Reviews | Gear Diary

Power and Protect with the TYLT ENERGI Power Case for the iPhone 5/5s

Battery cases that protect and recharge iPhones are great during CES, but the bulk and extra weight aren’t always right for every day use. That’s where the TYLT ENERGI Power Case for the iPhone 5/5s can help. It gives you two snap on minimalist cases AND an extended slide on battery — just $99.99 for all three. TYLT describes this battery/case system in the following manner: The ENERGI Case with slide on battery is made for the real world. And with slim battery technology we only add 9mm to the thickness of the iPhone, you barely know you are carrying 9…

Game Diary, Reviews

Stand O’ Food Empire Brings Freemium Time Management Fun to iPad!

Given the huge success of their freemium games Virtual City Playground and The Secret Society, it is no surprise that G5 Entertainment is taking the ‘freemium sandbox’ route with more of their properties. Stand O’Food is a popular time-management game series, and with Stand O’Food Empire you can now build new restaurant chains with Ronnie, Nikki and Clarence !

Reviews

TYLT Y-CHARGE + SYNCABLE Keeps You and Your Gear Going

Keeping your gear going is a challenge of modern mobile life and the accessories that help keep gear charged is usually far from exciting or stylish. TYLT is seeking to change that with their Y-CHARGE + SYNCABLE. The Lightning version is $49.99 while the microUSB version is just $29.99.

Reviews

Scosche boltBOX Belongs in Everyone’s Gear Bag!

Every now and then a product comes along that screams out, “I deserve in a permanent place in your gear bag!” Scosche’s boltBOX is one of them. The small plastic box has a USB connector on one side, a Lightning connector on the other, and a 3′ cable that sits inside the box waiting to be needed. Get one.

Reviews

Bumgenius FreeTime All-in-One Cloth Diapers Review – Money Saving and Environmentally Friendly

Sarah and I are really enjoying using cloth diapers on our son. It’s economical and better for the environment, and as a bonus it horrified my parents. After trying a few different styles, we’re very pleased with Bumgenius Freetimes. At $20 per diaper they aren’t the cheapest, but they work well, are easy, and come in an Albert Einstein pattern.

Reviews

Slickwrap Your iPhone 5C for Color, Protection, and Bling!

The other day we took a look at a Slickwrap’s carbon fiber skin for the iPhone 5S. The skin offers complete 360° protection of your flagship iPhone. If, however, you have an iPhone 5C Slickwraps also has you covered. There are numerous wraps from which to choose and, best of all, the Slickwraps offerings are nicely priced. See them.

Reviews

TYLT BAND for the iPhone 5C Review – Colorful Protection

If you are looking to add a bit of color and protection to your iPhone 5C, then you’ll want to check out the TYLT BAND. For just $34.95, the BAND wraps your iPhone 5C in a case that is rugged yet flexible. The impact resistant shell may not look like much, but it offers decent protection. You can pre-order now.

Game Diary, Reviews

Treasure Seekers III HD Follow the Ghosts Collector’s Edition Adds to a Great Experience

While hidden object games are more about screen design, mechanics and puzzle integration, I love series like Mystery of the Crystal Portal and Treasure Seekers that include a plot to follow with interesting characters. I already reviewed the main Treasure Seekers III game, now G5 and Artogon have released the Collector’s Edition – if you haven’t played yet, get this one.

News & Features, Reviews

2013 Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet Review – Same Name, Big Improvements

The 2013 edition of the Nexus 7 has been available for a couple of months; I recently decided to make the leap from a 10″ tablet to this 7″ beauty. While there isn’t a new name, I have to say Google has done a great job refining this popular tablet. For now, I believe it is the best Android tablet available.

Reviews

Lowepro StreamLine Sling Travels Light and Keeps Your Gear within Reach

I always love it when Lowepro announces a new line of bags. They always add something new while building upon the time-tested and proven features and quality that makes Lowepro so popular with so many of us. Their new StreamLine series of bags is no exception, and the StreamLine Sling comes in at under $50.

