Reviews

Original Grain Showcases the Art Form of the Analog Watch

I test a lot of gadgets and gear for this site, and none of them have received the compliments or interest that the Original Grain “The Barrel” watch has. It doesn’t tell me when I have a call, or buzz me for texts, or vibrate uncontrollably when I haven’t visited Facebook in 20 minutes. It does two things: tells time, and looks good doing it.


Honeywell Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera Is DIY Security at Its Best

If you’re looking for a powerful security camera that is relatively inexpensive, simple to set up and easy to use, the Honeywell Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera is for you. I reviewed the Lyric thermostat and still use it. (Review) I also reviewed the Lyric C1 Security Camera. (Review) The Lyric C2 is a fantastic addition to our ever-smarter home.


WD My Cloud – A Perfect Home NAS

There was a time in the not-to-distant past when setting up storage solutions on your home network was complicated and expensive.  Then, once you get everything setup, you could only access that Network Attached Storage (NAS) when you were actually in the network.  That doesn’t do you a lot of good if you need that file while you are traveling.




Review of the LG V30 – Not Quite Perfection

A few weeks ago, Judie asked if I’d like to review the LG V30 for Gear Diary.  I jumped at the chance.  I’d heard many good things about LG’s latest flagship and had also read some concerns about it.  But the chance to use it was on offer, and I took advantage of it.





Naztech Alloy Advanced Magnetic Earphones Deliver

I am a huge fan of wireless earphones. One issue I often have with these products is what to do with them when not wearing them for a bit. Naztech has addressed this problem with the Alloy Advanced Magnetic Earphones. The $69.99 earphones add a new twist to wearing wireless, Bluetooth earphones. Let’s take a look.


BONX Grip Is Like a Walkie-Talkie, but Better

If you participate in activities where you want to communicate with your friends, but you need to be completely hands-free, then you might want to check out the BONX Grip. It uses your phone (and it’s 3G/4G/WiFi signal) to allow communication between two people (up to 10) without touching any buttons. Think of the convenience when fishing, biking, or hunting!


Cover Your Samsung Galaxy Note8 with a Toast Wood Veneer Skin

I just bought a Samsung Galaxy Note8 to replace my iPhone 7 Plus. So far, I love it! One of the first accessories I was excited to try was a customized Toast Wood Veneer Skin. Toast makes wood veneers that are both beautiful and protective; I’ve had one on my 13′ MacBook Pro retina for years, and it’s been great.


Get Rid of Separation Anxiety with the Orbit Card

If you have a problem misplacing your wallet and need to be reminded that it’s not in your pocket but on your nightstand, then you should really check out the ORBIT Card. Personal identification, receipts, cash, you name it is something that we all carry day in and day out in our wallets and purses, and the Orbit Card wants to make sure that you never forget any of those things. The premise of the Orbit Card is pretty simple: it’s a Bluetooth tracker about the size of a traditional credit card that stores in your wallet and allows you to…


Waterfield Camera Bag Keeps Your Cameraphone and Gear Within Reach

I had a DSLR. It was great, but I sold it. I had a small, mirrorless camera. It was awesome, but I sold it. Honestly, as a blogger and casual photographer, the iPhone’s camera is more than enough for my needs. To get the most out of iPhone-ography, however, you need to carry some accessories. Enter the Waterfield Camera Bag.


Reduce Clutter & Keep Organized with ATailorBird Products

If you are a huge fan of carrying your MacBook Pro around on a daily basis, chances are you may be without one accessory that is truly a must-have in every situation: A carrying case. If this sounds like you, then you should check out the Laptop Sleeve Bag by ATailorBird.


Be Free with Optoma’s New BE Free8 Wireless Earbuds

Just a few short weeks ago, we covered Optoma’s NuForce’s latest BE2 wireless headphones, with a few constructive criticisms about things that could use a bit of improvement. And in the blink of an eye, NuForce releases their BE Free8, a new product that is not only better in every way, but they are true to their name.



OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock Has 13 Blissful Ports for Amazing Connectivity

My new MacBook Pro is thin and light and, with just two USB-C ports, is lacking in ports. My iMac does better but still lacks the degree of port-related connectivity I used to have. That’s why the $299 OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a perfect fit; it offers a ton of ports and speeds that were unimaginable a few years ago.


Quip Makes Toothbrushing As Simple As Checking Your Mail

When we received the pitch to review Quip, I immediately volunteered while thinking, “These guys are way too excited about toothbrushes!” Now that I’ve spent some time with Quip, I still stand by that — they’re way too excited about toothbrushes — but the bright spot here is that their excitement has created a truly excellent product and ecosystem!