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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


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…


Merrell Vapor Glove Minimal Running Shoe Review

Minimalist running means different things to different people, from zero-drop to barefoot design to little cushioning. Regardless of definition, the Merrell Vapor Gloves qualify; they have zero drop, 2mm of cushion, and they can fold up into your pockets. They are amazingly comfortable while offering an uncompromisingly minimal design, so it’s worth checking them out to see if they’re for you. I did an initial impressions post on the Vapor Glove, and now after spending more time with the shoes, it is worth going back to see they have performed over a longer time period. So let’s get into some…


AKG K495 NC On-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones Review – Hear the Quiet, Even When It Is Noisy

The AKG K495 on-ear headphones offer good sound and excellent noise cancellation in a refined package that looks great and is as comfortable as any pair of on-ear headphones I have used. At $349.95 the USB rechargeable headphones are, however, a bit pricey. Then again, quality doesn’t come cheap. Check them out here. I’m on the Amtrak Acela headed from Jersey to DC for a few hours. I like these one day trips, so long as I get to take the train rather than fly. It is easy, rather comfortable and, at least compared to travel by air, quiet. Still,…


LifeProof nüüd for the iPhone 5 Review — Take It All Off

The LifeProof nüüd for the iPhone 5 is the thinnest, lightest, and most refined case Lifeproof has offered. It protects your iPhone from drops, dust, snow, and dirt, yet there is nothing covering the screen. Available in black or white, this is an awesome case if you need serious protection. Get it here for $89.99 I’ve been a big fan of Lifeproof ever since they released their first case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The cases were thinner and lighter than any other rugged case I had tried and yet they offered as much or more protection than…


Waterfield CitySlicker Tablet Case Review – Protect Your 2013 Nexus 7 In Style

If you are looking to protect your 2013 Nexus 7 in style, then you’ll want to check out Waterfield’s CitySlicker Tablet Case for the Nexus 7. It is a gorgeous combination of leather and other materials, holds a few key accessories, and does a great job protecting the latest Google tablet. The Waterfield CitySlicker Tablet Case is a gorgeous case for carrying your 2013 Nexus 7 and a few key accessories. It might be a bit of overkill, but it is so nice to carry that the added bulk and expense may well be worth it. Here’s a look on…


Element Case Atom S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – Carbon Fiber Reinforced Protection

If you need protection for your Samsung Galaxy S4, and you like the look of Carbon Fiber, then the Atom S4 by Element Case may be just what you’ve been looking for. At $59.95, it comes loaded with features including reinforced corners, Element’s Sound Boost System, and an ergonomic design. One of the Samsung Galaxy S4’s biggest flaws is that it doesn’t have the type of solid construction that inspires confidence. Sure, it’s great that the S4 is a thin and light phone — svelte, even — but the device is so slippery that it almost seems to be looking for…


Element Case Eclipse S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – The Case I Would Use If I Owned a Samsung Galaxy S4

If you have been looking for serious protection that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to your Samsung Galaxy S4, then you need look no further than the $79.95 anodized aluminum, carbon fiber, and TPU Eclipse S4 made by Element Case. It even includes a kickstand and sound boost system! The Eclipse is composed of two pieces; an anodized CNC machined aluminum bezel and a TPU main body. The back of the case has an aerospace-grade carbon fiber insert in its middle. I’m not sure that it adds any extra protection in this location, but it certainly breaks up the otherwise monochrome…


Boombot REX Bluetooth Speaker Review – It’s Small and Stands Out From the Pack

The Boombot REX is a small, ultraportable Bluetooth speaker that is available in a range of different colors and styles. Add in the availability of a number of different accessories and this speaker may be just the thing for the active music-lover on the go. Check out all the available options. If you are wondering how the speaker got its name, the company explains it is “A salute to the king of dinosaurs, the Boombot REX mimics the thump of the T-Boombot REX’s footsteps as it ruled the land.” Awwww… cute. The company behind the REX describes the speaker as…


RAVPower RP-PB07 10400mAh Portable External Battery Pack Charger Review

External batteries are getting to be a necessity. If you want a great one, the RavPower and its 10,400 mAH capacity is one that you should look at.  It’s only $34.99 on Amazon (with free Prime Shipping!). RAVPower was kind enough to send their latest RP-PB07 battery for review. Let’s take a look at it in terms of form and function. Form: This battery is simple in its design. It has a button on the front that allows you to check the current charge. On the back is the product label.  The bottom of the battery has 2 USB ports…


GE X2600 Camera With 26X Zoom Review – Yes, GE Makes a Decent Little Camera

When you stop and think about it the fact that GE makes cameras shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, they make everything else so why not a camera? What is a surprise is the fact that the budget-priced 26X zoom GE X2600 camera takes decent pictures. GE’s X2600 camera is under $170 and if you can ignore the color it looks like a serious camera. It shoots 16 megapixel images, has a 3″ LCD so you can see what you are actually shooting and it has a whopping 26X optical zoom with a wide-angle lens that actually works! The…