News & Features

How ‘Just a Big iPod’ Changed Our Computing Lives!

For the second time in two days I was giving a technical talk: one at night in a public setting, the other to a project team at work. In both cases I needed to note some questions, discussions, take contact info and jot down some ‘to do’ tasks and follow ups. It was only when someone said something in each case that I even realized – all I brought with me was my iPad. It has been nearly 8 months since the release of the iPad, and I cannot imagine going anywhere without it. Through numerous discussions I know that…

News & Features

Be the Band with an Old School Synth Style Tshirt from ThinkGeek

When I graduated from high school, several of the PTAs in San Angelo banded together to do a Project Graduation party … one where we could go and have fun, win prizes and (theoretically at least) be alcohol-free for the night. One of the events they held which drew the largest audience by far was an air guitar contest. Now bear in mind that I graduated in 1985, so this was before the days of Rockband — my friends were truly standing there, jamming on imaginary guitars — and it was beyond funny, yet also kind of impressive. For some…

News & Features

The Windows Phone 7 Dell Venue Pro is Now Available

The Dell Venue has been one of the more highly anticipated Windows Phone 7 devices, and now you can order your own! $99 with a two-year T-Mobile contract, or $449 contract free, the Dell Venue offers a unique form factor, a huge screen and a possibly triumphant return of Dell in the Windows mobile device space; past-Axim owners rejoice! Introducing the definitive Windows® Phone 7 experience with a 4.1-inch sliding touch display and full QWERTY keyboard. Features include: The stunning 4.1-inch WVGA AMOLED capacitive, multitouch display enables easier navigation. With Office Mobile built in, you can operate on-the-go as seamlessly…

News & Features

Apropos of Nothing: The Chins

Just because I figure we can all use a smile on the first day of one of the year’s most hectic months, I bring you the Chins. Slightly disturbing, yet highly amusing. Enjoy …

News & Features

Alexandra Knights Alligator iPhone Cases 50% Off Today Only

If you’ve been longing to wrap your iPhone in alligator skin, but the idea of spending $300+ just didn’t appeal, this sale will be right up your alley. Until the end of today, you can purchase an Alexandra Knight iPhone case, 3G/3GS or 4G in sumptuous alligator skin without breaking the bank! Usually $295, they are slashed 50% and for the rest of today are only $147.50. There are many colors available – matte and glazed, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. I am debating the matte cognac or the matte army green or the glazed emerald or…

News & Features

Random Useless Stuff: Teva Grey Ant Stilettos

Having a wife who loves shoes and who also loves the outdoors, I have frequently been confronted with her looking for shoes that are functional but look good. I really don’t think this is remotely what she had in mind! In fact, my wife, her sister, and our 22 year-old niece pretty much called these the stupidest things they’d ever seen! Here is the description: NEW HIGH (M)ART WORLD EXCLUSIVE! Teva, leader in the sport sandal industry is known for their innovation of performance products and advanced technologies in the footwear industry teamed up with Grey Ant, the two collide…

eBooks, News & Features

Sony Giving the Japanese eReader Market Another Crack

Looks like Sony is turning close to home for a chance to revive their eBook devices. After basically dropping the Japanese market for Readers, Sony thinks they will not only blow the doors off their sales but they also think they’re going to dominate the Japanese ebook market! Granted, the ubiquitous Kindle has not yet made it to Japan, which gives Sony an additional advantage, but will they really succeed? This is ambitious for a company that could have owned the American ebook market given their head start, but has essentially stood frozen while Amazon and B&N swooped in and…

News & Features

R.I.P. Irving Kershner, Director of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

In the aftermath of the massive success of George Lucas’ Star Wars in 1977, it was somewhat surprising that for the sequel he chose not to direct it himself, but instead sought out an old mentor and respected director in Irving Kershner. As was remembered recently, it was for a couple of reasons: the motivation was because “if the second one worked, then he could make more. If the second one didn’t work, then that would be the end of Star Wars”, and the reason to choose Kershnerwas “because [he] knows everything a Hollywood director is supposed to know but…

News & Features

R.I.P.: Comedy Film Legend Leslie Nielson Dead at 84 … You Can Stop Calling Him Shirley

When you think of Leslie Nielson, it is hard to imagine that at one point he was looked at as a serious actor in leading roles and a ladies man. Yet in the late 1950’s he was tall, handsome and charismatic, and got lead roles in films such as 1956’s Forbidden Planet pictured at the top. But through the years he never blossomed into the mega-star that some expected, as his serious on-screen personas couldn’t compete with other actors, and no one got a look at his comedic side until 1980. His image now is the one cemented by his…

News & Features

Gear Chat: Rotation LockGate. Seriously??

The other morning I read a post by Warner Crocker about his being upset over the change in the iPad’s screen rotation control between the original version of iOS on the device and the new version 4.2.1. Warner referred to it as a “boneheaded move”, and he went on to write this: Where Apple got stupid is in changing the screen rotation control from the hardware switch on the device’s side to one that is now only accessible from the multi-tasking dock. I use my iPad mostly in portrait mode but there are some Apps that work better in landscape…

News & Features

Happy Thanksgiving from Gear Diary!

