Reviews | Gear Diary

Odoyo Power + EX For iPhone 5 Review

My biggest problem with my mobile life is batteries. I seem to spend a large portion of my day figuring out ways to charge while on the go. My days have improved with the Odoyo Power + Shell EX For iPhone 5. At $99.99, the battery case promises to keep your phone charged all day long. The Power + Shell EX is a rechargeable battery case with kickstand for the iPhone 5. The 2200 mAh battery provides a full charge for the iPhone while the case provides protection. A kickstand is included tucked nicely away on the back of the…

Reviews

iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker Review – Mo’Music for Less Money

There’s a lot to like about the iLuv Mo’Beats HD Bluetooth Speaker. It boasts Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, works as a desk and a battery-powered on-the-go speaker, packs SRS WOW audio technology and has a hidden universal tablet and smartphone stand hidden in the top. Best of all it has a price under $100. We’ve been looking at a huge number of Bluetooth speakers in recent months, and the flow of wirelessly connected audio devices doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. The latest unit we’ve had the chance to check out is the iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker….

Reviews

HP Pocket Playlist Review – Gives You 32GB of Stylish Wireless Storage on the Go!

With each passing year, flash storage is cheaper and more plentiful, but the options for using storage have become fewer. Apple has few options for storage expansion, and fewer Ultrabooks, tablets and smartphones allow expansion. But the HP Pocket Playlist offers 32GB of wireless storage for use even when you are offline, and does it in a stylish $99 package. Description: •Engineered to entertain: Hey, parents! The HP Pocket Playlist puts you in control of managing your mobile entertainment. No matter where you go— car, train, restaurant, mall— your kids sit still, not fight and stay happy watching their own…

Reviews

V-MODA BoomPro Microphone Review – You Can Definitely Hear Me Now!

The V-MODA BoomPro microphone cable for the V-MODA Crossfade series of headphones adds a boom microphone to the already-awesome Crossfade M-100 headphones. Sure the M-100s ship with a cable that has a microphone but this microphone makes a world of difference. At just $30 it is a terrific add-on to an already amazing pair of headphones. Get it. It seems a bit odd to be writing a review for what is essentially an accessory for an accessory, but when the first accessory is the V-MODA Crossfade M-11 headphones (read our review), and the second accessory makes them even better, the latter item deserves…

Music Diary, Reviews

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Hands-On Video Review

This week I wrote about the QuNeo pad controller from Keith McMillen Instruments;. Here’s the QuNeo in action. As I noted in my review, it offers a level of expression and control not found in most pad controllers even more expensive ones! Check out my hands on review using the QuNeo, an iPad 2 and the Korg iMS-20.

Music Diary, Reviews

Craig Hartley – Books on Tape Vol. 1 CD Review

Innovating in a crowded space is never easy, but there is always room for a talented artist to create an impression even within an established genre. That is exactly what Craig Hartley does with his ‘Books on Tape Vol. 1’ piano trio recording. Great compositions, improvisation and playing; my favorite piano trio yet this year. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: Craig Hartley Description: From the artist: This album represents an interpretation of some of my musical and life experiences translated into song. included in the liner notes are brief descriptions of my thoughts and inspirations for each…

Music Diary, Reviews

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Review

Being a Kickstarter darling has its ups and downs. QuNeo earned more than 10 times its funding goal of $15,000 then struggled through manufacturing problems, partner changes, and delays before finally launching. The end result shows that being patient and steadfast paid off with a product that is iPad compatible, high quality, affordable, and totally musical! Description QuNeo is the next generation of pad controller. As small as an iPad and more powerful than any other MIDI controller you’ve ever played, QuNeo makes beats, launches clips, remixes and reinvents your musical world. 44 pads, sliders, rotaries & switches Pressure, velocity…

Reviews

Epson XP-410 Multi-Function Printer Review – Small But Does It All

If you need a small multi-function printer that has a tiny footprint and a budget price, then you will want to check out the Epson XP-410. Good quality prints, WiFi, and printing from iPhones, iPads, and Android devices — thanks to integration with AirPrint and Google Cloud Print — are just the beginning. And it is priced under $100. It may be an increasingly paperless world, but there are still times when you need to print or scan a document. Epson offers a terrific range of multi-function printers at a wide range of prices. My current go-to printer is the…

