Reviews

Reviews November 24, 2012

Native Union’s POP Bluetooth Headset Review

Every once in a while there comes an invention whose imagery at one point in its evolution becomes universally iconic. The telephone, particularly the style of handset that started appearing in the US around the mid 1920s with the advent of the Western Electric B1 (also known as the Model 102), is one such item. How ubiquitous? Turn on your cell phone or fire up Skype. See that call icon? The image of a telephone is synonymous with voice communications, and the people at Native Union have created a series of handsets, the POP Phone, to reintroduce the “retro” phone…

Reviews November 24, 2012

Sena Wallet Slim for iPhone 5 Review

Yesterday we took a look at the Hampton Wallet from Sena Cases. It is a gorgeous leather case that protects your iPhone while letting you carry up to three different cards. While I love the way it looks and feels I found that, unfortunately, I became a bit tired of constantly having to unsnap the case and fold back the cover to access the screen. That’s where the Sena Wallet Slim steps in. It too offers a three card wallet. It too protects the iPhone. Unlike the Hampton Wallet, though, this case doesn’t have a cover. That means less protection…

Reviews November 23, 2012

Phiaton MODERNA MS 200 Earphones Review

Back in July I put the Phiaton PS 20 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headset head to head with the Jabra Clipper Bluetooth Stereo Headset. (Read the pos, here.) I preferred the Phiaton PS 20 BTs to Jabra’s offering, and I have continued to use them on a fairly frequent basis since doing the review. Among the things that stood out at the time was the unusual design of the earbuds — they are angled in a manner that surprised me. On first appearance, the design looked awkward; I expected them to be uncomfortable, but I was wrong! The earbuds went into my…

Reviews November 23, 2012

Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3, Video Review

We reviewed Skooba Design’s Skooba Tablet Messenger V3 and their Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3 . Both are well designed and well constructed ways to carry and protect your gear on the go. Now Skooba has added yet another item to their growing V.3 line. This time out we are taking a look at the new Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3. The bag has an MSRP of just under $100. and it is great if you want to carry and protect your DSLR, tablet and a few additional accessories. The bag is constructed from a Micro Ballistic Nylon exterior, while the…

Reviews November 23, 2012

Sena Cases Hampton Wallet for iPhone 5 Video Review

One of our Newsletter Underwriters, Sena, has rolled out a new series of cases for the iPhone 5. Some styles are similar to those available for the iPhone 4S but updated for the new design of the iPhone 5. Others are brand new. All of them will impress anyone who wants to protect their iPhone in gorgeous leather. The company sent a selection of cases to us for review, and we’ll be taking a look at them in the coming days. First up, the Sena Cases Hampton Wallet for iPhone 5. This case, at just under $60, is perfect for…

Reviews November 21, 2012

Nokia Lumia 920 & Windows Phone 8 – Thoughts from an iPhone & Lumia 900 User

A while back I did an experiment where I switched from an iPhone to a Lumia 900. I liked a lot of things about the 900, but in the end some of the limitations and missing applications drove me back to the iPhone. Now Windows Phone has made the rather painful transition from 7.x to 8.x and Nokia has released new models including the Lumia 920. Did things change for the better or were things lost in the transition? I decided to take myself down to my local AT&T store and pick one up, and now I’m here to fill…

Health and Fitness, Reviews November 21, 2012

Magellan Switch Review – a Full-Featured Yet Flawed ‘Wrist-GPS’

I recently reviewed the Garmin ForeRunner 10, and have been thrilled with it as a simple, entry-level running GPS-watch. But what if you want to use a heart-rate monitor, ride a bike, go into the water and so on? At that point you need a new device – something like the Magellan Switch series. Magellan is very explicit that the Switch is designed as a multi-sport device, and was kind enough to send along a review sample of the Switch for me to check out (UPDATE: Magellan recently sent me a pre-release update for the Switch, and I will comment…

