News & Features

Reminder: Don’t Forget About Veterans on November 12th

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day across the US, and everywhere you went there were special events, giveaways, speeches, and so on to commemorate the event. And that is a very good thing – I remember well the era when individual soldiers were lumped with politicians and others in terms of getting blamed for Vietnam and everything else that was wrong with the country throughout the 1970’s. And while I have significant concerns about many of the restrictions to our freedoms and ability to dissent in our post-9/11 reality, I think it is a wonderful change for the good in our country…


Gear Games News: Nintendo (tries to) Trademark “It’s On Like Donkey Kong”

I am not sure what I would file this email I got today under … corporate hubris? Trying to cash in on a decade old saying? Misguided legalistic idiocy? I’m just really not sure – please help me out in the comments! Anyway, today we get word that Nintendo has filed a trademark claim on a phrase they didn’t make up, didn’t attempt to control, and have let enter the popular lexicon for nearly two decades … because it uses one of their trademarked properties. Here is the email I got this morning: Nintendo Files Official Trademark for Catchphrase ‘It’s…


iPad Bluetooth Keyboard With Folding Leather Protective Case Released

I love my iPad, but have yet to use it for heavy work, including writing my Gear Diary posts.  Typing on the MacBook is just so much faster because of its full-size keyboard.  Later today I will post a review for a credit card size Bluetooth keyboard that works with the iPhone and iPad.  Although that keyboard works really well, I have a hard time using a phone sized qwerty keyboard.  The same company, EFO has recently released an iPad case that contains a full size Bluetooth keyboard.  Now, you can easily carry your iPad, flip it open and type…


Cervantes Mobile Releases Portable Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone, iPad and Android devices

Cervantes Mobile has released a new portable bluetooth keyboard designed specifically for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The Jorno keyboard… …folds down to a compact size to easily fit in your pocket or bag, and includes a detachable cradle to hold your device in either portrait or landscape orientation. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair the keyboard to your mobile device and position the keyboard anywhere you like. The keyboard is also rigid when unfolded, allowing placement in your lap. With the Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard, you can write emails, take notes and enjoy an efficient, portable way to type…


Joby Introduces Gorillamobile Tri-Pod for iPhone 4

I’ve been extremely impressed with the every-growing line of products from Joby. The very first Gorillamobile tri-pod I reviewed here on the site still finds use on a regular basis. Now Joby has released a new Gorillamobile designed specifically for the iPhone 4. The new Gorillamobile… combines the protection of a durable, always-on bumper case with the hands-free positioning capabilities of a JOBY tripod. The bumper case design celebrates the sleek form of the iPhone and is equipped with a rail system that easily slides on and off the tripod stand in portrait or landscape orientation. No matter what position…


Don’t Believe Me? Bing It!

It’s not like you could possibly miss it, but if you were watching  last night’s Hawaii Five-0 episode, then you likely saw the scene where … oh heck, just watch! Chin Ho Kelly challenges Kono Kalakaua to perform the search while they are looking at a sculpture, when she reaches into her bag and pulls out the LG Optimus 7 — the first time I have seen one in the wild, even if only on TV. Larry has pointed out Apple’s movie and television product placements, and it looks like Microsoft is taking a page from their book; the one…


New Grisham Novel Gets an eBook Boost!

Publishers have struggled mightily with where ebooks fall in their lineups. There’s no clear progression like hardcover to paperback to the mass market. eBooks sort of sneak in and gum up the works, causing some publishers to think the answer is to hold back on ebook releases to give the hardcover a chance to thrive. The result has been nasty letters from customers, one-star reviews on Amazon for books that aren’t in eBook form on release day, and general bitterness from consumers. Not the environment to foster bestsellers. Of course, more publishers should be looking to emulate Random House. They’ve…


Gear Must-Have: Gadget Genie Moisture Removal System

Judie knows gadgets. She’s been blogging for years and has tried out hundred and hundreds of different items and accessories. Many of them get “ooos and ahhs” from her, but rarely have I seen a product draw such immediate enthusiasm as this one. No, this product received an “OMG Great Idea!!! I need some to keep on hand!!” What product caught her eye in such a big way? Is it a phone? Nope. Is it a tablet? Nope. Is it a new computer? Nope. So what is it? It is a bag. And no, it is not one of her…


Release: i-tab Portable Guitar Tab Player Updated

Technology has been wonderful for musicians, especially guitarists.  I know purists think using guitar tableture is cheating, but those of us who are without formal training, tabs are how we learn new songs.  Many years ago when we were poor college students, my wife found a huge folder of tabs I had printed and put them by category in a big binder for me so I could easily find any songs I wanted to play.  Many devices, including the iPhone and iPad, allow players to read tabs, but sometimes it is difficult to read them or scroll through the song. …


Ancestry.com’s Family Tree Maker for Mac Released, Thrilling Genealogy Buffs Like Me

For me, genealogy has been as much a passion as it was a hobby; my maternal grandmother and my uncle started researching their Meador and Bridwell lines years ago, and when I became an adult I picked up where they had left off, expanding the search for my father’s family, the Lipsetts and Hublers, as well. Over the years I have spent countless hours online and in libraries researching and amassing a huge collection of data; I have truly enjoyed discovering information, pictures and stories that have helped me learn more about my ancestors’ lives. Genealogy has given names in…


Tekkeon Releases myPower, the First iPhone 4 Extended Battery Case with Swappable Batteries

