Reviews

Escort SmartCord Live! Brings Smarts to My Passport Max

Escort’s Passport Max is the best radar detector I have ever used. It looks great, sounds good, and works extremely well — signaling only if there’s a real issue. (Read my review, and keep an eye out for Judie’s “second look” post!) I was, however, missing the active real-time connection with traffic information. The Escort SmartCord Live! fixes that.


9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek for iPad Review

G5 Entertainment and Artifex Mundi has a great recent track-record of hidden object puzzle adventure games, and they continue with the release of 9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek for iPad and iPhone. The game tells the story of a reporter lost in a mysterious town in the 1950s and the friend who investigates!


Want the Maserati of Tablet Stands? Check Out the FLOTE m2!

One of Elana’s most oft-used phrases is, “You get what you pay for.” In the case of the pricey FLOTE m2 Floor Stand tablet stand that is indeed true. What you’ll pay for is the best tablet stand I have ever used, and I suspect that will remain true for quite some time.  



Magnetic Nanodots Gyro Duo Is a Cool Toy for Science Fans

I loved playing with Nanodots when I reviewed them a few years ago. They were a great fidget toy when you are concentrating on something at work. Their new magnetic Gyro Duo product is another example of a great desktop fidget toy; they are also not as easy to lose, since they are much bigger than Nanodots.


The Optrix Bar Fly Keeps Your iPhone Mobile

Remember when we used to call them “mobile phones?” Now, they’re only as mobile as you are. So if you’re an avid cyclist or just a commuter, unless you have a good sturdy and convenient mount, your phone probably stays in your pocket or bag.The Bar Fly from Optrix looks to change that.



TYLT VU Wireless Charging Pad – a Stylish and Modern Charger

One of the things I love about the new Nokia Windows Phones is that they can utilize inductive charging. Being able to lay my phone on a Qi enabled charging pad throughout the day without plugging in any cables is too convenient; having a charging pad that looks as stylish as the $69.99 TYLT VU is pretty cool, too.


IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro Review

Just over a year ago I reviewed iRig Keys, the 37-note multi-platform mini-key controller. It remains in constant use by either myself or my son! Now IK Multimedia is has released iRig Keys Pro, featuring 37 full-size velocity sensitive keys, Lightning, 30-pin and USB cables, for universal compatibility with all models of iPhone, iPad, and Mac/PC.


Leef PRO Ultra High Speed Memory Card – Not Exactly

One of the gifts I received from my husband Kev for Christmas was a Canon G16; he included a 32GB SanDisk Extreme SD Card and a spare battery — totally sweet, right? Around the same time, a 64GB Leef PRO SD Card showed up for review; comparisons were begging to be made, and I couldn’t help but make them …




Nightmares of the Deep: The Siren’s Call for iOS and Android Review

When I reviewed the original Nightmares from the Deep back in 2012 I remarked that the “pacing is perfect, the story works well, and the overall experience is entirely positive and something you will remember for quite a while”. The sequel is here – and it is better in every way, bringing adventure and action to a normally staid genre! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store. Android version at Google Play Developer: Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment Description: Here are some of the features: Thrilling storyline and…


Need For Speed Rivals Review on PlayStation 4

Need For Speed Rivals challenges your reaction times, satisfies exploration desires, and increases thrill tolerances in an amazing open-world racing game, the twentieth in the series from Electronic Arts. Developed by Ghost and Criterion Games, Need For Speed Rivals, blends the single and multiplayer modes into a seamless experience with endless progression possibilities, weapon abilities, and constant challenges.


Iron X Action Camera Review

The Iron X Action Cam (A.K.A. DXG 5G9V) is a small, lightweight action camera that’s got a lot going for it.  It records video in 1080p at 30 fps and takes 5 megapixel photos.  It also has an OLED screen on top and comes with a remote control wrist strap and waterproof case.  The Iron X retails for $249.99.


SJ2000 Outdoor Sports HD Digital Video Camera Review

The SJ2000 Outdoor Sports HD Digital Video Camera is a budget entry into the action camera market.  It has a 12MP sensor for digital photos and it records digital video in 1080p with its 170-degree lens.  It comes with many Velcro and pressure mounting options and does not have any built-in memory.  You can purchase the SJ2000 for $64.95.


Griffin Survivor Clear Case for iPhone 5C – Pocketable Protection

The Griffin Survivor line is for those times when your phone is recreating the “Worst Case Survival Guide Handbook”. For more mundane adventures, like falling from tables and cars, there’s the Survivor Clear Case for iPhone 5C. As a bonus, the back is clear, so you can show off your choice of 5C color. But is it protective enough to bear the “Survivor” moniker?


Griffin Survivor for the iPhone 5C – Solid Protection or Overkill?

I often joke we need to bubble wrap our electronics. Nothing goes caseless in our house, because between the overenthusiastic dog and the baby who thinks everything is a teether, danger lurks everywhere. We are looking at ways to protect Sarah’s new iPhone 5C, but is the Griffin Survivor the level of protection she needs, or a case of overkill?


Take It (Almost) All off with the Lifeproof Nuud for iPhone 5C

So you got yourself a fancy new iPhone 5S or colorful iPhone 5C for Christmas, Hannukah or Festivus. Congratulations! Now you want to make sure you keep your new phone protected. It is easy to do, so long as you pick up one of Lifeproof’s cases. And if you go Nuud, you won’t even lose direct contact with your screen.


Goodnight iPad Book Review

My six month old son received lots of great books for Christmas and Hannukah this year, but the one we reach for more than any other these days is definitely “Goodnight iPad“. For one, he really likes the rhyming and the pictures, and two, I am pretty sure he wonders if the book is specifically about his house!


QAK ThumpBlu Headphones Review, Freedom From Wires

Speakers, watches, headphones … my phone seems to keep losing wires, yet it continues to communicate with more devices. Being free from wires is an awesome feeling. It’s like getting shackles taken off, and being able to roam about freely. I recently had the opportunity to test out the $99 Thump Case Pack and go wireless; let’s take a look.