Reviews

The Brinell Private Cloud Device Is the German Swiss Army Knife of Travel

The sophisticated design of the brinell Private Cloud makes it the perfect travel companion for business trips. This private cloud creates a private WiFi network that allows you to share data wirelessly via the detachable large capacity USB stick. It also provides a mobile recharging station while on the go. It’s available in many styles and capacities, starting at €179.


Jabra Move Wireless Headphones Brings Wireless Music on the Cheap

You could call the Jabra Move Wireless Headphones “cheap” but you would be wrong. These sub-$100 wireless headphones are inexpensive, but there’s little about their comfort and sound that would qualify as “cheap.” When I first saw them I wasn’t expecting all that much. After using them I was surprised and impressed enough that I can highly recommend them. Available in three colors the bright pair I was sent for review would probably be better suited to someone quite a bit younger. Thank goodness I don’t have to see myself when I’m wearing headphones. The sub-$100 price means you don’t get…


Ventev Powercell 3015 External Battery Review and Giveaway

The Ventev Powercell 3015 External Battery is not the most powerful external battery we’ve reviewed, but its small size, light weight, and low-price make it a good option if you are looking for something inexpensive that will keep you from running out of juice three-quarters of the way through the day. Here’s our review and a chance to win one. As we have seen with other products from Ventev, the packaging is nothing to get excited about. That’s really not an issue, since this is all about having the practicality of a small, light, inexpensive external battery. Fancy packaging would…


Beware Things That Go Bumpies for iPhone 6 in the Night

I have to hand it to the people who created the Bumpies for iPhone 6 smartphone protection system. They really thought out of the box when coming up with their product. Then they found a way to actually USE the box. The result is a rather unusual un-case that offers minimalist protection while still actually protecting… sort of.


Amped Wireless’ REC15A High Power Wi-Fi Range Extender Review

The REC15A High Power Wi-Fi Range Extender from Amped Wireless extender offers decent range extension that can boost the range up to 5000 square feet. This three-inch tall by five-inch wide extender plugs directly into an outlet and requires some configuration. It works with any Wi-Fi standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and transmits via single band (2.4GHZ) or dual band (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz).


Incipio offGRID Backup Battery LED

I’m hesitant to describe the Incipio offGRID Portable Backup Battery 4000mAh as “cute” but it’s actually kind of cute… for an external backup battery. The bright colors, soft-touch material and cable-holder come together in a rather attractive way. Add in the accessible price of $49.99 and you have an impressive way to stay charged on the go.


The Hashtag Cube: A Long Overdue Kickstarter Project That Finally Delivered

In late 2012, along with 3400+ other people I backed a Kickstarter project called Instacube (which has since been renamed Hashtag Cube, or #Cube). The premise was simple: it was to be a stand-alone Android-based device that would wirelessly stream and display Instagram photos, when you could only view Instagram photos on iOS or Android devices.  I backed at the early adopter $99 level, and the wait began.


With ‘Eeps’, Marco Minnemann Shows the Many Ways He Can Rock!

It didn’t really occur to me when I reviewed Levin-Minnemann-Rudess, but Marco Minnemann was the brilliant drummer behind Trey Gunn’s Modulator – both of which are important for this review. Now he is back with ‘Eeps’, a solo effort in the truest sense of the term – playing all of the instruments and writing the songs, he delivers a breathtaking experience.


Polaroid Cube Lifestyle Action Camera Is Small in Size, Big On Action

Every now and then an item comes in for review that surprises me and is far better than I expected it to be; that’s certainly the case with the Polaroid Cube action camera. This camera is under $100 and yet it performs surprisingly well and gets the job done. Let’s take a closer look at it and some video from it.


Travel with the VinniBag, and Get Your Wine Home Intact!