Reviews November 21, 2012

Bling My Thing’s Dot Matrix Case for iPhone 4S Review

Some of us like our iPhone cases nice and simple. My regular case is a basic black Incipio Feather, and I love it. However, iPhones are more than just a utilitarian device; they are also a fashion statement, and cases showcasing how beautiful a smartphone can be are extremely popular. Bling My Thing was kind enough to send us a Swarovski Elements decorated case to review, and it has been winning fans left and right in my house! The last “Bling My Thing” case I reviewed was clear, but this one has a more mirrored finish to it. There’s some…

Reviews November 20, 2012

NYNE NB-200 Bluetooth Speaker Review; Provides Music on the Go

In an increasingly crowded market, a Bluetooth speaker needs something special if it is going to stand out. The JawBone JamBox stands out by having largely set the stage for this line of small speakers. The Braven 600 stands out because it also serves as an external battery to recharge your phone on the go. The Jabra SoleMate stands out with its huge sound and ruggedized design, and the JBL FLIP draws attention thanks to its low price and excellent sound-quality. How does the NYNE NB-200 Bluetooth speaker carve out its space? Read on to find out. From NYNE: NB-200…

Reviews November 20, 2012

AT&T HTC 8X Windows Phone Review

Earlier this year, Dan and I gave Windows Phone 7 a solid try. We put our iPhones away, and for the next two months we used only the HTC Titans that we had received at a CES event. You can read about our entire experience here, here, here, and here. As much as we both liked the Windows Phone OS and the Titan’s hardware, we each ultimately went back to our iPhones. Probably the biggest reason I couldn’t make things work with my Titan (or the Lumia 900 that I later bought in April) was that I missed the efficient app…

Reviews November 19, 2012

Livescribe Sky Smartpen Review: One New Feature Makes a World of Difference

It has been a while since I have written about my Livescribe smartpen, but that doesn’t mean I rely on it any less. In fact, my experience has actually the opposite. My Livescribe smartpen is so much a part of my workflow that I simply take it for granted. If you aren’t familiar with the Livescribe smartpen system, let me offer a simple description. The Livescribe smartpen is a large pen with a traditional ink cartridge in its tip; it that takes writing to an entirely new level, thanks to the inclusion of a small camera sensor that also sits in…

Reviews November 19, 2012

JBL FLIP Portable Wireless Loudspeaker Review

The last year or two has seen a huge proliferation in the number of small battery-powered Bluetooth speakers. We’ve reviewed the Jabra SoleMate, took a look at the popular JawBone JamBox a shootout between the Braven 600 and the JamBox and, most recently, reviewed the SuperTooth Disco 2. When the JBL FLIP arrived for review it looked to be yet another in this long and growing line of portable speakers. At just $99 how good could it be? The answer might surprise you. From JBL: The JBL Flip with Bluetooth® capability is an ideal wireless stereo system for smartphones and…

Reviews November 19, 2012

Waterfield Slip Case for iPad mini Review

My last few Kindles have been stored and carried in a Waterfield Slip Case for Amazon Kindle. It is simple protection that does exactly what I need and no more. (Read the review.) Now Waterfield has released a Slip Case that is perfectly sized for the new iPad mini. In fact it is perfectly sized twice; once for the iPad on its own and the other for the iPad when you are using a Smart Cover. Both are simple, protective and, if the well-loved but “looks brand new” Kindle Slip Case is any indication, will last and last. Here’s a…

Reviews November 19, 2012

Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini Review

We haven’t seen nearly as many cases for the iPad mini ship yet. Sure, we’ve already been looking at some great sleeves for the newest member of the iPad family, but when it comes to actual fitted cases we haven’t yet seen that many. One of the first cases to arrive for review was the Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini. The case promises to add shock and drop protection to the iPad for under $60. Does that make it the best case for the small but potentially delicate tablet? Let’s take a look! From Gumdrop:…

