Reviews

Mary Halvorson Septet 'Illusionary Sea' - Same Great Music, Larger Setting

Music Diary, Reviews

Mary Halvorson Septet ‘Illusionary Sea’ – Same Great Music, Larger Setting

When you name an artist as one of your favorite emerging guitarists and composers, and remarking each release has improved upon the last, it sets a high standard for any new release. And while ‘Illusionary Sea’ doesn’t topple ‘Bending Bridges’ as my favorite, it’s a solid album with excellent compositions and great musicianship, and a great addition to her catalog. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: Firehouse 12 Records Artist: Mary Halvorson Septet Description: From the artist: At the end of 2011, Mary Halvorson had finished writing two albums’ worth of quintet music and decided she was ready for a…

Keizus Quadropod + Clamp Review - a New Way to Hold Your Smartphone

Reviews

Keizus Quadropod + Clamp Review – a New Way to Hold Your Smartphone

As smartphone photography has gotten better and better, it has become increasingly clear that the right accessories will help take things to an entirely new level. The Quadropod + Clamp is a tripod-like stand and mount. Easy to use and flexible enough to hold your smartphone or tablet in pretty much any position, it is just $39.95. As you can see the Keizus Quadropod + Clamp is going up against the likes of the Joby Gorillapod line. It offers some significant differences, such as the quad legs rather than the tripod legs, and it makes deciding which small camera and…

Mindshift Gear Contact Sheet Review - a Clean Photography Surface Anywhere

Reviews

Mindshift Gear Contact Sheet Review – a Clean Photography Surface Anywhere

Mindshift Gear, an offshoot of ThinkTank Photo, is now offering the Contact Sheet. This multi-purpose photography accessory is specifically for photographers working in wet or dirty settings. In seconds the sheet extends to 3.5′ by 5′, and it provides a neat and clean surface for photographer’s gear or themselves. Just $39.99 you can find it here. The Contact Sheet is a great example of “the right tool for the right job”. This isn’t a “can’t live without” product, but it has already come in handy for me — and I’m not even a professional photographer, and I don’t work in…

Supermarket Management 2 for the iPad Brings More Time Management Fun!

Game Diary, Reviews

Supermarket Management 2 for the iPad Brings More Time Management Fun!

Despite initial reservations I have come to love games like SuperMarket Management 2 in the time management genre. As you make progress things get more difficult and you need to balance more tasks, difficult customers, shifting priorities, combined items, and more – all while timing gets more critical! One great thing – if you like the demo you’ll love the game! Type of app: Time Management game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version available here; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Playful Age / G5 Entertainment Description: Supermarket Management 2 has loads of content, including: ? 49 challenging levels…

Supertooth Disco Twin Speakers Review

Reviews

Supertooth Disco Twin Speakers Review

Supertooth Disco Twin Bluetooth Speakers have a rich, deep sound, great battery life, and a sleek design. Looking for a powerful and portable system? The Supertooth Disco Twin set is only $199 and worth every penny.  I owe the world of music an apology. See, for years I’ve blown off having good speakers around, because I hardly listen to music outside of my car. And my hearing isn’t the best, so I’ve always felt like I didn’t need decent speakers around. But now I’m testing the Supertooth Twin Speakers, and from the moment I fired them up to review I…

JBL OnBeat Rumble Review- Huge Sound That Will Impress

Reviews

JBL OnBeat Rumble Review- Huge Sound That Will Impress

If you are in the market for a speaker dock that offers a Lightening connector and wireless connectivity and you want big… no… huge sound you’ll want to check out the JBL OnBeat Rumble. The OnBear Rumble is a large speaker dock that serves up even bigger sound. At $399 it is a pricey, but impressive, offering. Check it out. The JBL OnBeat Rumble loudspeaker dock is a Lightning connector dock that also allows you to wirelessly stream audio over Bluetooth with HARMAN TrueStream connection technology. The speakers built-in subwoofer delivers huge sound and, thanks to the, free JBL MusicFlow…