Reviews

ECOROX Waterproof Speaker Review – Use It On or In the Water

Like the elusive Loch ness monster, the search for a Bluetooth speaker that is fully waterproof and actually sounds decent has endured, but an actual sighting has long-eluded those seeking to capture it in the flesh. Finally however ECOXGEAR’s ECOROX waterproof speaker has reared its head. It is waterproof and it sounds good. ECOXGEAR describes their ECOROX speaker as “a unique portable audio system combining Bluetooth, Lithium Ion Battery and Waterproof Technologies”. It has an MSRP of just under $130 and, thanks to its rugged design, looks the part of a speaker built for the outdoors. The ECOROX is shock resistant,…

Music Diary, Reviews

The O’Farrill Brothers – Sensing Flight CD Review

The O’Farrill Brothers remind me of seeing Harrison / Blanchard in New York City and buying their debut CD ‘Nascence’ – there are interesting songs, a certain rawness and rough edges, an abundance of talent, and apparent influences on display. And like ‘Nascence’, I expect greater and more mature work in the future, but that doesn’t diminish this fun and intriguing recording! Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: The O’Farrill Brothers Description: The O Farrill Brothers display their astonishing instrumental hard bop virtuosity and a distinctive, coherent ensemble sound with a musical maturity well beyond their young years. Features…

DRACO HYDRA Aluminum Bumper -for Samsung Galaxy S4

Reviews

DRACOdesign HYDRA Ducati Aluminum Bumper for Samsung Galaxy S4 – Adds Sporty Good Looks and Protection

If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S4, and you want corner protection without covering up your phone more than absolutely necessary, then the $99.99 DRACO design HYDRA for S4 bumper case may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s sleek, made of aluminum, and it manages to make the S4 look even hotter! As you may have guessed by looking at these pictures, the DRACOdesign HYDRA is an officially licensed Ducati product. Available in Meteor Black, Luxury Silver, and the Flare Red I was sent, the HYDRA is composed of aircraft grade aluminum that has been precision-machined in a 5…

Reviews

OlloClip Quick-Flip Case for the iPhone Review – Put a Photo Studio in Your Pocket

The OlloClip Quick-Flip Case for the iPhone 5 and 5th generation iPod touch is THE case for the iOS photographer. It not only lets you quickly and easily use OlloClip lens adapters, but it lets you mount your device on a tripod and mount a light or microphone on your iOS device. MSRP is $49.99; get it here. OlloClip describes their Quick-Flip Case as being More than a sleek attractive case for the iPhone, the new Quick-flip turns your iPhone into a mobile photo studio. Having used the case with both my iPhone 5 and my iPod touch I have to…

Reviews

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Headphone Review – Dress Up Your Tunes

At $310, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones are a pricey option for anyone looking to purchase a new pair of over-the-ear headphones, but they are absolutely worth the price of admission. The headphones are tough, comfortable, block outside noise, and they sound amazing. They ship with a super-protective case, multiple cables and more. Check them out. V-MODA’s latest headphones stand out in almost every regard. While the company name and these Crossfade M-110s might not be as familiar as Beats or Monster or either company’s offerings, these headphones have all the style, flexibility and audio-quality you could want. Are they worth…

Music Diary, Reviews

John Scofield’s UberJam Deux – Can the Sequel Live Up to the Original?