Thanksgiving is a great time to take a break and recognize all of the things in our lives which are going right … the things we have to be thankful for. Once we start thinking about the things in life that are good, it doesn’t take long before we realize that there is much to celebrate. So have a virtual turkey dinner with us on this Thanksgiving, as we celebrate the good things and enjoy the day! We hope that all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving today have a huge list of things that are going “right”, as well…

News & Features

SmirkAbout Skins Will Bring a Smile to Your Face

I recall seeing an interview with Penn Gillette one time during which they happened to show his laptop, which was covered with stickers. All sorts of stickers. It was garish, but yet it fascinated me in a way because it was so individual in appearance. While I usually just use a clear, protective skin on my devices (’cause I’m just boring that way), I appreciate decorative skins that allow the owner to really show off their personality and distinguish their gadget from all of the others around them. SmirkAbout, an Australian company, is one of the newer companies putting out…

News & Features

Gear Review: VTech LS6245 DECT 6.0 Touch-Sensitive Bluetooth Cordless Phone System

A home telephone is just a home telephone right? Of course not. That hasn’t been the case for years. While we used to rent our telephones from “Ma Bell” and could have our phone in any color and style so long as we liked black rotary phones we now have a wide range of options with regard to both look and functionality. Most recently many people have even gone so far as to get rid of their home phone entirely and rely only on their cell phone. We happen to have two lines coming into our house but both use…

News & Features

iPad Accessory News: ELEMENTS by Revena Product Line Looks Awesome and Flexible

I’ve had the chance to review a host of different ways to use your iPad hands free on a desk or attach it to a wall but the new ELEMENTS line from Revena looks to stand out from the pack thanks to its style and flexibility. As the company explains, This new system allows iPad users to experience and utilize their iPad in any room of their home, their garage, workshop, auto, plane, train, office, soccer field…. the options are endless! And this DOES indeed look to be the case. It starts with the AXIS, “an iPad case with a…

News & Features

iPad Accessory- InnoPocket AluPose Metal iPad

The hot gift this holiday season?? Why the iPad of course. That is a good thing for Apple who are solidly on track for world domination at this point. It is also a good thing for the many companies who create iPad accessories. It is pretty amazing to think about the fact that there are SO many accessories now available for a device that did not exist at this time last year. Among the most useful iPad accessories you can get is one of the number iPad stands that are now available. You can pay a lot for a heavy,…

News & Features

Netflix Unveils $7.99 Stream-Only Plan, Raises Prices on All Others!

My family dropped our $15 Netflix plan early this spring due to lack of use, but when offered a free month to come back, we jumped at the lowest-priced plan. Since then, the only thing we got in the mail from Netflix was a Wii disk … and even that is of no use anymore! So when I heard that Netflix was bringing a ‘streaming only’ plan to the US, I knew I’d sign up immediately. Today that plan arrived, with a $7.99 monthly rate (same as Hulu+). I got an added incentive to change plans quickly – Netflix simultaneously…

News & Features

Wrap-A-Nap Lets You Sleep Anywhere, and I Do Mean Anywhere

I have long admired people who could nap anywhere, even when they weren’t sick and half-doped up on cough syrup. My problem is that if the room is too lighted, too noisy, too cold or too hot, or if I am thinking about all the other things I need to be doing, it doesn’t matter how sleepy I am, a nap isn’t happening. But let’s say that I am able to overcome all of that, perhaps because I’m the passenger on the world’s longest car ride … there is no comfortable position to get into, because no matter how far…

News & Features

Fone Sitter Makes Sure Grandma Hung up the Phone!

My dad gave me a ride home from work last night. During the drive, he went to call his mother (my grandmother) and her line was busy. So he tried her cell phone. No answer. This went on for a good ten minutes; we’d chat, he’d try both numbers, we’d chat again. Finally, he started to get really nervous, and he called my uncle to go check on her. As it turns out, she was just fine. Her phone was just off the hook. Again. She doesn’t keep her cell phone near her, and she can’t hear the faint, indignant…

News & Features

Don’t Want The TSA Checking Out Your “Stuff”? This Underwear is for You!

SCOTTEVEST recently released, and we reviewed, new travel boxers that have a pocket built-in. Forget the pocket… they are just plain comfortable. Now there’s a new line of undergarments available. No, they aren’t for the tech-lover or the frequent traveler but rather these bras and underwear are intended to keep prying TSA eyes from checking out your “stuff”. Yes, lead-free, radiation shielding underwear is now available for this individuals who are outraged by the naked-body scanners the TSA is now using. Here’s the detail directly from the company… Rocky Flats Gear ™ is the US manufacture of a revolutionary flexible,…

News & Features

Tu Hablas Espanol? Dragon Dictation for iPhone Does!

It has been a while since we covered one of my most-used iPhone and iPad apps but there is some great news about Dragon Dictation that is worth sharing. First off, a big congrats to Nuance on the inclusion of the Dragon Dictation app in the iTunes “Hall of Fame”. That’s right, out of the hundreds of thousand apps in the App store Dragon Dictation was selected as one of the 50 to be included by Apple in the iTunes Hall of Fame. Personally I could not agree more. In fact, I would easily put it in the top dozen…

News & Features

Speck Product’s A-Line Bag for Netbooks May Be the Best Looking Gear Bag Yet!

This is going to sound jaded and awful, but I am going to say it anyway: One of the absolute best things about being a product reviewer is that sometimes companies surprise you with packages containing items you didn’t know existed and you certainly didn’t expect to receive … and that you can’t wait to try out. But on the other hand, one of the absolute worst things about being a product reviewer is that sometimes companies surprise you with packages containing items you didn’t know existed and you certainly didn’t expect to receive … and you don’t necessarily even…

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