Orbino Padova mini for iPad mini Review Redux

Reviews

Orbino Padova mini for iPad mini Review Redux

  When it became clear Judie was going all-in with the iPad mini she dropped over $200 on an Orbino Padova mini leather case. I thought she was nuts to spend that much… until I saw it. The case is gorgeous and I absolutely love the review sample Orbino was kind enough to send over for a second-look review.   Let’s first take a look at the images Judie shot of her Padova mini and then take a look at it on camera. So that’s the Orbino Padova mini leather case Judie has been using for almost a year. I…

Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack Review

Reviews

Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack Review

Case Logic’s Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack stands out thanks to its “split-pack opening” design and a zipper tha runs around the middle like a jagged belt. It opens and allows the top half of the pack folds down and out of the way. This leaves the camera and tablet compartment open and accessible. Check out the $99.99 pack. As you can see this is a rather unusual camera backpack. The Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack lets you carry a camera, a few accessories, a tablet and some additional gear in something that looks cool and will cost you…

Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project 'Its Not That Far' CD Review

Music Diary, Reviews

Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project ‘Its Not That Far’ CD Review

The word ‘synergy’ is often thrown at any attempt to work together. True collaboration is much rarer, and results in a whole greater than the sum of parts. And that describes my feelings about ‘It’s Not That Far’ from the Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project. Two great musicians with a solid band and great guest makes some magical music. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project Description: From the artist: Matthew Finck, guitar, and Jonathan Ball, tenor saxophone, with their new album “It’s Not That Far,” continue the vast and varied range of collaborations between their…

Twin Moons Brings Fun and Choices in Casual Gaming to the Mac

Game Diary, Reviews

Twin Moons Brings Fun and Choices in Casual Gaming to the Mac

I thoroughly enjoyed the iPad release of Twin Moons from Cateia Games and G5 Entertainment, so when they announced a Mac version of the replayable hidden-object adventure game I knew I had to check it out. Now after playing I enjoy the game even more and highly recommend getting it for either Mac or iOS! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the Mac App Store (Also available for iPad & iPhone) Developer: Cateia Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Twin Moons has loads of content, including: – 31 creepy and enigmatic locations…

iKlip Stand for iPad by IK Multimedia Hands-On Review

Music Diary, Reviews

iKlip Stand for iPad by IK Multimedia Hands-On Review

The iKlip Stand is the next in the line of high-quality iPad stands for musical applications. The original was a microphone stand attachment for iPad and iPhone, and the iKlip Studio provides a portable stand for the iPad. The new iKlip Stand is a robust desk stand that is the best of all worlds, just use caution when assembling! Description Here are some of the features: •iKlip Stand for iPad: Desktop riser stand for iPad 2 & iPad 3rd and 4th Generation •iKlip Stand for iPad mini: Desktop riser stand for the iPad mini •Sturdy, robust thermoplastic with metal reinforced…

Jabra Stone 3 Review- Talk In Style and Comfort

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Jabra Stone 3 Review- Talk In Style and Comfort

The Jabra Stone 3 maintains the Stone line’s iconic design while adding in 2013 technology. NFC Near Field Technology joins dual microphone technology and Bluetooth 3.0 to create a headset that looks great and works even better. The headset gets 2 hours. The Stone adds another 8. When the Jabra Stone was first released I was taken with its unusual design. The rigid headset wrapped around your ear and all but disappeared while the stone served as a cradle/case and a recharger. This was key since the actual headset got far less runtime per charge than most other headsets. Fast…

Zetta Z12 Camcorder Review- Somebody's Watching Me…

Reviews

Zetta Z12 Camcorder Review- Somebody’s Watching Me…

The Zetta Intelligent Security Z12 Camcorder is a small, relatively inexpensive, simple to use spy camera. There’s no WiFi onboard which means you have to pull the microSD card to review the video. Still, it is relatively inexpensive to keep an eye on things at home, in the car and on the go. Check it out. In the Box: Zetta Z12 Camcorder Mini USB Wall Adapter Mini USB Car Charger Mini USB Cable 4GB MicroSD Card Suction Cup Car Mount The Zetta website describes the Z12 as a “Car Security Cam, Dash Cam, Home Surveillance, Shop and Booth Security, Meeting…