Reviews

Slickwraps Affordably Wraps Your iPhone 5S in Color and Protection

If you don’t love the idea of using a case on your iPhone 5/5S/C but you still want to give it some degree of protection you’ll want to check out the various offerings from Slickwraps. With a range of different colors and styles and prices that won’t break the bank they are worth checking out! See them all.

Reviews

Technogel Contour Pillow Review – the End of the Triple Pillow Alliance!

For the longest time, I couldn’t sleep unless I had at least two, if not three, pillows crammed under my head. For the past few weeks I’ve been testing the Technogel Contour Pillow, and I haven’t used another pillow since. What could be so great about the $169 Contour to cause the early retirement of the “triple pillow alliance”?

Reviews

Score Band Review – The Best Scorekeeper on Your Wrist

I am a huge fan of sports, whether it’s watching professionals or playing myself. When the weather is right, I love playing tennis with friends. Unfortunately, I get too into the game itself and forget to keep score. Now, there’s a Score Band on my wrist to keep track for me; Score Band sells for $24.99.

Outdoors, Reviews

Soldiers of Paint Documentary Review – Re-enacting D-Day with Paintball in Oklahoma

This high quality documentary chronicles the annual paintball event and re-enactment of the D-Day invasion during World War II where players take the sides of the Allies or Axis forces.

Reviews

Got Grip? Speck CandyShell Grip for the iPhone 5C

We all have our favorite style of case and my wife Elana is no exception. Since making the move to the iPhone her go-to case has been the CandyShell Grip. Elana recently got an iPhone 5C and couldn’t be happier that one of the $35 CandyShell Grip cases arrived for review. See all of Speck’s cases.

Reviews

SpeeCup Review – Bluetooth Speaker Takes the Shape of a Travel Mug

Have you ever said to yourself, “You know what I need? A portable Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a travel mug that fits right in my cup holder in my car.”? If so, you’re in luck! iCreation’s speeCup is a very convenient, nicely powered speaker that fits your criteria. The speeCup retails for $129.95.

Reviews

You’ll Be Overly Enthusiastic About Crumpler’s Mild Enthusiast Camera and Tablet Bag

Crumpler’s Mild Enthusiast (M) is the bag for the indecisive camera and tablet enthusiast who cannot decide between getting a sling pack or a waist pack. It does both! Big enough to hold a standard DSLR, two lenses and a tablet, the $110.00 bag can be worn off the shoulder or on the back or waist..

Reviews

NoiseHush Freedom BT700 Bluetooth Headphones Cut the Cord, Don’t Break the Bank

There are plenty of over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones currently on the market, but most carry a hefty price. The NoiseHush Freedom BT700 headphones are light, offer decent sound, and cost less than $80 a pair. Available in black or white, the Freedom BT700 Bluetooth headphones offer twenty hours of music enjoyment and an impressive 300 hours of standby time. Get them.

Music Diary, Reviews

Levin Minnemann Rudess – Blisteringly Fun Album from Prog & Metal Legends

When you bring together masters like King Crimson bassist/stick-master Tony Levin, Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess and maniac drummer Marco Minneman, you know the results will be a shred-fest. But will it be any good? Rest assured, not only is this CD a humbling listen for musicians, it is a high-quality and rewarding journey through modern-day instrumental rock.

Reviews

Speck CandyShell + FACEPLATE for the iPhone 5/5S

Like its tasty namesake, the Speck CandyShell + FACEPLATE comes in bright colors, has a shiny exterior surface, a soft interior layer, and looks good enough to eat. By adding a faceplate (CandyShield) to Speck’s iconic two-layer CandyShell design, you can be more confident than ever that your phone is protected. Best of all… it’s just $44.95. Get it.

Game Diary, Reviews

Special Enquiry Detail 2 – Engaged to Kill for Kindle Fire Review

A few months ago I reviewed the iPad version of Special Enquiry Detail 2 – Engaged to Kill HD and found it lived up to the high level of the original. Now G5 and Floodlight have released the game for the Kindle Fire. The port works perfectly, with the characters and mystery every bit as intriguing as before.