Reviews | Gear Diary

Game Diary, Reviews January 12, 2013

Inbetween Land for Mac Review

Have you ever started playing a game, left it for a while, and after trying to get going again felt lost and restarted? That is what happened to me with Inbetween Land for the Mac. The story centers on a city that is suddenly sent into turmoil by a flying island in the sky … which goes from being an object of fear to a tourist destination. Your friend Mary goes missing after a beam of light appears from the floating island, so that is where you start your search. The gameplay elements are immediately familiar – you have puzzles,…

Reviews January 11, 2013

Dropbox “Official” app vs. Box File Provider app on Windows 8 (Modern UI)

A couple of days ago, Dropbox added their app to the Windows Store for use in the Modern UI of Windows 8. Before this app became available, I had been using Box File Provider to access my Dropbox files via the Modern UI. If you are using an RT version of Windows, a Modern UI version is critical, as the desktop function is severely limited on the RT versions of Windows 8. There is always the option to access your files stored in Dropbox through the web browser interface, but I find that to be kludgy and not as easy…

Game Diary, Reviews January 10, 2013

‘Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden’ HD for iPad Review

Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available from the Apple App store. It’s developer is Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment. Description: 40 dazzling and exotic underwater locations 16 unique hidden object scenes to search 22 mini-games, including an unusual Domino game Three difficulty modes: casual, advanced and expert In-depth Strategy Guide Game Center Support iPhone 5 support Major features: As I mentioned in my Dark Arcana review, most hidden object games fall into either crime mysteries or dramatic stories involving the supernatural. Once again developer Artifex…

Game Diary, Reviews January 8, 2013

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask Game Review on Nintendo 3DS

Outstanding puzzles and great storylines continue creating a potent, mystery-adventure game mix in Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, the fifth overall installment in this “prequel” game series. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is the second game in a new prequel trilogy (fifth overall) and was first released in 2011 as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS within Japan. It is also the first game in the series for the Nintendo 3DS while previous installments released on the Nintendo DS. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, which primarily takes place one year following the events of Professor Layton…

Game Diary, Reviews January 7, 2013

Classic Apple II Fighting Game Karateka Reborn for iOS, Here’s Our Review

Type of app: Side-scrolling Fighting game Platform/where to buy: iPad or iPhone; available in the App Store Developer: Jordan Mechner / Karateka LLC Major features: If you asked me to name the games that stand out from my Apple ][+ era in the early 80s, right alongside Castle Wolfenstein would be Jordan Mechner’s Karateka. The game was simplistic yet completely addictive as you would at first try to win by any means, then as you improved you would try different tactics, techniques until you could eventually make it all the way through with without losing any health. When I heard…

Reviews January 7, 2013

Start8 by Stardock for Windows 8 Review

To date, my biggest pet peeve with Windows 8 is the lack of the Start Menu. Having used Windows since the early 90’s, the Start Menu is always the default way to locate files, programs, menus and everything else. It is the base from which everything else is accomplished. Redmond’s desire to encourage users to step away from the Start Menu may be the way we are heading in the future, but for me, it’s one step too far in learning to navigate my way through the new OS. So, that left me searching for Start Menu replacements. Samsung included…

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Events, Reviews January 7, 2013

Scansnap iX500 Scanner Review, the Best ScanSnap Scanner Yet

Scansnap’s scanners have been a mainstay of my move toward a paperless life. They have also played a huge role in my digitizing much of my rabbinic library. I wrote about it here and here and here. The hardware is always top-notch and the software integrates with the hardware to create an excellent and seamless workflow. And while I have enjoyed using the mobile scanners I’ve reviewed it has been the desktop versions of the device that have truly been a huge help to me as I have continued to convert my documents and library into electronic formats. The company…

