2014 has definitely turned into the year of the “wearable” and the smartwatch has been leading the pack. Android Wear is on the way and Apple has yet to announce, let along release their offering. That means there’s much more to come this year. There are already some compelling options on the market and they have a range of prices.
How many of you are still using your original Lightning cable? Not me. The one that came with my iPhone 5S bit the dust months ago. Frayed and damaged original cables seem to par for the iOS course, so why not replace yours with an Apple Certified Incipio Charge/Sync Cable with Lightning Connector?
If you are always on the go and love your music, the JBL Clip is the “ultra-portable rechargeable speaker” for you. At under $50 and sporting an integrated carabiner, it is an affordable way to enjoy your music anywhere you go. Whether connecting via Bluetooth or the integrated 3.5mm cable, you’ll be ready to rock on the go.
There are all kinds of cases out there for tablets these days-rugged, leather, pleather, vinyl, rubber, folio-style…if it’s a material that can be tablet-sized, chances are someone’s made a case out of it. Papernomad has an interesting twist with cases made from brown paper and felt, allowing you to feel like your iPad is a childhood textbook.
I’m setting up a home theater and, in the process, discovered how much I hate having multiple cables running from the back of my television. Still, when I connect an Apple TV, a gaming console etc each needs its own cable right? Wrong. The Kanto Link 3X HDMI Auto Switcher is one HDMI cable that connects three devices.
If you like the idea of an iPhone case that can double as a wallet, but also tend to prefer minimalist cases, the Incipio Watson Folio Wallet for iPhone 5S is the case for you. It is a functional wallet-style case that, within seconds, transforms into a minimalist case so you can go light, and it is under $45.
Judie has reviewed a number of different offerings from Oberon Design and been impressed by them all. The gorgeous designs, quality leather, and impressive craftsmanship come together to create some beautiful cases and bags. This time out we are looking at the Oberon Design Samsung Galaxy S5 Leather Case. It is gorgeous, and at under $40, it is surprisingly affordable.
As you may have read here on Gear Diary, Speck was recently purchased by Samsonite. I’m curious to see what new products begin to appear as a result. Even before this happened however the lineup of Speck cases continued to increase. One of the newest cases is the Speck DuraFolio for iPad Air; it comes in five different color combinations.
If you’re in need of a rugged and waterproof iPhone case that doesn’t break the bank, come check out the Atlas ID from Incipio. The Atlas ID is waterproof up to 2 meters underwater for 30 minutes; it’s shockproof and dust proof. It’s also compatible with the iPhone 5s’ Touch ID fingerprint login. The Atlas ID retails for $89.99.
If you are a fan of Element Case, you know their products are always impressive. And if you are into motorcycles, you likely know about the partnership between Element Case and Ducati. The two companies have been co-branding some amazing cases. The Element Case Ducati Soft-Tec Folio for Apple iPad Air is a great example of what they have created.
Republic Wireless’ hybrid cell/VOIP service is among the most cost-effective ways to have smartphone connectivity. They offer the powerful Moto X and the cost-effective Moto G. Mitchell and I will be reviewing the Moto X. In this post we will take a look at the Moto G on Republic Wireless is one of, if not the, best deals in cellular today.
G5 Entertainment and Artifex Mundi have teamed up to produce some excellent hidden object adventures, from Dark Arcana to Nightmares of the Deep to the more recent 9 Clues. Now they have released Left in the Dark: No One on Board, a chilling mystery adventure that has you investigating a ship that has turned up without crew or cargo!
Our lake house in Pennsylvania has had its share of issues. Hit by lightning a minimum of 4 times, the electrical system had to be entirely replaced and a surge system installed. Then there was the water heater that burst, ran for a few days and destroyed the first floor. OUCH! The Wally Home will help prevent such future issues.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition showcases several easy-to-use practical functions. It has a large display, considerable battery life, unique S Pen features, fast quad-core processor, and dual cameras. This tablet has 3GB of RAM and includes memory up to 32GB. Models include SM-p600 Wi-Fi; SM-P601 3G; SM-P605 3G+LTE and SM-P600 (no support for GSM voice communication, SMS, and MMS).
I am a huge fan of writing via my iPad. Since I rarely sit at a desk or table except at work, I love the flexibility of writing on the go or from my couch. Basically, I’m the perfect candidate for something like the Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini. But will it dethrone my existing keyboard options?
Over the past few years I have come to appreciate the fact that great industrial design and quality audio are not mutually exclusive. One of the companies that consistently proves it possible to have speakers (or headphones) that look gorgeous and sound great is Harman Kardon. The Harman Kardon Esquire Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect example.
Own a phone or smart device and participate in an active lifestyle? Looking for unique new ways to go hands-free? You may want to check out Rokform and its new Rokform Fuzion Plus and Fuzion Plus RMS. Rokform makes phone cases and mounting systems for home and office as well as just about anything you can push, pedal, ride or drive.
If you have a SmartTV or a computer connected to your media center the Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard is for you. This keyboard/trackpad combination brings the two input methods together in a compact and easy-to-use package. Considering you get both a backlit illuminated keyboard AND a trackpad the $99.99 isn’t bad. Designed for Windows, it also works with Macs.
The Amzdeal Moving Life 8,000 mAh Power Bank is another one of the newest high-capacity mobile chargers on the market. It’s thin and light, and it can recharge your smartphone up to 6 times before running out of juice. It’s also nicely designed in white and gray and comes with a carrying case; it retails for $69.90.
Power banks are all the rage these days, but I think I’ve found my favorite. The Dark Energy Reservoir is an 8,000 mAh mobile charger that is very small, but it packs a heck of a lot of juice. Not only is it small, it can also charge two devices simultaneously; you can purchase the Reservoir for $129.
A year ago I wasn’t familiar with Velodyne, a company that has been producing speakers for quite some time and recently moved into the headphone market. I reviewed the company’s vQuiet noise canceling headphones and was impressed. When the opportunity to review the top-of-the-line Velodyne vTrue Studio Headphones came my way I jumped. Are they worth the $399 price tag?