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Reviews September 21, 2012

Kindle Fire HD Quick Hands-On Review and Comparison to Fire and Nexus 7

Last year Amazon stunned the world with the $199 Kindle Fire, melding a 7″ tablet that was a solid front end for Amazon with a decidedly budget price. A few of us at Gear Diary bought them, but whether they remained varied quite a bit based on usage. Since then there have been some other 7″ tablets but only one worth noting – the Nexus 7. Now Amazon is back with the next entry – the Kindle Fire HD. Let’s take a quick look and see how the three titans of 7″ tablets compare! The Hype: World’s most advanced 7″…

Game Diary, Reviews September 21, 2012

Epic Adventures La Jangada HD for iPad Review

Type of app: ‘Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure’ (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version also available); available in the App Store Developer: Urchin Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Embark on an unforgettable journey in this epic adventure based on a Jules Verne’s novel! After Minha agrees to marry Dr. Manuel Valdez, they decide to hold the wedding in Brazil. However her father’s dark past threatens her happy marriage. Long ago, he was accused of murder and now he is being blackmailed for Minha’s hand in marriage. Search for answers and clues in 43 thrilling locations, solve a variety of…

Reviews September 20, 2012

Marshall Electronics MXL FR-310 Hot Shoe Shotgun Microphone Review

One of the main reasons I opted to get the Canon T3i when I was purchasing a DSLR last spring was the ability to use the camera for video. I love the camera and am quite happy with my decision. Still, the video aspect of it has been a bit hit and miss. You see, while the image quality when shooting video is excellent, the audio is far from it. And, as I have discovered over the past few months, this is a common issue. You see, while the T3i is a powerful camera the microphone amplifier built into it…

Reviews September 20, 2012

Bling My Thing iPhone 4S Case Review

For some people the iPhone is a tool, a way to do business and keep in touch. For others, it doubles as both a tool and a fashion statement. The choice of a case isn’t utilitarian, it’s a way to express your style. That’s where “Bling My Thing” comes in with a Swarovski elements studded clear case, and as a coworker of mine exclaimed “This isn’t a case, it’s a work of art!” Physically, the Bling My Thing case is very similar to most minimal shell cases. It’s actually just a hair thicker than my Incipio Feather case, with the…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear September 19, 2012

2012 BMW 335i Luxury Line

The BMW 3-Series luxury sport sedan has long been held up as the “industry standard” in its segment and for 2012 the Bavarian automaker gives us the sixth-generation of this modern icon. Globally, however, the 5-Series sedans sell better and here in the states sales have fallen off a bit for the champ. The reason? The field has become so crowded consumers are spreading their investments across three theaters of production now, those being traditional Europe, Japan, and now newcomer Detroit and the likes of the Cadillac ATS. There is not much I can say here that Bimmer enthusiasts don’t…

Game Diary, Reviews September 19, 2012

Fieldrunners 2 HD for iPad Review

Type of app: ‘Tower Defense’ game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version also available); available in the App Store Developer: Subatomic Studios Description: The biggest sequel in tower defense history is now on iPad: Fieldrunners 2 HD has arrived! From Subatomic Studios, creators of the award winning classic strategy game, comes an all new adventure that was years in the making. Build epic mazes out of powerful weapons to defend the world from the invading fieldrunners! Major features: I am amazed that I never did a review of Fieldrunners, which I absolutely adore and have been playing on my iPod…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews September 19, 2012

Hands-on Review of AmpliTube 2.5 (now 2.6!) and Amplitube Fender 1.2

IK Multimedia recently released major updates to their AmpliTube and AmpliTube Fender amplifier simulation apps for iOS devices, which I wrote about here. If you follow Gear Diary, then you know that aside from a quick blurb we seldom do a ‘deep dive’ on a ‘point release’ update … but this time there was a reason! Read on and see if the new AmpliTube is for you! The Hype: • Full MIDI Integration. This feature allows users to control AmpliTube Fender 1.2 via standard MIDI controllers using an iOS MIDI interface such as iRig MIDI. This allows to remotely switch…