Game Diary, Reviews November 19, 2012

ShadowGun Deadzone for iOS and Android Hands-On Review

Type of app: First/Third Person Shooter (FPS) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (Android version here); available in the App Store and Google Play Developer: Madfinger Games Description: Prove your courage and challenge your friends. Experience heroic multiplayer battles that have never been seen on mobile device before. Enjoy console quality multiplayer game with awesome graphics on your phone and tablet. ? Experience intense tactical multiplayer combat with up to 12 players connected online. ? Choose from two popular game modes – Deathmatch and Zone Control, various maps and from 10 playable characters ? As a character’s ranking increases, new elements…

Reviews November 18, 2012

Waterfield SFBags Outback iPad Sleeve Review

My 9.7″ iPad spends most of its time at home, since the arrival of the iPad mini. Still, one can never have too many stylish ways to protect the best tablet around. Waterfield SFBags has some great options and one of the most interesting is their Outback iPad Sleeve. The original Outback fits the iPad 3 and 4. A new smaller size fits the iPad mini. Waterfield sent one for the 9.7″ iPad. Let’s take a look. From Waterfield: Old World Charm meets New World Protection. The vintage look of time-worn, waxed canvas plus the high-grade protection of neoprene, give the…

Reviews November 17, 2012

Waterfield SFBags iPad Suede Jacket Review

My iPad mini goes everywhere with me these days. Sometimes, I want it as protected as possible. (I’m looking forward to seeing more cases rolled out in the coming weeks.) At other times I want to protect my iPad while keeping it as thin and light as possible. That’s where the Waterfield SFBags iPad Suede Jacket comes in. We’ve looked at other Suede Jackets such as those designed for the 11″ and 13″ MacBook air. I have always been impressed with the scratch protection the product line offers without adding any additional weight or bulk. (Read the MBA review.) Let’s…

Game Diary, Reviews November 17, 2012

Shards of Time HD for iPad Review

Shards of Time is one of the most dense hidden object games I can recall playing, and yet I didn’t tire of playing it to the extent I had expected. By ‘dense’ I mean that it often felt that completing a single hidden object scene would spawn another scene plus a puzzle, and doing those would add more … and so on. Similar to most genre games, you start with a cutscene that establishes your character and the motivation for whatever is happening next. In this case you learn that you are part of a secret group with magical power…

Reviews November 17, 2012

Spigen SGP Illuzion Faux Leather Case for iPhone 5 Review

Spigen SGP makes the GLAS.t screen protector I have on my iPhone 5. I love it. They also make some great cases. For example, the UltraThin air I am using comes from them. They also make the larger, more protective lluzion Faux Leather Case. That is the case I put on my in-laws iPhone when they received them last week. Here’s a look. From SGP: iPhone 5 Illuzion is a premium synthetic leather wallet case with card slots inside. The cover has a speaker and earpiece cutout to allow users to talk on the phone even when the case is closed….

Game Diary, Reviews November 16, 2012

Deadly Dungeons for Android Review

Type of app: Dungeon Crawler game Platform/where to buy: Android; available in the Google Play Store Developer: Jacob Ensign Description: Deadly Dungeons is a first person RPG developed exclusively for the Android platform. This Android RPG is influenced by classic dungeon crawler games such as Dungeon Hack, Eye of the Beholder, and Nethack. Your purchase supports indie games development. After being separated from your adventuring party, you must navigate a deadly dungeon, and fight your way through hordes of creatures in a desperate attempt to escape alive. What first begins as a simple escape to the surface turns into a…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews November 16, 2012

iGrand Piano for iPhone and iPad Review

Type of app: Music Making Software Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: IK Multimedia Description: iGrand Piano puts an entire gallery of the world’s finest pianos right at your fingertips with studio-grade quality never heard before in any other app that stands up to the most powerful virtual instruments available on a computer. iGrand Piano features: – 8 world-class, multi-velocity stereo grand and upright piano instruments (including one by registering) – Expandable library of 9 additional studio-grade instruments instantly available via in-app purchase – Intuitive instrument edit controls including ambience, lid, brightness, release,…

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