News & Features | Gear Diary

Galaxy Note 7 Recall: More Information Soon

If you haven’t yet heard, Samsung earlier today issued a global recall for certain Galaxy Note 7 models. Reportedly the issue is with the batteries, which could overheat and possibly cause a fire. According to Samsung, there have been 35 reports of overheating and while not all device batteries are impacted they have recalled them all out of caution. “To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is…

News & Features

How to Live Without the Headphone Jack

Now that the yearly iPhone announcement has become real let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the 3.5 mm headphone jack. If we are to believe the rumors Apple will be eliminating it. Motorola did with the Moto Z and Z Force. Today I am going to give some good things and some bad about losing this ubiquitous jack.

Events, News & Features

SensePeanut: Smart, Inexpensive Life Automation, Starting with the ThermoPeanut

Sen.se is announcing their new ThermoPeanut today, the first in its series of smart sensors called SensePeanut. For those of us who are wondering what a SensePeanut might be, the short answer is that each $29 SensePeanut has its “own set function, task or habit it can monitor.” SensePeanuts are designed to bring people the benefits of smart life automation without the need for costly or complicated solutions. We are thrilled to launch ThermoPeanut as the first in the line. Whether you are monitoring room temperatures, making sure your refrigerator is cooling properly or keeping a server room at an…

Events, News & Features

Withings Steel HR May Be the Best Looking and Longest Lasting Connected Watch Yet!

Two of the things that smartwatches keep failing at are thickness and size; well, okay, battery life has been an issue, too. Withings, part of the Nokia family and makers of the great looking Activité health-tracking watch line, has just announced their new Steel HR; it’s a health tracker, and it’s a gorgeous, connected watch with 25-days of battery life.

Events, News & Features

Sony Announces the New Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact

Judie and I have been fans of the Sony Xperia line of smartphones and tablets. Now Sony has introduced two new additions to the Xperia line — the flagship Sony Xperia XZ and the premium Xperia X Compact. They are the first Xperia phones to feature triple image sensing. Both look great and arrive this fall.

News & Features, Reviews

A Force to Be Reckoned with: Moto Z Force Droid Edition Review

I have had my Nexus 6 for over a year, and while it was still good, I really like the fingerprint reader on my work’s iPhone and wanted a MicroSD card. So I upgraded to a Moto Z Force Droid Edition from Verizon. Is it a worthy replacement to my trusty Nexus 6? So far, it has exceeded my expectations!

News & Features, Reviews

The Tile Slim Is the Best Thing In Your Wallet Besides Money

A few of us here at Gear Diary are very fond of Tile’s bluetooth tracker, which is a helpful piece of gear that can help you find your keys or your smartphone, but what if you wanted a little bit more? Well, you’re in luck! As of today Tile has introduced their Tile Slim, which is the world thinnest bluetooth tracker, designed specifically for your wallet! As someone who is infamous for losing their wallet in between the couch or leaving it in a pair of pants that I’m not currently wearing, the Tile Slim came at the perfect time….

Events, News & Features

Lenovo Launches Amazing New Android and Windows Yoga Books; I Want One!

IFA has started, and Lenovo is introducing three new Yoga devices: the Yoga Book (a 2-in-1 tablet in Android and Windows versions), the Yoga 910 (a 2-in-1 laptop), the Yoga Tab 3 Plus (a 10” Android tablet), and the Miix 510 (a Windows detachable).

Events, News & Features

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier and Classic: One of These May Be the Smart Watch You’ve Been Waiting For

Samsung’s newest watches, the Gear S3 smartwatches have just been announced; they are the natural successors to the Gear S2 line that was announced at IFA last year. There will be two S3 models available, the frontier and classic; the frontier is available in an LTE or Bluetooth model, and the classic comes in a Bluetooth version only.

Events, News & Features

Unify Your Device Docking with the Clever and Good Looking Udoq

If you have more than one mobile device, and let’s face it — these days we all do — charging them all at the same time can be a bit of a challenge. Udoq is a unique new way to charge your Kindle, iPad, Android phone, iPhone and other devices at the same time with a row of built-in chargers.

