I had a…


iPhone 5 Case Roundup, Volume 1

So Apple’s big fall musical event has come and gone. The big surprise this time out? There were no surprises. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Klum. What we got was the exact iPhone that had been leaked. And yes, it looks like a taller thinner iPhone 4S. Kinda like the chunky teen that finally lost the adolescent weight gain. Still, Judie and I are both going to order one tomorrow. Want to know another non-surprise that happened yesterday? No sooner did the Apple event end than we were flooded with emails from companies about their upcoming iPhone 5 offerings. While we could…


Pogoplug – My Own Private Cloud With 1TB Online Backup

I am always on the lookout for simple and secure backup solutions and good methods for syncing personal files across multiple devices. I use Dropbox and Google Drive, but have always liked the idea of my own personal cloud solution for more confidential information. I have been using The free Tonido program on my home Mac, iPad, iPhone and Google Nexus 7 for a few months, and it has worked quite well. I have not purchased the Tonido Plug, but had been considering it for a few weeks until Pogoplug announced a great deal on the Pogoplug Classic device and storage….


9/11 – A Day of Remembrance

On this day in 2001, over 3000 lives were lost in a series of brutal terrorist attacks; thousands more lives were impacted directly or indirectly by the attacks and loss of life, and our country was changed forever. Today is the 11th anniversary of that day – it is rightly a day of remembrance. It is a day of remembrance. It is not a day for politics or politicians. It is not a day for moving speeches or promises or calls to actions. It is a day for thoughtful reflection and recollection. It is a day of remembrance. It is…


Emergency Cell-Phone Lasts 10 Hours On A Single ‘AA’ Battery

Picture yourself stranded alone during a hurricane. The rain pelts the windows with oppressive vigor. A howling wind lifts lawn chairs off the patio. You reach into your pocket and grab your smart-phone. You’ve never been more desperate to check your twitter feed, but the battery’s already down to 5%. Four minutes later, that one tough level of Angry Birds: Space finally kills the phone. Out of nowhere, an enormous tree branch crashes through the living room window. You try to call for help, but you left your charger in the hotel room back in Atlanta. What’s the solution? XPAL…


GLAS.t Premium Tempered Glass Series for the iPhone 5

I reviewed the Steinheil GLAS.t for iPhone 4 and 4S. (Read it, here.) I also reviewed the Steinheil GLAS.t for iPad. (Read it, here.) In both cases the tempered glass screen protector immediately won me over. I loved knowing that my iPhone and iPad screens were protected behind a layer of tempered glass. But you know what I loved even more? I loved the fact that if you didn’t know the screen protector was there, you would never guess it was anything more than the actual screen. Yes, the GLAS.t is THAT good and THAT transparent. (It’s pricey but good.)…