Artists seldom revisit their work, and too often when they do it is a disappointment. Jazz legend John Scofield wanted to take his Uberjam in a new direction, and the resulting UberJam Deux show the mark of everything he had done before or since, and represent a new horizon for the jam-band jazz style he pioneered. Don’t miss it! Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: John Scofield Description: Uberjam Deux, has been a decade in the gestation, following in direct line of descent from 2002s Grammy nominated Uberjam; not that Scofield has been inactive in the interim, far…

Reviews

Jabra Style Bluetooth Headset Review – Give Your Conversations Some Style

The Jabra Style is one of the new Bluetooth headsets from Jabra, a company known for its expertise in creating great Bluetooth devices. This stylish headset is great for taking calls, listening to music or podcasts. The $49 headset has Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and is designed for comfort and simplicity — it even adjusts the volume automatically. Check it out. When creating the Jabra Style, the company was looking for something that would look great, fit comfortably and be easy to use. They have pretty much achieved that with the Jabra Style, and the fact that they have been able to…

News & Features, Reviews

DRACOdesign ONE Aluminum Bumper for HTC One – Sexy Curves for My Favorite Android

I absolutely love my HTC One. Unfortunately, it is not the most popular Android phone (even if I think it should be), so my case options have been limited to bulky, plastic, and ugly … until now. I recently received DRACOdesign’s gorgeous $79.99 ONE Aluminum Bumper, and it is now somewhat permanently attached to my phone. Here’s why … I’ve reviewed plenty of aluminum bumper cases over the years, but the majority of them were for various iPhone incarnations, and quite a few of those cases interfered with the iPhone’s antenna causing reception issues. Even so, I really like the…

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Science or Not, Wu-Long Slimming Tea is Awesome!

It seems like the science behind weight gain or loss changes all the time, leaving us wondering if today’s health food will be tomorrow’s junk. For thousands of years oolong tea has been a weight loss aid with no negative effects, so weight loss aid or not, Wu-Long Slimming Tea tastes fantastic and is reasonably priced! There are a number of natural herbal products that claim certain health benefits, or have at least been used for that purpose for many years. One such product is oolong tea, which has long been reported to support weight loss. Those claims have…

Game Diary, Reviews

Righteous Kill 2 HD for iPad Review – Better Than the Original

While the first Righteous Kill game pretended to adhere to the basis of the (awful) movie, the sequel is original. Similar to the original game, Righteous Kill 2 is a fairly standard Hidden Object genre game. But unlike the original, Righteous Kill 2 is actually a decent game and worth checking out. Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure Game Platform/where to buy: iPad, iPhone; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Starz Media / G5 Entertainment Description: Here are some of the features: – 37 intriguing levels – 16 original mini-games – Police files for 11 victims – Heart-pounding…

Music Diary, Reviews

Swingadelic – Toussaintville CD Review

The music Alan Toussaint is instantly recognizable and enjoyed across genres and decades. Swingadelic is ostensibly a swinging big band, but brings enough pop, funk, and New Orleans second-line sound to their mix to make their songs infectious to all music lovers. Together the combination is a big gumbo pot of fun sure to bring a party! Musical Genre: Jazz / Pop Where to buy: iTunes Artist: Swingadelic Description: Allen Toussaint’s music, which has been performed by everyone from Irma Thomas to Little Feat, is all about feeling. When done right, Toussaint’s songs take on a funky depth that’s rare…

Game Diary, Reviews

Cognition Episode 2 – The Wise Monkey HD for iPad Review

Cognition is an episodic adventure game from legendary developer Jane Jenson and Phoenix Online Studios. I reviewed the iPad version; Episode 1 was deep, tense and intriguing, but performance was a bit erratic on iPad. Episode 2 “The Wise Monkey” works out all of the kinks, but maintains the same thrilling feel and well written plot. Buy now to see what Erica does next! Type of app: Adventure Game Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the iTunes App Store. Developer: Phoenix Online Studios LLC Description: When someone close to Erica is kidnapped by the Wise Monkey, a serial killer fixated on…

Reviews

Twelve South HiRise Review – A Perch for Your iPhone 5 and iPad mini

Twelve South only makes products for Apple devices, and their newest offering is a fantastic addition to their lineup. The HiRise is under $35 ,and it is a dock that works with both the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini. It also lets you use either device with most cases! Check it out here. The HiRise is an elegant way to raise your iPhone 5 or iPad mini up off your desk or countertop, and it will securely hold, charge and, if so desired, sync with your computer. I love the look of the HiRise and it works exactly as promised. I…