News & Features

The Amp Case for the 9.7″ iPad Pro & iPad Air Series Will Fill a Room with Sound

If you are an iPad user and looking to get a truly immersive experience when watching movies on your Air, Air 2, or your 9.7-inch iPad Pro, you’re in luck! A company by the name of OIO has released the AMP, which is the ultimate portable theatre case for your iPad. The super sleek case for three of Apple’s more popular tablets comes with a top of the line design and stereo sound, which includes two ultra-low profile electromagnetic exciters, multiple audio codecs, and two resin finer honeycomb acoustic panels covered with microfiber. Watch the video: Gregg Davis, Owner and Founder…

News & Features, Outdoors

Check Out Pyle’s $79 High Speed 4K HD Action Sports Camera!

If the idea of dropping several hundred dollars on a sports camera doesn’t appeal to you, then you aren’t alone. What if it’s stolen? What if you damage or lose it? How would you like a 4K Ultra HD Video Camera that also snaps crisp 16MP, 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, 2MP images for less than $80?

News & Features

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link: Intelligent Purification, Heat, & Cooling

I use the Dyson Pure Cool Link Tower every day; I keep it running on automatic in my oldest stepdaughter’s room, where it not only keeps her cool, it also keeps her room smelling fresh. I’m in the process of building a new office outside, and so news of the new Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link definitely caught my attention.

News & Features, Reviews

Jaybird Makes Working Out Great Again with Their Freedom Bluetooth Headphones!

One thing that is really hard to come by when it comes to getting yourself in shape is a good set of headphones that are not only durable, but will not hinder your experience in the gym,or on the run. That’s where Jaybird’s new Freedom Bluetooth Headphones come in.

News & Features

Allergies Are Getting Dangerously Expensive Thanks to Mylan

The world can feel like a minefield when you have serious food allergies. If you eat out, you’re constantly worrying if the wait staff and kitchen understood your allergies, and if you make your own food, you still need to worry about undeclared cross contamination, whether by omission or accident.

News & Features

Send Your Students Back to School & on the Road with the Power of the HP 13.3″ Pavilion x360 Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Notebook #ad

This is a sponsored post; we received compensation from Best Buy, but all opinions are the author’s. If you have a student headed to high school, off to college, travel, or even their first job, why not put the power to succeed in their hands? You can do it with the HP 13″ Pavilion x360 13.3 Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Notebook.

Crowdfunding, News & Features

KINBE’s Gorgeous Adjustable Moccasins Grow with Your Child

As a parent, I know very well how quickly kids feet grow as well as how expensive kids shoes can be. KINBE has developed a unique and innovative moccasin design that, using adjustable straps, allows the shoe to grow with your child. These attractive leather moccasins are available for pre-order now starting at $40 on KINBE’s Indiegogo campaign.

News & Features

My @Starbucks Summer Blogger’s Box Is Filled With Delicious Summer Drinks

While the back to school sales are already in full force, the summer isn’t quite over. Starbucks sent me a Starbucks Blogger Package of delicious summer goodness that is perfect to enjoy the last weeks of the slow warm season. Let’s take a look at what was in this box!

News & Features

Project CSX Launched by ZTE to ‘Crowdsource the Next Big Idea in Mobile”

Did you know that ZTE is the “fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and the second largest in the no-contract market”? Well, they are, and today they are announcing the launch of Project CSX, a “crowdsourced mobile device the company will release in 2017.”

News & Features

Samsung SERIF TV: Art You Can Watch in Your Home

Samsung has collaborated with the Parisian design duo of Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec to create the SERIF TV; in the process, they have re-envisioned not only “how the TV looks but also how it functions.” From top to bottom, inside and out, the Bouroullec Brothers re-imagined every aspect, from its minimal yet solid exterior form to its refined user interface and even its simplified remote control. The Samsung SERIF TV is just as beautiful to watch as it is to experience, with the best picture quality available in a 40” TV. The SERIF TV draws inspiration from typography: from the…

News & Features

Best Buy Caters to the Geek Crowd with a Wedding Registry!

The first thing most people do when they get a wedding invitation (besides RSVPing) is checking the couple’s registry. Are they looking for household items? Maybe new appliances? Those are the usual items, but Best Buy thinks there’s more to it, and is now offering a wedding registry service!