News & Features

10 Quick ‘First Impressions’ of the Apple iPad Pro

Several of us have said before that it is hard to truly assess a ‘daily use’ item in a quick review done in a day or two of use immediately after a product launch. Maybe there are updates coming so we are less critical in that area, or maybe we can accommodate a behavior change in the short term that we can’t over the long haul. So instead of a ‘review’, I wanted to post 10 first impressions of the new iPad Pro. Of course, I am writing this post on the Pro! I think it is important to understand…


If You’re Feeling Nostalgic, Casio Has an (Expensive) Watch for You!

We were in Macy’s over the weekend, and my son was excited at checking out the watches (aka “clocks” in toddler-speak), when I saw a display that made me do a double-take. Apparently Casio is tapping into the general nostalgia wave that’s brought back flannel, vinyl records, and JNCO jeans with their new Retro line…unfortunately, the price isn’t retro too!



BluVue is Perfect for Construction Document Markups, Collaboration

As an Architect in the digital age, I have to review, mark up, and collaborate on construction documents every day, sometimes on the go. BluVue looks like an awesome mobile construction software that allows you to manage, distribute, annotate, and share plans digitally with any iPhone, iPad, or Android device.  You can check it out today with a free trial.


IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Reinvents Guitar Miking for Mobile

The IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic is something totally new and hugely innovative. As the company notes it, “Reinvents Guitar Miking for Mobile” and does so in a smart, innovative way that musicians are going to love. It is the first acoustic guitar mobile microphone/interface for use with iOS devices, Macs and Androids too! It is nicely-priced and easy to use! As IK Multimedia explains, “Now acoustic players can get stunning, studio-microphone quality sound for recording and live performance from any acoustic guitar anytime and everywhere.” iRig is the best-selling mobile interface of all time. With the iRig Acoustic it is,…



Runtastic Introduces ‘Results’ App Focused on Personalized Training for Success!

While some people can simply include exercise as part of their healthy lifestyle, most people need more incentive: they need goals, motivation, and a PLAN. Simply tracking isn’t enough, something that Runtastic gets and has implemented in their new Results app. Results delivers focused training plans to help you reach your goals! Online training programs are becoming more and more popular and effective, replacing DVD and old VHS ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ routines by focusing on shorter, more rigorous workouts that deliver visible results more quickly and effectively. It does this by maximizing the effectiveness of your workout time. “Runtastic…


These Ultra-Slim External Battery Packs by Mogix Will Charge Your Smartphone up to Six Times

One thing that I’ve always hated when it comes to external battery packs is their bulky size when it comes to actually putting it in my pocket when on the go. Luckily when Mogix sent over two of their slim external battery chargers, I found my new favorite way to keep my phones charged up. Mogix Accessories sent over two models of their battery pack, the 5000mAh, and the Slim fit 10,400mAh units. Now first off, can I just say, carrying around an iPhone 6 Plus, anything less than 3500mAh I won’t even bother to use as a battery pack,…



CM4 Q Card Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Review

One thing I have seen with many iPhone cases is the option to throw a credit card or ID in the case itself. There just seems to be a need to have a card with them. Will the CM4’s Q Card Case excite me or will it continue to bore me? Let’s find out if it’s worth a buy!



OnePlus X Set to Be the Next Phone You Never Knew You Wanted

The OnePlus One was one of the best-priced Android phones to come out in the last few years; made in small batches which created demand from those without invitations to purchase, it combined many of the features that people liked from different phones to create one single shockingly inexpensive, well-built and well-featured device. Dan and I both bought one.



Facebook Kills Your Other Inbox

Facebook have announced the elimination of your “other” inbox. This was the place where messages sent by those you weren’t connected to would sit and languish. If you look into your messages and click the “other” tab you probably will find half a dozen spam messages – as well as one or two valid messages.


WaterField Announces the Field Muzatto in Three Convenient Sizes

I love when WaterField brings new offerings to market. Each and every time the product is well-conceived, brilliantly executed and designed to last a lifetime. That’s certainly the case with the new WaterField Field Muzetto. It is available in three sizes for tablets, small laptops and larger laptops. They look gorgeous and I can’t wait to get a review sample.



Garmin Introduces the VivoSmart HR: Fitness Tracker with SmartWatch Aspirations

I never finished my review of the Garmin VivoSmart, partly because the VivoActive arrived and I ran to that, but partly because it took a few firmware updates for everything to stabilize with the Bluetooth functionality. But I really loved the VivoSmart, and if I didn’t prefer GPS to smartwatch capabilities, I’d probably still use it today. So when I got a message about the new VivoSmart HR I was intrigued. At first glance you might think this is something new in the VivoFit line, as the appearance is much different than the original VivoSmart and closer to the VivoFit…




Boogie Board Announces Play n’ Trace Educational LCD eWriter for Kids!

Boogie Board, manufacturers of LCD eWriters that write similar to pen and paper, have announced their latest eWriter innovation, the Play n’ Trace. It’s a see-through eWriter for kids that is meant to promote creativity while developing motor, communication, and writing skills through a companion iPad app. Featuring a dual-tipped stylus, Play n’ Trace is available today for $29.99!


It’s Wednesday, So It Must Be Time for New Garmin GPS Watches?!?

Doesn’t it feel like I was just writing about the Garmin Forerunner 225 announcement? While it has actually been 5 months since the FR 225 reveal, since then they also added the FR 25 entry level GPS watch and each slowly trickled into availability. This year has been all about big new launches and slow product roll-outs that have left me scratching my head wondering what is happening with Garmin. Today Garmin announced three new watches that should have me excited, but instead resulted in a cynical eye-roll and vague interest in when they might hit stores – but why…