Using an extended battery which also serves as an iPhone case is a great way to keep your phone going all day, and it’s nothing new. But Tekkeon is introducing a new twist — swappable battery packs available in either 1200 mAh (the Ultra Slim) or 2200 mAh (the Ultra Power). So here’s how it works: the myPower Extended Battery Case comes with an Ultra Slim extended battery, and you can order extra batteries in either the Slim or the Power size; rather than remove the case when its extended battery loses its charge, you just swap out the depleted…


Apple, Competition, and Silly Statistics

The Wall Street Journal this morning reported Apple has 95% of the tablet market. Amazing, in the face of virtually no competition! Also, Apple has 99.9% of the “electronics starting with i” market. But they aren’t the only ones with big marketshares in questionably competitive areas… -Toyota has 85% of the market for “sudden, unexpected, OH CRAP, 0 to 60” cars. -Snapple has 100% of the “greatest stuff on earth” market (tm Dan) -Gear Diary has 100% of the market for blogs named Gear Diary! -Coca Cola has 100% of the “secret formula cola” market. -Google has 93% of the…


Speck Introduces Two New Bags for Netbooks and iPad

Speck has introduced two new bags for taking your netbook (up to 10″) or iPad on the go. The CorePack-10 and the PortPack-10 both feature Speck’s excellent design and high quality construction. Each has an MSRP of $49.95 and are available now. Here’s a quick first look at both. We have review units of each and will have a thorough Gear Diary look in the next few days. CorePack for Netbooks and iPad Open up CorePack FLY 10’s butterfly design and it instantly becomes a portable work surface. The butterfly feature is also airport security checkpoint friendly, allowing you to…


The “i-hotake” Makes Holding & Taking Your iPad Easy

Here’s an intriguing new way to protect and carry your iPad; the “i-hotake” (a play on “hold & take”) appears to be a pretty-thick protective plastic bumper case with handles on each end. Made for kids? Made for klutzy adults? We’re not exactly sure and they aren’t telling. Cutouts for syncing, speakers and other ports are in their proper places, so if nothing else — when your iPad is in this you can use it a mini breakfast in bed tray. 😉 i-hotake site (MSRP $39.99)


Election Day Reminder – Find Your Polling Place Easily With Google

Across the United States today hopefully millions of folks will be out voting for their local, state and federal representatives. There are tons of important issues and races at stake, as well as the balance of power in Congress. I’m sure there are local issues in your areas as well. Google is making things easy – simply type vote into your search bar / web page and you are brought to this page. From there you simply enter your home address and you will get a Google Map page showing the directions to your polling place, and on the left…


Like Mysteries? Check out MobileRead’s Newest Contest!

(Image courtesy Sherlock Holmes Museum) If you think of yourself as an amateur Sherlock, MobileRead has a great contest for you! They’re giving away an ebook reader of your choice (as long as your choice is a Nook, Kindle, Nook Color, Sony Touch or Pocket Edition)! And if you don’t win the ebook reader, there are 10 runner-up vouchers for $30 worth of ebooks! Sounds great, right? Well, to win, you’re going to need your wits around… From MobileRead: How it works You will have the chance to solve a new murder mystery that inexplicably takes place inside the secluded…


Random Cool Halloween Video: Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Is there any music video that screams Halloween more than Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking Thriller? Do you remember how huge of an event it was on TV when it launched? Heck, I was listening to Anthony Braxton and eschewing pop culture wherever possible and I watched the premier! So … without any more chatter, let’s get right to the video! Happy Halloween!


Halloween Chats Get Spookier with a Surprise IM+ Theme

Starting on October 30, you can enjoy a spooky pumpkin theme behind all of your IM+ Lite or IM+ Pro chats. Beyond the cute new wallpaper, IM+ is a solid instant messaging client which not only handles your MSN, GTalk, Yahoo, AIM, Jabber and ICQ chats, it also takes care of Twitter, Facebook Chat and MySpace. You’re push-notified anytime someone tries to contact you, and getting set up couldn’t be more simple. It’s so funny, because up until just a year or two ago, I thought of SMS as something you did on your phone only, while instant messaging was…


Random Cool Video: Daft Punk’s ‘Derezzed’ from Tron: Legacy

I have made no attempt to cover my fanboy enthusiasm about the upcoming Tron: Legacy, noting both the trailer and doing a Netbook Gamer review of Tron 2.0. We are less than 2 months away from the release of the new film, and have just gotten a new treat! The video below is a sort of ‘music video meets trailer’, a 2+ minute vignette featuring some all-new scenes from the movie, voice-over from Jeff Bridges, and of course the featured song ‘Derezzed’ from Daft Punk. The song is a sort of techno that at once hearkens back to the amazing…


New In The iTunes App Store- DEVONthink To Go- Take All Your Documents With You!

The iPad took yet another step forward as an amazing productivity device this evening when DEVONthink To Go finally made its appearance in the App Store. DEVONthink is a Mac OS X database program that makes collecting, organizing and manipulating all sorts of files easy. As Devontechnologies explains- Meet DEVONthink — designed to manage and keep in order all those disparate pieces of information so important to your work or studies. As you become more experienced with DEVONthink and its easy, intuitive interface you will quickly find more exciting ways of using your data. DEVONthink stores your documents, scanned papers, email…


Kindle Books Getting ’14-Day Loaner’ … Expect nook-Like Limitations

When we bought my wife a nook, and then her sister and niece got nooks of their own, a great thought was ‘hey, this LendMe feature will be GREAT’. Sadly, the three have them have yet to exchange a SINGLE BOOK, despite all being voracious readers! Here is the promise from Barnes & Noble: Share favorite eBooks with your friends or family. Most eBooks can be lent for up to 14 days at a time. Just choose the eBook you want to share and send it to your friend’s NOOK, computer, or handheld device enabled with our NOOK software. In…