Events, Reviews January 6, 2013

Toshiba Portege Z930 Ultrabook First Impressions

I am off to CES in just a few short days, and had originally planned to bring my long-in-the-tooth-but-still-going-strong Chromebook as a laptop solution. Then Gear Diary was invited to review the Toshiba Portege Z930 Ultrabook. The result? I will be blogging with a great deal more power and features during the show! We’ll have a full review soon, but I wanted to make sure to share my first impressions, and not just the “OH WOW” I had when I pulled it out of the box! Let’s start with the hardware. This thing is beautiful. It’s not metal like a Macbook Air, but a brushed metallic looking plastic. It…

Reviews January 4, 2013

Pelican ProGear S100 Sport Elite Backpack Video Review

If you are looking for serious protection for your laptop, and you want to carry a tablet, and you need a backpack that can hold all your gear, you will want to take a look at the Pelican ProGear S100 Elite Backpack. The ProGear S100 is a beast and that’s a good thing. In fact, it almost came with me as a mainstay of my CES 2013 gear after I was sent one for review*. Let’s take a closer look at this backpack that packs ultimate laptop protection. The Pelican ProGear S100 Sport Elite Laptop Backpack stands out because of…

Events, Reviews January 4, 2013

Nighthawk Bluetooth Microphone Combo System Overview

As we prepare to head off to CES 2013, we are taking the time to think through the gear we are bringing along. One piece of unplanned kit that will be making the trip to Las Vegas comes from BlueWi, a subsidiary of The Earphone Connection. The Nighthawk Bluetooth Microphone Combo is a Bluetooth adapter system that has been used by law enforcement, but it is now making its way into the consumer market thanks to its sturdy build and flexible convenience. The company describes the Nighthawk Bluetooth Microphone Combo as “the ideal tool to meet the demands of the…

Reviews January 3, 2013

Letterpress Word Game for iOS

Type of app: Word game Platform/where to buy: iOS, universal for iPad and iPhone Developer: atebits Price: Free, $.99 upgrade for unlimited games and themes Major features: Use the jumbled letters to create words, and compete for credit for each tile used. Words cannot be reused, and once every tile is claimed, the person who has used more tiles wins. Challenge friends via iOS Game Center. Ease of use/Overall performance: This is a very fun game and a great alternative to word games like Words with Friends. It forces you to be creative, since you can’t reuse words and you…

Reviews December 31, 2012

ProClip iPad Mini Mount System Review; Be Safer on the Road in 2013 with ProClip

From now until 2013, we’re going to take a look at some New Year’s Resolutions and a Gear Diary way to help you keep them. New Year Resolution: Drive More Safely Okay, let’s get this out-of-the-way upfront – the safest place for your phone while driving is in your pocket or bag. That helps ensure that it won’t become a distraction while you fly down the road at 65 miles an hour. If you aren’t going to keep your phone out of the way, however, you’d best have a secure place to keep it lest it become a projectile during…

Reviews December 31, 2012

TmTeam Gen. L. Case for iPhone 5 Review

TmTeam’s Gen. L. Case, made from genuine Turkish leather, is more of a protective pouch than a typical iPhone case. The design is simple; the pouch resembles an eyeglass case but has a tab that weaves from inside the case to the outside. When the phone is in the case, pull the tab, which causes the nylon strap on the inside to become taut and raises the phone for removal. The tab remains on the outside of the case and has a magnet to help keep the phone in place. Note: The printed leather case’s tab is magnetic while the…

Reviews December 30, 2012

AT&T LG Optimus G Android Phone Review

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Android for some time; I’m not sure exactly when it started, but I think that it was around the time that I realized that just because an app was available, it didn’t mean I could necessarily install it on my phone. Lockdowns by carriers and various hardware limitations made Android apps non-universal across the platform, and that was a hard concept for me to accept. The very nature of Android being an open platform meant that the OS could be made to run on some rather unimpressive hardware, but it didn’t always run smoothly or offer a…