It never fails: I travel somewhere that is known for its wine, and I find myself with a bottle to bring home. Packing the bottle safely can be tricky, though. I’ve had bottles break that were inside the bubble wrap bags that some wine stores sell, but I think I have found a solution in the inflatable VinniBag travel accessory! It’s marketed for wine, but you can also use the 22″ x 8″ inflatable VinniBag to safely transport anything that fits inside — things like camera lenses, coffee cups, and other small breakables. Think outside the box, too; the VinniBag floats, so you can…


D-Link DCS-825L Wi-Fi Baby Camera Review: A Stellar Device

Being new parents, my wife and I are always on the lookout for new and innovative baby products. We recently received the D-Link DCS-825L Wi-Fi Baby Camera for review, and we are absolutely floored by the 720p HD video quality along with the number of features jam-packed into this little camera. The DCS-825L retails for $179.99.


Anker Astro Mini 3200 External Battery Review: Power in a Tube!

I’ve written about many external battery packs that hold 9,000mAh or more, but I haven’t covered much in the sub-5000mAh area, and that’s a shame. If I’m going out for the evening, I’ll inevitably need a boost, but I won’t want to carry a bulky battery pack; that’s where the lipstick-sized Anker Astro Mini comes in. It’s evening bag friendly.


Harman Kardon Esquire Mini Bluetooth Portable Speaker

We reviewed the Harman Kardon Esquire a short time ago and were impressed; it sounds as gorgeous as it looks. I was thrilled to see that the company was releasing the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini Bluetooth Portable Speaker. This smaller version of the Esquire is under $150, and it has the same refined look and feel as its big brother.


Juno Power Konnect Two 9000 External Battery Has Power to Spare

Lesson 1: External batteries are a must-have item when traveling. Even if it just for a day. Lesson 2: Pay attention to lesson 1. Each time I disregard Lessons 1 and 2 I have issues. Most recently I DID have an external battery, but it was too small for my needs. The Juno Power Konnect Two 9000 External Battery isn’t.


Genius DVR-FHD568 Dash Cam Review – A Solid Budget Option

The Genius DVR-FHD568 is the new dash cam powerhouse on the market today. This high-def vehicle recorder can record up to 1080p resolution with a 140-degree lens and crisp 2.4” LCD screen on the back. This dash cam also has a built-in G sensor, which detects a crash and will protect that specific video file. The Genius DVR-FHD568 retails for $169.99.


Marshall Monitor Headphones Music on My Ears

Marshall, Marshall, Marshall…sorry, couldn’t resist. You see, I have three Marshall sound reproduction devices sitting in front of me in the form of Minor in-ear headphones, Major on-ear headphones and new Marshall Monitor headphones. Marshall, long known for its electric sound reproduction equipment for stage and studio now offers a full line of wearables for our digital lives.


I Can Hear You Now Thanks to the IPEVO VX-1 Internet Conference Station

My synagogue’s executive director recently asked me to look into purchasing a conferencing device so Board members unable to attend our monthly meeting could still be part of the conversation. I’ll admit it never would have occurred to me to check out the IPEVO VX-1 Internet Conference Station were I not offered one for review. I was and am impressed.


Evutec Karbon Osprey S Series for iPhone 6 Review

If you are looking for thin, light and inexpensive protection for your iPhone 6, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Evutec Karbon Osprey S Series for iPhone 6. Evutec isn’t a familiar name to many, but it should be. Their cases are Kevlar reinforced, feather light, supermodel thin, and they offer terrific value.


Destiny Review on PlayStation 4/Xbox One

Destiny has come calling to gamers everywhere as Bungie, the game producer that brought the world Halo, offers several game elements, styles, and genres in one action role-playing, first-person shooter (FPS). Though the story gets deeper than needed, players can easily find amazing experiences, challenges and victories amid a post-apocalyptic world set 700 years into the future.


Element Case Soft-Tec Case for iPhone 6 Is Affordable Luxury

One of the best things about the release of a new iPhone design is the commensurate release of new Element Case cases. We’re huge fans of their products and the Element Case Soft-Tec Case for iPhone 6 is a reminder why. The folio-style case is thin, light, highly protective, nicely functional and, perhaps best of all, it is under $50.


Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger Bag Totes the Load

When selecting a messenger bag, especially to actually use on a bicycle like they were originally intended for, balance is everything. It’s important to maintain a proper balance between being big enough to hold your stuff and not too bulky to ride with. And the actual balance of the payload is critical. The Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger has it all!