Reviews

iBike POWERHOUSE Complete Cycling Fitness Plan

Through the years, I’ve reviewed several devices for iPhones and iPods that purport to be sturdy protective mounts for bicycle usage. Keeping in mind that there are inherent dangers in listening to music while you’re cycling, especially if you have to worry about dangling headphone wires, it’s important to make sure that safety is your first concern. The iBike POWERHOUSE ensures both the safety of your iPhone and your body with its well-designed mount for the 3 and 4 series iPhones. (No luck for you early iPhone 5 adopters yet.) Add in a software solution for exercise and cycling technique…

Reviews

Incipio feather SHINE for iPhone 5 Review

My favorite case is “no case”. Unfortunately, “no case” also means “no protection” and with a phone whose unlocked cost approaches $1000, that’s not an option. That’s why I’ve always been a fan of Incipio’s feather cases. They don’t offer a great deal of drop protection but they do help keep scratches at bay. Incipio offers the traditional feather for the iPhone 5 but they also have the feather SHINE for iPhone 5. Here’s a look… From Incipio: feather SHINE – The feather® Shine for iPhone 5 remains sleek while providing full access to your media functions. The feather® Shine…

Reviews, Yum Log

KeyShark Takes a Bite Out of That Bottle

The other day I received a KeyShark from the folks at Cranky Monkee for a review here at Gear Diary. The timing was perfect, as it arrived just before for my annual U of I football tailgate. So, what is a KeyShark you ask? And what does it have to do with football tailgating? Well, I’m glad you asked. A KeyShark is a lightweight, but strong, bottle opener that is designed to fit on your keychain. I have to say, though, that when it first arrived I was a little skeptical. It’s pretty darn small and pretty darn lightweight. It was…

Game Diary, Reviews

Zaxxon Escape for iOS/Android Review

Type of app: Action Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad or Android Developer: SegaDescription: It’s been thirty years since gamers first took on the evil robot Zaxxon, and Zaxxon Escape continues the story of what happened after his defeat. Players must escape a crumbling asteroid base by shooting, swiping, and tilting their spaceship through an ever-changing maze of corridors, guided only by their reflexes and handy powerups like auto-pilot and tractor beams. Find out if you have what it takes to survive the total destruction of Zaxxon. Major features: I was a huge fan of Zaxxon back in the early 80s (it…

Reviews

Incipio KICKSNAP Case for the iPhone 5

Incipio’s KICKSNAP Impact Resistant Case with Integrated Kickstand for the iPhone 5 is the second iPhone 5 case we are looking at from Incipio. This case has an MSRP of $34.99 and offers decent protection in a choice of a few different color patterns. From Incipio: A package deal with dual-injected materials, a low-profile NGP® core, a Plextonium™ frame, and a custom retractable, built-in Kickstand® for hands-free viewing, the KICKSNAP™ case is a well-made, sleek and functional solution. The case offers: Rigid Plextonium™ shell with impact resistant core Built-in Kickstand Excellent shock absorption Hands free viewing Here’s our video look at it……

Reviews

Incipio FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case for the iPhone 5 Video Review

Incipio’s FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case for the iPhone 5 may not look like much but it offers amazing protection in a light and easy-to-hold case. And it has a great price too! From Incipio: This next level case by Incipio employs the impact resistant NGP® soft shell construction to provide full-coverage protection for the iPhone 5 and incorporates a design reminiscent of the post-analog, digital FREQUENCY™ waves. The case features: Excellent shock absorption Easy wrap around design Tear and stretch resistant Will not fade Here’s our video look… The FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case comes in a range of colors…

Reviews

Incipio Faxion for iPhone 5 Video Review

Incipio has announced a number of cases for the iPhone 5. This is the first in a series of quick-looks at each. This time out we have the Incipio Faxion. The cases simple but,as this diagram makes clear,there is a lot going on with it. The cases features: Rigid Plextonium™ shell with impact resistant core Excellent shock absorption Innovative hybrid design Superior Protection I like the case a lot. As you can see from the video, it offers a simple but effective means of providing your iPhone 5 complete protection, including a bit of lay on the table protection. And…

Reviews, Yum Log

Widmer Brothers Nelson Imperial IPA Review

Hi. My name is Kevin, and I like beer…a lot! Other things I like: Judie (well, actually, I love her), my kids (I love them too), Otis (my dawg), fresh air, wide open spaces, rain and… did I mention? Beer! I developed a taste for the stuff (beer that is) during college. At the time, it probably wasn’t as much a taste thing as it was a social thing, if you catch my drift. I have plenty of vintage stories about Colorado’s 3:2 beer (swill), and escapades with cheap beer bought in bulk with my buddies. After some time my…

Reviews

Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker Review

I’ve had my Jawbone Jambox for well over a year, and I’ve loved it. It is small, easy to use, and it packs a punch! More recently I had the opportunity to review the Braven 600. It is about the same size, but it has a built-in battery that will also charge your mobile device even as it fills the space with music. Then there is the most recent entry into this category – the Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Portable Speaker. It costs $200, is a bit bigger than the other two speakers and, quite frankly, looks like it wants to…

Reviews

Mission Workshop R6 Arkiv Field Pack Video Review

We reviewed Mission Workshop’s Sanction Weatherproof Rucksack in November of 2011. (Read the review here.) This time out we are taking a look at the company’s R6 Arkiv Field Pack. The Mission Workshop Sanction Weatherproof Rucksack is one of the more unusual backpacks we have ever seen. In fact, it isn’t exactly a backpack. A more accurate way to describe the R6 Arkiv would be to refer to it as “backpackS”. You see, the R6 Arkiv is highly configurable and can be used in a variety of ways. Here’s our video look, the company’s description, and how you might end…