Reviews September 19, 2012

Run Roo Run iOS Review

Type of app: iOS, Universal for iPad and iPhone Platform/where to buy: iTunes, App Store Developer: 5th Cell Description (from the App Store): Hop, skip and jump Your way across tons unique and interesting obstacles in the Australian Outback! Run Run Roo is a micro-platformer featuring single screen levels filled with unique, fun obstacles and easy to learn one-touch gameplay. Play for only a few minutes or a few hours; your journey to Sydney always picks up where you left off. Major features: Run Roo Run is a micro-platformer, meaning each level is a single screen. Make it across and…

Reviews September 18, 2012

Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth Headset Review

My first Bluetooth headset sounded rather lousy, and it required a Bluetooth dongle be plugged into the phone itself since it did not have integrated BT. The headset also had a long boom that reached toward my mouth. It looked… dumb. When headsets began to appear that were tiny, dropped the boom and, as a result, were less noticeable, I bought. (I once spent a small fortunate on a tiny headset that looked cool but sounded horrible.) When I had a chance to review Plantronics Pro UC I jumped at it. First impressions were… not good. Here’s what I wrote…

Game Diary, Reviews September 18, 2012

Bigfoot: Hidden Giant HD for iPad Review

It seems like I have been fairly critical of recent G5 ‘hidden object’ games (HOG) such as Lost Souls: Enchanted Paintings and Tales from the Dragon Mountain and even Sinister City: Vampire Adventure. So I was really hoping for a ‘win’ from G5 with Bigfoot: Hidden Giant. Read on to see how it fared, and how the great service and communications from G5 saved me from a near disaster! The Hype: Does Bigfoot exist? Hunt for evidence of the legendary Sasquatch in this Hidden Object investigation. Scattered sightings of the elusive creature are reported when a chemical spill wreaks havoc…

News & Features, Reviews September 18, 2012

Stats Pad for iPad Review

Type of app: Statistical Analysis Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store Developer: Consensio Works LLC Description: Stats Pad brings detailed statistical analysis to your iPad. If you use Excel’s Data Analysis Toolpak or PHStat for statistical analysis, then you will love Stats Pad. Stats Pad is the perfect tool for classroom statistics or on the go analysis. Major features: It has been a year and a half since I reviewed Biostatistics, and since then the $24.99 app is gone from the App Store, and most of what exists are either desktop tie ins (JMP Graph Builder) or…

Reviews September 17, 2012

ShopShop for iOS Review

Type of app: iOS, Universal for iPad and iPhone Platform/where to buy: iTunes, App Store Developer: Nikolaj Schumacher Description (from the App Store): A shopping list. Simple. Free. Major features: This is a straightforward shopping list. It keeps a master list of items you add regularly, making it easy to rebuild shopping lists each week. It also lets you create multiple lists for different stores, offers Dropbox sync, and has a setting that prevents screen timeout (for those times you are shopping and referencing the phone repeatedly) Ease of use/Overall performance: This has a surprising number of features for a…

Editorials, Reviews September 16, 2012

My 7-Day Nexus 7 Experiment – Quality and Service are PROBLEM #1 for Google

When the Google Nexus 7 came out, both Dan and I pre-ordered one as I noted here. We discussed it in a video chat, and from that I had committed to a ‘7 Day Nexus Challenge’. The 7 days have long since passed, but I had wanted to get to the conclusion of my ‘initial Nexus experience’ before writing about it. So, here goes … Some background My pre-order through Google was confirmed and then canceled within a few hours for unknown reasons. Perhaps I should have taken that as an omen, but instead I just did another pre-order the…

Reviews September 16, 2012

Photogene for iPad, Updated and Awesome

There are so many iOS app available that let you edit, manipulate and share photos. Many of them aren’t just good, they’re great. And if you ask ten iPad-users which photo app they use and recommend you will likely get ten different recommendations. My favorite app? Photogene. Best of all, a recent update made it even better. Type of app: Photo & Video Platform/where to buy: iTunes App Store Developer: Omer Shoor Description: With Photogene you can easily browse, improve and export multiple photos. The iPad version of Photogene was designed to take advantage of the large screen and processing…

