I have resisted regularly using a stylus for any of my phones or tablets, because I’m not a fan of the overly large soft-touch wide-tipped capacitive styli now available. If I were to use a stylus, I’d want it to be pen-like and more refined — with a fine, hard tip. The new Just Mobile AluPen Digital fits the bill.
If you listen work out to music, you know that the right pair of headphones make all the difference. Whether you have in-ear or On-ear headphones they have to be comfortable and stay put. Oh, and they have to sound good too. Right? The new SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones are comfortable, stay put and sound awesome.
Synology’s new DS415play is a 4-bay Network Attached Storage (NAS) system that was designed with the home theater in mind. With room for 4 SATA hard drives, the DS415play can hold up to 24 Terabytes of data. Combined with Synology’s excellent user interface, DiskStation Manager, the Synology DS415play is an excellent buy. The MSRP for the DS415play is $539.99.
The little things can make all the difference. The Magnector Magnetic Charging Adapter for Micro USB Cable is one example of this. Designed to turn a microUSB cable into a charging system for the Sony Xperia line of devices, I have one and absolutely love it. You may balk at the price, but it is worth every penny.
When our son was an infant, we toted him around in a baby carrier. It worked great when he was tiny, but as he grew, it became too uncomfortable. We wanted to be able to carry him on hikes and other outdoor adventures, so with that goal in mind, we recently put the Chicco Smart Support backpack to the test.
I’ve long been a fan of Spigen’s various products. They make excellent cases and screen protectors and have slowly been expanding into other accessory lines. That’s why I was excited to purchase a Sony Xperia Z2 case from them. (Three cases actually.) Sadly I’m returning all three cases. Each is a quality case but each has the same fatal flaw.
“Emergencies Happen. Be Prepared” That’s the statement splashed across the Champ E-Prep Gear landing page. Prior to Hurricane Sandy coming through the East Coast I might have scoffed at that as a marketing ploy. Post Sandy I now know it is important to be prepared. The $49.99 Champ Survival Sidekick Weather Radio is one part of such preparation.
The other day we took a look at a soft, inexpensive neoprene case for the Sony QX10 lens camera. It does the job but is more “functional” than anything else. The Sony Soft Case for the Sony QX10 LensCamera serves the same purpose but does so with far more class. Best of all, it won’t break the bank.
I recently picked up a Sony QX10 lens camera. The price had dropped $50 and, now that I am using a Sony Xperia Z2 I figured it made sense. I also went in search of a good way to protect the camera. The Op/Tech USA Fold-Over Pouch 301 seemed like a good option. Let’s take a look.
There are times when the simplest of ideas can be the best. The Bluelounge Kickflip is a good example of this. The Kickflip is a small strip of plastic that lifts your Macbook and creates a more ergonomic platform for your typing. Available for both the 13″ and 15″ Macbook it is simple… And impressive.
One of the biggest surprises when I started using the Sony Xperia Z2 as my full-time device was just how much use I got from finally having a device with NFC Near Field Communication built-in. The TYLT TAGZ Programmable NFC Stickers take the NFC prowess of the phone to an entirely new level.
The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 and 5s is a super lightweight waterproof case that’s ready to handle all of your outdoor adventures. It’s waterproof up to 16.4 feet underwater, and it meets military standards for drops of up to 6.6 feet. The Catalyst Case is also compatible with Touch ID for your iPhone 5s; it retails for $64.99.
I’m just back from a trip to Las Vegas Nevada where the daytime temperature was 102 degrees by 9:30am (No, it’s not a dry heat. It’s a HOT heat). I attended a conference and was in sessions virtually all day. Once sessions ended it was dinner and group events until close to midnight.
The Boombot REX by Boombotix is an ultra-portable ruggedized Bluetooth speaker that can be your partner in crime, no matter what the adventure. This tiny speaker pumps out the jams with dual drivers and a bass woofer, all while being just a tad bigger than a deck of playing cards. The Boombot REX retails for $99.99.
Bem’s Bluetooth Wireless Speaker Band isn’t quite the Dick Tracy Watch, but it’s close! The Speaker Band is a small Bluetooth speaker in the form factor of a watch that you wear on your wrist. Inside the speaker is a microphone, so you can take voice calls without ever picking up your phone. The Bem Speaker Band retails for $49.99.
We have reviewed quite a few portable speakers that offer excellent audio and multiple ways to stream or connect, but with few exceptions it seems like most could be described as more utilitarian and less refined. The $299.99 Bayan Audio soundbook X3 is one portable speaker that not only sounds fantastic, it also looks terrific. Bayan Audio, a UK company founded in 2011, focusses on creating “outstanding products to help you enjoy sound wherever you are”, and with whatever device your music happens to be stored on, whether it be “Audio Systems, Smartphones, Tablets or Notebooks.” They focus on making quality products that use wood, aluminum, and…
I’ve been on a “designer” ice-cube kick for a couple of months now; the bigger and more interesting, the better. I’ve finally come across a clear winner; say hello to the $14.95 Tovolo Colossal Cube Molds. These molds produce blocky ice cubes that will look impressive in your glass as they chill your beverage!
One of the best features of the Sony Xperia Z2 phone and tablet is the built-in noise cancellation. It works great with Sony’s NC headphones, but it also does a good job if you pick up a Sony Stereo Microphone STM10. I got mine a few days ago, and I’m already impressed by the quality of the audio it captures.
A few years ago, I reviewed a pair of custom earphones of the type that only musicians usually get to use. You know, those earphones with a custom mold of each ear. The fit and finish are amazing but the price? Ouch. Decibullz Custom Molded Earphones is a new brand looking to bring an affordable custom-fit approach to the masses.
Shoot, edit, share – the mantra of modern photography in our instant world and the mission statement of nearly every hardware and software developer in this genre. Incipio, a southern California-based designer and manufacturer of mobile device accessories, recently provided GearDiary with the new Incipio Focal Camera Case for iPhone5/5s, a device promising to make you photograph like a pro.
I love it when an external battery pack includes everything needed to charge and be charged in one package, and that is where the $17 5200mAh Lumsing Mini Portable Power Bank really shines. Not only does it have a built in microUSB for charging your phone, it also has a built in USB charger for charging the battery itself. Measuring approximately 3″ long x 2″ wide x 0.8″ thick, the power bank is composed of shiny white plastic that is bisected by a rubber USB to microUSB cable that plugs into matching ports on the battery, ready to be unplugged when needed. But as usual, I…