Reviews

Bond 50 Review on Blu-ray

For 50 years, Ian Fleming’s James Bond character has emulated style, bravado, special skills, and, most of all, the best gadget gear in the world. The recently released Bond 50 home video collection (Blu-ray and DVD) offers all 22 Bond films* and one bonus disc in one package complete with over 130 hours of bonus features. *Special note – 1983’s Never Say Never Again and 1967’s Casino Royale are not included in this special set. You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Octopussy (1983), A View…

Reviews

Desktop Chair for iPad and MacBook air Review

We’ve looked at numerous iPad stands but few have been as simple and natural as this Desktop Chair from Moku Woodware. The Desktop Chair promises to “turn your laptop into a desktop”. Made from natural basswood, the Desktop Chair looks neat on its own and works well, except when it doesn’t. Let’s take a look. From Moku Woodware: While we enjoy the mobility of laptop, some of us still use desktops to work efficiently and comfortably. Hand made with fine natural basswood, Desktop Chair simply holds your Apple laptop and turns it into a desktop machine with an external display,…

Reviews

olloclip Review

The camera on the last two generations of iPhone is pretty amazing. The iPhone 4S upped the photographic game in a big way. And while the camera on the iPhone 5 doesn’t look that much better on paper, when you actually shoot with it, the improvements are clear. One of the best ways to get the most out of your iPhone camera is to use one of the many available after-market lens systems. We looked at one such system over the summer. (It comes from our newsletter underwriter USBFever and you can read the full post here.) Another, more compact,…

Game Diary, Reviews

Magician’s Handbook II Blacklore HD Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: BC Soft Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Two years have passed and your trip to the Cursed Valley is only a memory. The pages of the Magician’s Handbook remain blank and life has resumed to its natural course, until the day when a tiny fairy appears in your house pleading for help. The evil magician pirate, Blacklore, has captured all the magicians and fairies to use good magic for evil purposes. Search gorgeous, hand drawn locations, learn powerful…

Reviews

Lowepro S&F Lens Exchange Case 100 AW, Video Review

I’m quite happy with the lens that came with my Canon T3i Kit. The EFS 18-55mm lens works great and really falls well into the “all-purpose” category. Still, there are times when a more powerful telephoto lens comes in handy. After all, I would never have been able to get this shot without it back in August… What this means is that, at times, I will want to have both the kit lens and the telephoto lens with me. For that I need a safe and convenient way to not only carry the extra lens but to also swap lenses…

Reviews

JOBY 3-Way Camera Strap Review

I’m a big fan of JOBY’s products and have been since I reviewed their very first GorillaMobile Tripod. That review sample is still going strong, and in the years since the company has added numerous other products to their portfolio. One thing that did come as a bit of a surprise to me was their move into the camera strap market. They currently have three camera straps available, and each brings their same commitment to rethinking familiar products and adding flexibility and value to them in the process. In this video review, we take a look at their most unusual…

Game Diary, Reviews

Grand Theft Auto III PlayStation Store Release Review

The classic 2001 PlayStation 2 video game Grand Theft Auto III (rated M) was recently released in the PlayStation Store and must be experienced by all mature gamers. Grand Theft Auto III – From the days of the PlayStation 2, this downloadable game allows you to play the classic original on compatible PlayStation game systems. Mob bosses need favors, crooked cops need help, the street gangs want you dead; so to compensate you’ll have to rob, steal, and kill in order to stay alive. Developed by DMA Design, GTA3 is the first installment of the series to utilize a fully…

Reviews

Carry Speed DS-Slim Camera Sling Strap with D-1 Wide Platform Ballhead Review

Now that I have finally figured out a good approach to capturing audio when using my Canon T3i to shoot video, I absolutely love the camera. Sure, I’m still a novice, but I am learning and, in the process, I am having a blast. The more I shoot with it however, the more I find myself needing specific accessories to improve the experience of using the camera. Case in point- while I love my camera, I absolutely HATE the Canon shoulder strap that comes with it. The strap feels cheesy, isn’t comfortable when hanging on my next and it connects to…

Game Diary, Reviews

Bad Piggies for iPhone Review

Type of app: iOS for iPhone Platform/where to buy: iTunes, App Store Developer: Rovio Entertainment LTD. Description (from the App Store): The Bad Piggies are after the eggs again — but as usual, nothing is going according to plan! Can you create the ultimate flying machine and steer them safely to their destination? Those tricky pigs have a few objects they can use, but they need your help to turn these into the perfect transportation! With more than 60 levels, and free updates coming up, you have hours and hours of pig-crashing, exploding, and flying fun! Get three stars on every level to unlock…

Reviews

Monster Inspiration Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Review

What would it take to get you to spend $350 on a set of headphones? I’ve been asking myself that very question over the last two weeks, and I think I may finally have an answer. The question wouldn’t have even come up if I hadn’t been sent Monster’s newest Inspiration headphones, which — as you may have guessed — retail for that exact amount. all photos by Kevin Stanford I approached the package unwrapping with some trepidation … what if I liked them? Granted, these were sent to me as a review sample that I would be allowed to…

Music Diary, Reviews

Vinyl Re-Visions Looks at Steve Reich’s Different Trains (Classical, 1988)

Steve Reich – Different Trains / Electric Counterpoint There are a few pieces of music that absolutely stop me in my tracks; that no matter my mood or intent, if these come on I will listen without fail or interruption. One is Miles Davis’ song Bitches Brew from the album of the same name … another is Steve Reich’s composition Different Trains. This music is amazing on a number of levels that I will describe later, but it also has an emotional pull, as it integrates Reich’s experience as a Jew in America with family in Europe and his thoughts…

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