Reviews September 15, 2012

Feeddler RSS Reader for iOS Review

Type of app: RSS Reader/News Aggregator Platform/where to buy: iPad and iPhone (universal app); available in the App Store Developer: C.B. Liu Description: Feeddler is a fast and highly customizable Google Reader client that stays perfectly synced with Google and presents RSS stories in an easy-to-read interface. Major features: Feeddler is great if you want a fast and simple RSS reader. You don’t get flashy Flipboard or Pulse style navigation, but you get all your news in one place with a clean user interface. It also offers a whole slew of options to share news via social media or push…

Reviews September 15, 2012

Sena Magia Zip Review

As I use my iPad more and more in work settings, I’m finding that the right accessories make all the difference. The right keyboard lets me write more quickly. The right headphones let me enjoy my music in peace. The right external microphone makes recording audio easier and better. And the right case is simply essential. For example, when I’m using the iPad during services, having something as light as possible is key. So at service time I simply pop my iPad out of whatever case I’m using but, thanks to the Bodyguardz skin on the back, I know it…

Game Diary, Reviews September 13, 2012

Spirit Walkers Curse of the Cypress Witch for iPad Review

After a string of average hidden object games (HOG), G5 has had a number of great releases in a row with the most recent being ‘Nightmares from the Deep’. Now they are back with Spirit Walkers: Curse Of The Cypress Witch, which looks to have a significant and interesting plot wrapped around a hidden object adventure. Let’s take a look! The Hype: Inspired by the legend of a hiker-attacking ghost living in the forest, Maylynn and a group of friends decide to go on an entertaining, investigative trip. Almost immediately, things take turn for the worse when one of the…

Reviews September 12, 2012

Gammatech T7Q Ruggedized Tablet Review

TEN HUT! Ok not really, but that’s what I thought as I opened this interesting pen-based Gammatech T7Q’s box. This tablet is not your normal every day tablet computer; in fact, most people would never want to carry this device. However, there are many who have a business where this device might be just the very thing they need. The Gammatech T7Q should be right at home with construction crews, delivery persons, geographic information system engineers and more. How durable is it? The Gammatech T7Q is made for situations where it may be dropped, possibly get wet, or be jostled…

Reviews September 12, 2012

Tempo Battery Free Acoustic Amplifier for iPhone 4 and 4S Review

Here’s one of those products that, were I to simply see it online I would smile briefly and… move along. Yeah, I really wouldn’t have given the Tempo Battery Free Acoustic Amplifier for iPhone a second look. Good news is… I was sent one for review. Since it was in hand, I figured I would give it a try. Guess what? It works!! And at under $10 it is a great little extra for the iPhone-lover in your life. Let’s take a look. What Is It?: The Tempo acoustically amplifies the sound from the built-in speaker of your iPhone by…

Reviews September 12, 2012

Carved Skins Are One of the First Accessories I’ll Want for the New iPhone 5

Apple’s big announcement (or announcements) don’t happen until later today, but I already know one of the accessories I’ll be ordering for my iPhone 5. It comes from Carved, a small company that has completely and totally won me over. First let me give you a bit of a background on how I got to Carved in the first place. I don’t recall where I first saw the company’s name, but I did, and then I checked out their website; I liked what I saw. The company makes back plates and front plates for various devices out of real wood….

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear September 11, 2012

2013 Mazda CX-5 Crossover Brings the Zoom

The all-new 2013 CX-5 crossover utility vehicle from Mazda faces a daunting task – it is replacing not one but two models in the automaker lineup this year as both Tribute and CX-7 have received pink slips. CX-5 is also the first Mazda to take full advantage of the automaker’s new SKYACTIV technology that incorporates powertrain and chassis components working harmoniously. “The 2013 CX-5 is the vehicle compact SUV shoppers have been asking for – that only Mazda can build,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Poised to join a fast-growing and increasingly competitive segment,…