Get Your Fantasy Draftboard On TV With PrimeTime Draft

Reviews

Get Your Fantasy Draftboard On TV With PrimeTime Draft

Most of you know that football is my life and how I make a living. It just so happens that one of my favorite hobbies is playing fantasy football. One of my leagues just drafted its 9th season and one problem is seeing the draft board. For just $20, PrimeTime Draft turns your HDTV into a live draft board. PrimeTime Draft is a Mac/Windows application which can turn a computer screen or television into a live draft board. With PrimeTime Draft there is no need for giant poster style boards that require someone to physically find the players’ names and…

MyTVChoice Review - How to Watch Live TV Without Commercials

Reviews

MyTVChoice Review – How to Watch Live TV Without Commercials

Are you a sports fan who can’t stand sitting through annoying TV commercials?  Or are you afraid of your children seeing some of the more explicit commercials airing these days?  MyTVChoice monitors the live broadcast and automatically switches to a “safe” channel whenever your preferred program goes to commercial.  The MyTVChoice service costs $9.99 per month. Hardware MyTVChoice comes with a free gateway device, which is powered by an AC adapter plugged into the wall. You’ll want the gateway to have a clear line of sight to your cable box since it is what will eventually change the channel automatically for…

booq Viper Courier Laptop Bag Review- Slim, Stylish MacBook Protection

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booq Viper Courier Laptop Bag Review- Slim, Stylish MacBook Protection

Booq describes their Viper courier as “somewhere in between a MacBook sleeve and a slim bag”. Yes, with this laptop bag you can’t carry much more than you would were you using a simple sleeve- and that’s the point. Slip in a laptop, a charging brick, a few key accessories and you are on your way.  The booq Viper courier is a minimalist laptop case that is “purpose-built” to protect an Apple laptop. Available in both 13” and 15” models, the Viper courier is part of booq’s Fibre Collection. That means it has a unique look you won’t find elsewhere…

Cambridge Audio Minx Go Bluetooth Speaker Review

Reviews

Cambridge Audio Minx Go Bluetooth Speaker Review

As sleek as it is simple, the Minx Go from Cambridge Audio doesn’t try too hard and, as a result, is hard to beat. A five speaker array delivers huge, clean sound. Priced at just $149, this Bluetooth speaker offers up to 18 hours of audio per charge and doubles as a mobile charger. Get it. The Minx Go is a small speaker that impressed me right out of the gate. It combines a simple design with huge sound that really surprised me. Measuring in at just 9.3″ x 4.8″ x 2.4″, the speaker weighs in at 2.4lbs. The three…

Genius Packer 22" Carry-On Review- Not Just for Mensa Members

Reviews

Genius Packer 22″ Carry-On Review- Not Just for Mensa Members

All carry-on luggage was not created equal. That’s the message Genius Pack wants you to get when looking at their Genius Packer 22” carry-on. This is a bag for the serious traveler who needs good organization and doesn’t have time for hunting around to find what is in the bag. Normally $298 is currently available for $198. Get it. At first glance the Genius Packer doesn’t look all that unusual. A black 22″ carry-on with wheels, the back looks like something you could pick up at pretty much any department store. The bag measures 22″ x 14″ x 9.5″ and…

V-MODA CoilPro for Crossfade M-100 Review

Reviews

V-MODA CoilPro for Crossfade M-100 Review

We reviewed the awesome V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones the other day. (Check it out here.) I was impressed and am looking forward to Judie’s “Second-Look” Review. We then reviewed the V-MODA BoomPro cable and microphone. (Read the review.) It is a terrific add-on. Now here’s the V-MODA CoilPro Extended cable. It too is worth considering. Get it. The CoilPro is exactly what you might think it is. This is a coiled cable accessory that gives you additional freedom of movement and more. It is worth noting that the Crossfade M-100 headphones already ship with two cables and a 1/4″ adapter but, unlike the…