Reviews December 30, 2012

In 2013 Take Better Notes and Be More Organized

From now until 2013, we’re going to take a look at some New Year’s Resolutions and a Gear Diary way to help you keep them. New Year Resolution: Take Better Notes, Be More Organized and Use Less Paper I am loving my Livescribe Sky Smartpen. The Livescribe Sky finally lets me get all the benefits of a Livescribe Smartpen without having to physically plug the pen into a computer to electronically recreate and share notes. (Here’s my review of the Sky Smartpen.) There are, however, times when I don’t want to carry and use the large, rechargeable smartpen- times when…

Reviews December 29, 2012

Mophie Juice Pack Pro for iPhone 4/S Review

Tough on your iPhone 4/S? Prone to drops and breaks, and your slim case just isn’t cutting it? Want longer power for your iPhone? If you said yes to any of these questions, you might want to consider taking a gander at the Mophie Juice Pack Pro. Designed to exceed the U.S. military’s MIL-STD 810G specifications, barring any full submersion in liquid, the Mophie Juice Pack Pro will keep your iPhone safe and secure under most conditions. While lacking complete immersion protection, the case will protect your device from rain and splashes, sand and dust, vibration and shocks, as well as drops…

Reviews December 29, 2012

Tom Bihn Zephyr Briefcase Video Review

If you are looking for a serious briefcase that is tough, carries a ton, and has plenty of organizational pockets — but nimbly avoids the pitfall of looking like the stuffy, square briefcase your father carried — then you’ll want to check out the Tom Bihn Zephyr. The Zephyr is built with the quality we have come to know and expect from Tom Bihn. Materials are stellar; the design takes into account the varied ways people use their bags, and the build-quality is second to none. Oh, and as is always the case with Tom Bihn bags, the Zephyr is…

Reviews December 29, 2012

Camera FX for iPhone Review

These days it seems as if pretty much every mobile device has a camera; phones, tablets, laptops — almost anyone on the go can now take a picture when and where they want. While these small cameras are pretty good, a little software help can make them great. There are many offerings for iOS users at many price points; you do not necessarily have to spend a lot to get good results. Camera FX falls into the ‘cheaper with results’ category. Lets take a quick look. Camera FX is designed to present a DSLR like user experience. You can see…

Game Diary, Reviews December 28, 2012

Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Nintendo Wii U ushers in a new wave of “next generation” video game console systems with expanded functions and convenient backward-compatible functions stemming from a sleek rectangular console and portable GamePad with screen. The Wii U had an original launch window between March 2012 and December 2012 and eventually debuted on November 18, 2012, so gamers experienced a predictable pre-order frenzy for the holiday season. The impressive high-definition graphics make a winning combination with Nintendo’s vibrantly colorful games while the lightweight GamePad with separate screen offers great gameplay/viewing options. The Wii U is currently available in the following two…

Reviews December 27, 2012

Aranez Flip iPhone 5 Leather Case Review

Stacey just did a review of the Aranez Aquila iPhone 5 Leather Case. (Read it here.) She liked it. Mike reviewed the Aranez Book Samsung Galaxy S3 Leather Case. (Read Mike’s review.) He liked it too! Let’s go for the trifecta and look at the Aranez Flip iPhone 5 Leather Case. More accurately, let’s let my father-in-law Mark go on camera and talk about it. Mark Down South… WAY Down South When last my father-in-law (aka Gear Diary’s Grumpy Old Man) appeared on the site, he was discussing why he was finally taking the leap and getting an iPhone 5….

Game Diary, Reviews December 27, 2012

Green Jelly for iPhone and iPad Review

Type of app: Physics/Puzzle game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: MaxNick / G5 Entertainment Description: ? 60 Levels in three locations: Cake, Chocolate and Waffles ? Over 10 types of objects for physics-based interaction ? 20 Funny achievements to share with friends ? Cute graphics and amusing sounds ? Updates with new levels to keep you entertained ? Game Center Support ? New iPad Retina Display Support Major features: Green Jelly is a physics-based game in which you play as a green jelly candy seeking to collect up all of the candy,…